RV8guy
Well-known member
Is ICON going to offer a ratchet without the soft grip handle?
Icon tools are coming spring/summer 2019
- Thread starter Fedwrench
- Start date
mudflap
Well-known member
According to the tool review Youtubers that have been in contact with ICON yes.
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chad w
Banned
Fwiw- i was in a hf today to pick up some expendable items, and didnt see any icon stuff (didnt look hard, honestly) however, i looked at the lower profile "pro" softgrip ratchets, and to a one the selectors were laughably loose. Ive used, and liked several hf ratchets, but if this is the direction the icon tools take.. no.
There are you tube videos showing all metal ICON flex head ratchets.
Here's a picture I took at last year's SEMA show showing a few ICON ratchets. these were prototypes though so, there might be changes like the comfort grips changing to red with black lettering.
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Yes they do. Check your local store, they may have them in the back. North Dallas stores received some yesterday. I asked today and they had them in the back, along with the display Icon box. They didn't have any self space yet to put them out in the sales floor. The store close to me, let me check them out. Looked like more sockets than wrench sets have been sent to the store. They even had large add on wrench sets, 20mm to 24mm.
mudflap
Well-known member
what harbor freight needs to do is to release an icon tools circular listing the part numbers and pictures of what is being released currently. Think of it as being like the old craftsman holiday tool flyer.
........... +1
ZRX61
Well-known member
Was at Horrible Fright on Wednesday, didn't see one thing with an Icon label.
mudflap
Well-known member
I think the official roll out is 9/26
Stopped by my local HF today, they had some in the back but wouldn’t sell (or even open) them. The other HF close to me had several boxes and gladly let me look through what they had... no ratchets but plenty of wrenches and sockets. Not much to add that hasn’t already been said or shown, other than I was surprised that the reversible ratcheting combos were much longer than I imagined. Picked up the ratcheting stubbies... they look good, about what I expected. Nicer than the Gearwrench stuff I have. I had considered the Tektons but if I’m using a stubby I’m usually in a tight spot already so wasn’t keen on the 6pt design.
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rijndael
Well-known member
I'll likely ditch my gear wrench ratcheting wrenches in favor of these ... I prefer a non spline box end.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Does anybody have the part number for the long pattern ratcheting wrench set?
Farmall450
Well-known member
Stopped by my local HF today, they had some in the back but wouldn’t sell (or even open) them. The other HF close to me had several boxes and gladly let me look through what they had... no ratchets but plenty of wrenches and sockets. Not much to add that hasn’t already been said or shown, other than I was surprised that the reversible ratcheting combos were much longer than I imagined. Picked up the ratcheting stubbies... they look good, about what I expected. Nicer than the Gearwrench stuff I have. I had considered the Tektons but if I’m using a stubby I’m usually in a tight spot already so wasn’t keen on the 6pt design.
Those do look pretty nice...what's the run you?
I have GW ratcheting and non.
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bubinga
Well-known member
$119.99 so about the same price as the Tekton 6pt Stubby Reversible. GW is only around $75 but non-reversible, Williams look to be around $120-$140.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
bubinga
Well-known member
mrjaw14
Well-known member
I'm going to be curious if some nice people on the internet do some destructive testing that show that these are worth a damn. If the ratcheting wrenches are strong, if the anvils on the ratchets don't snap off at low torque, if the chrome is thick and doesn't peal, if the wrenches hold well and don't strip the ease of purchase and warranty might change the calculus. I'd love Williams over Icon over principle of the matter, but if HFT is actually going to put out some Williams/GW quality tools that's going to be a win.
javyLSU
Well-known member
Not sure why they would need testing. There are only a handful of Taiwan manufacturers of ratcheting wrenches. Icon look like they're the same exact manufacturer as Matco and Carlyle.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I managed to pick up a few ICON tools today. A few tips for the ICON seekers: first off, the ICON tools won't be on display. They're going to in cardboard boxes or totes back in the stockroom with the word new written on the box in magic marker. Secondly, having the item number for what you want makes things a lot easier. Next, the Harbor Freights in my area were starting inventory tonight and weren't too keen on looking for stuff even if their computer said they had a few in stock. I need to give a shout out to the Harbor Freight employee that took my list and went into the stock room and brought everything out to me. I should have gotten her name so, i could praise her in a letter to Harbor Freight but, her and her pink hair went above and beyond the call of duty today at the 51st ave & Bell Road store.
Now for some initial observations, Please keep in mind that these are my opinions and your results may vary.
RATCHETS: right off the bat, i think Harbor freight uses one manufacturer for their fixed head ratchets and a second different manufacturer for their flex head ratchets. If you look at the crappy pictures below, you might see that on the flex head ratchet. there is a separate spring loaded pintle that pivots the pawl gear. Whereas, on the fixed head model, it appears to be one integral piece. Just manipulating the ratchets in my hand, the fixed head versions are smoother and crisper. Now, the second thing i don't care for are the direction switches themselves. the switches on the fixed head versions have a slightly lower profile than the flex heads. There's a good 1/16 of air between the bottom edge of the direction switch and the ratchet head on the flex heads i have. This could be the achilles heel of this ratchet. The switch gap can easily get snagged on wiring or anything else. More importantly, if it takes a swan dive off of a lift arm, it could snap the switch off if it lands wrong. hats off to Tekton in this area as they have recessed direction switches.
RATCHETING WRENCHES: These might be the gems of the initial release. they are really long. pictured below, is an extra long MATCO proswing wrench, an ICON combination ratcheting wrench, a reversible gearwrench, and a reversible Dewalt and in 13mm. the ICON 13 mm measures over 9 inches long. Unfortunately, i don't have any snappys or MATCOs to compare it to at the house. the wrench has a very crisp ratcheting action, nice chrome, excellent balance, and has a 12 point ratcheting boxed end which is refreshing in this age of spline everything. Just for you conspiracy types, One other observation about the direction switch on the long ICON, it's identical to the one on the Dewalt wrench. the stubby direction switch is shaped differently though than the Blackhawk i used for comparison..
A word about ratcheting wrench set pricing, I believe You Tuber clientgraphics in Nebraska paid like $115 for the 10 piece long ratcheting metric set. However, in Phoenix, that set runs $146.35 right now and stubbies are $117 for the set. Your results may very. The $10 off a hundred coupon eased the pain slightly.
I look forward to Harbor Freight getting off of its **** and publishing a circular listing the ICON line. Carry on, that's all I have for now.
Now for some initial observations, Please keep in mind that these are my opinions and your results may vary.
RATCHETS: right off the bat, i think Harbor freight uses one manufacturer for their fixed head ratchets and a second different manufacturer for their flex head ratchets. If you look at the crappy pictures below, you might see that on the flex head ratchet. there is a separate spring loaded pintle that pivots the pawl gear. Whereas, on the fixed head model, it appears to be one integral piece. Just manipulating the ratchets in my hand, the fixed head versions are smoother and crisper. Now, the second thing i don't care for are the direction switches themselves. the switches on the fixed head versions have a slightly lower profile than the flex heads. There's a good 1/16 of air between the bottom edge of the direction switch and the ratchet head on the flex heads i have. This could be the achilles heel of this ratchet. The switch gap can easily get snagged on wiring or anything else. More importantly, if it takes a swan dive off of a lift arm, it could snap the switch off if it lands wrong. hats off to Tekton in this area as they have recessed direction switches.
RATCHETING WRENCHES: These might be the gems of the initial release. they are really long. pictured below, is an extra long MATCO proswing wrench, an ICON combination ratcheting wrench, a reversible gearwrench, and a reversible Dewalt and in 13mm. the ICON 13 mm measures over 9 inches long. Unfortunately, i don't have any snappys or MATCOs to compare it to at the house. the wrench has a very crisp ratcheting action, nice chrome, excellent balance, and has a 12 point ratcheting boxed end which is refreshing in this age of spline everything. Just for you conspiracy types, One other observation about the direction switch on the long ICON, it's identical to the one on the Dewalt wrench. the stubby direction switch is shaped differently though than the Blackhawk i used for comparison..
A word about ratcheting wrench set pricing, I believe You Tuber clientgraphics in Nebraska paid like $115 for the 10 piece long ratcheting metric set. However, in Phoenix, that set runs $146.35 right now and stubbies are $117 for the set. Your results may very. The $10 off a hundred coupon eased the pain slightly.
I look forward to Harbor Freight getting off of its **** and publishing a circular listing the ICON line. Carry on, that's all I have for now.
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mrjaw14
Well-known member
Perhaps they are, but just like the Snap-On vs. Williams debate, they are made in the factory but the raw materials for a run of tools might be different, or heat treated differently, or some corner cut during the manufacturing process that MIGHT make it a weaker product. That debate never really gets satisfied. Someone doing a little destructive testing says a lot, or at least if they meet some basic expectations. Going back to the Williams example, the rumor is the heat treat is less strict, and the chrome is possibly thinner than the Snap-on counterpart even though they are made on the same production line. Same manufacturer doesn't mean a lot; the job can be spec'd however the purchaser wants.
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DSLTRK
Well-known member
Yes, you are correct in assuming that.
Both versions of ratchets were/are made by Easen Hardware of Taiwan.
They have been around for awhile and are the OEM for many companies, even producing ratchet heads for other Taiwanese tool companies, especially torque wrench heads.
Easen even shows the options there are. Great Neck chose the knurled ring for the Duralast while Harbor Freight kept the smooth finish.
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Different head shape. Different back plate. Opposite fastener configuration.
I'm not doubting you; you sound very sure. I am curious how you know. Please be kind enough to convince us.
DSLTRK
Well-known member
Because I've been to their booth at the National Hardware Expo in Vegas.
Additionally, the 90 tooth is their newest design, only recently introduced in late 2017. As you may know, the Duralast was introduced back in 2010, so about 7 yrs between the designs.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Thank You Sir.
javyLSU
Well-known member
Thanks for the feedback on the ratcheting wrenches. These are pretty much the only thing I’ve been wanting out of the initial launch (now that I know the swivel ratchets are not QR). That pricing gives me pause, however. I know they’re longer, but at $149 it’s not materially any better than GearWrench pricing for an equivalent set.RATCHETING WRENCHES: These might be the gems of the initial release. they are really long. pictured below, is an extra long MATCO proswing wrench, an ICON combination ratcheting wrench, a reversible gearwrench, and a reversible Dewalt and in 13mm. the ICON 13 mm measures over 9 inches long. Unfortunately, i don't have any snappys or MATCOs to compare it to at the house. the wrench has a very crisp ratcheting action, nice chrome, excellent balance, and has a 12 point ratcheting boxed end which is refreshing in this age of spline everything. Just for you conspiracy types, One other observation about the direction switch on the long ICON, it's identical to the one on the Dewalt wrench. the stubby direction switch is shaped differently though than the Blackhawk i used for comparison..
A word about ratcheting wrench set pricing, I believe You Tuber clientgraphics in Nebraska paid like $115 for the 10 piece long ratcheting metric set. However, in Phoenix, that set runs $146.35 right now and stubbies are $117 for the set. Your results may very. The $10 off a hundred coupon eased the pain slightly.
I look forward to Harbor Freight getting off of its **** and publishing a circular listing the ICON line. Carry on, that's all I have for now.
Adam Henry
Member
I think HF missed a really big opportunity with the icon line. They should have offered these new lines of hand tools with a pre-order option, either on their website or on a dedicated Icon website. I could have sworn that several months ago I saw an Icon website. I search for it now and can't find a thing. Am I going crazy? Either way I have an interest in some of the new tools in the line, but I'm not willing to go out of my to get them. It's kind of funny that the HF site still makes no mention of these new tools, but I guess they've always had their own unique way of marketing and it must be working for them.
mrjaw14
Well-known member
I find it interesting that we know so much about them here and that people have "bought" them before standard release. I wouldn't be surprised if threads like this are monitored by the manufacturers for some research.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Nor would I. However the sale of tools prior to official release I attribute to two factors.
1) Employees/managers who feel selling early if someone asks only benefits them. Future sales from an excited customer are possible, plus you're moving some product today.
2) Employees/managers who don't actually care, "you wanna buy it, feel free".
Cheapskate
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 219
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Adam Henry
Member
Thank you! I'm not going crazy after all. I searched and couldn't find it. Looks like I wasn't missing much, that's a pathetic site, lol.
Bought the 1/4 and 3/8 all chrome ratchets today. Since they are boxed, couldn't really get a feel for them till I got home. They come with a polishing/cleaning rag, what the hell?? They are going back today! They are not worth it IMO. The damn lever is huge! Sits to high from the ratchet itself like Fedwrench posted. Rather buy a Carlyle or Gearwrench or even Tekton. Lets see if they charge me a restocking fee when I return them
This subject is starting to remind me of the "New Craftsman" subject - much to-do about nothing.
Their stuff looks good, but it's not like there are not already 100 other choices to pick from, for usable tools.
The hype is right up there, I will agree.
Their stuff looks good, but it's not like there are not already 100 other choices to pick from, for usable tools.
The hype is right up there, I will agree.
I agree. In some aspects you already have Carlyle & Tekton available but, i'm much more interested in the ICON line than the current SBD Crafstman line and I've never been a Harbor Freight fan
Once the ICON tools are out, their only advantage over the online brands will be that you might be able to get them at a nearby store. The Icon packaging is painfully geared towards antitheft. their ratchet boxes are very informative and have actual size photos of the ratchet on the sides of the box. slice two strips of tape, push the hang tag through the box sleeve, exposing a really nice plastic storage tray that no one will ever use, along with a polishing cloth (Just for Wamsutta/MERK). ICON could reduce costs just by using a picture board of the tools with little claim checks you take to the cashier to get your tool. The ratchets could come in ziplock bag then and socket sets could come on useful rails instead of being in a plastic tray with lid inside of a plastic box with its hang tag and box lid secured with two phillips screws. The wrench sets have their own excessive packaging
Same manufacturer means a lot, equipment from forging to broaching all be same and generally with the taiwan oems they don't do a lot different beside design features and that normally still limited to what oem offer .
As for materials generally going be all much same unless as client you getting fussy and importing your own for them to use .
OEM material source be constantly changing pending on availability and pricing and that why you can get quality changes as simply different material/parts being used and nothing do with client spec just good or bad luck .
Areas they do differ on is pre plating finishing, plating spec, knurling chamfering, roll stamping, cnc engraving etc as all these details is extra step/time .
Mikeske
Well-known member
I am retired and have a set of 30-40 year Snap-on ratchets in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and a complete set of Bonney sockets and wrenches with Utica torque wrenches that I have used since I bought them while I was still in the Air Force. I bought my snap-on ratchets via pawn shops as I did not like to pay the price even then back in the early 1980's. My whole take on this is the fact I think it was really smart that that Harbor Freight is finally stepping up to the proconsumer-professional grade area. I think it is just crazy the truck brands have been ripping off mechanics as long as they have as they have a captive market.
I have the attitude is to wait and see when the full line of tools is in before I make a judgment as a ratchet, socket and wrench set here and there is not the best way to judge the value, quality judgement. I want to see the full line but likely I never will even need the Icon tools as I already have my own professional set of tools sitting in semi-retirement like its owner.
My take away from this is the truck fanatics are sure to be upset but I was always the cash and carry when I worked in aviation and vehicles all those years ago. I never finance tools as I just buy and use whatever I could so I had more to support my family.
I have the attitude is to wait and see when the full line of tools is in before I make a judgment as a ratchet, socket and wrench set here and there is not the best way to judge the value, quality judgement. I want to see the full line but likely I never will even need the Icon tools as I already have my own professional set of tools sitting in semi-retirement like its owner.
My take away from this is the truck fanatics are sure to be upset but I was always the cash and carry when I worked in aviation and vehicles all those years ago. I never finance tools as I just buy and use whatever I could so I had more to support my family.