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ICON Master and Technician Sets and The Black Hole SAE Tool Debate

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KnurledNut

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New releases.
Love or hate the tools, Harbor Freight is expanding options. That is beneficial in a time when budgeting is becoming more critical for many.
These sets seem to offer a considerable savings over buying the components individually.

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GX460DIYguy

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I actually picked up a couple of the “long reach” 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets with gift cards a couple days ago to see if the hype is accurate. If they do well I may grab some more icon stuff to keep as backups. I have to say that it’s nice to see a big set like that and it’s not 75% useless stuff like other big retailers kits.
 
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Odd-job

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Wonder if that 40% coupon a while back would apply to these?

Edit - ignore was limited to socket sets and ratchets/torque wrenches.
 
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JeepYJ

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Chipm said:
They need a metric-only option. Who in the heck needs all that SAE stuff? And, my preference is for hard handle ratchets. Otherwise looks like a pretty good starter set.
Click to expand...
People that work on SAE fasteners?
If you work with small engines or lawn mowers or construction hardware or just older stuff, they’re common. I use them quite often unless I’m doing auto repair on vehicles built in this century.
 
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Steve_P

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Chipm said:
They need a metric-only option. Who in the heck needs all that SAE stuff? And, my preference is for hard handle ratchets. Otherwise looks like a pretty good starter set.
Click to expand...

There was another thread on this a few weeks ago and I said the same thing. Obviously, most of us still use inch sized tools occasionally around the house, or maybe on a vintage USA built car, but since they're targeting this at "professionals", the SAE stuff is typically never going to get used and is just padding the piece count and "discount". It's probably still at a discount if you took off the price of the SAE stuff, but they're including all the SAE stuff, which will have nearly zero warranty returns, to make it look like a screaming deal.
 
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wrenchr

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Chipm said:
They need a metric-only option. Who in the heck needs all that SAE stuff? And, my preference is for hard handle ratchets. Otherwise looks like a pretty good starter set.
Click to expand...
I'm sure that option is coming. I will not be shocked to see a HF tool truck before long.
 
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username2

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Just how much is the discount?

Hang on, the toolguyd article gets into that.
 
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mikey03

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I’d be worried about warranty honestly. I’m imagining two scenarios you get messed with

you want to warranty one socket and they say you got to bring the entire set of these tools in

you want to warranty one socket and they demand to see your receipt and they can look up your purchase history but in 5 years or 10 years they dont sell these as a big kit anymore. Now you got to convince the clerk that the $1300 purchase on the receipt included the socket your trying to warranty even though there’s no breakdown of the kit on the website anymore since it’s not sold anymore in the future
 
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Zewnten

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mikey03 said:
I’d be worried about warranty honestly. I’m imagining two scenarios you get messed with

you want to warranty one socket and they say you got to bring the entire set of these tools in

you want to warranty one socket and they demand to see your receipt and they can look up your purchase history but in 5 years or 10 years they dont sell these as a big kit anymore. Now you got to convince the clerk that the $1300 purchase on the receipt included the socket your trying to warranty even though there’s no breakdown of the kit on the website anymore since it’s not sold anymore in the future
Click to expand...
That's not how it works with the Icon brand. Their other brands maybe depends on the employee.
 
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Fedwrench

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mikey03 said:
I’d be worried about warranty honestly. I’m imagining two scenarios you get messed with

you want to warranty one socket and they say you got to bring the entire set of these tools in

you want to warranty one socket and they demand to see your receipt and they can look up your purchase history but in 5 years or 10 years they dont sell these as a big kit anymore. Now you got to convince the clerk that the $1300 purchase on the receipt included the socket your trying to warranty even though there’s no breakdown of the kit on the website anymore since it’s not sold anymore in the future
Click to expand...
That's where Tekton would excel. Tekton offers open stock so, if you lose a piece, you would be able to replace just that piece. Also, if you bought Tekton's bundle from their website, you'd get 10% back in rewards points that spend like cash on future orders. I haven't broken a Tekton tool but, I've read that you send them a photo of the broken tool, they ship you a new one.
 
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JeepYJ

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Fedwrench said:
That's where Tekton would excel. Tekton offers open stock so, if you lose a piece, you would be able to replace just that piece. Also, if you bought Tekton's bundle from their website, you'd get 10% back in rewards points that spend like cash on future orders. I haven't broken a Tekton tool but, I've read that you send them a photo of the broken tool, they ship you a new one.
Click to expand...

crasher98 said:
HF needs to step up and sell at least the basic Icon stuff (sockets, wrenches) open stock
Click to expand...
They do have singles. You’d need to call in and order them but you can get them. I’ve ordered some “replacement parts” from them and it ships free and is reasonable in cost from my experience.
Here’s an example of sockets
IMG_3641.jpeg
 
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crasher98

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JeepYJ said:
They do have singles. You’d need to call in and order them but you can get them. I’ve ordered some “replacement parts” from them and it ships free and is reasonable in cost from my experience.
Here’s an example of sockets
IMG_3641.jpeg
Click to expand...
I did not know that, thanks! I haven't bought any Icon stuff yet but I'm sure the day will come, I think most of it looks very nice.
 
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KnurledNut

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I dont follow Stuey so I didnt know he had already put the spotlight on them. I hadn't seen any mention on GJ.
Good comments and observations here.
I like that they are making this set available to the public without having to go through a SEP program and limiting it to students only.
When I took auto tech in trade school it was somewhat of a hassle to get on the program and still an investment many didnt have available to spend so most students just didnt fool with it. HF offering a payment plan gives some flexibility and will broaden clientele.
I do agree a metric only set would be beneficial.
A bundle with a roll cart at a discounted rate would be pretty great too.
 
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neophyte

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Steve_P said:
There was another thread on this a few weeks ago and I said the same thing. Obviously, most of us still use inch sized tools occasionally around the house, or maybe on a vintage USA built car, but since they're targeting this at "professionals", the SAE stuff is typically never going to get used and is just padding the piece count and "discount". It's probably still at a discount if you took off the price of the SAE stuff, but they're including all the SAE stuff, which will have nearly zero warranty returns, to make it look like a screaming deal.
Click to expand...
“Hey Professional Mechanic, can you help me repair this thing at my house?”

“Sorry, I can’t repair this common household item fir you, because I’m a “Professional Mechanic”, and only have Metric Tools, and your item is an old, common, USA made item, with SAE fasteners”

While I can understand a professional mechanic not wanting to have to sort thru SAE tools in a mobile tool cart if all they work on uses Metric fasteners, not having SAE tools for all the other stuff in the USA that needs SAE tools, just looks bad.
 
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AJHD

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neophyte said:
“Hey Professional Mechanic, can you help me repair this thing at my house?”

“Sorry, I can’t repair this common household item fir you, because I’m a “Professional Mechanic”, and only have Metric Tools, and your item is an old, common, USA made item, with SAE fasteners”

While I can understand a professional mechanic not wanting to have to sort thru SAE tools in a mobile tool cart if all they work on uses Metric fasteners, not having SAE tools for all the other stuff in the USA that needs SAE tools, just looks bad.
Click to expand...

That is one of the most ignorant statements I have ever seen on this forum...
 
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GX460DIYguy

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JeepYJ said:
People that work on SAE fasteners?
If you work with small engines or lawn mowers or construction hardware or just older stuff, they’re common. I use them quite often unless I’m doing auto repair on vehicles built in this century.
Click to expand...
Yeah I was the same way and sold all my sae stuff a couple years back. Now I’m having to buy it all again.
 
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lardy1

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I can see this working for them. With their exposure it's going to be attractive to enough people to make it viable.
 
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Meursault74

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Seems like a good option for someone starting out that has nothing or hate to say this someone that is a victim of theft replacing what was taken. I don't see too many established GJ members getting the kits in full though as they likely have much of what is offered.

I use SAE for household tasks all the time. Metric is for my cars and bikes.
 
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AJHD

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neophyte said:
SAE tools are considered “basic” tools in the USA, and not having basic tools just looks unprofessional.
Click to expand...

That's a blanket statement. It depends on your trade, what you work on. Every trade will dictate what tools you need.

Spending money and taking up toolbox space on tools you don't need and won't use is stupid, especially for the sole purpose of the "appearence of being a professional".

If you're in aviation for example, I would agree. Nearly everything on planes and helicopters is SAE. Maybe 1% of the tools in my former employers tool cribs were metric and rarely used.

If you're an automotive mechanic however I strongly disagree. US automotive manufactures stopped using SAE decades ago. But if you work on classic cars say 1980's and older, sure you need SAE.
 
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Beerhippie

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Chipm said:
They need a metric-only option. Who in the heck needs all that SAE stuff? And, my preference is for hard handle ratchets. Otherwise looks like a pretty good starter set.
Click to expand...
Anyone working outside of a dealership shop?

I pick up SAE wrenches at least as often as metric, and I'm maintaining a lot of brewery equipment made in this century. Even European equipment often has some SAE or AF fasteners. I think the only piece of kit in the brewery that's 100% metric is an Alfa Laval centrifuge--which, ironically, is entirely made in the US.
 
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BrandonV

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Chipm said:
Relax guys, I wasn't saying they should not allow anyone to buy SAE. I'm just saying there ahould be an option to buy metric-only. The set seems to be targeted at auto technicians, and 90% of those are working on cars 25 years old or newer.
Click to expand...

Very fair point. I'm not sure how much Snap-on SAE sells these days considering the demographic they target (not including aviation mechanics).
 
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Chipm

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BrandonV said:
Pretty much anybody who isn't an automotive mechanic carries SAE tools. Like others have pointed out, it's weird that people basically equate wrench = car and that's about it. :LOL:
Click to expand...

The set in question "includes all the essential tools you need to start your career as an auto technician or to outfit a professional automotive shop."

It is 100% targeted at people who work on cars for a living. If you are "starting your career" you don't need to spend a bunch of money on tools you won't use. A new auto tech should have the option to buy a metric-only set.
 
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mikey03

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neophyte said:
“Hey Professional Mechanic, can you help me repair this thing at my house?”

“Sorry, I can’t repair this common household item fir you, because I’m a “Professional Mechanic”, and only have Metric Tools, and your item is an old, common, USA made item, with SAE fasteners”

While I can understand a professional mechanic not wanting to have to sort thru SAE tools in a mobile tool cart if all they work on uses Metric fasteners, not having SAE tools for all the other stuff in the USA that needs SAE tools, just looks bad.
Click to expand...
Hey professional car mechanic, can you help fix my washing machine and garage door motor? 😂
 
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mike93lx

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Chipm said:
The set in question "includes all the essential tools you need to start your career as an auto technician or to outfit a professional automotive shop."

It is 100% targeted at people who work on cars for a living. If you are "starting your career" you don't need to spend a bunch of money on tools you won't use. A new auto tech should have the option to buy a metric-only set.
Click to expand...
Tell harbor freight, not us
 
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