Icon tools are coming spring/summer 2019
- Thread starter Fedwrench
- Start date
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Or the S-K ratcheting wrenches which I think were announced about three years prior to them being available.
Right? Our local Harbor Freight’s shuffled around items in the wrench and ratchet aisles to make room for something... so where is it? This rollout is about as slow and painful as the Craftsman rollout at Lowe’s.
I read May of 2019 somewhere.
The latest ad did feature the rotohead. I’d share a pic but unfortunately I left it in my buddy’s truck.
So does anyone have any news on when this is happening? The tools look similar to Carlyle and I’m wondering if they’re made by Infar? If so, I’ll gladly jump ship and head to Harbor Freight since NAPA only carries a limited supply of Carlyle.
So... is this happening or not?
I actually have a couple hundred dollars set aside for a new metric wrench set and I’ve been patiently waiting for ICON to be stocked on the shelves. I’m on vacation in two weeks and plan to spend some time working on the project car.
Are there any updates or has Harbor Freight scrapped the idea?
I actually have a couple hundred dollars set aside for a new metric wrench set and I’ve been patiently waiting for ICON to be stocked on the shelves. I’m on vacation in two weeks and plan to spend some time working on the project car.
Are there any updates or has Harbor Freight scrapped the idea?
Who knows?
Perhaps the recent bad storms in Taiwan delayed production, perhaps tariffs scared them off, perhaps Harbor Freight was disappointed in the reception their ICON breaker bars got
Time will tell whether Icon tools are a serious commitment for Harbor Freight or not.
Rabid Badger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2018
- Messages
- 1,338
Why on Earth are you waiting on HF, then?
https://www.amazon.com/SK-Hand-Tool-80019-Wrench/dp/B00SQ4GD8K
Those are nice or you can get Supercombos both sets for about the same price
Or Wright Wright Grips. If you're already planning on spending that much money you might as well get a US made set that'll out live you.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index....combination-wrench-set-7mm-22mm-12-point.html
https://www.harryepstein.com/index....combination-wrench-set-7mm-22mm-12-point.html
bubinga
Well-known member
Yeah, snap on is getting tougher. Used to be No questions asked on any snap on hand tool, from any snap on driver.Icon stuff looks pretty good. HF warranty is pretty straight forward. I’m sick of paying premium price for Snap-on tools and getting bs warranty issue. Snap-On expects you to have Receipts from 22-30 years ago. I don’t remember having one tool swap issue from HF that carry a life time warrant.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Sometimes your better off calling or emailing them.
I've had them mail me a replacement, although, they did ask me "where I got the tool" I just told them (the truth) it was 20 years ago, when I worked in Pittsburgh, The driver just went by XXXXX, I don't know his last name, and they mailed me a new tool.
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bubinga
Well-known member
OH wow, They Flat Out would Not replace it even after mailing it in.Icon stuff looks pretty good. HF warranty is pretty straight forward. I’m sick of paying premium price for Snap-on tools and getting bs warranty issue. Snap-On expects you to have Receipts from 22-30 years ago. I don’t remember having one tool swap issue from HF that carry a life time warrant.
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That is a Bunch Of B/S!
(EDIT)
Right, Like we're supposed to save a receipt from 30 years ago!
Then, I guess you were out the shipping too, (Or did they send you a shipping label?)
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Nineeightyone
Well-known member
I'll be extremely interested in the reversible ratcheting wrenches.
I eyed up Tekton at $150 and GearWrench at $90, Tekton's warranty and customer service are excellent, and my regular Tekton wrenches have been far better quality than the pricetag would suggest, especially considering the questionable state of GearWrench in stores.
If Harbor Freight could offer a similar tool at a lower cost (we'll see about that, some of the Icon stuff is spendy!) I'd be in, primarily because it's close to home and I can expect good warranty service. If the Icon line sticks around for a halfway decent amount of time, I think I'll get my money's worth from them. But if it starts to look shaky in the early stages, I'll likely opt for the Tekton.
I eyed up Tekton at $150 and GearWrench at $90, Tekton's warranty and customer service are excellent, and my regular Tekton wrenches have been far better quality than the pricetag would suggest, especially considering the questionable state of GearWrench in stores.
If Harbor Freight could offer a similar tool at a lower cost (we'll see about that, some of the Icon stuff is spendy!) I'd be in, primarily because it's close to home and I can expect good warranty service. If the Icon line sticks around for a halfway decent amount of time, I think I'll get my money's worth from them. But if it starts to look shaky in the early stages, I'll likely opt for the Tekton.
VolvoHighMileage
Well-known member
I just found this and I am so excited. The Icon torque wrenches feel on par to my Snap On in my opinion, in quality and finish. I think they are about to be a serious tool truck competitor. They are taking snap on designs and manufacturing at a lower cost off shore. It's brilliant for a bit more cost effective alternative, I've been waiting for some company to do this. . I can't wait to feel the ratchets.
javyLSU
Well-known member
Anyone else notice the new Icon combination wrenches? I was browsing the site the morning and happened upon a picture of the upcoming Icon wrenches in the listing for the new U.S. General Magnetic Wrench Racks - they slipped them in as the second picture on the product page:
Depending on pricing, these look pretty promising... 6-19mm, NO SKIPS!!! "Flank drive" type grips on the open end of the wrench, large & legible stamping of the sizes, and the chrome looks to be pretty nice too.
Depending on pricing, these look pretty promising... 6-19mm, NO SKIPS!!! "Flank drive" type grips on the open end of the wrench, large & legible stamping of the sizes, and the chrome looks to be pretty nice too.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
That open end looks like a Carlyle wrench with the V shape and the teeth. I was hoping for a smooth open end with the traditional arch.
jasonphelps
Well-known member
Sure does look like ChannelLock/Carlyle. Are they Taiwan made?
javyLSU
Well-known member
I thought these wrenches looked familiar, and I just remembered why... Looks like Napa's manufacturer for their Carlyle brand of wrenches signed a new client. These wrenches look identical to the "Long Non-Slip" set sold at Napa as part number CHT CWL1219M (link is to the 19 piece set, 6-24mm). If these are indeed the same Taiwan-made wrenches manufactured for Napa's Carlyle brand, HF can TAKE MY MONEY NOW. I've been lusting after a set of those Carlyle's, but hate dealing with my local Napa. That set with HF's warranty support would be a home run, assuming competitive pricing.
Infar.
icon not going be anything totally new, just products from taiwan oem catalogues .
may make it easier for some sourcing some better taiwan stuff all depending how priced ...
ZRX61
Well-known member
I shared your pic with an aircraft mech group on FB. As predicted, all hell is in the process of breaking loose.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I really thought HF was going to try and copy the standard Snap-on combination wrench with the smooth open ends. I thought they were going to look like the old Armstrong long pattern combination wrenches.
Yes, made in Taiwan from global materials.
After the debut of the Icon breaker bars, i wouldn't get my hopes up for any Icon bargains. Time will tell though
I think you are right. Quinn is being positioned as the best value line with Icon as premium. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the 10-19mm set at $100 and a larger 6-24mm set at $150. How does that play psychologically sitting on a shelf next to a $12 Pittsburgh set?
There seems to be some excitement here that they are going to sell Infar at the same price as the old made in India garbage. The evidence to the contrary is overwhelming.
It’s still a decent deal especially if you happen to have a HF on the way home for any needed exchanges but they aren’t going to provide increased quality without significantly increased price.
I’m curious to see if they sell singles. They once had an aisle of single sockets but eliminated them. I would think there is more profit on a single but perhaps the inventory carrying costs negate it.
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AS556
Well-known member
They're crazy if they charge $100 for a 10-19mm. Much better options in that range and Tekton is half that. I paid $25 for a Tekton set up through 19mm recently.
Or an American made Wright set, 7-22mm for 160 dollars. If they price this anywhere near 150 dollars I'd say they're shooting for the moon and wont sell much of it unless heavily discounted, similar to Carlyle stuff.
I don’t think anyone here believes Icon will be sold at India made garbage prices. It’s not a secret that these are quality tools that will come with a premium price tag. The question remains... will they be priced on par with Carlyle, which is too expensive for what it is. Will they be slightly more reasonable or will they be up there with USA brands like Wright, SK, Proto...
For their sake, I hope the prices undercut Carlyle. I really like Infar tools, but I despise dealing with my local NAPA stores. They’re not walk-in friendly, I have to squint just to see the tools behind the counter and they never have what I want. They have to order it. That **** gets old after awhile.
Handyandy23
Well-known member
The identical Carlyle 9-19mm set is on sale for $89.99 right now, although not sure if it ever comes up cheaper. HF would be crazy to price their identical set higher than that. If you're coming into the market offering literally the same thing, you're going to have to undercut NAPA at least a little, you'd hope.
I think HF knows that the Icon line isn't going to be a big mover, but they are trying to diversify and offer a nicer line of tools. Just like how GM knows they won't sell many Cadillac's compared to Malibu's. They make more money per unit on the higher end stuff but it sells slower.
I'd agree with others saying that the ideal situation here is HF prices them at least a little under Carlyle pricing. People seem to really like the Carlyle tools and name, and dislike the stigma of HF being "cheap", but if you put them at a slightly lower price point and have way easier access, warranty, and ease of buying them, you would think they should do OK.
You are asking for the 'everyday low price' to match Napa's sale price. That's apples and oranges. The 19 piece set has a list price of $229 or something rediculous so $150 blows the doors off that.
Maybe they do a $20 off coupon but so far they have not played the usual coupon game with Icon. We don't have a very large sample size yet so we'll see what happens.
I've made my predictions so they'll be there for everyone to see and bust my chops if I'm way off. But it looks to me that their brand positioning is Quinn=Tekton and Icon=Snap-on. They even copied the tray.
The question that still hasn't been answered in my mind is what is the target market? I think it's people who would buy Williams, Wright or SK but have never researched online or been exposed to those brands at their work.
I do agree with you about Napa. The people at my store are very nice but to get anything I usually have to wait weeks for the warehouse or pay $20+ in shipping to get it from a far away location. Store delivery at Home Depot, Walmart, etc is free. Napa needs to figure out how to do that. I don't think they've updated their distribution system since the 90s.
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You hit the nail on the head. What baffles me is that they advertise their stores on radio, but they seem to cater more to big accounts (dealerships, garages, etc...). I may get exactly what I need when I go in there, but none of the Napa’s near me are walk-in friendly. They sorta treat you like you’re bothering them. Sometimes I wonder what the point of having a store front is.
As for Carlyle... If I can’t physically hold the tool in my hand, how am I going to know I want to buy it? They really are behind the times.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
^ One needs to be old/grumpy to work at NAPA in my experience. If one is below 40, they need to be bald. My local Napa has a couple dusty carlyle tools. Bit set, and a screwdriver set maybe? All behind the counter. In general, Napa only has tools for emergency shop purchase. A/C accumulator needs replaces, guy can't find hisx quick-disconnect tool in the right size. "Order a kit from napa."
HF has made their name selling decent/acceptable tools, for very little money. Yes, the cheapest stuff they sell is junky. But most tools, excluding the lowest dregs of the catalog, are passable and functional. If HF can get a high-end asian tool line, for less than carlyle and the like, they should succeed.
FWIW guys, I wouldn't get super excited about the wrenches with the carlyle toothed design. It's not nearly as good as it looks to be. Unusable on soft fasteners, worn stuff gets what's left shredded off.
HF has made their name selling decent/acceptable tools, for very little money. Yes, the cheapest stuff they sell is junky. But most tools, excluding the lowest dregs of the catalog, are passable and functional. If HF can get a high-end asian tool line, for less than carlyle and the like, they should succeed.
FWIW guys, I wouldn't get super excited about the wrenches with the carlyle toothed design. It's not nearly as good as it looks to be. Unusable on soft fasteners, worn stuff gets what's left shredded off.
FYI, I emailed Harbor Freight regarding the release dates for ICON tools. This is the response I received this morning...
Dear Joseph,
Thank you for contacting Harbor Freight Tools.
Below is a listing of our expected release months, subject to change. We’re expecting a lot more to be released within this year.
Icon Wrenches - August 2019.
Icon Ratchets/Sockets/Wrenches - September 2019.
We appreciate your interest,
Tatiana
Harbor Freight Tools
P.O. Box 6010
Camarillo, CA 93011
Dear Joseph,
Thank you for contacting Harbor Freight Tools.
Below is a listing of our expected release months, subject to change. We’re expecting a lot more to be released within this year.
Icon Wrenches - August 2019.
Icon Ratchets/Sockets/Wrenches - September 2019.
We appreciate your interest,
Tatiana
Harbor Freight Tools
P.O. Box 6010
Camarillo, CA 93011
bubinga
Well-known member
Yep, Few I dealt with (NAPA stores) same way, 10 quarts of oil in stock,
1/4" of dust on the oil,
nothing In Stock as far as parts, Had to "Order" everything, then places wonder why on line like Amazon and e bay are taking over local business. Even same with Tractor supply, and places like that, Nothing in stock, have to Order it, Order it, Want 4 times as much as Amazon, and if the do have it, They want big bucks too, heck, If you have to order it, I may as well get it online.
Why the hell is the 11/32 so friggin long? It sticks out like a sore thumb.
Anyone else notice the new Icon combination wrenches? I was browsing the site the morning and happened upon a picture of the upcoming Icon wrenches in the listing for the new U.S. General Magnetic Wrench Racks - they slipped them in as the second picture on the product page:
Depending on pricing, these look pretty promising... 6-19mm, NO SKIPS!!! "Flank drive" type grips on the open end of the wrench, large & legible stamping of the sizes, and the chrome looks to be pretty nice too.
SAE looks like smooth jaw and metric look like ASD. Perhaps they are offering both sets in each different flavor.
Legion Prime
Well-known member
Well so much for a spring/summer release. I was actually hoping to snag a set as I'd been looking for a nice fractional set so I could retire the old family Craftsman sets. Too late HF, I found a smoking deal on some Williams Supercombos. You snooze you lose.
Maybe they'll impress me enough I'll augment my Mac metric wrenches. Good thing I'm not holding my breath though.
Maybe they'll impress me enough I'll augment my Mac metric wrenches. Good thing I'm not holding my breath though.
I know it’s too little too late, but the HF rep said August for the wrenches. It’s August so expect them any day now...