Icon tools are coming spring/summer 2019

[javyLSU]

This is a pretty good synopsis of what I was expecting when I first heard about GJ. Lots of open-minded discussion, and learning about neat tools and techniques I didn't know about before.

I'm guilty of tool envy too -- I'm proud of what I've done with less-expensive tools, and dislike when others put down what has served me just fine. Moving forward maybe we should all keep in mind that nobody is the villain in their own story.

Back on topic, is anyone else surprised that the ICON torque wrench is not closer in features to the Snap-On TechAngle? I'm surprised they released it under the Quinn name, maybe there's going to be an ICON one down the road? It's a shame too, the 20% off coupon doesn't work for Quinn or I would've picked one up for convenience.

The 20% off coupons absolutely work on Quinn products.

 

[Jtels85]

In an ongoing effort to keep this thread alive just to irritate the haters... here’s a coupon for a Snap-On quality Icon 3/8” deep socket set, YOUR CHOICE of metric or SAE for $19.99

 

[Yarpo]

In an ongoing effort to keep this thread alive just to irritate the haters... here’s a coupon for a Snap-On quality Icon 3/8” deep socket set, YOUR CHOICE of metric or SAE for $19.99

Dude thats crazy! The craziest thing happened to me too. Super good coupons lately!

Gearwrech proclaimed their sockets are Snap-On quality too. ****, I know. I saw it and I HAD to have it, if they say its as good as Snap On, plain and simple that's how it works, I believed them. I also saw an add for Stanley sockets, tekton, Kobalt, Craftsman, you name it. All of them, Snap on Quality! Im sure someone at one point has proclaimed it, and there for, guaranteed truth.

"Snap on quality. It really is that easy!"

 

[Mr_B]

^
gearwrench is nice design sockets .
don't think icon got semi deeps yet lol or extensions or a working 3/8 flex .
main thing amazes me is the lack of tool coverage yet no lack of retail wankatering ...

 

[DSLTRK]

Must be selling soooo well for them to give 50% off a month in.

 

[Hiball]

Must be selling soooo well for them to give 50% off a month in.

It’s actually a good move on there part, IMO it’s no different than the student discount programs, It’s all about getting people hungry for that next purchase.

 

[Cheapskate]

In an ongoing effort to keep this thread alive ....

Just wait until someone goes to this years SEMA show and takes/posts pictures of the new ICON extensions, swivel sockets, mid-length sockets, screwdrivers and host of other new ICON goodies! It should be good for another 1000 posts.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Oh,sh**, Gearwrench claims Snap-On quality. I just bought some 1/4" hex bit socket sets. Does this mean I have to jump to Gearwrench defense anytime some one says a disparaging word ? Chuckle.

 

[WittHay]

The local dollar store tried coupons but they didn't do it quite right. They should check with HF next time. Harbor Freight seems to be really good at marketing cheap items.

I like GearWrench. They have their own designs for sockets and ratchets that are different than the competition. I would probably buy some Carlyle too if it was available in Canada. Also slightly different tools than other brands.

One of the Youtube guys said that the tool trucks in his area are more worried about competition from GearWrench than Icon. GW seems to sponsor racing and have tour trucks showing off products like the one in the picture

 

[lardy1]

Respectfully (and I've never bought a new Snap-On or Icon tool in my life), I seriously doubt that anyone connected with Snap-On is feeling any heat from Icon.

Two entirely different marketing plans and two different types of consumer. There's room for both.

 

[Mikeske]

I like most of the Taiwan made tools but over the last 45 plus years I turned wrenches any tool is better then not having the tool that can do the job that I need to do at that instant. One guy got a bit upset on the other Icon thread when I post a nonsensically post I did yesterday and it was all tongue in cheek or at least I intended it.

Of the USA made tools I actually prefer a dead brand (Bonney) that I still use to this day. Of the foreign tools I used Gearwrench when they first came out and I did not really care for the ratcheting wrenches and sold the set I had to a buddy. Gearwrench has really come a far way over the last 20 years. They do make a good product.

I used and if you look in my toolbox since I have all my tools at home now that I have retired it has a hodge dodge of tools everything from the 4 truck brands (Snap-on ratchets and ratcheting screwdrivers, Mac short reach wrenches, Matco for some screwdrivers and wrenches and set of Mac sockets all the truck brand stuff was bought in the early 1980's) to a large assortment of foreign products, it doesn't matter to me since I no longer make my money from my tools. I have what I need to fix what I need to fix for myself and neighbors and that is what counts. My wife probably is the most correct in I have a assortment of man bling and that is the shiny clean chrome and black oxide tools in my garage in the toolbox.

Actually I see the Icon line as sort of the brand that the young person just starting on the journey I have completed and that is being a mechanic and being a bit dollar wise and buying what he needs to start the career in mechanics. He buys the setup and then after a few years he can then once he making decent money can always upgrade to the truck brands.

I started as a vehicle mechanic and after ten years wanted to do something different but I ended up retraining into a aircraft mechanic. It all worked out I just went into a more lucrative field of mechanics and stayed in it to retirement. I also was a bit outlier in the fact I had the time I spent in the Air Force, a couple years as a tire shop foreman then it was at the same employer for the better part of thirty years. I had fully intended when I bought the Bonney tools to eventually upgrade to Snap-on years ago but never did as I had very few broken tools and they outlasted my career and are still with me. I figured out after a while that the stuff I had worked fine why spend more for similar performance in the tools I already had.

The pricing model that the truck brands is what most bother me as it has not changed in the 45 plus years I have been a mechanic. I worked with some of the crappiest tools known to man with the low bid stuff that I had to use in the Air Force and it was all American made tools when I was there. All the tools were made to bottom end of the specifications and barely met those specs. I even had a bone in my right hand broken because a 3/8" Thorsen ratchet broke at the worst possible moment when I was removing a intake bolt on a Chevy pickup. Then a couple years later I had a new safety chain snap when I was putting in a transmission in a M35A2 deuce and half and that broke the same bone in my hand along with my right thumb.

I have no issue and sure the Icon line is not fully up yet and yes I like to see more of the brand on the market like the extensions, the replacement of the 3/8" flex head, mid length sockets, screwdrivers, and fill out the line but we have to wait a while as they just introduced the line last month. Lets be patient and see what develops in this line.

 

[Jtels85]

Just wait until someone goes to this years SEMA show and takes/posts pictures of the new ICON extensions, swivel sockets, mid-length sockets, screwdrivers and host of other new ICON goodies! It should be good for another 1000 posts.

I can’t wait! I’m enjoying using my Icon tools. I already own most of the socket sets, breakers bars, ratchets (except the recalled flex heads) and their wrench sets. Still need to get the ratcheting wrenches.

Icon appears to be selling well in my area. The two stores I frequent seem to have trouble keeping the display stocked which tells me they’re selling.

I definitely want extensions. I find it frustrating that they couldn’t even release extension bars along with the sockets and ratchets. I sincerely hope they’re coming very soon.

I know this stuff isn’t “Snap On” quality, but I still really like it a lot and I’m onboard the Icon bandwagon. It’s my money and my preference.

 

[cweidert03]

So I bought a set of the Metric wrenches intending on them being used for my ATV travel box that I’m putting together. I wanted to try them out while buttoning up the Can Am for a trip next week. They were very nice, fit fasteners well. I have a set of Facom metric wrenches and the Icon were significantly longer so I did what everyone on GJ would do buy a set for the home box as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cheapskate]

I have a set of Facom metric wrenches and the Icon were significantly longer so I did what everyone on GJ would do .......

I thought you were going to say you cut them in half on the bandsaw so they would fit in your tool pouch.

 

[javyLSU]

Dude thats crazy! The craziest thing happened to me too. Super good coupons lately!

Gearwrech proclaimed their sockets are Snap-On quality too. ****, I know. I saw it and I HAD to have it, if they say its as good as Snap On, plain and simple that's how it works, I believed them. I also saw an add for Stanley sockets, tekton, Kobalt, Craftsman, you name it. All of them, Snap on Quality! Im sure someone at one point has proclaimed it, and there for, guaranteed truth.

"Snap on quality. It really is that easy!"

Been saying it for a while, but GEARWRENCH BEATS ICON! Seriously though, even at the "coupon" price of $19.99, I still don't see the value in the Icon sockets. To me, there's nothing wrong with the Icon sockets whatsoever - I like the look, and they seem to be of good quality. But when I can get this set for less than $80 that comes with a bigger 3/8 metric set (6-19mm in both shallow & deep) PLUS the 1/4"-1" SAE shallow and deeps, two great ratchets, two extensions, and a universal... It's hard for me to see how Icon is a better deal. All that Gearwrench stuff would cost you $176.24 in Icon stuff from HF, and that's with every single applicable coupon I could find applied.

 

[Mr_B]

So many options that beat or match ICON hand tools . Capri tools, carlyle, oem, tekton, ares, carlyle, toptul, premier etc etc .
HF really made very little real effort yet again, same as pitts pro and earthquake line they been stagnate for years and missed real potential .

 

[dnschmidt]

Mr. B. You and I agree on most things but the way the ICON stuff is flying off the shelves of my local HF, and it is, I think Eric did better than you think he did. Going to SEMA in two weeks to see if there are any additional ICON items in the works.

 

[WittHay]

for the record sk farmer is now at 10 and cheapskate is at 7. i didn't say fedwrench is a shill. he started the thread so his posting is no surprise. i didn't say anyone was a shill, i just commented on how i wondered what may motivate some people to post.

What motivates people to post is that a company filling up containers with cheaply made Taiwan goods and selling them with minimum wage help does not do anything but make a US billionaire like Eric richer

It takes money away from companies like GearWrench, Tekyon, Napa Caryle that do some R +D and try to come out with new unique tools. It also makes good quality US tools more expensive to people that actually need them in Canada and the US

The Icon tools were supposed to be for the people that fix your car, fix the farm equipment that puts food on your table, fix the construction equipment that builds roads and most important fix the trucks that bring all that Asian goodness to your local HF store

Icon is either made to genuinely help professional mechanics fix important stuff or is one big lie (I mean marketing effort) so somebody can get richer

 

[Mr_B]

^^
I just don't see some basic sockets ratchets and wrenches as that big an accomplishment .
If they gone deeper doing semi deeps, nut retainer sockets, extensions of all flavours, line wrenches, german style offset wrenches, full selection of ratchets that good design rather than styling copy I think they sold even better.
It not that they don't score more a fact they not reaching the points easily could if done it bit more professionally and as this line meant be pro of pro @ HF I expecting see more effort, quality and range than what currently on offer .

 

[cweidert03]

I thought you were going to say you cut them in half on the bandsaw so they would fit in your tool pouch.

Ha no sir. I did buy a pouch for the wrenches. Rolled up and in a tote!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[M6erfan]

So many options that beat or match ICON hand tools . Capri tools, carlyle, oem, tekton, ares, carlyle, toptul, premier etc etc .
HF really made very little real effort yet again, same as pitts pro and earthquake line they been stagnate for years and missed real potential .

Mr. B. You and I agree on most things but the way the ICON stuff is flying off the shelves of my local HF, and it is, I think Eric did better than you think he did. Going to SEMA in two weeks to see if there are any additional ICON items in the works.

Those GW sockets are a much better design than the Icon's. HF missed the boat, IMO, just copying S-o. Snap-on socket design is dated and ho-hum at best. But they sell a ton of them...

HF is good at marketing. I'd bet that their endless comparisons to S-o and using the same font for the tool markings has more to do with them selling than anything else.

Edit: Sad thing is, HF could have built some great redesigned Icon hand tools and played up the S-o comparison. Add some good knurling & shoulder the sockets and put big S-o style font on them, for instance.

 

[Mr_B]

^
That the big issue with HF they know advertising but they seem know very little about tools.
Copying snapon design was stupid, they should of picked best concepts from all tool truck brands and gearwrench, stahlwille, facom, koken etc.
why earthquake not competing with milwaukee dewalt rigid etc for tool range options is beyond me, anything half decent never expands fully and I expect icon be much the same . prices be cheap most of time with coupon but range never really develop as it should .

 

[M6erfan]

^
That the big issue with HF they know advertising but they seem know very little about tools.

Much like the general public...

 

[krux]

I bought an icon 1/4 flex head ratchet today.

Here is what I discovered:
- came in one piece
- works like a ratchet (crazy I know)
- takes bolts off (i was nervous)

After reading these reviews, I though it would be a Xmas decoration but its not. It'll live happily in my matco box (sorry not a snap on).

#pleasedontbebutthurtfromthispost

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

 

[CafeTools]

The main benefit and possibly the only edge icon tools have is that they are sold at a popular local store, have a great warranty, and they have nice packaging.

There's also a lot of people myself included who shop at harbor freight but sometimes wish they had nicer tools there. We are willing to pay more. icon tools fills this void perfectly and they will succeed. The sockets and ratcheting wrenches are beautiful!

 

[Mikeske]

^
That the big issue with HF they know advertising but they seem know very little about tools.
Copying snapon design was stupid, they should of picked best concepts from all tool truck brands and gearwrench, stahlwille, facom, koken etc.
why earthquake not competing with milwaukee dewalt rigid etc for tool range options is beyond me, anything half decent never expands fully and I expect icon be much the same . prices be cheap most of time with coupon but range never really develop as it should .

Harbor freight introduces a new product and how do they let the consumer know about it. It is by advertising and then getting the product in as many hands as possible. I think you would be surprised by how much they actually do know about the tools they sell plus their competitors

 

[Mr_B]

Harbor freight introduces a new product and how do they let the consumer know about it. It is by advertising and then getting the product in as many hands as possible. I think you would be surprised by how much they actually do know about the tools they sell plus their competitors

Don't have to copy brand design points to make a tool and don't have to have cheap shot marketing to let consumers know of a new range, how that done tells the consumer hell of a lot about the company and the product
They didn't seem to know much about the 3/8 flex head, shame they didn't give the tools out for better in field testing and feedback prior to full manufacture and release (ie: done some real research and development).
Lot of potential but it hitting short of what HF and taiwan can and should be retailing and it falls short of HF ICON marketing BS by a mile .

 

[Jtels85]

Just dropped $96 at Harbor Freight this evening. Bought the last 1/2” Icon socket set I needed, 1/4” flex head Icon ratchet with comfort grip and a Braun portable folding 175 lumen flashlight. No remorse. Happy with my purchased. Quality tools that are perfect for a DIY’er such as myself. I’m not falling for the anti-Icon ********. I’ve already used my Icon sockets, ratchets and wrenches without an issue.

They do the same job any Snap On tool would do and I have money leftover to get a ****** if I want to. With some of the crazy prices I see for Snap On tools, they should come with a complimentary reach around.

 

[sk farmer]

What motivates people to post is that a company filling up containers with cheaply made Taiwan goods and selling them with minimum wage help does not do anything but make a US billionaire like Eric richer

It takes money away from companies like GearWrench, Tekyon, Napa Caryle that do some R +D and try to come out with new unique tools. It also makes good quality US tools more expensive to people that actually need them in Canada and the US

The Icon tools were supposed to be for the people that fix your car, fix the farm equipment that puts food on your table, fix the construction equipment that builds roads and most important fix the trucks that bring all that Asian goodness to your local HF store

Icon is either made to genuinely help professional mechanics fix important stuff or is one big lie (I mean marketing effort) so somebody can get richer

i usually don't like to quote someone and pick things apart but there are several points you make that don't add up.

1. container loads of tools from asia are nothing new at hf. china or taiwan. i would say taiwan is better.

2. us billionaire eric? while you may not like what he does or how he does it there are plenty of mfgs that would like to be doing the business he does. including gearwrench, tekton, carlyle etc. if they could figure out a way to do it thew would. they are all owned by people who are probably richer than you and i and want to be richer.

3. it makes us made tools more expensive? please explain how icon tools make us made tools more expensive. sell fewer maybe but i don't buy the more expensive.

4. icon tools are supposed to be for people that work on things. aren't they doing that? how are they not doing that?

5, big lie? big marketing effort? we are bombarded all of the time with all sorts of advertising, infomercials, spammers, telemarketers etc. most of it is a load of **** and i don't like it anymore than anyone else. but, it is working for him and bringing customers into his business and buying his items. if it truly is junk. people will quit buying it and shop some other place.

 

[Mr_B]

Just dropped $96 at Harbor Freight this evening. Bought the last 1/2” Icon socket set I needed, 1/4” flex head Icon ratchet with comfort grip and a Braun portable folding 175 lumen flashlight. No remorse. Happy with my purchased. Quality tools that are perfect for a DIY’er such as myself. I’m not falling for the anti-Icon ********. I’ve already used my Icon sockets, ratchets and wrenches without an issue.

They do the same job any Snap On tool would do and I have money leftover to get a ****** if I want to. With some of the crazy prices I see for Snap On tools, they should come with a complimentary reach around.

you falling for the HF marketing though .
I like taiwan tools more than a many but trick is learning the real good from the just average.
I not biggest snapon fan but a snapon ratchet or wrench is massive step up to icons offerings and many way way better options out of taiwan already available for ratchets and sockets .
Seems most going icon are snapon lovers who can't pay take her home .

Only product I think pretty good is ratchet wrenches .
Boxes are nice but not for current pricing .

 

[Yarpo]

Been saying it for a while, but GEARWRENCH BEATS ICON! Seriously though, even at the "coupon" price of $19.99, I still don't see the value in the Icon sockets. To me, there's nothing wrong with the Icon sockets whatsoever - I like the look, and they seem to be of good quality. But when I can get this set for less than $80 that comes with a bigger 3/8 metric set (6-19mm in both shallow & deep) PLUS the 1/4"-1" SAE shallow and deeps, two great ratchets, two extensions, and a universal... It's hard for me to see how Icon is a better deal. All that Gearwrench stuff would cost you $176.24 in Icon stuff from HF, and that's with every single applicable coupon I could find applied.

Yeah I'm not trying to really force a comparison one way or another, I just find it funny that since Harbor Freight claims its Snap on quality people have latched on and truly feel like they're buying a set of Snap On sockets. I'm sure every marketing lead in every tool companies HQs would love to claim to be as good as Snap On, but its just not that easy....or is it? Icons and HF are proving it may in fact be really that easy to have people believe whatever corporate says as long as you have a good online presence to back it up. That's why I thought it would be funny. Just label anything you sell as "As good as Snap On" and...whos to say its not?

So many options that beat or match ICON hand tools . Capri tools, carlyle, oem, tekton, ares, carlyle, toptul, premier etc etc .
HF really made very little real effort yet again, same as pitts pro and earthquake line they been stagnate for years and missed real potential .

Seriously so many good tools coming out of Taiwan, all with their pros and cons, highs and lows. I'm not sure why ICON couldn't just aim to be there, instead they just jacked up the praises and claimed to be Snap On 2.0 Just rubs me the wrong way even tho I'm sure the tools are mostly serviceable.

Just dropped $96 at Harbor Freight this evening. Bought the last 1/2” Icon socket set I needed, 1/4” flex head Icon ratchet with comfort grip and a Braun portable folding 175 lumen flashlight. No remorse. Happy with my purchased. Quality tools that are perfect for a DIY’er such as myself. I’m not falling for the anti-Icon ********. I’ve already used my Icon sockets, ratchets and wrenches without an issue.

They do the same job any Snap On tool would do and I have money leftover to get a ****** if I want to. With some of the crazy prices I see for Snap On tools, they should come with a complimentary reach around.

You used them on some lug nuts or something...use them every day for the next 10 years and please report back to us. You do see the difference....right?

 

[Jtels85]

you falling for the HF marketing though .
I like taiwan tools more than a many but trick is learning the real good from the just average.
I not biggest snapon fan but a snapon ratchet or wrench is massive step up to icons offerings and many way way better options out of taiwan already available for ratchets and sockets .
Seems most going icon are snapon lovers who can't pay take her home .

How so? I used to only buy Craftsman USA made tools at Sears. Now that they’re extinct, the brand is sold at Lowe’s and the quality is garbage. I don’t much care for Kobalt or Husky either. I like Gearwrench and Carlyle, but I’m not a fan of the small displays behind the parts counter where I can’t touch anything and the clerk is annoyed by my presence. That doesn’t leave many options. Icon is a breath of fresh air. I’m able to walk into the store, fondle the tools without anyone bothering me (or me bothering them) and I can leave at my own leisure.

The misconception that Icon lovers are people who can’t afford Snap On is ********. Between savings and credit cards, I could wipe out a Snap On truck in a matter or hours and be able to afford the payments without a problem. But why would I? I’m not a professional who uses his tools every day. I don’t need, nor do I want to spend that kind of money on top quality tools when the sub-par stuff does the job just fine. Treating people as if they’re beneath you because of the tools they buy is completely ridiculous. I’m not saying that’s what you did, but I’ve seen the sly comments on here and Instagram. But hey, whatever makes these people feel good about themselves I guess.

 

[Hiball]

It’s a New Tool line Up, People are excited with there New Purchases, Nothing wrong with that..

Toptul, Genius, Duralast, Pittsburgh Pro, Carlyle all had there time in the Spotlight with similar discussion... Nothing New to see here with Icon in regards to brand comparison discussion points, It’s all been said before. Just give it some time and let the brand speak for itself, I doubt the Brand is going anywhere in the near future

 

[WittHay]

^^
I just don't see some basic sockets ratchets and wrenches as that big an accomplishment .
If they gone deeper doing semi deeps, nut retainer sockets, extensions of all flavours, line wrenches, german style offset wrenches, full selection of ratchets that good design rather than styling copy I think they sold even better.
It not that they don't score more a fact they not reaching the points easily could if done it bit more professionally and as this line meant be pro of pro @ HF I expecting see more effort, quality and range than what currently on offer .

I think you and me are seeing to eye on this. Also I agree with you that HF doesn't really know much about tools other than making money selling them.

HF appears to be the tool section of Canadian Tire put into a Princess Auto store. Both stores have a regular house brand plus a pro like brand. CT a few years back had DeWalt made in Taiwan mechanics tools for sale, displayed similar to how HF has the Icon. Difference being there was no comparison to truck brands or Proto. Just DeWalt tools.

The whole point of this thread is that at SEMA, HF Icon was presented as a premium quality brand meant for mechanics. Not some basic socket and wrench sets that they had to make room for

If, and thats a big if, if HF wants to develop a premium tool line they should ask people in the trade. Local parts store chain has a mini SEMA minus the show cars every spring. A hockey arena is used for the car parts vendors and a smaller stadium is used for the tools. A few thousand mechanics, shop owners and trades people are there looking at booths and displays from Milwaukee, OTC, GearWrench and more. HF should have a Icon booth there and get some ideas.

Interesting that some people find Icon too expensive, some just right perfect for their needs and others like myself expected to see some combination of US, Taiwan and European style in a wide variety of open stock tools. Probably impossible to have a full on open stock display in a HF store

 

[BrandoJames]

There's also a lot of people myself included who shop at harbor freight but sometimes wish they had nicer tools there. We are willing to pay more. icon tools fills this void perfectly and they will succeed. The sockets and ratcheting wrenches are beautiful!

The "beautiful Icon tools" pix you posted included Tekton ratcheting wrenches and Craftsman impact sockets.

 

[Fedwrench]

This thread continues to amaze me

There isn't one perfect tool brand nor is ICON a threat to any brand

It's just another option.

ICON is just starting out so, the initial offerings are on the slim side. However, i think it's odd what tools some people would like ICON to offer. First off, I agree that open stock availability is real important. However, there are already great versions of say semi deep sockets available. Gearwrench for example has some of the nicest chrome semi deep sockets available in 1/4 & 3/8 drive that you can usually find a buy one get one special for. As for impact semi deep 3/8 drive sockets, you won't find a more complete set than Sunex's 8-22 mm set even from a tool truck. As for nut grip sockets, I think Koken has the market covered there. What I'm saying is that if there is already a non tool truck option available that works well, why want to see an ICON version?

Harbor Freight's ICON isn't the only tool brand trying to gain a foothold in the US market. SP Tools, Sonic, Teng Tools, Boxo, and others I can't remember are trying to sell you stuff through their You Tube influencers. I think the major difference with Icon is that you can bebop into an actual Harbor Freight store and see it instead of relying on the internet. hell, even Milwaukee is getting into the game with wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, and expanded socket set offerings.

Something else to ponder is Gearwrench. Gearwrench started out as a few sets of ratcheting wrenches offered under KD Tools banner. Gearwrench expanded into a full line of mechanics tools over several years but, that expansion killed off KD tools and its shared US made family of NAPA, Allen, Craftsman, Armstrong, etc. I always thought that was a high price to pay for Gearwrench. I personally feel that Gearwrench's quality dipped on those items where their production was moved from Taiwan to the PRC. Which brings us SATA. I'm not interested in SATA but, I'm curious how SATA will affect Gearwrench.

 

[Mr_B]

How so? I used to only buy Craftsman USA made tools at Sears. Now that they’re extinct, the brand is sold at Lowe’s and the quality is garbage. I don’t much care for Kobalt or Husky either. I like Gearwrench and Carlyle, but I’m not a fan of the small displays behind the parts counter where I can’t touch anything and the clerk is annoyed by my presence. That doesn’t leave many options. Icon is a breath of fresh air. I’m able to walk into the store, fondle the tools without anyone bothering me (or me bothering them) and I can leave at my own leisure.

The misconception that Icon lovers are people who can’t afford Snap On is ********. Between savings and credit cards, I could wipe out a Snap On truck in a matter or hours and be able to afford the payments without a problem. But why would I? I’m not a professional who uses his tools every day. I don’t need, nor do I want to spend that kind of money on top quality tools when the sub-par stuff does the job just fine. Treating people as if they’re beneath you because of the tools they buy is completely ridiculous. I’m not saying that’s what you did, but I’ve seen the sly comments on here and Instagram. But hey, whatever makes these people feel good about themselves I guess.

I not belittling you.
I think you just need be aware of what you buying, the mechanism design/quality of HF ICON ratchets are night and day difference to snapon and many others .
Tekton, capri, carlye, gearwrench, premier all have some great ratchets sockets wrenches, many of which better than the ICON line .
I get your point on being able see tools in store easy but reality is if want best tools/value most of it going need be online purchase .
I use a lot of taiwan tools professionally, I not too fussy on brand and have wide range on pricing but I only buy what truly looks well designed and made.
So far for me only the ratchet wrenches stand out, ratchets are poor effort and most effort simply gone into making them look like snapon, sockets be fair buy as no skips and come in trays (exact copy of old snapon sets) which appeal to many but I don't like the design for professional use and I didn't like snapon socket design either .
Buying totally off the tool truck not best even for pro's and buying totally from HF also not getting you best tool or best for your buck .
Reality is HF aimed low on this ICON pro line, I was expecting better as I own better taiwan tools at similar cost range .

 

[Mr_B]

I think you and me are seeing to eye on this. Also I agree with you that HF doesn't really know much about tools other than making money selling them.

HF appears to be the tool section of Canadian Tire put into a Princess Auto store. Both stores have a regular house brand plus a pro like brand. CT a few years back had DeWalt made in Taiwan mechanics tools for sale, displayed similar to how HF has the Icon. Difference being there was no comparison to truck brands or Proto. Just DeWalt tools.

The whole point of this thread is that at SEMA, HF Icon was presented as a premium quality brand meant for mechanics. Not some basic socket and wrench sets that they had to make room for

If, and thats a big if, if HF wants to develop a premium tool line they should ask people in the trade. Local parts store chain has a mini SEMA minus the show cars every spring. A hockey arena is used for the car parts vendors and a smaller stadium is used for the tools. A few thousand mechanics, shop owners and trades people are there looking at booths and displays from Milwaukee, OTC, GearWrench and more. HF should have a Icon booth there and get some ideas.

Interesting that some people find Icon too expensive, some just right perfect for their needs and others like myself expected to see some combination of US, Taiwan and European style in a wide variety of open stock tools. Probably impossible to have a full on open stock display in a HF store

Yeh I amazed more by the half arsed effort in display and small ICON product range more than the fact it not best taiwan can offer.
Huge amount of marketing BS and no real R&D or handing tool samples out to select field users for pre manufacture feedback/testing, they can't even display it that well and if actually do pull fingers out their arses on this line they going need lot more store display area for it .
I not biggest fan of Snapon but I do appreciate what they do truly well, I also like fair trading and copying snapon visual design, font type, part number format, molded trays and similar ring in brand name sends alarm bells off for me on company/product integrity .
I bought the long ratchet wrenches as liked the design/quality and they been sourced from one of better taiwan oems, also very likely get some use out of warranty on them .
I not anti ICON or anti HF exactly but I do like see a proper effort in the product not just marketing wankatering ...

 

[Wood_Guy]

The misconception that Icon lovers are people who can’t afford Snap On is ********. Between savings and credit cards, I could wipe out a Snap On truck in a matter or hours and be able to afford the payments without a problem. But why would I? I’m not a professional who uses his tools every day. I don’t need, nor do I want to spend that kind of money on top quality tools when the sub-par stuff does the job just fine. Treating people as if they’re beneath you because of the tools they buy is completely ridiculous. I’m not saying that’s what you did, but I’ve seen the sly comments on here and Instagram. But hey, whatever makes these people feel good about themselves I guess.

The misconception is based on Harbor Freight's assertion that their tools are equal to Snap-on in terms of quality, for less money.

This in turn has led to numerous videos, posts, and discussions dispelling that fact.

No one is jumping down GearWrench's throat for producing ratchets that are quality. GearWrench isn't running a direct marketing campaign against Snap-on either.

I'm glad that you find value in Icon tools. I don't. When I looked at them in the store, they appear to be the same Taiwan offerings that everyone else sells... except that they made them in neat little black trays, copied the font on the stampings, etc. so you can pretend it's Snap-on.

That seems to be what is irking folks... they wanted the Icon tools to actually be equal to Snap-on in quality, so they could afford it (or justify it).

 

[rijndael]

When I looked at them in the store, they appear to be the same Taiwan offerings that everyone else sells... except that they made them in neat little black trays, copied the font on the stampings, etc. so you can pretend it's Snap-on.

Who else is offering long pattern ratcheting wrenches, with anti-slip open ends?