CDI vs Icon torque wrench

[AJHD]

Recently picked up a 3/8" CDI torque wrench on Zoro for $147 before tax with a 20% off coupon.

As I mentioned in another thread, I was less than impressed.

#1. The desiccant pack inside turned to dust and covered the case and torque wrench with a white powder.

#2. There was some cosmetic discoloration at the top of the wrench, just below the head.

#3. The head itself is terrible. The selector felt broken, although it did function as intended. The 36-tooth ratchet mechanism was loose and sloppy inside the head.

Perhaps none of those things matter, but for an industrial brand owned by Snap On and a supposedly made in USA tool, it felt unacceptable. I sent it back to Zoro.

It just happens that HF put out their new round of ITC discounts today and the Icon 3/8" torque wrench, with the same torque specs and tolerances as the CDI, is on sale for $120 before tax.

Needless to say, I bought it. Initial impressions are good. It feels heavy, well built. Made in Taiwan. If the calibration sheet is accurate, it actually had better torque tolerances than the CDI. The head is 90-tooth and feels tight (in a good way).

In conclusion, as I said in another thread, Icon feels like a $500 USA Snap On and CDI feels like a $20 China Pittsburgh.

 

[Chipm]

I have had the Icon for six months or so, it gets used maybe half a dozen times every day. So far I love it, and would buy it again.

 

[Callelle]

I have the digital 1/2" and 3/8 in/lb Icon torque wrenches and have been more than happy with them.

 

[AJHD]

I have the digital 1/2" and 3/8 in/lb Icon torque wrenches and have been more than happy with them.

I have no plans to buy digital, but I might buy the 1/2" Icon click type later to go with the 3/8". I have a Snap On 1/2" split beam I've had many years, but never hurts to have options.

I had a Snap On "Tech Angle" digital, but after about 2 years I used it I think once. Eventually sold it. I just didn't/don't need it.

I'm not an engine builder and I'm not sending things into space. It's just not that critical.

 

[KnurledNut]

@AJHD
Did it come with a note stating Angle Repair in WV is certified to recalibrate it? My compact 3/8 did.
HF really stepped up their game by making this service available. It puts them in a class with the big dogs.

The ratchet mechanism appears to be William Tool Taiwan sourced. Like the Diehard flex heads.

 

[toddmorr]

Agree with ajhd comments re the cdi. Difficult to read the scale and 36 teeth wasn't ideal. Norbar far better and probably the icon too

 

[AJHD]

@AJHD
Did it come with a note stating Angle Repair in WV is certified to recalibrate it? My compact 3/8 did.
HF really stepped up their game by making this service available. It puts them in a class with the big dogs.

The ratchet mechanism appears to be William Tool Taiwan sourced. Like the Diehard flex heads.

I would have to look at the company info again, but yes it came with a magnet and little card with contact info for repair and calibration.

Not sure what the process is or what calibration costs.

As for the head/ratchet mechanism, I doubt it's coming from Williams, but it's a 90-tooth smooth and crisp action. Not even a fair comparison to the CDI.

 

[Steve_P]

I have two of the Icon flex head clickers and a bunch of CDI clickers. All of my CDIs were fine out of the box and tested better than the Icon using the HF Quinn? digital torque tester. But, as said, the CDIs are basically a 1970s product with a 1930s ~30 tooth ratcheting mechanism. It ***** that they haven't updated the mechanism, but the reality is that Snap On isn't going to let CDI sell a Snap On equivalent for a fraction of the cost- same with how Williams is selling the old USA ratchet designs from the 1970s and not dual 80s. And both CDI and Williams are "industrial" tools and the low tooth counts are probably fine 99% of the time for their intended application.

I do like the Icon and if I was buying today, I would start there and not with CDI. There was no way I could justify spending $400+ on a SO clicker micrometer style 80 tooth torque wrench for occasional home use.

 

[AJHD]

I have two of the Icon flex head clickers and a bunch of CDI clickers. All of my CDIs were fine out of the box and tested better than the Icon using the HF Quinn? digital torque tester. But, as said, the CDIs are basically a 1970s product with a 1930s ~30 tooth ratcheting mechanism. It ***** that they haven't updated the mechanism, but the reality is that Snap On isn't going to let CDI sell a Snap On equivalent for a fraction of the cost- same with how Williams is selling the old USA ratchet designs from the 1970s and not dual 80s. And both CDI and Williams are "industrial" tools and the low tooth counts are probably fine 99% of the time for their intended application.

I do like the Icon and if I was buying today, I would start there and not with CDI. There was no way I could justify spending $400+ on a SO clicker micrometer style 80 tooth torque wrench for occasional home use.

I don't disagree. But it really wasn't the tooth count that bothered me, at least not entirely.

The body of the torque wrench felt solid. But the head felt like some piece of **** made in China ratchet you would buy at the dollar store. Clunky, looose, sloppy and the selector felt like it was broken.

As I said before, I'm sure it would work just fine. The calibration certificate stated as much. But I just wasn't happy with it.

 

[Komet]

I have a Pittsburgh torque wrench, can confirm the CDI is substantially nicer.

Both set torques accurately.