Harbor Freight’s ICON Pliers and Ratchets

[Dieselnick]

Hi ya guys and gals,
39yrs diesel and hydro, stuck mostly with Snap On and Matco. Stumbled upon these pro techs making videos comparing the new Icon ratchets and pliers to their Snap On counterparts. They were actually doing real world tests and comparisons including one guy included a hardness test. I decided to try. Ive been pleasantly surprised. I bought three pliers that I have the Snap On version of and a 1/4” drive flex head ratchet. Would absolutely recommend.

 

[Dieselnick]

 

[wrenchr]

I'm a fan of the Icon tools from HF for sure.

 

[Dieselnick]

Here is a Snap On. The side is not finished as nicely as the Icon

 

[Dieselnick]

I'm a fan of the Icon tools from HF for sure.

Have you used the new Icon pliers? Are you a professional mechanic that uses your tools all day and every day? Are your other tools Snap On and Matco?
I wouldnt want their other stuff but nobody here uses their tools more and in brutal conditions than I. Sure they are people that do but not more. After 39yrs, I know junk as having all Snap On and Matco. Ive seen others with lesser, have picked up and put down.

 

[Dieselnick]

Been very impressed and havent seen or felt or detected that inferiority.

 

[wrenchr]

Have you used the new Icon pliers? Are you a professional mechanic that uses your tools all day and every day? Are your other tools Snap On and Matco?
I wouldnt want their other stuff but nobody here uses their tools more and in brutal conditions than I. Sure they are people that do but not more. After 39yrs, I know junk as having all Snap On and Matco. Ive seen others with lesser, have picked up and put down.

Yes I have the pliers, not full time / pro but handle my own upkeep / repairs and help Family out with repairs and also my old truck and my Brothers old C10. I also own Snapon, matco cornwell, mac craftsman tools ect.

 

[Dieselnick]

I'm a fan of the Icon tools from HF for sure.

Up late with pinched nerve in neck. I miss read what you wrote. Sorry

 

[wrenchr]

Up late with pinched nerve in neck. I miss read what you wrote. Sorry

That *****, what did you think I said?

 

[Dieselnick]

Im going to try one of their torque wrenches. I saw one guy testing it on a tester. It tested 2% more accurate than the Snap On and the numbers are deeply engraved. I was at the Wilmer Eye Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital last month for a 2 week follow up after an ambulance took to the Hopkins ER despite living far away in norther Balt. Co. Closer hospital told the paramedic to take me to Hopkins because they have the world renowned Wilmer eye clinic there. What happened: I was in my laundry room. I started to knock over an open tub of Oxyclean. I grabbed for it. The powder flew into my eyes. Burned 10x worse than Brakleen plus its vey sharp grit. Got there blind and yelling. Started flushing with 1 litre bags of saline at about 8:00PM. They finally got the PH on my eyes to 7 after 28 bags. That was then 3:00 AM. They then wheeled to into the Wilmer Eye Clinic. Said corneas got scratched badly bit tge cornea is the fastest healing thing in the human body, theyde take me back to my room on the ER, put anti biotic drops in my eyes to prevent the scratches ftom getting infected, give me more oxycodone and let me sleep. 11:00 AM, They wheeled me to the pharmacy to get drops and oxycodone. Went back 2 weeks later for follow up. They said my corneas healed beautifully and my vision is 20/20.
Johns Hopkins rocks!
Good vision and struggle to read numbers on my Snap On torque wrenches. Have to be in the correct light and view the correct angle.

 

[Dieselnick]

That *****, what did you think I said?

Thought you said , dont like for sure

 

[Dieselnick]

Sorry for duplicate photo.
Give respect to Oxiclean. It can take you DOWN!!
I go down to the laundry room feeling like I should have safety goggles on now. LOL

 

[wrenchr]

Thought you said , dont like for sure

Oh ok, no worries! If I had that thought I would of not commented.

 

[wrenchr]

Im going to try one of their torque wrenches. I saw one guy testing it on a tester. It tested 2% more accurate than the Snap On and the numbers are deeply engraved. I was at the Wilmer Eye Clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital last month for a 2 week follow up after an ambulance took to the Hopkins ER despite living far away in norther Balt. Co. Closer hospital told the paramedic to take me to Hopkins because they have the world renowned Wilmer eye clinic there. What happened: I was in my laundry room. I started to knock over an open tub of Oxyclean. I grabbed for it. The powder flew into my eyes. Burned 10x worse than Brakleen plus its vey sharp grit. Got there blind and yelling. Started flushing with 1 litre bags of saline at about 8:00PM. They finally got the PH on my eyes to 7 after 28 bags. That was then 3:00 AM. They then wheeled to into the Wilmer Eye Clinic. Said corneas got scratched badly bit tge cornea is the fastest healing thing in the human body, theyde take me back to my room on the ER, put anti biotic drops in my eyes to prevent the scratches ftom getting infected, give me more oxycodone and let me sleep. 11:00 AM, They wheeled me to the pharmacy to get drops and oxycodone. Went back 2 weeks later for follow up. They said my corneas healed beautifully and my vision is 20/20.
Johns Hopkins rocks!
Good vision and struggle to read numbers on my Snap On torque wrenches. Have to be in the correct light and view the correct angle.

Damn, did not know that stuff was that bad. Will keep it on a lower shelf if we ever have any onhand.
I drank gasoline by accident once.
I was fixing a generator for my brother in law and had drained the carb into an old beer bottle and was drinking another and of course set them next to one another and you know what happened next. Just a funny story, nothing like yours.

 

[Dieselnick]

Damn, did not know that stuff was that bad. Will keep it on a lower shelf if we ever have any onhand.
I drank gasoline by accident once.
I was fixing a generator for my brother in law and had drained the carb into an old beer bottle and was drinking another and of course set them next to one another and you know what happened next. Just a funny story, nothing like yours.

I told that story to my buddy that is the senior technical advisor for Sonnax ( high end auto transmission manufacturer’s engineering faults correction and related components). He told everyone in the auto trans world that he knows ( thats alot. He travels all over the US teaching and is in charge of racing components in auto transmissions. Is always at the Bakersfield CA where they race everyday) and he as well as everyone he told had the exact same reaction and comment that you made. He also said all that those that said they had kids/grandkids were going to put out of reach. Those detergent pods now have childproof containers but Oxiclean has a flimsier that most Tupperware containers and the label is very bright multi-color, sire to attract a young child.
The stuff is awesome. Put it in washer when filling, let dissolve in a couple minutes, put greasy cloths in, add Tide, start washer to mix everything, shut it off, let soak for awhile up to 6 hours and restart the washer. I then rerun with no detergent to really rinse well. Nothing gets nastier than diesels because the engine oil has soot in it. Oxyclean and Tide gets that and grease out. You can make a solution and wipe spots on upholstery, carpet and or your shower and it will clean beautifully. When using the stuff, you have to read the instructions carefully and use the measuring lines on scoop. Too much in washer and or improper rinsing and your skin IS going to let you know so those instructions are your friend. I NOW rinse my hand after touching the scoop as I now have a fear of rubbing my eye for some reason and having even a trace of that stuff in my eyes. It is awesome stuff though. Some giy in Colorado invented it.

 

[Mb4]

I used to really dislike HF but there is no denying that Icon tools are good quality at an excellent price.

 

[Basskiller]

 

[cosmokenney]

Let us know how you like the Icon torque wrenches.
I've thrown out 3 of the older Harbor Freight ($20) torque wrenches after owning them for probably 2 week or less (separate times). Ended up replacing the half inch with a Craftsman that the head exploded on after torquing the third nut. Got it warrantied, head exploded again. Lost the receipt and they wouldn't warranty this time. Ended up with a Husky 1/2" that I really like. It is all metal and has held up to Jeep torque specs pretty well. But my 3/8 and 1/4 are PT brand and while they have held up, the handles and locks are plastic and I am just waiting on them to fall apart. I also had a 1/4 click type from Tekton that the head exploded on. Customer service sent me new internals and those lasted one wrenching session on my dirt bike. And, no I am not torquing at the max setting or anything. Just all of those three brands (not the Husky) are ****.

 

[Hohn]

I recently grabbed their flush cutters and dang they are impressive. They are also the best nail trimmers ever. Alas, son cut something a bit too hard with them (a wire in a price tag!) and now they have a minor nick in the blades.

But I can replace them for $25 if it bothers me.

The other ICON pliers I have are their long handled needlenose. They are a staple for me-- if I have the hood open, those pliers are out because they are my default for hose clamps, wire harness clips, etc.

I will definitely be buying more ICON pliers. I'm normally a Knipex snob, and I still think they make the best stuff for hard wire {try to cut piano wire on most side cutters and they'll be ruined-- even my Klein 2000s couldn't handle it).

But the ICONS are a heck of a deal in the pliers.

Their ratchets I think I'd say my experience varies from excellent with the 3/8s flexes to decent with the 1/2" to "ugh, not deserving of the ICON name" in 1/4". Tekton 1/4s are much much smoother and nicer in use than my ICON is.

Ratchet wise I pretty much just have ICON, Tekton and 90t Gearwrench now. I like them all as major upgrades to the very old 1990s Craftsmans I was using until 5-6 years ago.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I am a fan of the Icon line of tools also. I am looking forward to their Gen 2 ratchets although I don’t need anymore.

 

[KnurledNut]

Their 3/8 in 1/4 body clicker torque wrench is a unique offering.

 

[Steve_P]

I have the Icon 3/8 flex head micrometer torque wrench. It's a 9/10. The only negatives are the grip is massive with overly aggressive knurling, and I like larger grips and knurling, but mine is damn near sharp, and I'd like a few more degrees of flex in the head - they’ve deliberately overly limited it. This was my first icon tool and I was impressed. I tested it with the HF Braun? Quinn? torque tester and it was more accurate than my many USA made CDIs - which are like new, not dropped, stored at zero....

I also have the Icon needlenose - the SO copy. I haven't used them much, but the machining is on par with Knipex.

 

[Dieselnick]

I recently grabbed their flush cutters and dang they are impressive. They are also the best nail trimmers ever. Alas, son cut something a bit too hard with them (a wire in a price tag!) and now they have a minor nick in the blades.

But I can replace them for $25 if it bothers me.

The other ICON pliers I have are their long handled needlenose. They are a staple for me-- if I have the hood open, those pliers are out because they are my default for hose clamps, wire harness clips, etc.

I will definitely be buying more ICON pliers. I'm normally a Knipex snob, and I still think they make the best stuff for hard wire {try to cut piano wire on most side cutters and they'll be ruined-- even my Klein 2000s couldn't handle it).

But the ICONS are a heck of a deal in the pliers.

Their ratchets I think I'd say my experience varies from excellent with the 3/8s flexes to decent with the 1/2" to "ugh, not deserving of the ICON name" in 1/4". Tekton 1/4s are much much smoother and nicer in use than my ICON is.

Ratchet wise I pretty much just have ICON, Tekton and 90t Gearwrench now. I like them all as major upgrades to the very old 1990s Craftsmans I was using until 5-6 years ago.

Their is a guy on Youtube that compared the Icon flush cut diagonal cutter ms against Snap On’s counterpart. He frickin used an extremely expensive microscope hopked ip to a computer with a LCD screen so viewers could see. The ICON’s cutting angles were uniform and edges were perfect Snap ON… Well each jaw had a couple weird-uneven-un-uniform angles and cutting edge looked jagged! Then he cut metal…. Snap On was NOT a true flush cut. Extremely awkward meetings at Snap On over this and some other videos out now, I am sure.

 

[Dieselnick]

I am a fan of the Icon line of tools also. I am looking forward to their Gen 2 ratchets although I don’t need anymore.

Is this the gen 2, I just got a couple months ago? I heard some stores didnt have them yet. I LOVE the little thing. Exact same heft, balance and ratchet action as my little Snappies.
BTW These Icon ratchets and pliers are made in Taiwan not China. Huge difference in many many ways.
Sun starting to go down. I have to bring some things in.

 

[Dieselnick]

 

[Bryanthegreat]

That is the first gen of ratchets.
They just announced them and showed them off at SEMA. Tons of videos on youtube new ratcheting mechanism with a sealed head and new grips. A ton of new options and lengths even locking flex heads. I think it will be a bit until they arrive at stores unfortunately

 

[dnschmidt]

I've said it before and I'll repeat myself. Within five years HF will take over the tool world. Eric isn't screwing around, he means business.

 

[Dieselnick]

That is the first gen of ratchets.
They just announced them and showed them off at SEMA. Tons of videos on youtube new ratcheting mechanism with a sealed head and new grips. A ton of new options and lengths even locking flex heads. I think it will be a bit until they arrive at stores unfortunately

Oh, I see said the once blindman ( thank you Oxyclean.
Did you go to SEMA? My buddy from Sonnax reps Sonnax every year there. He came out of his hotel and a licence plate was stolen off of his rental. He asked a passing by cop what to do? He asked if anybody had been killed, he said, No. cop said, If you call, someone will be out in about 3 weeks. He went to the station and it took 3 hours to do a report to give to the rental company. I would never go to that town.

 

[Dieselnick]

Let us know how you like the Icon torque wrenches.
I've thrown out 3 of the older Harbor Freight ($20) torque wrenches after owning them for probably 2 week or less (separate times). Ended up replacing the half inch with a Craftsman that the head exploded on after torquing the third nut. Got it warrantied, head exploded again. Lost the receipt and they wouldn't warranty this time. Ended up with a Husky 1/2" that I really like. It is all metal and has held up to Jeep torque specs pretty well. But my 3/8 and 1/4 are PT brand and while they have held up, the handles and locks are plastic and I am just waiting on them to fall apart. I also had a 1/4 click type from Tekton that the head exploded on. Customer service sent me new internals and those lasted one wrenching session on my dirt bike. And, no I am not torquing at the max setting or anything. Just all of those three brands (not the Husky) are ****.

Will certainly do if I pick one up but a new torque wrench is low on my priority list.

 

[Dieselnick]

Will certainly do if I pick one up but a new torque wrench is low on my priority

Let us know how you like the Icon torque wrenches.
I've thrown out 3 of the older Harbor Freight ($20) torque wrenches after owning them for probably 2 week or less (separate times). Ended up replacing the half inch with a Craftsman that the head exploded on after torquing the third nut. Got it warrantied, head exploded again. Lost the receipt and they wouldn't warranty this time. Ended up with a Husky 1/2" that I really like. It is all metal and has held up to Jeep torque specs pretty well. But my 3/8 and 1/4 are PT brand and while they have held up, the handles and locks are plastic and I am just waiting on them to fall apart. I also had a 1/4 click type from Tekton that the head exploded on. Customer service sent me new internals and those lasted one wrenching session on my dirt bike. And, no I am not torquing at the max setting or anything. Just all of those three brands (not the Husky) are ****.

Here is one for your dirt bike.

 

[Dieselnick]

 

[Dieselnick]

 

[Dieselnick]

I will get the hang of posting photos

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I did not attend SEMA just saw the YouTube videos

 

[Steve_P]

I've said it before and I'll repeat myself. Within five years HF will take over the tool world. Eric isn't screwing around, he means business.

I think they pretty much already have. But they're not going to put Snap On out of business anytime soon. Or Tekton, Capri, GW.... The reality is that I'm guessing that they already have the largest share of the non-tool truck market, but there are also so many other small competitors. Because when there are a thousand products....

I did see last week that HF is opening some type of development center in South Carolina? So, it seems that maybe they are finally going to hire some designers and engineers and not just rely on what comes into their inbox from Taiwan: "We can make this cloned Snap On plier for you at $12." I've always said that there isn't anyone at HF that actually knows anything about tools. This may actually change if they hire a few designers and engineers.

 

[Hakeem]

I recently grabbed their flush cutters and dang they are impressive. They are also the best nail trimmers ever. Alas, son cut something a bit too hard with them (a wire in a price tag!) and now they have a minor nick in the blades.

But I can replace them for $25 if it bothers me.

You can warranty them for free!

 

[Hakeem]

I have a lot of icon stuff and don’t really have any complaints or regrets. I’m not a pro but a serious hobbyist. In general I think they make good tools and the easy warranty is the icing on the cake.

The pliers are definitely a great value. You have to spend 2x the money to get something better. This weekend they’re 30% off, too.

 

[Dieselnick]

I have a lot of icon stuff and don’t really have any complaints or regrets. I’m not a pro but a serious hobbyist. In general I think they make good tools and the easy warranty is the icing on the cake.

The pliers are definitely a great value. You have to spend 2x the money to get something better. This weekend they’re 30% off, too.

My Snap On guy has a good route. He lives in a $3m mansion. I like buying Snap On stuff on Ebay, new and used.
Those plain pliers that I was holding up are like $20 at HF. Snap On are $90. I leave an Icon in engine compartment, not crying. It slips into the abyss and wont cause an issue, Im not stopping. Snap On… Im cussing and pulling out the bore scope and all sorts of magnets and the flat rate goes TIC TOC. Im fine with Icon pliers and ratchets in many ways.
OK, Tyson is about to get knocked out on NETFLIX. ATT stadium in looks sold out.
Love Netflix!!

 

[zendriver]

My Snap On guy has a good route. He lives in a $3m mansion.

sure, but how long has he been a dealer?

Met one (more than once) at EX's company parties, so we'd talk business. He stated he continued to do very good, only because he been doing it 30 years d is very solidly established.

He honestly stated the market and expenses being the way they are (and this was over 10 years ago) doesn't know how tool truck newcomers make a living, no way would he get into it knowing what he does.

Maybe it was BS and it a pathway to gold.

HF won't put snap On out of business, but looking at the prices on the Icon stuff, many people with not much money might be

 

[username2]

Huh. I didn't know that Snap-on dealers could be bonafide well-off. Can they have sub-dealers like some big MLM deal?

In terms of HF growing, I'm waiting for them to be on Amazon although maybe the margins simply aren't there. That tends to be my default place to buy since I don't like having a CC number spread throughout the land.

That balance between price and perceived quality looks like a tricky matter. No doubt Tekton (and Gearwrench) are going through the same calculation all the time. I admit that I'd feel more of a glowing satisfaction from buying the infamous set of CAT pliers ($98 from my localish dealer) than doing the Icon equivalents, although it probably doesn't make a lick of difference.