Icon tool reviews.

[Wood_Guy]

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

That one reviewer with the dented socket looked a little too deliberate. As Confucius says : Spinning circles do not dents make.

Will be easier enough to verify in the future as people use the tools, but based on the softness of the wrenches it's certainly plausible.

 

[Jtels85]

Used my 1/2” 22mm deep chrome Icon socket on a breaker bar yesterday to loosen the lugs on my friends Challenger (I have the same car). Whoever put them on last over torqued them. Mine are never that difficult to removed.

Guess what? Not a damn thing wrong with the drive end or chrome on the socket.

Any damage done to the sockets in question on YouTube was done deliberately and through misuse. My 3/8” metric Icon set has already seen some action and there are nothing wrong with them either. They’re probably not ******** quality, but they’re certainly not of poor quality like these dopes are claiming.

 

[visionguru]

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

A recent thread showed a Williams socket being pretty soft.

In the first video, I'm wondering how he got 2 big dents in the middle of that socket. There is no way that can happen normally. My guess: he beat the socket with a big hammer. And the guy said something about a beaten up Snap On impact socket (there seems dents in the socket, driving hole all mushroomed) "It's like new". I serious doubt that guy's eyes and being objective.

 

[Wood_Guy]

A recent thread showed a Williams socket being pretty soft.

In the first video, I'm wondering how he got 2 big dents in the middle of that socket. There is no way that can happen normally. My guess: he beat the socket with a big hammer. And the guy said something about a beaten up Snap On impact socket (there seems dents in the socket, driving hole all mushroomed) "It's like new". I serious doubt that guy's eyes and being objective.

I've hit my sockets with a hammer on occasion to tap them off something they simply wouldn't dislodge from. I can't ever remember leaving a dent.

If that's the case on the Williams, that's not acceptable hardness. If that's what happened to the Icon, same concerns apply.

 

[Minnesota Steve]

That socket is not just showing problems from the ratchet... it's showing dents on the outside. In the comments he mentions that the Icon folks reached out to him and think that socket wasn't heat treated properly.

 

[kythri]

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.

So, a link to said video and a timestamp would be a source, instead of a drive-by without such.

 

[WittHay]

The other bearded guy that got a free Icon tool box was Humblemechanic

On HF website there are 2 pdf downloads next to the description of each Icon model, On is a part list and the other is the owners manual. The warranty in the owners manual has basically the same language as the Snap-on tool box warranty but adds "this warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear"

I bought a Mac made in the USA tool cart a while back. There is no warranty fine print in the Instruction Manual but the Mac dealer said that all US made boxes have a lifetime warranty. If you have any problems. according to Mac's website the boxes have a lifetime field repairable warranty

Like I said somebody actually has to buy a Icon box before you worry about warranty. HF's business model is usually 90 day warranty and no parts available but I guess it depends on how many parts they bring over from China or Taiwan and how long they will stock them in a warehouse. What i am trying to say is I dont think there is such a thing as a lifetime warranty on a repairable HF product

 

[1982fxr]

I saw these boxes the other day. Unimpressive.

As far as parts good luck. Clerk said they had a couple of open box discounted boxes because they didn't have keys.

If hf would rather knock off who knows how much instead of simply getting THEIR OWN keys, I would not expect much support.

I don't care either way if people love these or hate them but they are not truck brand quality. They just aren't.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

An importer on starting up a new import line of machines, " We are going to do it right, 1/3 will be parts."

 

[Wood_Guy]

So, a link to said video and a timestamp would be a source, instead of a drive-by without such.

I have no intention of buying an Icon toolbox. Since it wasn't relevant to my life, it did not warrant saving.

I'm sure you can find it if you look around enough. I'm also sure someone will get the warranty fine print in short order and post it. Either way, the information contained will remain the same.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I've still yet to hear of anyone on this site buying an ICON box.

 

[1982fxr]

I've still yet to hear of anyone on this site buying an ICON box.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[kythri]

I've still yet to hear of anyone on this site buying an ICON box.

I still have yet to hear that HF has released their credit program to finance the sale of these boxes.

Likewise, I have yet to hear of anyone buying a brand-new truck-brand box of comparable price off the dealer for cash (without trade-ins), so, the fact that we haven't heard of anyone doing the same for Icon is less than surprising.

 

[lardy1]

I'm sure we'll beat that dead horse for six months when someone does.

 

[kythri]

I'm sure we'll beat that dead horse for six months when someone does.

And the usual trolling shitposters will just call everyone a shill, so, yay, something to look forward too!

 

[lardy1]

Actually, it is something to look forward to. Anything besides slanted YouTube garbage and the brand favorites drama that currently overshadows the actual performance of the tools.

My attraction to GJ is other folks experience and opinions based on that experience. But I will admit to finding a certain entertainment in some of the sideshows.

 

[1982fxr]

After seeing the icon boxes in person I have to wonder if their whole purpose is just to sell more US General.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I still have yet to hear that HF has released their credit program to finance the sale of these boxes.

Likewise, I have yet to hear of anyone buying a brand-new truck-brand box of comparable price off the dealer for cash (without trade-ins), so, the fact that we haven't heard of anyone doing the same for Icon is less than surprising.

Apparently people only buy boxes on credit?

.......so does anyone reading this thread plan on buying an ICON box when they start their financing program?

Real question, not hating (I own 4 US General boxes). There are more boxes given away to YouTubers at this point than boxes being purchased by the 24,000 "active" members of GJ. You would think somebody would pipe up to tell us about their new ICON box.

 

[Wood_Guy]

Apparently people only buy boxes on credit?

.......so does anyone reading this thread plan on buying an ICON box when they start their financing program?

Real question, not hating (I own 4 US General boxes). There are more boxes given away to YouTubers at this point than boxes being purchased by the 24,000 "active" members of GJ. You would think somebody would pipe up to tell us about their new ICON box.

I just bought an ICON box after all this discussion. I was really excited when it came.

It's a box, that's an icon. Get it?

 

[visionguru]

I've hit my sockets with a hammer on occasion to tap them off something they simply wouldn't dislodge from. I can't ever remember leaving a dent.

If that's the case on the Williams, that's not acceptable hardness. If that's what happened to the Icon, same concerns apply.

Frankly, none of ICON tools interests me: my ratchets and sockets are either Snap On or Gearwrench.

I was just a little surprised at the dents because even my cheaper sockets do not have dents like that after been hammered on or used as bushing pushers when hooked to a ball joint press that being driven by a 1200 ft-lb impact.

IMHO, sockets are pretty much a safe buy from any brands (as long as not dirt cheap). If there is one tool that you don't need Snap On is sockets. I found that the markings on Snap On socket are hard to read. Gearwrench sockets are better and of outstanding quality. For those who are obsessed with no-skips, Tekton fills the void.

 

[regguy1]

I looked at the Icon 30-250 ft lb torque wrench, after some comparison I bought a Sunex 20250 30-250. It looks much better than the Icon and works beautifully. It's on Amazon for $105.00

 

[WittHay]

Apparently people only buy boxes on credit?

.......so does anyone reading this thread plan on buying an ICON box when they start their financing program?

Real question, not hating (I own 4 US General boxes). There are more boxes given away to YouTubers at this point than boxes being purchased by the 24,000 "active" members of GJ. You would think somebody would pipe up to tell us about their new ICON box.

This why HF Icon threads get to be 1000 posts long. The US General is a good box and HF I guess has the market cornered in that price/quality range. You go beyond that there is a range of boxes from Homak (in Canada they are called Carlyle Platinum) up to Lista and Rousseau to compete with Icon

There are other options besides the four tool truck brands. Extreme and Proto are some other boxes that are not financed by the traditional tool truck sales contract

The boxes in the pictures were purchased this year. The boxes are made in a small shop in Alberta, Canada. They sell for $3400 US and are 72" x 28"

I am curious as well when the first "purchased" Icon box will show up in picture from a shop or diy garage

 

[Mr_B]

^
That cool, never heard of Stryke, nice see local industy and competitive pricing .

 

[seber]

He admits to beating on a ratchet wrench with a hammer and he broke a Blue point ratchet with that socket attached. Pretty clear he used a hammer on the ratchet and socket. In my book that is the same as an impact wrench. That is exactly what the wallowed areas show. Tool truck companies would not warranty that and neither show HF.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

He admits to beating on a ratchet wrench with a hammer and he broke a Blue point ratchet with that socket attached. Pretty clear he used a hammer on the ratchet and socket. In my book that is the same as an impact wrench. That is exactly what the wallowed areas show. Tool truck companies would not warranty that and neither show HF.

Crazy, it's almost like beating things with hammers decreases life expectancy?

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

No, even if he did hammer on it, they screwed up the heat treatment. It's dead soft. Was it one batch, or all sizes ? Question, does HF even own a Rockwell hardness tester ? In fact he should be rewarded , for doing their work for them.

 

[WittHay]

Until HF states which Taiwan company they use to manufacture their Icon sockets and what other brands that company makes. I am siding with the tool reviewer regarding the soft Icon sockets. Princess Auto sells a Taiwan 3/8 socket set for $8.00 US on sale for either SAE or metric. If tools are made for a price , why cant mistakes happen

With large hex bit socket like the one in the picture, you hammer them in place so they wont slip. The Mac one in the picture has some 2 sided wallowing marks like the Icon. From using a 3 foot breaker bar.

I hammer sockets all the time, light taps at the top to remove them from fasteners

 

[CafeTools]

That soft socket theory is BS. I just took a Craftsman and a icon socket side by side and with a hammer testedbnoth with hits. There's no variation in metal or chrome.

I thought it was already decided that that YouTuber was a troll.

 

[parks31]

I'm not sure if this is in the right spot. If not please remove my post. I just seen on the harbor freight coupon db, a super coupon for 3/8 deep Icon SAE or metric for 19.99.

 

[d.mcfarland]

That soft socket theory is BS. I just took a Craftsman and a icon socket side by side and with a hammer testedbnoth with hits. There's no variation in metal or chrome.

I thought it was already decided that that YouTuber was a troll.

What about testing the Pittsburgh sockets against the ICON?

They both have the same warranty, so is the fit and finish better? Maybe something else such as durability?

 

[ovilla]

I seriously doubt anybody will ever actually buy an ICON box. No serious mechanic is going to want to show off his brand new ICON box full of snap-on tools - way too much pride out there to do that, especially when every other mechanic will have a Snap-on, Matco, or other truck brand box.

As far as the ICON tools go, there’s just not enough stuff being made to make it a premium tool alternative/replacement offering yet. Maybe in 3-5 years they can take a run at it. For now, all they can do is compare the chrome and performance to Snap-on but I seriously doubt anybody is going to start selling their Snap-on tools so they can replace them with ICON.

They definitely have a market for these tools though. Someone that wants nice looking tools (and who assumes they must be of great quality because of the good liking chrome and price point) will think that these are a premium product.

The problem is simply with HF itself. It’s a brand that’s known simply for what it is. Yes they offer lifetime warranties on all of their hand tools but most folks know exactly what they’re buying - and it isn’t quality tools AND that’s fine. Now HF is trying to market this “upscale” line of ICON tools, since they know that many folks (even professional mechanics) shop there. If this was 15-20 years ago and it was SEARS doing this, the general public would be all excited and welcome these tools. Now they have to literally give these ICON boxes away in hopes that someone will be influenced by their favorite YouTuber. However I doubt anybody will spend thousands of dollars on a box that just doesn’t merit its price point, especially when there’s plenty of lightly used truck brand boxes always available with a much more perceived and recognized value.

 

[M6erfan]

I seriously doubt anybody will ever actually buy an ICON box. No serious mechanic is going to want to show off his brand new ICON box full of snap-on tools - way too much pride out there to do that, especially when every other mechanic will have a Snap-on, Matco, or other truck brand box.

Really? Plenty of mechanics have truck brand tools in Waterloo, C'man, U.S General, etc... boxes.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

I'm not sure if this is in the right spot. If not please remove my post. I just seen on the harbor freight coupon db, a super coupon for 3/8 deep Icon SAE or metric for 19.99.

Appreciate the "Heads Up!!!"

 

[rijndael]

There are coupons for the ratcheting wrenches too, but it's the same price I paid at full price + my 10% off anything coupon.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

There are coupons for the ratcheting wrenches too, but it's the same price I paid at full price + my 10% off anything coupon.

Appreciate that too, but at 50% off on the sockets, I'm going to purchase the Metric and SAE sets and beat the **** out of 'em!!!

 

[ovilla]

Really? Plenty of mechanics have truck brand tools in Waterloo, C'man, U.S General, etc... boxes.

Yes they do - in their initial/starter or 1st upgraded tool box, and those are great tool boxes too. I even own two craftsman boxes myself. I’m just saying that when it comes to spending thousands more on a bigger or “dream” box, I don’t think you’re going to have guys all of a sudden wanting an ICON box. Nobody’s going to run to HF to pay for one - even with a 20% off coupon, at least until the price point comes down a LOT. If HF would have priced them at say 2-3 times the price of their current boxes, then people would buy them.

 

[M6erfan]

Yes they do - in their initial/starter or 1st upgraded tool box, and those are great tool boxes too. I even own two craftsman boxes myself. I’m just saying that when it comes to spending thousands more on a bigger or “dream” box, I don’t think you’re going to have guys all of a sudden wanting an ICON box. Nobody’s going to run to HF to pay for one - even with a 20% off coupon, at least until the price point comes down a LOT. If HF would have priced them at say 2-3 times the price of their current boxes, then people would buy them.

I agree with most of that, but I've seen plenty of the aforementioned "budget boxes" used for decades by seasoned mechanics. Not all mechanics care what others think of their tools/tool boxes.

 

[CafeTools]

Yes they do - in their initial/starter or 1st upgraded tool box, and those are great tool boxes too. I even own two craftsman boxes myself. I’m just saying that when it comes to spending thousands more on a bigger or “dream” box, I don’t think you’re going to have guys all of a sudden wanting an ICON box. Nobody’s going to run to HF to pay for one - even with a 20% off coupon, at least until the price point comes down a LOT. If HF would have priced them at say 2-3 times the price of their current boxes, then people would buy them.

I don't think anyone here is agreeing that the Icon tool boxes are a good buy. They seem way overpriced.

Also FYI there is nothing wrong with a professional mechanic to have a harbor freight tool box(s). I have seen techs with crappy nylon slide not even ball bearing tool boxes and they did the job for him.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I agree with most of that, but I've seen plenty of the aforementioned "budget boxes" used for decades by seasoned mechanics. Not all mechanics care what others think of their tools/tool boxes.

Depends what they do too. If it's an old timer doing "tune up" work, a baby craftsman stack would probably work. A coworker has an old craftsman stack box- it is overloaded and works quite poorly. I have more tools on my 6 drawer cart than he owns. It's all relative. His box couldn't even store all of my press related items. The bottom box could probably squeeze in my diagnostic stuff if it was laid out simply to save space.


I also find those in the industry who don't care what others think about tools and boxes, typically have a ****** box, no tools, and just struggle and complain about how hard these damn new cars are to work on. YMMV.

 

[M6erfan]

I also find those in the industry who don't care what others think about tools and boxes, typically have a ****** box, no tools, and just struggle and complain about how hard these damn new cars are to work on. YMMV.

LOL, probably true!