Icon tools are coming spring/summer 2019

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Now that the prices are out, I don't see myself wanting to go out an buy anything in the ICON line. If I was in the market, I'd price shop their stuff against the other Taiwan imports and go with the most economical. Really, the ratcheting wrenches are about the only thing I might look at ICON over others due to potential ease of warranty. I'm still in the camp of buy used or NOS American made tools for the same money.

 

[techieman33]

They already stated single warranty not handled by a store will be by them mailing you replacement to work or home address .

If that ends up being the case then they've really shot themselves in the foot. There is a wide market for good quality Taiwanese tools. And they pretty much all do warranty replacements by mail. An instant in store exchange is what would have put them over the top. I could understand tool box parts needing to be mailed. But anything else they should be able to stock loose singles in their lockup area. And then break up sets or order singles for replacements as needed. That would be worth the extra in price over Tekton, Gearwrench, etc.

 

[nieuport17]

If that ends up being the case then they've really shot themselves in the foot. There is a wide market for good quality Taiwanese tools. And they pretty much all do warranty replacements by mail. An instant in store exchange is what would have put them over the top. I could understand tool box parts needing to be mailed. But anything else they should be able to stock loose singles in their lockup area. And then break up sets or order singles for replacements as needed. That would be worth the extra in price over Tekton, Gearwrench, etc.

I was thinking the same thing. Price is similar to Gearwrench, but if warranty is done in store, I will take a shot on Icon.
But if I have to mail in? I mean why bother.

 

[WittHay]

Every brick and mortar store that sells mechanics hand tools around here has singles. People loose sockets, change organization to rails, hansen trays, etc, just need a few extra tools for whatever reason. Also ease of warranty, walk into store with broken tool and walk out with replacement

The exception is some higher end sets sold at diy places. DeWalt made in Taiwan was sold for a while at Canadian Tire. You knew that singles were not going to be available, and the tools were going to be no longer carried by the retailer or the style would change. In other words uses them at home and be careful with not to break or loose them

I see a lot of similarities between the Dewalt and Icon, decent Taiwan tools sold in sets at limited locations Except that DeWalt has a much larger range of mechanics hand tools than Icon.

 

[Fedwrench]

I see a lot of similarities between the Dewalt and Icon, decent Taiwan tools sold in sets at limited locations Except that DeWalt has a much larger range of mechanics hand tools than Icon.

Perhaps but, I feel that the quality and features of Dewalt mechanics tools have declined since SBD brought out their version of Craftsman. Dewalt combination wrenches no longer have the anti slip open ends, and on their chrome sockets, the machined detents on the square drive end were replaced with a version of that funky double detent design that was found on craftsman sockets. The only store in my area that sells Dewalt is Costco which has two sets on display.
I feel that Dewalt's mechanics tools may fade away. ICON on the other hand is just starting out and may grow into a comprehensive line unless greed gets in the way. Take Gearwrench for example, they started out as a line of ratcheting wrenches under the KD brand that expanded so much, it killed off KD and other popular brands to allow their expansion.

 

[WittHay]

Fed you are probably right with DeWalt .SBD has so many tool lines to deal with that there has to be some consolidation in the future.

I think I have trouble figuring out how HF markets to mechanics or avid diy's. i am used to how tools are sold up here. 10 minutes down the road. There is a full wall display of GearWrench with 6 and 12 point socket sets, impacts plus singles, extensions, ratchets and all the other goodies that make up socket sets. The Proto stuff is in 2 glass cases next to it

Contrast that to HF, the nearest location is Bellingham, WA about 20 minutes south of the border. What will i find there regarding Icon. A few 6 point socket sets and ratchets in boxes. or just some breaker bars.

I guess I am wondering if HF has the room or will to have large Icon displays that have individual sockets and extension, universals, etc.

 

[techieman33]

Fed you are probably right with DeWalt .SBD has so many tool lines to deal with that there has to be some consolidation in the future.

I think I have trouble figuring out how HF markets to mechanics or avid diy's. i am used to how tools are sold up here. 10 minutes down the road. There is a full wall display of GearWrench with 6 and 12 point socket sets, impacts plus singles, extensions, ratchets and all the other goodies that make up socket sets. The Proto stuff is in 2 glass cases next to it

Contrast that to HF, the nearest location is Bellingham, WA about 20 minutes south of the border. What will i find there regarding Icon. A few 6 point socket sets and ratchets in boxes. or just some breaker bars.

I guess I am wondering if HF will ever have the full on Icon wall tool displays that are common around here

Sears was the last big chain that you could walk into and buy a single piece of just about anything they sold without breaking the bank. The big box stores have some single sockets, but it's a pretty limited selection in my experience. If you need a 10mm chrome then you shouldn't have a problem. But if it's a 36mm, or impact anything then your probably not going to find it. Some of the farm stores have a decent selection of singles, but it's often cheap Chinese stuff. The other option is an industrial/contractor supply place if your lucky enough to have one nearby. But then your stepping up in Proto/SK/Williams price range. And they're not always receptive to the general public.

It's like the replacement hammer handle thread. Brick and mortar stores have limited shelf space, and they want to fill it with stuff that sells at high volumes. And single sockets and wrenches are pretty low volume sellers. And it gets even lower when you get into the bigger or more uncommon sizes.

 

[Mikeske]

Fed you are probably right with DeWalt .SBD has so many tool lines to deal with that there has to be some consolidation in the future.

I think I have trouble figuring out how HF markets to mechanics or avid diy's. i am used to how tools are sold up here. 10 minutes down the road. There is a full wall display of GearWrench with 6 and 12 point socket sets, impacts plus singles, extensions, ratchets and all the other goodies that make up socket sets. The Proto stuff is in 2 glass cases next to it

Contrast that to HF, the nearest location is Bellingham, WA about 20 minutes south of the border. What will i find there regarding Icon. A few 6 point socket sets and ratchets in boxes. or just some breaker bars.

I guess I am wondering if HF has the room or will to have large Icon displays that have individual sockets and extension, universals, etc.

Save the trip I was just in the Bellingham store Thursday morning. All they had was torque wrenches and a breaker bar in the Icon line all which have been out for a while. The nearest HF store in the online ad was Port Angeles or Walla Walla

 

[mrjaw14]

local HFT had one of the pricey tool boxes. It looked purdy, but felt cheap. The slides on the drawers wasn't smooth, no latches that I felt and the sheet metal felt thin. The Hutch seemed ok. i did like the slotted organizer "peg board" on the back. I really liked the side hutch.

All in all, I was looking at almost 10K of tool box, hutch, topper, side cabinet and side chest. I have a Snap on KTL1022 and the Icon box doesn't feel like my Snap On box. I got my box used in mint condition for less than 2K. I'd buy used Snap On over new Icon any day

 

[Fedwrench]

I swung by one of the local Harbor Freights today and the manager dug out a 1/4 ratchet for me from the boxes of ICON stuff they had on the stock room shelves. He said everything they had would be in the aisles on full display by Friday. I know the tool box wall draws a lot of attention but, i'm more interested in the tools than the boxes. I don't need a tool box wall but, i can always use different tools. Unlike Tekton, ICON has two normal size flex head ratchets a 14 inch long 3/8 and a just under 18 inch long 1/2 drive model. I hoped that Tekton would release models in that length but, not yet. Perhaps they'll be some ICON coupons in the October tool flyer other than the 10% off that's appeared in some auto trade magazines.

 

[Legion Prime]

If there's a coupon then that might just push me over over the hump and go grab a set. The Wright Tool 750 11pc is only $120 and if a coupon comes out getting that 14pc down to $80ish I think I might just have to go for it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[bubinga]

If there's a coupon then that might just push me over over the hump and go grab a set. The Wright Tool 750 11pc is only $120 and if a coupon comes out getting that 14pc down to $80ish I think I might just have to go for it. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

I see the Wright Tool 750 11pc. skips the 16 & the 18.

 

[Legion Prime]

Yeah, but I'd much rather have a set of Wrights than HF. The Icon's do look nice but for only $20 less (even if the Wrights do skip a size or two) they're still not blowing my skirt up that much. If I can get a coupon and if they ever get the damn things in stock then maybe I'll go for them but for now I'm pretty solidly on the fence.
I stopped by today and they had the tool carts in every color they offer and most of the US General boxes they offer with a couple open box ones up front and still no Icon tools but the breaker bars.

 

[bubinga]

Yeah, but I'd much rather have a set of Wrights than HF. The Icon's do look nice but for only $20 less (even if the Wrights do skip a size or two) they're still not blowing my skirt up that much. If I can get a coupon and if they ever get the damn things in stock then maybe I'll go for them but for now I'm pretty solidly on the fence.

I stopped by today and they had the tool carts in every color they offer and most of the US General boxes they offer with a couple open box ones up front and still no Icon tools but the breaker bars.

Yeah, they're really Dragon A$$ getting the line out.
Does Wright sell the 16 & 18 in single open stock?
16, you can usually get away with a 5/8" but 18 is pretty popular.
Well, 16 mm is almost .005 over 5/8" So that's why I always say "usually" get away with 5/8".
I got my favorite brother the Texton set, he said it's comfortable, and has a "nice fit" I have a few of the texton extensions and I think a ratchet in quarter-inch drive and they seem quite nice. Your mileage and opinion a very again I have no first-hand experience with the wrenches. I think I got him the 15 piece set long pattern full polish combination wrenches if I recall correctly it goes 8 through 22 inclusive. But isn't having a 20 millimeter wrench kind of a moot point?
I don't recall running into 20 mm bolt or nut too often if at all.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[bubinga]

Am I correct icon is only offering a 10% off coupon on the hand tools? I know there is a 20% off on the tool storage I have one on my PC if anyone needs it but you guys probably saw it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[mudflap]

If that ends up being the case then they've really shot themselves in the foot. There is a wide market for good quality Taiwanese tools. And they pretty much all do warranty replacements by mail. An instant in store exchange is what would have put them over the top. I could understand tool box parts needing to be mailed. But anything else they should be able to stock loose singles in their lockup area. And then break up sets or order singles for replacements as needed. That would be worth the extra in price over Tekton, Gearwrench, etc.

I agree....that would have been their edge. Especially since Advance Auto dropped Gearwrench. Cant buy/exchange it anywhere around here now except Grainger etc...and they hit walk ins with no commercial acct hard $$$$$$.

 

[kythri]

Yeah, but I'd much rather have a set of Wrights than HF.

I'd much rather have a set of Wright combo wrenches than, well, any other brand, save for the fact that they don't want to make long-pattern wrenches, and are satisfied with their short (not stubby) current line.

 

[xin]

GearWrench has better ratchets 120XP, Wrenches and Ratcheting wrenches (spline drive) so many options and better prices. Sockets GearWrench has 15mm in 1/4 they don't in the 'con' line. Along with the fact GearWrench is widely available all over, failing to see any value add in this much less the hype being generated. They even sell/warranty them on the tool trucks even a GearWrench tool truck.

All of this is marketing and someone wanting to spend $10,000 for a Chinese made toolbox?

 

[xin]

If that ends up being the case then they've really shot themselves in the foot. There is a wide market for good quality Taiwanese tools. And they pretty much all do warranty replacements by mail. An instant in store exchange is what would have put them over the top. I could understand tool box parts needing to be mailed. But anything else they should be able to stock loose singles in their lockup area. And then break up sets or order singles for replacements as needed. That would be worth the extra in price over Tekton, Gearwrench, etc.

Tekton has a BROADER selection and their warranty is basically an email and they send it to you. GearWrench has a vast selection the hysteria being generated is not living up to the hype. It will be like a balloon they always go up and come back down.

 

[bubinga]

Tekton has a BROADER selection and their warranty is basically an email and they send it to you. GearWrench has a vast selection the hysteria being generated is not living up to the hype. It will be like a balloon they always go up and come back down.

If they run out of helium, I think balloons come back down.
Sorry, just being silly!



Well, I'm taking a wait and see attitude. (with the Icon line)
I have an interest in looking at the long ratchet wrenches.
EDIT LOL
OK, sleeping here, You did say they do come back down......................LMAO!

 

[bubinga]

Tekton has a BROADER selection and their warranty is basically an email and they send it to you. GearWrench has a vast selection the hysteria being generated is not living up to the hype. It will be like a balloon they always go up and come back down.

never used there warranty, but I think I read on this group, They didn't even ask for the old one.
Snap on had done that for me a few times too.
Just called them.
They didn't ask for a receipt, (I didn't have it any longer anyhow)
But she did say, "May I ask where you got it"
I was like Sure, garage I worked at in the Ohio Valley Elm Grove Wheeling WV, They just called him "Skip" She was like OK, and sent me a new one.
Don't know if they look up the dealers or not. Heck, some of my tools from snap on were/are old enough I'm sure the dealers are long retired.

 

[javyLSU]

^Bridgeport and Wheeling! I used to go there for work a few years ago, I used to love driving out there from Pittsburgh.

 

[bubinga]

^Bridgeport and Wheeling! I used to go there for work a few years ago, I used to love driving out there from Pittsburgh.

I used to live in Pittsburgh area too.

 

[Revere Cycles]

I agree....that would have been their edge. Especially since Advance Auto dropped Gearwrench. Cant buy/exchange it anywhere around here now except Grainger etc...and they hit walk ins with no commercial acct hard $$$$$$.

Advance Auto sells TEQ, which is mostly Gearwrench under their house label. From my experience, if you bring a defective Gearwrench tool to Advance, you will receive an identical TEQ Pro tool as a replacement. Most of the old GW SKUs are the same as TEQ SKUs. Other tools under the TEQ banner are just rebranded Apex tools from lines other than Gearwrench.

 

[Revere Cycles]

I picked up the Icon metric reverse ratcheting stubby wrenches today using a 10% Super Coupon (no exclusions). I was out the door for $116, including tax.

I took them home and they are really quite nice. I could not find any finish defects and the ratcheting mechanism works well. With my digital caliper, the measurement of the open end of my new Icon 14mm is 14.20mm. I compared this to other 14mm open end wrenches in my drawer and it was on par with Craftsman Professional, Proto, and Mac open end wrenches. The only one that was tighter was the open end of my Hazet Mercedes-Benz valve adjustment tool at 14.17mm.

Honestly, I like them a lot, and they're nicer than Gearwrench tools that I purchased previously. I don't need ratcheting stubby wrenches every day, but for the times I do need them, these will serve me well.

I know a lot of folks are asking valid questions about whether or not Icon will still be around 5 or 10 years from now. Maybe they will be, maybe they won't, but I've been burned before. From 2012-2017, I invested heavily in Armstrong and Craftsman Professional for USA made tools with a lifetime warranty. Of course, Apex killed Armstrong and Craftsman Professional was mostly rebranded Armstrong. I just came to accept that sometimes tool companies go away.

If money was no object, I would just buy SK everything, but they do not offer a stubby reverse ratcheting set, and the standard 12pt stubby set is over $200 shipped. Bluepoint, has a comparable reverse ratcheting set made in Taiwan, it is $289.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have those ICON ratcheting stubbies and I also think they're really nice. the closest set would probably be Blackhawk with a few smaller sizes (6, 8, 9) making it a 13 piece set the runs around $168.

 

[jasonphelps]

The ICON ratchets look nice and all, but they just can't hold up to the amount of force this Duralast can

Duralast Ratchet

 

[javyLSU]

the icon ratchets look nice and all, but they just can't hold up to the amount of force this duralast can

duralast ratchet

hahahaha!!

 

[Mechanical Noise]

The ICON ratchets look nice and all, but they just can't hold up to the amount of force this Duralast can

Duralast Ratchet

Holy cats! That's 4 1/2 TEFs!!! (Tennessee Ernie Fords)

 

[Minnesota Steve]

I stopped at a harbor freight tonight that had the icon tools and took a look at them. I have tekton, craftsman and proto from the 1950s so really this stuff is outside of my needs but since I was there.

The icon ratchets seemed good quality and felt as substantial as my proto ratchets.

One thing that bothered me a bit... the ratcheting on the chrome models was really stiff, like I could barely turn the drive back with my fingers. The rubber handled models moved more freely. I don’t really like that stiff feel. I wonder if they’re lubricated? Or will they loosen up with time?

It all looked nice. Well see what happens.

 

[platypus20]

Today, after all of the hub-bub on the web about the new Icon brand hand tools, that are being introduced by Harbor Freight, I bought a set each of the standard (shallow) fractional and metric, 1/4” drive sockets, cost was about $25 (per tax). Here are a few first impressions;

First - they seemed to spare no expense on the packaging, a heavy plastic outer box, that has 2 Philips screws holding the lid down and a heavy blow molded socket tray, for those who use them in their tool box drawers. Personally, I’m not impressed by packaging, its the product that matters. They probable could have been $5 cheaper, without the extensive packaging. Then again, many will probably, think this is an asset.

Second - they seem well made and the chrome seems very heavy and is very well done. They have the rounded corners, think Snap-On flank drive, and the actual fit and finish is excellent. The detention for the locking ball on the ratchet and extensions is cut, not formed. The broaching is very similar to the majority of the import socket (these are made in Taiwan) having a rounded countersunk style bottom of the socket throat, Sockets are stamped very clearly with the size and the metric socket have the line pattern, similar to Snap-On, Craftsman and others.

Third - I thought the socket pricing for the sets, was very good, less than the pricing on the similar sets offered by Lowe’s on the Craftsman products. They also are not skipping sizes in the metric offerings.

Fourth - I also looked at the wrenches, they seem very nice, but the pricing seems on the high side. The set, while complete, are priced unrealistically compared to the sockets, the complete set of the metric ratcheting wrenches is about $150, seems high to me.

Fifth - as Harbor Freight is a California based company, with reportedly over 1000 current outlets, the Icon tool release has been real slow, here in the Northeast USA. Not all of the socket sets or wrench sets are even currently in stock and except for a few breaker bars and previously released Icon products, we have absolutely no ratchets of any size or type. While this maybe understandable, because of the size of the operation, all of the latest paperwork, that comes in the mail, all of the company emails and other web posting, show and tout their new offerings and the current availability.

 

[mudflap]

Advance Auto sells TEQ, which is mostly Gearwrench under their house label. From my experience, if you bring a defective Gearwrench tool to Advance, you will receive an identical TEQ Pro tool as a replacement. Most of the old GW SKUs are the same as TEQ SKUs. Other tools under the TEQ banner are just rebranded Apex tools from lines other than Gearwrench.

Thanks...didnt know that.

 

[ChrisLS8]

For ratcheting wrenches you might as well just get the Williams set. I have the flex reversible and they are awesome. I need a straight set but it's low on the list

 

[Fedwrench]

First - they seemed to spare no expense on the packaging, a heavy plastic outer box, that has 2 Philips screws holding the lid down and a heavy blow molded socket tray, for those who use them in their tool box drawers. Personally, I’m not impressed by packaging, its the product that matters. They probable could have been $5 cheaper, without the extensive packaging. Then again, many will probably, think this is an asset.

Nope, I think Harbor Freight went way overboard with the antitheft packaging and spent too much time trying to emulate snap on trays. Harbor Freight could have easily sold these socket sets on usable rails like Tekton (aside from Tekton screwing up the color scheme by putting metric tools in red boxes and on red rails ) and knocked a couple of bucks off of the price.

 

[Yarpo]

Advance Auto sells TEQ, which is mostly Gearwrench under their house label. From my experience, if you bring a defective Gearwrench tool to Advance, you will receive an identical TEQ Pro tool as a replacement. Most of the old GW SKUs are the same as TEQ SKUs. Other tools under the TEQ banner are just rebranded Apex tools from lines other than Gearwrench.

Someone on here works at advanced and said they're reversing that decision and will just continue on with Gearwrench.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

All I have to say is I am glad that stupid *** Sears had a blowout sale on the DeWalt reversible ratcheting wrenches (just like the Icons, only shorter) a few years back!!!!

 

[kkasson]

I stopped at my local HF tonight intending to pick up some Icon sockets. I ended up not getting them. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with them, but once I was looking at them I didn't feel like paying for them when I haven't had any problems with my current sockets. They were nice though, and I'll probably grab a set of 3/8 deeps if any better coupons come out.

I wasn't very impressed with the ratchets, however. I didn't like the selector switch and they all felt heavier than the previous ratchets, but not in a good way. I went there specifically for the Icon but I ended up getting a 1/4 inch flex head Pittsburgh Pro instead. Their long handle 3/8 has become my most used ratchet so I figured I'd grab the 1/4 while I was there. They had the 1/4 flex head Icon on display but the Pittsburgh actually felt better to me.

 

[Mikeske]

I don't need much in the Icon line as I have a lot of tools already but I am interested in some things as fillers. I have never got a 1/2" flex ratchet, I do have a Bonney 3/8" flex and a 1/4" flex Snap-on but no 1/2" and I had a need a few times where a flex head would have been nice but I worked around it.

Thursday I was in Harbor Freight and saw the Chrome handle 1/2" flex wrench and it was $44.99 well I go up and I have a friend that works there and I asked if he could get me a 20% off and he said sure. I already have used it Thursday night working on a tractor and it works smoothly and the back drag is not as noticeable as my Bonney 1/2" regular ratchet but slightly more then my 1/2" Snap-on regular ratchet. The pivot on my Icon was tight but seeing some earlier videos I will probably take it apart and put on stronger red locktite. I have yet to figure out why Harbor Freight put a cleaning cloth with the ratchet, I will never use the cloth for cleaning as a shop rag does just as good and I don't care if I get grease and oil on a shop rag. The handle sure reminds me a lot of the older Snap-on chrome ratchets in touch and how you grip it. The reverse forward switch is slight raise but I kind of like it as it is a bit easier to flick from one direction to the other I was slightly troubled by the design choice but after using it became intuitive to use and I had no issue with after that.

The handle is all chrome as I have a personal preference for the Chrome handles as I am just old school and like the chrome better then the comfort grips as they are much easier to keep clean. Overall not a bad ratchet and I like it for the sizing and weight and balance of the ratchet. I think these ratchets will be appreciated by the beginner, home DYI, and even the techs getting them as either backup or a filler in the tool box like I did.

There are a couple items I like to get as fillers and those are the ratcheting long reach wrenches in SAE and metric. I never bought any of those and I borrow some Gearwrenches and was underwhelmed by the Gearwrenches but those were a early version of them and they were a bit on the clunky side back then. Since these have out for around twenty years I give it a go again and see if I like them. I do not need any more chrome sockets but maybe a set of stubby SAE wrenches might be looked at.

 

[WittHay]

Thanks for the review. I know a lot of my posts are anti-Hf but that new Icon 1/2 flex head is one tool I am interested in. I have a Kobalt 72 tooth 1/2 flex head that I use all the time. Also have cheaper Canadian Tire Mastercrafts that the guys always like using. The flex head is handy around farm equipment. The Icon would be used in a service truck and the Kobalt moved to a different box

Maybe someday they will have the Icon boxes at Bellingham. Would like to have a look at them and see how they compare to a local import box like TCA or the usual tool truck box like Snap-on or Mac. Not that I need one. Like most people on Garage Journal have enough stuff already

pictures of a Kobalt 72 tooth flex head ratchet

 

[ToolCrazyDude]

Read this entire thread from start to finish and my takeaway has been:

Fixed head Icon ratchets are good quality and good price
Pass on the flex head Icon ratchets
Icon sockets are decent quality and decent price
Ratchet wrench sets are decent but a bit overpriced (hopefully we can use coupons)

*Some people posses amazing psychic tool review skills haha

Honestly I've been quite happy with my standard harbor freight ratchets, granted I don't make a living off my tools. I bought my first harbor freight ratchet after literally learning what the term "knuckle buster" meant. While these harbor freight ratchets aren't made in America, I luckily haven't hurt myself using them.

If anyone's curious I was using a no name Chineese ratchet from a socket set given to me by my father. It was all I had when I first started wrenching...