Icon tool reviews.

[woody 73]

I never get smart out of the unboxing tool videos, rather I like real world tool reviews and this next video indeed shows the abuse of the new Icon sockets.

The next video which I am sure all of you have heard about the recall; but just in case a few of you have not heard about this; the next video is for you. A recall for some of their 3/8 drive models that are locking up.

Hope that informs some of you.

Woody

 

[Wood_Guy]

Buying Icon, and expecting it to be Snap-on is like buying a fake Rolex and wondering why it doesn't keep time, then stops ticking.

 

[Lisamelting]

I can't say that I've ever seen a socket dent like that.

 

[woody 73]

I can't say that I've ever seen a socket dent like that.

I thought the very same thought when I first watched that video.

 

[AA/FC]

The ICON sockets look like they're made from some form of cheese.

 

[2000-cvpi]

The chrome socket in the first video has been used on an impact.

 

[CJM8515]

hmm..time will tell. never ever seen a socket dent like that nor wallow out on the drive end from non impact use.

 

[Mikeske]

Yeah the guy denies it but it is obvious the abuse the socket took. It was definitely used on a impact gun. Been there done that and I won’t deny that I also done the same thing.

 

[2000-cvpi]

I can make a video with no real context other than my word and come to any result that I want. I’ll take a three pound hammer to a Snap On socket and then exclaim that the chrome is too soft.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Even if he beat on with a hammer, that's what those tracks look like, it sure as h*ll shouldn't have left marks. Plainly, the heat treatment was screwed up, they softened up it too much. Pretty Simple.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Maybe some of you should watch a blacksmithing vid or two.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Yeah the guy denies it but it is obvious the abuse the socket took. It was definitely used on a impact gun. Been there done that and I won’t deny that I also done the same thing.

If it were an impact gun, the other drive corners will be beat up as well. Stuff happens when you are fighting seized fasteners.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Harbor Freight is really earning itself the reputation of being the Ford, GM, or Chrysler of quality control. It's one thing to have quality control issues on really cheap tools. Once you start charging a significant amount of money, this is not acceptable. I have zero tolerance for these kinds of mess ups, especially so early in the launch of a premium brand.

 

[davethorik]

Harbor Freight is really earning itself the reputation of being the Ford, GM, or Chrysler of quality control. It's one thing to have quality control issues on really cheap tools. Once you start charging a significant amount of money, this is not acceptable. I have zero tolerance for these kinds of mess ups, especially so early in the launch of a premium brand.

I think it's well known that HF's prices are so cheap because the end user is effectively their QC department.

 

[Empty Pockets]

The ICON sockets look like they're made from some form of cheese.

Looks more like chrome plated butter

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Naw, it's likely decent alloy steel, just either some operator screwed up programing the line or an metallurgical engineer didn't do his homework. In this day and age of computer controlled heat treatment, there is no excuse. I've got old Snap-On and Proto tools where it was operator error.

 

[Jtels85]

I’ve already put my 3/8” drive metric Icon sockets through the paces and they’ve held up great. There’s no marring or damage to the chrome.

I don’t buy this guys video at all. Sorry, not sorry. There isn’t a damn thing wrong with Icon sockets.

 

[AS556]

I have the stubby 3/8 ratchet non flex head in rotation in professional use. It's not Snap On but I'm happy with my purchase.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Harbor Freight is really earning itself the reputation of being the Ford, GM, or Chrysler of quality control. It's one thing to have quality control issues on really cheap tools. Once you start charging a significant amount of money, this is not acceptable. I have zero tolerance for these kinds of mess ups, especially so early in the launch of a premium brand.

I think it's well known that HF's prices are so cheap because the end user is effectively their QC department.

It's not a premium brand though. It like $35 street price for a socket set? Less with coupons they mail you monthly?


At $35 for a 3/8 drive SAE socket set, ICON is priced to battle: Powerbuilt, Tekton, Performance tool, Gearwrench, Crescent, etc. These brands all offer sets below $40. Should probably add kobalt, craftsman, husky, insert-store-brand.



None of these are particularly bad tools, but to believe Icon is "premium" is laughable. I own brands from all of the above, and HF, so I'm certainly not against low cost tools. It's simply not a premium product: look at who occupies the true "premium" market: Wright/Snap-on/Proto/Koken/Hazet/etc.





In a way, the end user is always QC. I never felt HF multi-color sockets were of poor quality, so I seriously doubt Icon is going to be unusable junk.

 

[Andres26tnt]

It's not a premium brand? But HF told me its tool truck quality and beats Strap-on!

 

[javyLSU]

Sweet, another Icon thread!

 

[Jtels85]

I really like all of the Icon socket sets, ratchets, wrenches and breaker bars I’ve purchased so far, but just one thing bothers me... where are the extension bars?

I’m becoming a little uneasy that they don’t have Icon extension bars yet. I really don’t want to wait a long time for them either. It would be nice if Icon told us when they’ll be released. My OCD is kicking in and I feel as though I’ve spent way more than I should have on a brand of tools only to risk the possibility that this might be all they ever release.

Great tools, but I could have spent the money elsewhere. I would like an answer from Icon.

 

[M6erfan]

Sweet, another Icon thread!

^^

 

[1foxracing]

Mr Subaro has some video's on the Icon stuff and has switched out his SnapOn kit for all Icon ratchets and sockets for a month to compare them. He has a nice macro lens set up and shows some great close ups.

I just got a new macro lens myself and will be doing some close up videos soon.

 

[Fedwrench]

That's what we need, more ICON tool closeups.

 

[Wood_Guy]

The one thing I found very odd is that Icon toolbox casters and slides aren't being warrantied. They're considered wear and tear items.

 

[Legion Prime]

Sweet, another Icon thread!

So which car brand 9 out of 10 people have never heard of are people going to spend 25 pages arguing about in this one?

 

[Lassen Forge]

He had them a month... and the square drive hole is hogged out from hand usage?

Why is the chrome dented? Because the steel underneath is soft as a kitten's rump, that's why. Typical of the $19.95 cheap chinese socket sets you'd find at the no-tell auto parts store.... the ones you bought on a road trip to change your fanbelt when you didn't have anything else, and you prayed that ratchet held long enough to get the job done...

But... but... they LOOK like Snap-on... they even use the same cool slanted font, and I paid more for them... Why WOULDN'T they last as long?

They should change from Icon to the PT Barnum Tool Company of Lhongdong Pingpop (China) Pty. Ltd ...

The one thing I found very odd is that Icon toolbox casters and slides aren't being warrantied. They're considered wear and tear items.

As soft as their tools are, I can only imagine how hard their bearings and slides are.

 

[WittHay]

^ bashing of the ole Hazard Fraud Tool Company and their new line of super duper premium tools should go in the other thread.

Here are some thoughts on Icon Tools from a tech "Everyday Fleet Mechanic"

He went to the HF to buy a Icon 3/8 ratchet to review. He passed and said the direction lever was mushy, not positive between on or off. He said it was much heavier than Snap-on. I have found the same with GearWrench. Bought a fixed 3/8 because the local parts store had them on sale. Never used it, because it was heavier, longer and not as balanced as the Mac Axis or Snap-on Dual 80

 

[2ndGearRubber]

He had them a month... and the square drive hole is hogged out from hand usage?

Why is the chrome dented? Because the steel underneath is soft as a kitten's rump, that's why. Typical of the $19.95 cheap chinese socket sets you'd find at the no-tell auto parts store.... the ones you bought on a road trip to change your fanbelt when you didn't have anything else, and you prayed that ratchet held long enough to get the job done...

But... but... they LOOK like Snap-on... they even use the same cool slanted font, and I paid more for them... Why WOULDN'T they last as long?

They should change from Icon to the PT Barnum Tool Company of Lhongdong Pingpop (China) Pty. Ltd ...



As soft as their tools are, I can only imagine how hard their bearings and slides are.

That's from hitting something against the socket, to dislodge a stuck fastener. My Snap-on, Williams, Matco, craftsman, sunex, any and all sockets will do this if you whack on them with a hammer.

That has much more to do with intended usage of the tool and if the user is in the rust belt. This says nothing as to the quality of the tool. The wallowing out of the drive end does look to be an issue. Even without impact use, high torque and jerking loads to break free fasteners can cause distress to the drive end. That socket shows a very odd pattern, like maybe it was hammered on with a worn extension sitting crooked in it? Still unacceptable after a month or whatever the user claimed to have used them for.



BTW: The softest part of the kitty, is the tummy.

 

[WittHay]

A video from a DIY guy and a good tour of the HF Icon tool display.

The 3/8" flex ratchet that he is returning has some interesting defects or marks on the top of the ratchet head

 

[kythri]

The one thing I found very odd is that Icon toolbox casters and slides aren't being warrantied. They're considered wear and tear items.

Source?

 

[marineman]

What "diesel tech" uses chrome sockets? If everyone at work combined our sockets we might come up with a dozen chromies

Sent from my SM-G970U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Wood_Guy]

Source?

One of the bearded folks on Youtube showed copies of the warranty paperwork when HF delivered the box for him to "Try" --- in other words, it's in the fine print.

 

[kctyphoon]

Buying Icon, and expecting it to be Snap-on is like buying a fake Rolex and wondering why it doesn't keep time, then stops ticking.

Lol.. good luck keeping time with a real Rolex. My Casio G-shock’s keep better time than my Rolex does.

 

[kythri]

One of the bearded folks on Youtube showed copies of the warranty paperwork when HF delivered the box for him to "Try" --- in other words, it's in the fine print.

So, no source.

 

[DSLTRK]

One of the bearded folks on Youtube showed copies of the warranty paperwork when HF delivered the box for him to "Try" --- in other words, it's in the fine print.

Let's hope they warranty the "Tool Truck Quality" slides, because most of the plastic adjusters are smashed to bits on the Icon display box in my local HF.

Quite pathetic really, on the floor for two weeks and the US General is holding up better.

 

[WittHay]

The Den of Tools guy is called Red Beard

In the video he says the adjustable drawer detents are the same as Mac or Matco

All i could find on the internet about the SBD drawer detents was this picture of a Proto box. The 2nd picture is from my Mac dealers truck. He usually has a Macsimizer or sometimes a Tech box that he rotates on a regular basis.

Cant see Proto or Mac using total pieces of plastic **** in boxes meant for millwrights and heavy duty mechanics

Kind of have to wait until somebody buys a Icon box with their own money and gives a tool box tour or review to see how the drawers last or the box handles being moved around in a shop

 

[Wood_Guy]

So, no source.

He showed the paperwork on camera. Buy a toolbox from them and get your own copy if you must. I don't see how that would be "no source" unless you're deliberately defending them for some reason.

I notice there is no fine print (it's conspicuously absent) on the HF website about the warranty. Even Snap-on has a lot of fine print.

 

[visionguru]

I can't say that I've ever seen a socket dent like that.

Recently, there was a post about a Williams socket that's pretty soft.