HF Icon is more expensive than expensive brands !

[Jacobson]

$99 for a swivel socket set.
$20 more than pro caliber Sunex.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in...et-10-pc-56696.html?_br_psugg_q=swivel+socket

 

[m6z]

Seems like all the Icon talk died off.

 

[Skin]

Sunex is an expensive brand? They seem to be doing 20% off Icon coupons fairly regularly so they can be had for the same price. I just don't like the pin collars on the import sets.

 

[Tallpilot]

I wouldn't call Sunex an expensive brand but it is true that Icon stuff seems priced high. But HF is really just like Zoro. Since they always have coupons active their 'every day's prices are higher.

 

[M635_Guy]

Does Sunex have a pro line? I have their 1/2" impact kit.

I literally got home 30 minutes ago from HF. I had some stuff to return that was only eligible for store credit, and decided to grab their metric 3/8" chrome socket set and the 3/8" pear end chrome ratchet to look at them and compare. My first impressions are pretty darn positive...

 

[tank_jr]

Anybody have experience with the Icon stuff? Seems HF is trying to enter the pro tools market. But HF will always be HF in my eyes, so I just can’t seem to convince myself to buy their “pro” Icon tools.

 

[Vrod-Mike]

Anybody have experience with the Icon stuff? Seems HF is trying to enter the pro tools market. But HF will always be HF in my eyes, so I just can’t seem to convince myself to buy their “pro” Icon tools.

I belong to a bunch of HF groups on FB and the consensus seems to be that the Icon stuff isn't that good. They have already had a recall on ratchets for not being lubed at the factory. They were coming in dry as a bone. The metal on the wrenches and sockets seems to be really soft too. Many posts of open end wrenches snapping and sockets cracking. They are trying to crack into the tool truck market at a cheap price point, but so far they seem to have failed.....

 

[M635_Guy]

Anybody have experience with the Icon stuff? Seems HF is trying to enter the pro tools market. But HF will always be HF in my eyes, so I just can’t seem to convince myself to buy their “pro” Icon tools.

I have their swivel ratchets (1/4" and 3/8") and I'm a big fan. I spent a lot of time under the hood of my old BMW with the 1/4" and its Pittsburgh Pro brother (I bought a second one so I could have the two different socket sizes I was working with on each and just swap between ratchets instead of constantly swapping sockets). This made me think the PP is OK-but-not-great and fell in love with the Icon.

I had some stuff to return today to HF, and since it resulted in a store credit and I had the 20% off Icon coupon that's running I decided to grab their 3/8" full chrome ratchet and a set of the Icon metric sockets for it to compare with my Snap on F80 as well as the Carlyle and Sunex 3/8" ratchets I have. I figured I'd take them back after I eyeballed them.

Nope. I'm keeping them. The sockets look and feel extremely well-finished and are really shallow, which should be great when space is tight. The rachet has that some "serious-tool" feel and weight that the Snap On does. It's a little longer too (just over 9" vs. just under 7.5" for the F80). I keep a set of tools in the old BMW, so that's where the Carlyle will go. The Sunex 3/8" isn't great (at least the one that came in my kit isn't - maybe they make a standalone one that's better).

From L-to-R - Icon, Snap On F80, Carlyle and Sunex

 

[ryanx0r]

Anybody have experience with the Icon stuff? Seems HF is trying to enter the pro tools market. But HF will always be HF in my eyes, so I just can’t seem to convince myself to buy their “pro” Icon tools.

I can't speak for all of the Icon tools but I picked up a ratchet in each size (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 in long flex head) out of curiosity and I think they are quite nice. I opened them up and added superlube. For reference my other ratchets are predominantly SnapOn, but I also have Matco, MAC and Nepros to compare to.

 

[stevezx900]

I was looking at their Icon Toolbox like. I was stunned to see the setup I wanted for $7k.

I went with a slightly used Snap-On on master series toolbox with hutch for less than half the price of a new icon toolbox set up.

I don’t know about everyone else here but I would rather have a slightly used snap on box for half the price of a new icon box.

 

[M635_Guy]

I was looking at their Icon Toolbox like. I was stunned to see the setup I wanted for $7k.

I went with a slightly used Snap-On on master series toolbox with hutch for less than half the price of a new icon toolbox set up.

I don’t know about everyone else here but I would rather have a slightly used snap on box for half the price of a new icon box.

I think a lot of folks are surprised at the Icon box prices - seem higher relative to the hand-tools, but they're comparing vs. new Snap On. I have no idea if Snap On really gets the money they list for their new boxes, but there's no way in hell I'd pay that.

It sounds like you got a great deal!

 

[woody 73]

I suspect that snap on is not getting the full price on some of their boxes; funny thing but I missed out by a few hours on a used snap on box today and the price of that used box from the 1970's was in line with a nice General HF tool box; but not even close to the Icon tool box price.

 

[Vrod-Mike]

No one pays list for a Snap on box. If you have a good rep you can usually get 40-50% off. Especially if you buy one when the Rocking toolbox truck comes around.

I was looking at buying an 84" Epic. List was $15,500 and they quoted me $8000. You just need to know how to work a deal......

I think a lot of folks are surprised at the Icon box prices - seem higher relative to the hand-tools, but they're comparing vs. new Snap On. I have no idea if Snap On really gets the money they list for their new boxes, but there's no way in hell I'd pay that.

It sounds like you got a great deal!

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[Fedwrench]

Sunex is hardly an expensive brand.

However, I have said all along that Icon tools are hit or miss quality wise. You have to judge each Icon tool on its own merits.

The fact that Harbor Freight is even offering 1/2 drive impact sockets up to 24 mm in metric sizes and 1 1/4 in SAE is a good thing. Time will tell how good the sockets are themselves. For impact swivel sockets in 3/8 or 1/2 drive I would opt for the pinless sets Astro offers.

Icon still hasn't figured out what they did wrong with the 3/8 drive flex head ratchets binding out of the box but, perhaps they'll figure it out eventually.

I think icon did a good job with their long pattern & stubby ratcheting wrenches. They even came out with their version of the very popular Kabo made extra long flex head ratcheting box end wrenches. Which is a good time to remind everyone that there isn't an icon tool factory. Various established tool companies make the tools for harbor freight under the Icon brand.

Just remember to judge each tool on its own merits and not to apply a wide brush stroke opinion to everything.

 

[M635_Guy]

My Tekton vs. the new Icon sockets:

 

[techieman33]

Seems like all the Icon talk died off.

It usually does after a big launch or something else exciting. At the start all the social media "influencers" are pushing out reviews that they were usually paid in some way for. Be it cash, free product, a free trip to the announcement, etc. They get all of us riled up and curious about the new product and asking questions about it. We find out what there is to find out and there isn't as much reason to talk about it anymore. Look at the Milwaukee addiction thread. It goes crazy leading up to, during, and right after NPS every year. Then it slows back down to a few posts a day until they tease something else or a tool actually hits the shelves.

Sunex is hardly an expensive brand.

However, I have said all along that Icon tools are hit or miss quality wise. You have to judge each Icon tool on its own merits.

The fact that Harbor Freight is even offering 1/2 drive impact sockets up to 24 mm in metric sizes and 1 1/4 in SAE is a good thing. Time will tell how good the sockets are themselves. For impact swivel sockets in 3/8 or 1/2 drive I would opt for the pinless sets Astro offers.

Icon still hasn't figured out what they did wrong with the 3/8 drive flex head ratchets binding out of the box but, perhaps they'll figure it out eventually.

I think icon did a good job with their long pattern & stubby ratcheting wrenches. They even came out with their version of the very popular Kabo made extra long flex head ratcheting box end wrenches. Which is a good time to remind everyone that there isn't an icon tool factory. Various established tool companies make the tools for harbor freight under the Icon brand.

Just remember to judge each tool on its own merits and not to apply a wide brush stroke opinion to everything.

It's always going to be a problem for them they way they've set things up. I doubt they do much actual design work in house. They just contact a factory making something similar and spec out what they want. It saves them money, but if they aren't really careful with quality control some of those many factories will intentionally or unintentionally slip things through the cracks.

 

[Skin]

Love all these new accounts popping up here crapping on Icon with hearsay. Ten to one they're second or third accounts and or previously banned trolls. Really pathetic.

 

[M635_Guy]

It's always going to be a problem for them they way they've set things up. I doubt they do much actual design work in house. They just contact a factory making something similar and spec out what they want. It saves them money, but if they aren't really careful with quality control some of those many factories will intentionally or unintentionally slip things through the cracks.

I think that's probably true of their mainstream lines, but I don't think it's true of the higher-end stuff. Have we seen the Earthquake impact somewhere else? I've looked around a lot at swivels, and there are several small differences between the Icon 1/4" and the others I've seen. I'm not saying they aren't made by someone else, but the design appears to be spec'd differently and I'd guess uniquely to them. Same for the ratchet and sockets I bought today. After working a fair bit with the Icon and Pittsburgh Pro 1/4" swivels, both of which I liked a lot initially and were mainly being used together, I'm not less-fond of the PP and love the Icon. The PP is fine, and a very-good value-for-money, but

I'm no expert - just a guy checking things out a lot of tools lately - but I like to think I'm not easily led, and I've got no horse in the game or loyalty to a particular brand.

 

[M635_Guy]

Love all these new accounts popping up here crapping on Icon with hearsay. Ten to one they're second or third accounts and or previously banned trolls. Really pathetic.

I assume you're pointing the finger at me, but I'm not a zombie account - new to GJ and have been hanging around.

You seem to be quite the conspiracy theorist though

 

[dsimatt]

I was looking at their Icon Toolbox like. I was stunned to see the setup I wanted for $7k.

I went with a slightly used Snap-On on master series toolbox with hutch for less than half the price of a new icon toolbox set up.

I don’t know about everyone else here but I would rather have a slightly used snap on box for half the price of a new icon box.

We've got a young guy at work and he was checking out the icon boxes at HF and said it was pretty disappointing the quality for the price, I think us general is the best option if going that route. I have the Icon 1/2 torque wrench and is decent, same guy at work has a bunch of their wrenches and very comparable to craftsm professional, i think a person needs to do their home work on what's good and what's not.

 

[Skin]

I assume you're pointing the finger at me

You actually own some Icon so no, you're not the type of people im referring to.

 

[techieman33]

I think that's probably true of their mainstream lines, but I don't think it's true of the higher-end stuff. Have we seen the Earthquake impact somewhere else? I've looked around a lot at swivels, and there are several small differences between the Icon 1/4" and the others I've seen. I'm not saying they aren't made by someone else, but the design appears to be spec'd differently and I'd guess uniquely to them. Same for the ratchet and sockets I bought today. After working a fair bit with the Icon and Pittsburgh Pro 1/4" swivels, both of which I liked a lot initially and were mainly being used together, I'm not less-fond of the PP and love the Icon. The PP is fine, and a very-good value-for-money, but

I'm no expert - just a guy checking things out a lot of tools lately - but I like to think I'm not easily led, and I've got no horse in the game or loyalty to a particular brand.

There was actually a video from AVE a couple years ago where he found some Taiwanese company making impact wrenches. They were making at least one Earthquake model as well as for some much more expensive brands. He took it down pretty quickly afterwards though. Probably got some nasty letters from someones lawyers.

 

[woody6904]

Only Icon I have tried is the extra long ratchet wrenches in SAE and metric. They have taken over as the first wrench i grab and promoted to the pegboard. No complaints so far.

 

[Mr_B]

Only Icon I have tried is the extra long ratchet wrenches in SAE and metric. They have taken over as the first wrench i grab and promoted to the pegboard. No complaints so far.

All the ratchet wrenches are good as good oems . Probably the gem of icon range and not bad deal with 20% coupon and current warranty conditions .
I been using the long set for few months professionally and they good .
Sockets and socket ratchets nothing spectacular, socket ratchets are pretty poor effort and way better pawl mechanism and ergonomic designs are available at same price range .
Most of it a little over priced and range needs far better coverage and a bit of innovation and being more fussy with chosen oems to demand the higher prices .
Tool boxes same, not a bad product but totally overpriced and minimal buyer options/customization means less appeal and less value ...
Very poor manufacture and range planning and awful marketing strategy by HF too .
As for the swivel impacts just about every import brand has those swivels at varying price points and HF price is bit high, they should of made it a 12 or 13 piece set .

 

[M635_Guy]

You actually own some Icon so no, you're not the type of people im referring to.

 

[stevezx900]

I was looking at their Icon Toolbox like. I was stunned to see the setup I wanted for $7k.

I went with a slightly used Snap-On on master series toolbox with hutch for less than half the price of a new icon toolbox set up.

I don’t know about everyone else here but I would rather have a slightly used snap on box for half the price of a new icon box.

Here what I picked up last Saturday.

 

[M6erfan]

My Tekton vs. the new Icon sockets:

One of the things that bugs me about a lot of Taiwan sockets in the relatively long length (and broaching) on 'standard' sockets. Those Icon's are the shorter length style I prefer.

 

[Fedwrench]

One of the things that bugs me about a lot of Taiwan sockets in the relatively long length (and broaching) on 'standard' sockets. Those Icon's are the shorter length style I prefer.

yes. that's been my complaint for sometime now. I first noticed it mostly in 1/4 drive where most US made sockets are around 7/8 overall whereas, most of the Taiwan 1/4 drive shallow sockets are close to an inch in length. Tekton 3/8 drive sockets run 1.19 inches overall from 6-24 mm compared to say SK which starts out at 1.01 for 6 mm and ends up at 1.26 inches long for their 24 mm. I think it may be a plot to make you buy and appreciate Koken Zeal sockets

On the other hand, that extra length might provide for better socket finishing because most of the Taiwan made sockets are some of the nicest I've seen.

 

[BonzoHansen]

i needed a new 1/4" ratchet, picked up an icon. I jams a lot. I might see if i can exchange it. when it works its just fine. 60% of the time it works every time

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i've got the 3/8 chrome handle ratchet and a set of the sae ratchet wrenches. been using them for a couple of months ( home, not pro), absolutely no issues with them.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

$99 for a swivel socket set.
$20 more than pro caliber Sunex.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in...et-10-pc-56696.html?_br_psugg_q=swivel+socket

I have some Sunex head bolt sockets, and consider them "ok import bargain stuff".. I feel that I got My moneys worth, but wouldn't associate them with the term "pro".

 

[1982fxr]

As far as where hf stuff comes from, I wonder if they have it set up so that the exact same versions of the stuff they import goes to other countries besides the US.

I can't believe that icon tools and tons of other stuff they sell is produced in limited runs just for hf. Yet we don't see exact copies under other brands here in the US. At least not usually.

Example:. Multi purpose vise. I have owned about every version of that style vise that's been imported from China over the years.

People say the hf is the same as X brand. I have never seen the exact one hf sells under any other brand. The hf is by far cruder and has noticeable differences from every other version I've ever seen.

No way some factory in China is tooling up just to do hf runs on that vise. I'd think they have to be making many, many more. But where are they?

Is hf an "exclusive" importer of a lot of their stuff?

 

[Jacobson]

I figured Sunex was pro since my local pro uses Sunex. IF good enough for a shop, good enough for my using is once a year

 

[Iron Beaver]

I have no informed opinion on the Icon lineup. I own one Icon click-style torque wrench that I have used for all of one job. (A clutch job on a Toyota Echo). It did fine but that means pretty much nothing until I've used it day in and day out for years on end.

As far as where hf stuff comes from, I wonder if they have it set up so that the exact same versions of the stuff they import goes to other countries besides the US.
No way some factory in China is tooling up just to do hf runs on that vise. I'd think they have to be making many, many more. But where are they?

Is hf an "exclusive" importer of a lot of their stuff?

I would guess you are on to something. When I was in Bolivia last year, I stayed with a family that had a basic auto mechanic shop and watched them do a drivetrain swap on a Toyota Corolla wagon. Part of this was welding new motor mounts in place. I couldn't help but notice that the cracker box welder they had looked awfully familiar, I checked to see if it said "Chicago Electric" on it, but it did not. Same for other low-end tools I have encountered in South America. I'm no expert, but I think you may have the right idea

 

[WittHay]

As far as where hf stuff comes from, I wonder if they have it set up so that the exact same versions of the stuff they import goes to other countries besides the US.

I can't believe that icon tools and tons of other stuff they sell is produced in limited runs just for hf. Yet we don't see exact copies under other brands here in the US. At least not usually.

Example:. Multi purpose vise. I have owned about every version of that style vise that's been imported from China over the years.

People say the hf is the same as X brand. I have never seen the exact one hf sells under any other brand. The hf is by far cruder and has noticeable differences from every other version I've ever seen.

No way some factory in China is tooling up just to do hf runs on that vise. I'd think they have to be making many, many more. But where are they?

Is hf an "exclusive" importer of a lot of their stuff?

I think the answer to the last question is yes. HF with a 1000+ stores and the large US population has a lot of buying power. Somebody in Australia, Canada and Great Britain can name probably 5 import brands that nobody has heard of but are all similar to each other but different than HF imports

Vises up here, everybody uses a Record type 6" fixed vise, sells for $150 at the local tool stores. I dont think HF can copy a English type vise for the American market. There a cheap vises here also

The Snap-on copy/Daytona jacks are unique to the US market as are the new 22" deep tool boxes. Most boxes up here are 18" or 24"

Some imported swivel sockets I have seen have the anodized rings on them. HF Icon went with a older design with the collars but have the new upside down markings on them.

A lot of HF Icon has to do with marketing. Trying to make Snap-on/Mac look a like sockets with decent enough Taiwan quality and at a competitive price to other import brands

The look alike thing is not that important in other countrys, either buy the real US made or buy quality/tough enough imports that have their own designs

 

[M635_Guy]

One of the things that bugs me about a lot of Taiwan sockets in the relatively long length (and broaching) on 'standard' sockets. Those Icon's are the shorter length style I prefer.

What's strange is the Tekton's "catch up" in the deeper size range (Tekton back, Icon front - this is 8-19mm to match what comes in the Icon set)

It's funny - the 18mm Tekton is actually 0.5mm shorter than the Icon (29.5 vs. 30.0), but that't the only one. The 19mm and 8-17mm are all shorter on the Icon.

The Tekton set are all pretty close to 30mm, where the Icon generally gets taller - e.g. the 8mm Tekton is 29.9, the Icon is only 23.1, the 10mm is also 29.9, the 10mm Icon is 22.7 - a tiny bit shorter than the Icon 8mm. I guess it's a cost-saving thing, and I like my Tekton set, but I'm keeping the Icon set as a travel and tight-fit set.

 

[Tallpilot]

What's strange is the Tekton's "catch up" in the deeper size range (Tekton back, Icon front - this is 8-19mm to match what comes in the Icon set)

It's funny - the 18mm Tekton is actually 0.5mm shorter than the Icon (29.5 vs. 30.0), but that't the only one. The 19mm and 8-17mm are all shorter on the Icon.

The Tekton set are all pretty close to 30mm, where the Icon generally gets taller - e.g. the 8mm Tekton is 29.9, the Icon is only 23.1, the 10mm is also 29.9, the 10mm Icon is 22.7 - a tiny bit shorter than the Icon 8mm. I guess it's a cost-saving thing, and I like my Tekton set, but I'm keeping the Icon set as a travel and tight-fit set.

Compare the deeps and you will see the same thing. US made ones are shorter in smaller sizes, most Taiwan are all the same length, presumably to reduce costs. Besides enjoying USA stamped into my tools that was what prompted me to upgrade to US sockets. Then a few Koken Zeal to have even shorter shallows.

I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm impressed HF got a Taiwan factory to use different blanks.

 

[Mr_B]

HF found an oem who pretty much copied the snapon socket design they requested.
Most taiwan sockets more european/asian design in length to size taper ratio .
Is a few taiwan sockets that quite short, I have some 1/4 that only about 1mm longer than Koken.
Most noticeable difference with most taiwan chrome sockets is the wall thickness and weight .

 

[IRQVET]

Harbor Freight has been pushing the Goldilocks theme: Good-Better-Best. Icon is suppose to be their high end. I guess it will appeal to the tool snobs of the world who usually swear by Snap-on, only now the Chinese tool version.

You know what they say, a fool and his money will soon part . . .

 

[bubinga]

Harbor Freight has been pushing the Goldilocks theme: Good-Better-Best. Icon is suppose to be their high end. I guess it will appeal to the tool snobs of the world who usually swear by Snap-on, only now the Chinese tool version.

You know what they say, a fool and his money will soon part . . .

I personally have not used any of the icon items.
I did send my brother, a set of the ratcheting wrenches metric. I will have to report back how he likes them I'm sure he'll like them fine he's mainly an occasional user wrenching on his own vehicles.

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