Icon tools are coming spring/summer 2019

[Fedwrench]

I didn't want to hijack the thread about the new and impressive ICON tool wall displayed at SEMA this year so, I started a new thread.
There were three gentleman working the ICON tool Booth that were friendly, very knowledgeable about their ICON tools and seemed even passionate about the brand's future. I was impressed with the fit/finish/feel/balance and chrome of the items i fondled. here's my take:

Ratchets: upgraded to 90 teeth. comfort grips aren't the current kind of slimy rubber handles found on current Harbor Freight ratchets. They're harder, tougher, and more resistant to chemicals. Wide assortment of lengths, and locking flex head models coming. Improved breakers bars too.

Wrenches: really nice chrome and balance. Anti Slip open ends that are twins to INFAR made Carlyle will be available. They had a really nice set of long pattern reversible ratcheting combination wrenches that i would buy right now if i could and i own almost everyone's ratcheting wrenches. these were that sweet. They also had a set of reversible stubby combination wrenches that felt really nice too.

Sockets The ICON chrome sockets on display were simply some of the nicest sockets I've seen in recent memory. shallow broach on the deeps, knurling on the metric, off corner engagement. they also had some good looking impact socket to include a full set of metric 3/8 swivels.

Now, i'm not a Harbor Freight fan by any stretch of the imagination and I know anything can look good fresh out of the wrapper but, these tools are a giant leap in selection and quality. They are all Taiwan made with a lifetime warranty. The ICON line will start appearing in stores May 2019. I do not expect any of these tools to be priced any where close to current HF tools but, i wouldn't expect them to be. I honestly don't need any tools but, i'm looking forward to the release of many of the ICON tools

 

[Revtach]

Thanks for taking these pics.

A lot of their pittsurgh pro line is pretty good quality already. Certainly good enough for a home mechanic like me. I bought the 301 piece mechanics tool set and have no regrets. The sockets set in that kit is well worth it alone. I have been holding off on buying a nice set of wrenches so perhaps i'll pick them up when they come out.

Looks like HF continues to up its game. Looks like they aren't skipping size anymore either.

 

[dsaabm]

Damn, those look nice, they will definitely give other brands a run for their money if they are the hig-end import, carlyle like tools they appear to be. Good to see they put effort into decent storage trays as well.

Any pics of the new tool box? What did you think of it?

I hope ICON is a long term strategy for harbor freight; it has a lot of potential.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

Harbor freight is currently doing what many successful businesses do. They started out at the lower quality at a decent price but stood behind and in recent years have started to step up the quality as well as the prices. The cost of many of their better tools is only slightly less than the old trusted brands we all have. Craftsman started out the same way. Maybe not as foreign country originated but similar pricing schemes. It's typical business. When us young guys get old we will remember harbor freight like old guys of yesteryear remember Sears and Roebucks.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[barev]

I've been looking for a set of reversible ratcheting wrenches. Looks like I should wait to see pricing for these before making a decision.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I'm not going to lie I'm excited for the new releases however I know the pricing probably won't be that competitive.

 

[Tallpilot]

Thanks Fedwrench! Those are great pictures. I was just complaining that HF hadn't upgraded their mechanics tools for a while. That's good to see. Maybe those are the same design the new Tekton sockets will have.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Props for no laser etch frippery.

 

[Fedwrench]

Any pics of the new tool box? What did you think of it?
I hope ICON is a long term strategy for harbor freight; it has a lot of potential.

Sorry, no pictures of the box because, i was more interested in the tools. The Icon tool wall seemed real well made. I'm not a huge fan of the mega tool box but, the Icon offered things like adjustable drawer slide tension. I'm probably screwing that up but, you can adjust the amount of effort it takes to open & close a drawer. The key to a box like this is service after the sale waay down the road. I know this because i own a Kennedy made Cornwell 60 inch wide top & bottom with end cab that cornwell stopped supporting like 11 years ago.

However, i did open & close drawers and cabinet & hutch doors and things felt solid. I hope they come out with a medium sized service cart with a deep top till.

 

[mowersplus84]

Will they be doing screwdrivers ,Pliers and Hammers under the icon brand

 

[General Geoff]

Looking forward to seeing these higher quality hardline tools at HF! Especially if the warranty is as hassle-free as their Pittsburgh warranty has been so far.

 

[michelin]

Looking at those pictures is like looking at Snap On stuff but with an ICON logo. Am I the only one who sees a copycat of SO tools here? Jeez they could have altered the design a bit but no, even the font and marking positions are the same. I like better quality tools as much as the next guy but to model it 1:1 off Snap On? Meh.

 

[noid]

Looking at those pictures is like looking at Snap On stuff but with an ICON logo. Am I the only one who sees a copycat of SO tools here? Jeez they could have altered the design a bit but no, even the font and marking positions are the same. I like better quality tools as much as the next guy but to model it 1:1 off Snap On? Meh.

My first thought also, font, italic slant, the detail at the bottom of the sockets; all very snap on esque.

 

[lugnut71]

Nothing wrong with competition, but make it your own , don’t make it a copy of the competition

 

[2ndGearRubber]

What's the opinion on INFARs ratcheting wrench mechanism? My gearwrench set 8-24 has done me welll, but there are times the head is too large.

 

[erty67]

Looking at those pictures is like looking at Snap On stuff but with an ICON logo. Am I the only one who sees a copycat of SO tools here? Jeez they could have altered the design a bit but no, even the font and marking positions are the same. I like better quality tools as much as the next guy but to model it 1:1 off Snap On? Meh.

Copy cat Snap On...and Craftsman. Tell me this isn't craftsman branding all day. They do look nice though.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[kctyphoon]

Are these the new HF line? Don’t they have an ICON torque wrench?

 

[Fedwrench]

Are these the new HF line? Don’t they have an ICON torque wrench?

Currently there are four items wearing the ICON name at Harbor Freight, two torque wrenches mentioned above, a snap ring pliers set, and an impact extension with rotating collar.

I think ICON will be harbor Freight's premium or top tier mechanic's hand tool line next summer.

 

[protegeV]

Damned if all those tools dont look like snapon knockoffs

 

[Fedwrench]

Damned if all those tools dont look like snapon knockoffs

imitation is the highest form of flattery

 

[protegeV]

imitation is the highest form of flattery

It's also good lawsuit fodder

 

[Skin]

Copying the trays is a bit much.

I wont be surprised if the whole line is excluded from coupons. The key thing will be that they have a good supply of open stock. I wouldn't touch them otherwise.

That said it will be interesting to see if this actually makes it to the shelves in its current iteration. I have to think Snap-On have a cease and desist already in the mail and HF is going to have a pretty hard time explaining to a court why copying product design aspects, font, and retail packaging isn't going to cause consumer confusion. Cover the Icon brand and most dealers probably wouldn't know it wasn't Snap-On.

Lawsuits have been made and won with less. Im not a big fan of Snap-Ons business models and pricing but this is too shameless even for me.

 

[Moparman390]

So no skipping sizes this time?

 

[Fedwrench]

So no skipping sizes this time?

not on the sets they had on display.

i throw all of those plastic trays out regardless of whose name is on them. they take up too much room for me.

I'm sure snap on will get upset though. Remember a few years ago when costco was selling an actual snap on tool box combo? Snap on hunted each box down and purchased all of them. Granted, Icon tools are a different situation. I mean no one should think they're going to get snap on quality at a Harbor Freight prices. When the dust settles, i'm guessing the Icon tools will cost similar to Carlyle on sale but, that's only a guess, I like the look of the Icon tools and would like to try some out but, i'm not sure is the average harbor freight customer would pony up the money to get some Icon.

 

[shanny19]

When the dust settles, i'm guessing the Icon tools will cost similar to Carlyle :

If this stuff ends up being equal to Carlyle in quality and price, it will be interesting to see HFs approach to loss prevention.

Most of my local NAPA stores are scared shitless of Carlyle walking away, so much so that they’d rather lose sales than risk theft.
Some treat it like a part, oh yeah we can order that for you, if you really want.
Some leave Evercraft on the floor and put Carlyle behind the counter like it’s a jewelry store and look at you like you have antlers if you ask to handle it.
At least one has Proto not Carlyle as it’s premium offering, on the premise that meth heads havent heard of it and won’t steal it.

I gave up early. Every single piece of Carlyle i have was bought online.
If Icon is equal to Carlyle AND touchable, accessible, and not behind a stupid counter, I’ll be in for plenty.

 

[Nineeightyone]

It looks like HF is really stepping up their game, hopefully that won't impact the pricing too terribly. I've had my eye on the Daytona long-reach, low-profile floor jack and it appears to recently have dropped in regular price from ~$180 down to ~$170 online (though my local store was showing a number lower than that... Hmmmm). When the $90 low-profile Pittsburgh jack has served me well for >10 years, I'm not hesitant to drop a little more coin for a long-reach model, and it appears that there are some more colors on the way.

I'm curious where the Quinn sockets will fall in relation to Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh Pro and Icon. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this new Icon line though, it'll be interesting to see the quality to price ratio.

 

[scubadoober]

I'm sure www.icon4x4.com was at SEMA. I would like to know their thoughts HF's use of that name. It is a different sector so I get the trademark not infringing, but the more HF steps on other innovators toes just to take market share the more it turns me off.

 

[highland512]

Does the HF stink come with these tools when you open the package?

Im all for competition and I might just get some of those ratchet wrenches but as for the rest of it.........meh. I see lots of younger guys getting into these instead of snap on debt, will HF offer store credit @ $20 week

 

[ChrisLS8]

It looks like HF is really stepping up their game, hopefully that won't impact the pricing too terribly. I've had my eye on the Daytona long-reach, low-profile floor jack and it appears to recently have dropped in regular price from ~$180 down to ~$170 online (though my local store was showing a number lower than that... Hmmmm). When the $90 low-profile Pittsburgh jack has served me well for >10 years, I'm not hesitant to drop a little more coin for a long-reach model, and it appears that there are some more colors on the way.

I'm curious where the Quinn sockets will fall in relation to Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh Pro and Icon. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this new Icon line though, it'll be interesting to see the quality to price ratio.

I have a set of 3/8 in the car. Still Taiwan made, better stamping and chrome seems a tad nicer

 

[Indy125]

No quick release ratchets in that pic [emoji35]. Like the look of those metric reversible ratchet wrenches!

 

[ARFLY]

Will there be any stubby or roto ratchets?

 

[Fedwrench]

No quick release ratchets in that pic [emoji35]. Like the look of those metric reversible ratchet wrenches!

The ones on display were only a portion of things to come according to the guys working the booth. Given that Tekton and Carlyle both offer quick release versions, i'm sure quick release versions will follow.

I really liked the feel, balance, finish, and crisp ratcheting action of the long pattern reversible ratcheting wrenches along with the stubby versions.

No odor de harbor freight was observed when opening the drawers or fondling the tools thankfully.

I'm amazed how touchy people are about names these days. I'm sure Icon is used on more things than vehicles and harbor freight tools. The Golden Knights were the US Army Parachute Team long before Las Vegas thought about hockey

These Icon tools are between a rock and a hard place. Some see them as snappy knock offs, while the true harbor freight shopper might see them as being too expensive. i look at them as a chance to have another option

 

[protegeV]

I'm amazed how touchy people are about names these days. I'm sure Icon is used on more things than vehicles and harbor freight tools.

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear ICON, is motorcycle helmets and gear.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The tools look decent, but we all know if you start reaching higher price points consumers start looking for brand names. HF better keep the pricing at a level where people aren't inclined to spend a little more on the brand name.

 

[CJM8515]

FWIW I have the snap ring pliers I saw about a 8 months ago at HF. I like them alot-seem like a quality piece for the money, but they were 50 bucks. To me they seem like knipex copies. For the home user like myself they work just fine so far.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Icon is already excluded on the 20%. I saw the impact extension spinner and it felt solid and the finish is nice

 

[jgromada]

There is a noticeable attempt on the part of Harbor Freight to improve their products.

Now if they could have a decent warranty on their electrical tools people will take them more seriously as an option. I know the Pittsburgh hand tools are mostly lifetime warranty.

 

[xin]

Goin to be hard pressed to sell these 'RE-BRANDED' CHINESE tools at UNION prices. As you can buy Made in USA tools from other sources for the same or LESS money.

Not only that, that 'Icon' brand will disappear and be replaced then they will come out with another name called 'Fill-In-the-BLANK' from the CHINESE LOTTO wheel of names.

 

[ChrisLS8]

They are all Taiwan and high quality looking. Do you know what their price point is if you are already stating you can buy US made tools for less?

My guess is these will phase out Pittsburgh Pro as they are offered with a Lifetime warranty as well

 

[Brownsfan]

They already upgraded their Pliers with the Doyle brand. They really need a good screwdriver offering. They upgraded their meters and scan tools as well. Did you see anything else from the Icon brand?