HF Icon wrench set pricing

[Challenger440]

Does anybody have a lead on the pricing for the new Harbor Freight wrench sets? Back in January I was thinking about springing for a set of Wright Grips but I wanted to wait to see how this new line compares price wise. Last I saw, they were intended to be rolled out sometime Q1-Q2.

 

[Naltastrife]

You were thinking about Wright Grips but want to wait to see the pricing on HF wrenches? If you have the money for Wrights, buy them and be done with it. They're quality, USA made, and wont be replaced in 2 years by HFs next upcoming "premium" no name line.

 

[Yarpo]

+1 for the Wright Grips, as well as the USA Williams super combos. Both amazing wrenches, made in the USA at reasonable prices.

 

[ChrisLS8]

For the probably price point you might as well stop holding your breath and order some Supercombos

 

[Challenger440]

I’m a home gamer and don’t necessarily need to drop a bunch of coin but if the difference is only going to be $30, I’ll spring for the Wright Grips.

I also felt that I might not be the only person on the board who was curious about these and was hoping to mine the masses for info.

 

[1982fxr]

I would expect the difference to be more than $30...

 

[Zewnten]

Why not just buy the channellock version and fill in with Carlyle?

 

[Challenger440]

I would expect the difference to be more than $30...

It would make sense to expect that but when you start looking at it, it’s no slam dunk. The Icon breaker bar is roughly 25% to quoted cost of the Snap On breaker bar. A 19 piece flank drive set from Snappy is $800, so would that make the Icon set $200? The 18 piece WrightGrip set runs around $220.

Can we expect HF’s plan to target 25% the price of Snappy across the board? Probably not, hence the reason for the original post. Does anyone have any info on pricing yet?

 

[Skin]

Pretty sure the Carlyle long pattern 6-24mm set goes on sale for $160. The normal 11pc set is around ~$80. HF is using the same wrenches so i'd expect to see a 10pc set for less than $100. Its still going to be sticker shock for your normal HF shopper as most of their wrench sets are $30 or under.

 

[derosa]

Guess the real question is, are the HF wrenches worth waiting for? If you want Wright quality then buy Wright, if you want close enough at a reasonable price difference then get gearwrench. Much of the wrenches that I worked with in the bicycle shops were gearwrench and honestly I never thought that they were that bad. It was only when using Wright on a marginal condition or softer material nut or bolt that I discovered how wright was better, for most fasteners the gearwrench is good enough. And while I may be wrong I can't imagine that the Icon wrenches will be significantly different from gearwrench, kobalt, craftsman or huskey in either price or quality that I'd consider them worth waiting for just to have Icon.

 

[Fedwrench]

Pretty sure the Carlyle long pattern 6-24mm set goes on sale for $160. The normal 11pc set is around ~$80. HF is using the same wrenches so i'd expect to see a 10pc set for less than $100. Its still going to be sticker shock for your normal HF shopper as most of their wrench sets are $30 or under.

Agreed, look at all of the knashing of teeth over the Icon breaker bar pricing when they appeared.

I think the Icon tools will be similarly priced to Carlyle tools but, that's just my guess

On page 40 of the May Harbor Freight catalog, the icon roto ratchets are listed at the top of the page. Again pricing is much higher than what the Pittsburgh versions went for. An Icon 1/4 roto ratchet is on sale for $32.99, 3/8 is $37.99, and 1/2 runs $42.99. pittsburgh versions are $12.99 for 1/4, $15.99 for 3/8, and $20.99 for the 1/2 drive model. I haven't looked to see how Icon prices compare to SBD Craftsman but, that may be worth evaluating when the complete Icon line is available.

I think the traditional harbor Freight customer will choose Quinn over icon but, time will tell.

 

[Mr_B]

We don't know the price and more importantly don't know the real world quality so even if price appears are they worth it ?
I would save yourself buyers regret and just go for the wright and be content that you got a proper nice wrench set made i usa for decades to come .
Wrenches are one of those tols that spending a little more on works out the better deal in long run .
Not really enough of a saving want wait or take the quality risk with icon .
If wanting save you really want under half the cost, carlyle not bad at lowest real deal offers .

 

[Tallpilot]

Pretty sure the Carlyle long pattern 6-24mm set goes on sale for $160. The normal 11pc set is around ~$80. HF is using the same wrenches so i'd expect to see a 10pc set for less than $100. Its still going to be sticker shock for your normal HF shopper as most of their wrench sets are $30 or under.

I think they’ll offer a 7 piece skip set for ~60 so it can have a $49.99 coupon price. You’re guess on the 10 piece is probably about right with $78.99 coupon.

When Fedwrench said they were talking about a May rollout at SEMA I thought they meant the whole line not 3 tools. The pace so far is pathetically slow.

 

[Fedwrench]

When Fedwrench said they were talking about a May rollout at SEMA I thought they meant the whole line not 3 tools. The pace so far is pathetically slow.

That's what I was led to believe by the guys working the Icon SEMA booth. However, no plan survives contact so, I'm not surprised. I am surprised that they started the launch with breaker bars though

Maybe they're waiting for all of the Quinn stuff to replace the regular Pittsburgh items to create shelf space.

 

[cheechi]

forget about the price or quality you don't even know what sizes they will exclude.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

As others mentioned they look just like the carlyle and channellock wrenches. I have some of both they are pretty good. I like them, however if something is really corroded or torqued and you have to use the open end it will spread. Will depend on the pricing.
I think channellock set that goes up to 1-1/4'' is like $140. They're probably the best ''cheaper'' or lower end wrenches around that price point. Dewalts newer wrench sets are around same price they look pretty good as well.

 

[bobcatdan]

After seeing the icon breaker bar, not holding my breath that the icon line will be anything special. I pretty much couldn't see any difference between the icon and the Pittsburgh pro hanging next to it. While the torque wrenches look nice, I'm leaning towards this whole line to be pretty much a warm over of what they already have.

 

[ChrisLS8]

After seeing the icon breaker bar, not holding my breath that the icon line will be anything special. I pretty much couldn't see any difference between the icon and the Pittsburgh pro hanging next to it. While the torque wrenches look nice, I'm leaning towards this whole line to be pretty much a warm over of what they already have.

To be fair it's a simple tool. There is also no difference between the Pittsburgh and SO, Matco, Mac etc

 

[1982fxr]

To be fair it's a simple tool. There is also no difference between the Pittsburgh and SO, Matco, Mac etc

Except for the quality part.

 

[1982fxr]

Agreed, look at all of the knashing of teeth over the Icon breaker bar pricing when they appeared.

I think the Icon tools will be similarly priced to Carlyle tools but, that's just my guess

On page 40 of the May Harbor Freight catalog, the icon roto ratchets are listed at the top of the page. Again pricing is much higher than what the Pittsburgh versions went for. An Icon 1/4 roto ratchet is on sale for $32.99, 3/8 is $37.99, and 1/2 runs $42.99. pittsburgh versions are $12.99 for 1/4, $15.99 for 3/8, and $20.99 for the 1/2 drive model. I haven't looked to see how Icon prices compare to SBD Craftsman but, that may be worth evaluating when the complete Icon line is available.

I think the traditional harbor Freight customer will choose Quinn over icon but, time will tell.

Are they at least made in Taiwan?

Wright can be had for those prices...

 

[ChrisLS8]

Except for the quality part.

How do you quantify that if they basically look, perform and feel the same? Cause of the COO?

 

[Tallpilot]

Are they at least made in Taiwan?

Wright can be had for those prices...

Made in Taiwan and 90 teeth. So in between the ubiquitous 72 tooth Taiwan specials everyone rebrands and the 100 tooth rebranded by Mac, Matco and Carlyle.

My guess is Tekton will soon be offering the same design at a similar price point.

 

[Mgdoug3]

How do you quantify that if they basically look, perform and feel the same? Cause of the COO?

I'm not saying Harbor Freight is bad. Rural King sells a lot of rebranded HF items. I bought a 36" 3/4" breaker bar from there and bent it the first time I used it. No cheater pipe was involved. My opinion is HF is lower quality than than the truck brands. When you factor in price though, they're not a bad buy.

A breaker bar is a simple tool but there are differences. The ones you pay more for won't flex as much. If you have plenty of room this is a non issue.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Then it's a different company. HF doesn't have a 36" breaker

 

[Mgdoug3]

I didn't say it was, just that Rural King and HF have the same suppliers for many items. I don't think too many people would argue that Snap-on is higher quality than HF. Whether or not the higher price tag for the increased quality is justified, is a personal preference.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Well yeah that is a given on things especially on specialty items and ratchets. The BJ1 press is hands down the best press on the market for example

 

[Fedwrench]

It's impossible to determine how good these tools will be or how competitive their pricing will be before the line is released.

You guys need to relax, buy a different brand, or be patient.

The Icon tools I saw at SEMA weren't your typical Harbor Freight quality tools but then again, anything can look and feel good new just out of the packaging.

Many of you will never accept a Taiwan made tool brand and that's ok because, it's your choice. However, i've transitioned from a time where all of tool purchases were once truck brands only to a wider variety of brands. Most of my recent tool purchases have been made in Japan or Taiwan.

I mentioned in other threads that Harbor Freight will face an uphill fight offering and selling tools made for professional use but, if they're going to try, i'm interested in seeing at least what they have to offer.

For now, the roll out has been spotty and slow. Hopefully, it won't be as slow and painful as the launch of the SK X Frames as Dennis mentioned in another thread. I also hope that the results will be better than SBD Craftsman. Time will tell

 

[6PTsocket]

Except for the quality part.

Includung the quality part. The secret formula for making a piece of steel rod an anvil and a pin has been common knowledge and inexpensive to do for a long time. Taiwan has become the World powerhouse for industrial machine tools for some time. I think they can do a breaker bar as well as anyone.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[sdeeter19555]

As others mentioned they look just like the carlyle and channellock wrenches. I have some of both they are pretty good. I like them, however if something is really corroded or torqued and you have to use the open end it will spread. Will depend on the pricing.
I think channellock set that goes up to 1-1/4'' is like $140. They're probably the best ''cheaper'' or lower end wrenches around that price point. Dewalts newer wrench sets are around same price they look pretty good as well.

I have sets of the Dewalts, I like them...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Gurp]

The the OP
You're better options are definitely by the name brand. If you're just looking for a budget brand with good quality you might as well go with a set of wrenches from Tekton.

 

[alinc100]

If I was looking for Wrights, I'd keep an eye on Zoro. With them having promos and discounts coupons pop up 20 % off 230.00 puts you into $180 range.
https://www.zoro.com/wright-combo-w...5yRx48e9rCCkLXThFOogCN1OuA0bxYpRoCh80QAvD_BwE

 

[Hiball]

Hopefully, it won't be as slow and painful as the launch of the SK X Frames as Dennis mentioned in another thread. Time will tell

Bringing a entire new design to market compared to slapping your branding on existing product line isn’t a fair comparison, Makes for good internet fodder but lacks substance in real world logistics.

 

[pi_guy]

To be fair it's a simple tool. There is also no difference between the Pittsburgh and SO, Matco, Mac etc

In fantasy land.

 

[1982fxr]

Includung the quality part. The secret formula for making a piece of steel rod an anvil and a pin has been common knowledge and inexpensive to do for a long time. Taiwan has become the World powerhouse for industrial machine tools for some time. I think they can do a breaker bar as well as anyone.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

That's great. Maybe Taiwan will be the supplier for the first 5 minutes.

 

[ChrisLS8]

In fantasy land.

Or multiple videos testing

 

[jkesselr]

Or multiple videos testing

Multiple videos testing things doesn’t show ****. Don’t get me wrong, I love harbor freight and have a ton of their tools, but they are what they are - a cheap way for the average Joe to be able to have the tools he needs to complete a job. What the videos don’t show is 5-10 years down the road when the anvil is flopping around because the yoke it ride starts in is spread or the pin is loose. Or the handle has broken down, rusted, etc. They are a good tool and, quite frankly, the far better buy. Even better, they have a no ******** warranty policy that doesn’t put some douche in a truck or customer service department in charge of whether you get your broken tool replaced. That said, Pittsburg Pro / Icon are not brands that will be legacy tools your grandchildren will be using long after you’re worm food.

 

[techieman33]

Multiple videos testing things doesn’t show ****. Don’t get me wrong, I love harbor freight and have a ton of their tools, but they are what they are - a cheap way for the average Joe to be able to have the tools he needs to complete a job. What the videos don’t show is 5-10 years down the road when the anvil is flopping around because the yoke it ride starts in is spread or the pin is loose. Or the handle has broken down, rusted, etc. They are a good tool and, quite frankly, the far better buy. Even better, they have a no ******** warranty policy that doesn’t put some douche in a truck or customer service department in charge of whether you get your broken tool replaced. That said, Pittsburg Pro / Icon are not brands that will be legacy tools your grandchildren will be using long after you’re worm food.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if there were still a bunch of pittsburgh pro or icon tools still around in 50 years. Odds are they're going to be spending most of their life in a tool box collecting dust. Their odds are probably better than something from a tool truck that is getting used everyday. We have no way to predict the future and know what brands will survive the test of time and be thought of as quality in 50 years. And chances are pretty good that a lot of the tools we're using today won't even be relevant in the future. Pulling out a metric wrench could be the equivalent to pulling out a bit and brace today.

 

[alinc100]

Zoro 20%off with code REVUP today

 

[Yarpo]

Zoro 20%off with code REVUP today

Good looking out, I'm going to actually use this coupon code and get some Supercombos. Already have a pair of Wrights that I really like, might as well try something else!

Nevermind, gotta be over 200 for REVUP