Icon master puller set

[AJHD]

My interest has been peaked by one of Icon's recent new tools... the Master Puller Set. It's $50 off during the upcoming parking lot sale.

Does anyone have one of these kits?
Have you used it?
What have you used it for/on?
Any opinions? Good or bad?

https://www.harborfreight.com/master-interchangeable-puller-set-58118.html

I think it would also pair nicely with the Icon bearing and race driver kit, which is currently also on an ITC sale.

https://www.harborfreight.com/aluminum-bearing-and-seal-driver-set-16-piece-58262.html

 

[KnurledNut]

I haven't used it, so I can't speak for the quality, but having experience with other pullers, that set seems a little limited on arm reach. It would be a good complement to the ICON Long-jaw Master Set.
https://www.harborfreight.com/long-jaw-master-puller-set-22-piece-58003.html

Keep in mind pulling a component is only half the battle.

 

[Steve_P]

I have the OTC version of those pullers, which are a copy of Snap On, and they're great. The Icon probably comes from the same factory as OTC and with the HF warranty I wouldn't hesitate to buy them even at full price.

 

[Callelle]

I would look for a used Snap On or OTC puller. I found my CJ2002 set for $150 on marketplace. Even being an older set (old font), my dealer has no issues swapping bent jaws and broken pieces out.

 

[mreisner]

OTC used to make some of the Snap on ones I think.

 

[tyyost]

Honestly, pullers are not really the kinds of things I like to buy without a use case. Like above that mentions the long jaw set, it always seems the ones in sets have limited value. The arms do look like the shorter style, which has limited usefulness, until you have a project that you know they will work on.

I have a collection of pullers, and use them sparingly, and find three jaw models a better for my projects. While I have has success with 2 jaw, they had long arms, and often heat was my friend.

 

[AJHD]

All solid advice and good points.

 

[Chipm]

I almost never use pullers, but I feel like I need to buy both of those sets and everything else that would make a complete Snap-On CJ2000 homage set because the whole setup looks cool.

 

[four.cycle]

Honestly, pullers are not really the kinds of things I like to buy without a use case.

^ this.
My "go to" is a model 104 Posi-Lock. Usually if I'm pulling anything, it's the drive hub off of a lawnmower engine.
Since acquiring it, I've also amassed quite a collection of conventional (Rueben Kaplan) type pullers, and haven't used any of them yet.
The two OTC models below are just part of what I have:

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Over the years I have found everytime I need to 'Pull' something, I don't have the correct puller, which inturn has filled one of my tool cabinets with a plethora of OTC, Snap-On & Posi Lock pullers.

 

[purplezr2]

Honestly, pullers are not really the kinds of things I like to buy without a use case. Like above that mentions the long jaw set, it always seems the ones in sets have limited value. The arms do look like the shorter style, which has limited usefulness, until you have a project that you know they will work on.

I have a collection of pullers, and use them sparingly, and find three jaw models a better for my projects. While I have has success with 2 jaw, they had long arms, and often heat was my friend.

I would agree with this statement, expect for depending on location and scope of work

I live in a rural area, 2hrs to the closest Harbor freight or big box store. If I need a puller, I need to have it on hand prior to the start of a project more then likely.

Scope of work, I believe the OP is looking at possible a service tech job with a rental company, where likely won't know day in and day out what he will be working on. Likely nice to have in the bag of tricks when an issue arises.

 

[AJHD]

Scope of work, I believe the OP is looking at possible a service tech job with a rental company, where likely won't know day in and day out what he will be working on. Likely nice to have in the bag of tricks when an issue arises.

I didn't get that job, unfortunately. But I'm still trying for others.

I don't mind buying hand tools, even if there is a likelyhood that I will never use them or have a need for them... But I don't really own much in the way of specialty tools or what might be considered shop tools.

 

[signcrafter]

Honestly, pullers are not really the kinds of things I like to buy without a use case. Like above that mentions the long jaw set, it always seems the ones in sets have limited value. The arms do look like the shorter style, which has limited usefulness, until you have a project that you know they will work on.

I have a collection of pullers, and use them sparingly, and find three jaw models a better for my projects. While I have has success with 2 jaw, they had long arms, and often heat was my friend.

I would agree with this statement, expect for depending on location and scope of work

I live in a rural area, 2hrs to the closest Harbor freight or big box store. If I need a puller, I need to have it on hand prior to the start of a project more then likely.

Scope of work, I believe the OP is looking at possible a service tech job with a rental company, where likely won't know day in and day out what he will be working on. Likely nice to have in the bag of tricks when an issue arises.

Like purplezr2 said, depending on each person's situation it can make sense. Depending on things like how much and what type of work you are doing, how quickly you can get a tool when you finally need it, etc, can mean it makes sense to buy tools you may not need right this instance. I don't like to buy tools just to sit on the shelf. But I also don't like running into an issue and having to stop because I don't have the tools to do the job. If you are working on a project vehicle that doesn't matter how fast it gets done and you can wait a half a day to run and get a tool or wait a day or two for amazon to deliver one that is one thing. But when you are working on your own car that you need to drive or someone else's car that you need to get done, then stopping and sourcing a tool is a pain.

So if you think you may need the tool in the future it makes perfect sense to buy it while on sale, save some money and you have it when needed. I'm constantly buying tools I don't have a current need for when I find a deal on them. Buying tools ahead of time usually allows you to get a better quality tool for a better price because you can shop around and find sales. If I run into a problem and need a specialty tool halfway through a repair then I have to spend a couple hours to run to HF and get whatever they have and hope it works, at least 45 min drive each way depending on traffic and then shopping time. Or order whatever amazon has for 1 or 2 day shipping. Those are about the only options for specialty tools quickly usually. So if I think I will be needing a tool sometime down the road and find a deal on it I will buy it.

 

[mikey03]

Honestly, pullers are not really the kinds of things I like to buy without a use case.

what about the use case of getting that next hit of new tool dopeamine

 

[Dagny]

In 1980 I was at the local hardware store looking at a S-K catalog I ordered 2 pullers and a bearing splitter. When they came they had OTC on them but it didn't mean anything to me at the time. They are made of some incredible steel. When you need a puller you need a good puller.

 

[bigfunwmu]

I have not used any Icon pullers, but all the other puller stuff I have purchased from Harbor Freight in the past has basically been single use since the metal quality is only slightly greater than cheese.

I currently have Snap-on CJ270, Gedore blind hole, OTC blind hole and bearing splitters and push pullers, and a Beta dummy ball puller that I trust. I have a couple off brand random junk that is shaped like a puller but I don't quite trust to hold up.

 

[Hakeem]

I plan on getting it sometime. A decent, comprehensive puller set with easy warranty for around $200? That’s pretty good value. If it doesn’t meet my needs, I can upgrade as needed down the road.

 

[Hakeem]

I have not used any Icon pullers, but all the other puller stuff I have purchased from Harbor Freight in the past has basically been single use since the metal quality is only slightly greater than cheese.

I currently have Snap-on CJ270, Gedore blind hole, OTC blind hole and bearing splitters and push pullers, and a Beta dummy ball puller that I trust. I have a couple off brand random junk that is shaped like a puller but I don't quite trust to hold up.

Their icon stuff is pretty decent, probably comparable to modern OTC or Astro

 

[Zewnten]

Entirely depends on how tough they made the edge of the jaws on the legs. I had OTC, and other brands from Taiwan and they were all too soft. So I switched to Snap On, even then sometimes the heat treatment is off and I warranty the piece the next time I saw my driver.

 

[drokihazan]

I have a huge variety of Snap-On, OTC, Posi-lock, Astro, Matco, and Tiger Tool pullers. Big fan of pullers. I picked up the Icon master and long jaw sets, and they're both really excellent, totally equivalent quality to any of my others. I picked up the Icon ball joint press set at a parking lot sale too, because I'd never bought a BJP1 and my old OTC press didn't have a lot of cups or a huge clamp. The Icon ball joint press has been amazing, especially for driveshafts. I think Icon's automotive shop tools (testers, gauges, pullers, presses) are really competitive and would recommend them, especially for the price.

 

[AJHD]

I don't really care for any of the Pittsburgh or even Maddox branded tools. They still feel too cheaply made.

But I've been happy with everything Icon that I own thus far. I'm sure when I'm needing or ready to buy more of their shop tools, I won't be disappointed.

 

[Jeeper99]

I have the snapon equitant to both icon puller sets linked above and a proto 4232 10 ton 2 jaw. 99% of the time I'm grabbing the proto, it's just easier to use. My snappy stuff is mostly in a metal case with some of the bigger pieces loose in my box. The proto stays assembled in my box with both sets of jaws on it ready to grab and go. The proto is so simple to use with 1 hand, pick the jaw length you want, slide them to the right distance, start pulling. The snappy you have to assemble it, get the spreader bar nuts tight, hope you can balance it with 1 hand while you run the impact with the other. The snappy and icon sets have lots of little pieces and are much more finicky.

You can never have enough pullers and never know when you'll need an odd combination of stuff though. Knowing what I know now I wish I would have just bought Proto stuff from the get go. My snappy stuff was all used off e-bay. If you dig into the proto catalog there's a lot of options for combinations of parts.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/pro...2-way-straight-jaw-puller-set-9-pc?tid=578906

 

[drokihazan]

I have the snapon equitant to both icon puller sets linked above and a proto 4232 10 ton 2 jaw. 99% of the time I'm grabbing the proto, it's just easier to use. My snappy stuff is mostly in a metal case with some of the bigger pieces loose in my box. The proto stays assembled in my box with both sets of jaws on it ready to grab and go. The proto is so simple to use with 1 hand, pick the jaw length you want, slide them to the right distance, start pulling. The snappy you have to assemble it, get the spreader bar nuts tight, hope you can balance it with 1 hand while you run the impact with the other. The snappy and icon sets have lots of little pieces and are much more finicky.

You can never have enough pullers and never know when you'll need an odd combination of stuff though. Knowing what I know now I wish I would have just bought Proto stuff from the get go. My snappy stuff was all used off e-bay. If you dig into the proto catalog there's a lot of options for combinations of parts.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/pro...2-way-straight-jaw-puller-set-9-pc?tid=578906

One of the nice things about this Icon set is that the box is designed to keep a completely assembled puller of any of the sizes in the box alongside all the pieces.

 

[Jeeper99]

One of the nice things about this Icon set is that the box is designed to keep a completely assembled puller of any of the sizes in the box alongside all the pieces.

That's nice though it's still a pain to change sizes and adjust with the Icon/ snapon and it is definitely not a 1 handed operation to adjust one. Want the Icon/ snapon wider? Change strong back and center bar. Proto, just slide it wider. I wish Proto made a wider strong back.

 

[Steel_Rain]

But I've been happy with everything Icon that I own thus far. I'm sure when I'm needing or ready to buy more of their shop tools, I won't be disappointed.

@AJHD I picked this up over the parking lot sale last week. Like others have already said, it's the same setup as my OTC at work. I bought this for home use, but I think this will work in a professional application just as well. I'll get the long jaw at some point too.

I can post pics if you want.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have the snapon equitant to both icon puller sets linked above and a proto 4232 10 ton 2 jaw. 99% of the time I'm grabbing the proto, it's just easier to use. My snappy stuff is mostly in a metal case with some of the bigger pieces loose in my box. The proto stays assembled in my box with both sets of jaws on it ready to grab and go. The proto is so simple to use with 1 hand, pick the jaw length you want, slide them to the right distance, start pulling. The snappy you have to assemble it, get the spreader bar nuts tight, hope you can balance it with 1 hand while you run the impact with the other. The snappy and icon sets have lots of little pieces and are much more finicky.

You can never have enough pullers and never know when you'll need an odd combination of stuff though. Knowing what I know now I wish I would have just bought Proto stuff from the get go. My snappy stuff was all used off e-bay. If you dig into the proto catalog there's a lot of options for combinations of parts.

https://www.protoindustrial.com/pro...2-way-straight-jaw-puller-set-9-pc?tid=578906

I have the Urrea version of that Proto and I agree with all you said. I usually grab it first.
Shown here with a Urrea bearing separator:



If I need smaller which isnt often, I have an older Snap-on CJ82 Pitman Arm Puller.



This vintage Indestro has been a beast and is another favorite. The design of two different width jaws on the arms combined with the holes for height and horizontal adjustability make this one quite versatile and easy to set up.



I have other three jaw pullers that have definitely been a need on several occasions. Having a variety of options has worked for me. I see too many limits with the ICON kit for things I have encountered. Whether its sufficient or not for any given person largely depends on what they plan on working on.