Icon tools are coming spring/summer 2019

[WittHay]

The prices arent bad on that Australian Tekton, little bit of shipping to get it across the pond though

Got to be SK tool trucks somewhere, quite a few when you look on google. Years ago there were independent tool distributors called Allied. I think they sold OTC, KD, KenTool and not sure what the main hard line was

The Sk and Tekton combination like in the second picture would work in some areas

 

[lardy1]

My mind wishes SK was more readily available. My wallet seems happy that it isn't.

 

[DSLTRK]

Why? there wouldn't be anything new on it except for maybe once every five years or so.

I have everything I want in SK. However, SK has received lots of great ideas for new products in the pages of the Journal but, they seem to fall on deaf ears.
I'll recap a few: 90 tooth long fixed and flex head ratchets, zero offset extra long X Frame boxed end wrenches, flex head x frame wrenches, Reversible X Frame wrenches, take the anti slip open end from the X Frame wrench and put it on regular long pattern combination wrenches, revive the old Craftsman Professional Screwdriver series (the all black ones) and make them with SK Green handles. there, that should give SK at least a decade of work

Well, not everything would have to be SK on the truck, just the hardline tools. They have a lot to offer. I have a catalog with thousands of SK tools listed. I do agree that they tend to drag their feet with product release, but when has their been a new SK tool that is 'meh'?

I just don't get that excited over imported tools, I don't feel the same pride using them.

 

[Wood_Guy]

And that right there is the point, applicable to most things including cars and tools.

Almost every car I've ever purchased has been about the design of the car, the suspension, the engine, the transmission/transaxle and other considerations like durability, DME manufacturer and overall the look of the vehicle. If any of my cars were in a different brand, I still would have bought them as the badging is irrelevant.

There's a lot of people who have "tool envy" and buying Icon means they want to tear down anyone perceived to be better than them (or actually are for one reason or another, better than their tools). That's why Harbor Freight does direct comparisons between their tools and Snap-on. They can't attack them on quality, so they focus on price.

The only way to avoid envy is to buy what you want, and not care what other people think.

 

[M6erfan]

Almost every car I've ever purchased has been about the design of the car, the suspension, the engine, the transmission/transaxle and other considerations like durability, DME manufacturer and overall the look of the vehicle. If any of my cars were in a different brand, I still would have bought them as the badging is irrelevant.

There's a lot of people who have "tool envy" and buying Icon means they want to tear down anyone perceived to be better than them (or actually are for one reason or another, better than their tools). That's why Harbor Freight does direct comparisons between their tools and Snap-on. They can't attack them on quality, so they focus on price.

The only way to avoid envy is to buy what you want, and not care what other people think.

Yep. But we all know that brand cache/marketing plays a VERY important part in most peoples buying decisions.

 

[Wood_Guy]

Yep. But we all know that brand cache/marketing plays a VERY important part in most peoples buying decisions.

Sadly it does. I'm immune to advertising, but I do find I will spend more to purchase a quality product. Particularly something I could potentially keep forever.

 

[DSLTRK]

Almost every car I've ever purchased has been about the design of the car, the suspension, the engine, the transmission/transaxle and other considerations like durability, DME manufacturer and overall the look of the vehicle. If any of my cars were in a different brand, I still would have bought them as the badging is irrelevant.

There's a lot of people who have "tool envy" and buying Icon means they want to tear down anyone perceived to be better than them (or actually are for one reason or another, better than their tools). That's why Harbor Freight does direct comparisons between their tools and Snap-on. They can't attack them on quality, so they focus on price.

The only way to avoid envy is to buy what you want, and not care what other people think.

Nominated for the 'Best Post in Thread' award. Congratulations.

 

[Spacey_G]

I'm immune to advertising

No one is immune to advertising. It's influential in more ways than just the buying decisions you make consciously. It's the sea we all swim in and it soaks into our subconscious minds whether you think it does or not.

 

[Fedwrench]

Well, not everything would have to be SK on the truck, just the hardline tools. They have a lot to offer. I have a catalog with thousands of SK tools listed. I do agree that they tend to drag their feet with product release, but when has their been a new SK tool that is 'meh'?

I just don't get that excited over imported tools, I don't feel the same pride using them.

I think SK's combination wrenches with their wide hips are Meh along with the drop in DT round head ratchet cartridge but, that's just me. I would also lump their current hard handle screwdrivers with their over sized pry bar shaped handles into the meh category too.

I'm a 180 degrees off of your perspective, I don't get excited over US made tools. To me, they're nothing special like they once were. Don't get me wrong, I have drawers and boxes full of US made truck brands but, i prefer the knurling and satin finish offered from of the Taiwan made tool companies lately. That's the great thing about abundant choices. Besides, the vast majority of parts and pieces i remove and replace aren't US made either. The pride comes from taking a vehicle that came in on a hook, and fixing whatever ailed it so, that it's fully operational once more. Besides, i probably use my imported laptop to fix more vehicles than my actual tools.

 

[M6erfan]

No one is immune to advertising. It's influential in more ways than just the buying decisions you make consciously. It's the sea we all swim in and it soaks into our subconscious minds whether you think it does or not.

I very much agree. However, it's plausible that some are so aware of it that they can spot it and avoid it, for the most part.

Also, I suppose there are some people that for other reasons may be immune to marketing to one degree or another. For instance, those that rate on the spectrum.

 

[Wood_Guy]

No one is immune to advertising. It's influential in more ways than just the buying decisions you make consciously. It's the sea we all swim in and it soaks into our subconscious minds whether you think it does or not.

I very much agree. However, it's plausible that some are so aware of it that they can spot it and avoid it, for the most part.

Also, I suppose there are some people that for other reasons may be immune to marketing to one degree or another. For instance, those that rate on the spectrum.

Marketing is only effective if you believe what they're attempting to convince you of. If you use the philosophy of trust, but verify, then marketing and advertising is replaced by research and empirical data.

Most advertising/marketing campaigns these days are lifestyle based. Have to be incredibly insecure to allow a commercial to dictate the way you live.

 

[M6erfan]

Marketing is only effective if you believe what they're attempting to convince you of. If you use the philosophy of trust, but verify, then marketing and advertising is replaced by research and empirical data.

True, up to a point. Old cigarette ads had the endorsement of doctors lol. There is only so much to be expected from the consumer. Do you think everyone here delves into the metallurgy of one company's tools vs another's? Or do they just believe what they're told?

 

[Wood_Guy]

True, up to a point. Old cigarette ads had the endorsement of doctors lol. There is only so much to be expected from the consumer. Do you think everyone here delves into the metallurgy of one company's tools vs another's? Or do they just believe what they're told?

Probably not. I doubt very many people have even heard of boron steel.

 

[NSXRguy]

so i was lubing up my icon ratchets

so far, i have the 3/8 stubby, 3/8 regular nonflex, 1/4 stubby, 1/4 flex

i lubed up all of them really good with superlube, smothered them.

all worked great except for 1.

after lube, the 1/4 flexhead started locking up. the internal design of the head was completely different from the nonflex heads. i know only the 3/8 flexheads were recalled, but maybe the 1/4 should also be a part of it. theres definitely more play in the 1/4 flexhead compared to the nonflexheads. does anybody know if a different manufacturer designed the flexheads?

will be passing by the freight later to exchange for a 1/4 regular length nonflex

im happy with the ratchets, lubing them up makes them more quiet and feel nice

ill wait until hf releases a complete redesign of the flexheads before picking up again

 

[WittHay]

There is a Taiwan Hand Tools Manufacturers Association. Started in 1977 and has 480 members that actually make tools.

My guess is that almost every product in HF Icon line comes from a different manufacturer

Ratchets come from one, sockets from another. Hard to say when extensions are available if they will come from a 3rd. The "detents" probably wont be in the right place

Snap-on drives work as a system. Some Taiwan products are really compatible with the tool trucks. Other extensions or sockets are looser fitting or wobbly

Icon sockets are a Snap-on copy, ratchets come from 2 or 3 different manufacturers. Extensions and universals are a ???

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

You have done some research there, WittHay. Taiwanese industry does a lot of farming out to small workshops, as does Japan.

 

[WittHay]

Just remembered seeing or reading about Taiwan tool manufacturers and couldn't believe the number of tool makers over there.

BC has always had tool imports come in. The quality of that first Jet and Westward was a little suspect though. Toptul had a short run here

I remember as a teenager in the 80's going to Denny's restaurant in Blaine, WA. Somewhere near there was this big house converted to a import tool store. Every possible hand tool, specialty auto tool and air tool was available from Taiwan at really cheap prices.

That model was the forerunner to Harbor Freight

 

[m6z]

After dwelling on it some more I think the Icon tools fall in the middle and thats not a good thing when it comes to sales.

I've been adding to my tool collection recently and so far I've bought SK, Allen USA, Tekton, Blue Point and some import Craftsman sockets to fill in some holes that I had in my 15-20 year old USA Craftsman stuff. I plan to buy complete set a set of Sunex 1/2 drive impact sockets as well.

Tekton for composite ratchets and a long 1/2 drive ratchet. SK for screwdrivers, 30" breaker bar and their 1/4 size 3/8 drive ratchet. Allen USA for some larger combination wrenchs.

If I'm going to spend less I'm going to go with something like Tekton and if I'm going to spend more I'm going to be looking for deals on USA made stuff.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

 

[M6erfan]

So I went into HF today to pick up another $19.99 led light. Stopped by the Icon tool wall again and tested out ratchets for a second time, this time a spent a bit more time looking them over. I'm still "Meh" about them. I don't see any advantages over Carlyle, Tekton, etc. The back drag on the fixed heads is atrocious. The ratcheting combo wrenches do seem nice, but I'm not in the market for any. I still can't get over the wide thin beams on the regular combo's. All in all I left with a feeling of "nothing to see here folks".

I checked out the Icon tool boxes again, and while maybe not tool truck quality, they are certainly much more sturdy and better built than their US General 2 boxes.

 

[matlok]

after lube, the 1/4 flexhead started locking up. the internal design of the head was completely different from the nonflex heads. i know only the 3/8 flexheads were recalled, but maybe the 1/4 should also be a part of it.

Same here, took the 1/4 flex back b/c it was locking up, and yes they should be recalled too. The flex’s internals just have a poor design.




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[ChrisLS8]

Why? there wouldn't be anything new on it except for maybe once every five years or so.

I have everything I want in SK. However, SK has received lots of great ideas for new products in the pages of the Journal but, they seem to fall on deaf ears.
I'll recap a few: 90 tooth long fixed and flex head ratchets, zero offset extra long X Frame boxed end wrenches, flex head x frame wrenches, Reversible X Frame wrenches, take the anti slip open end from the X Frame wrench and put it on regular long pattern combination wrenches, revive the old Craftsman Professional Screwdriver series (the all black ones) and make them with SK Green handles. there, that should give SK at least a decade of work

In addition the only products they have released recently are aimed at fixing non existent problems such as the X frames and "torsion zone impacts" never in almost 2 decades of beating on tools have I ever bent/ broken the beam on a wrench nor snapped an impact sockets in the way they intend to prevent

 

[Mikeske]

so i was lubing up my icon ratchets

so far, i have the 3/8 stubby, 3/8 regular nonflex, 1/4 stubby, 1/4 flex

i lubed up all of them really good with superlube, smothered them.

all worked great except for 1.

after lube, the 1/4 flexhead started locking up. the internal design of the head was completely different from the nonflex heads. i know only the 3/8 flexheads were recalled, but maybe the 1/4 should also be a part of it. theres definitely more play in the 1/4 flexhead compared to the nonflexheads. does anybody know if a different manufacturer designed the flexheads?

will be passing by the freight later to exchange for a 1/4 regular length nonflex

im happy with the ratchets, lubing them up makes them more quiet and feel nice

ill wait until hf releases a complete redesign of the flexheads before picking up again

I got the 1/4" and 1/2" flex head ratchets and I lube mine up right after I got them after hearing about the fact they had no lube. I use a light coat of white grease and I emphasis a light coat of white grease, I applied just enough to put a even coat on the the center gear on both of the flex heads I have. I had no issue with doing this and in fact they smoothed out really well. I am thinking that maybe using superlube and packing in to much might be the issue. I did have issues with the 3/8' flex head as I got two of them and both had the locking issue whether not lubricated or lubricated. I simply took them back to Harbor Freight and got a different non flex ratchet for now.

 

[mikehaugen]

I have yet to find a use for white grease that makes anything better long term.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[BrandoJames]

Amazing to me that we now have a 900 post thread on a new tool line with a zero track record. This is how effective the Icon marketing campaign has been. As another GJ member put it: “Advertising is the sea we’re all swimming in”.

There are “fan boys” of given brands here. Some are Snap-on advocates—and I don’t always agree with them. Some (like me) are loyal to the departed Craftsman U.S.A. line. But these brands have been around for a long time. They have (or had) a track record for decades. Icon has no such thing, and it’s total propaganda to compare Icon to Snap-on or any other legacy brand. In fact, the Icon shilling here has been incredible. One GJ member actually attached Icon’s full page ad to his post. What’s going on here? This is the strangest thread I’ve seen on this forum.

 

[Wood_Guy]

Amazing to me that we now have a 900 post thread on a new tool line with a zero track record. This is how effective the Icon marketing campaign has been. As another GJ member put it: “Advertising is the sea we’re all swimming in”.

There are “fan boys” of given brands here. Some are Snap-on advocates—and I don’t always agree with them. Some (like me) are loyal to the departed Craftsman U.S.A. line. But these brands have been around for a long time. They have (or had) a track record for decades. Icon has no such thing, and it’s total propaganda to compare Icon to Snap-on or any other legacy brand. In fact, the Icon shilling here has been incredible. One GJ member actually attached Icon’s full page ad to his post. What’s going on here? This is the strangest thread I’ve seen on this forum.

People are excited about the illusion (or delusion) that their Kia is about to become a Ferrari (Harbor Freight cheap tools ----> Snap-on quality tools). This is a careful comparison. A cheap Kia is considered a throw away car, and a Ferrari is obviously overpriced compared to cars of similar performance, albeit, it's top of the line.

Personally I would think the Ko-Ken, Gearwrench, Tekton, et. al folks here would be adamantly opposed to Icon, since they're sourced from the same Taiwanese vendors, undoubtedly, for more money.

 

[kngelv]

Amazing to me that we now have a 900 post thread on a new tool line with a zero track record. This is how effective the Icon marketing campaign has been. As another GJ member put it: “Advertising is the sea we’re all swimming in”.

There are “fan boys” of given brands here. Some are Snap-on advocates—and I don’t always agree with them. Some (like me) are loyal to the departed Craftsman U.S.A. line. But these brands have been around for a long time. They have (or had) a track record for decades. Icon has no such thing, and it’s total propaganda to compare Icon to Snap-on or any other legacy brand. In fact, the Icon shilling here has been incredible. One GJ member actually attached Icon’s full page ad to his post. What’s going on here? This is the strangest thread I’ve seen on this forum.

100% agree.

James

 

[Strouty]

Personally I would think the Ko-Ken, Gearwrench, Tekton, et. al folks here would be adamantly opposed to Icon, since they're sourced from the same Taiwanese vendors, undoubtedly, for more money.

Don’t lump koken in there, between quality and price they exceed snap on in both departments some of the time.

 

[M6erfan]

People are excited about the illusion (or delusion) that their Kia is about to become a Ferrari (Harbor Freight cheap tools ----> Snap-on quality tools). This is a careful comparison. A cheap Kia is considered a throw away car, and a Ferrari is obviously overpriced compared to cars of similar performance, albeit, it's top of the line.

Personally I would think the Ko-Ken, Gearwrench, Tekton, et. al folks here would be adamantly opposed to Icon, since they're sourced from the same Taiwanese vendors, undoubtedly, for more money.

Don’t lump koken in there, between quality and price they exceed snap on in both departments some of the time.

Ko-ken is not made in Taiwan either...

 

[sk farmer]

just an fyi. if you look over to the right when you click on this topic there are 2 numbers. the farthest right is total views. the one just left of that is number of posts. if you click on that number it tells you who has posted to the topic and how many times. very interesting info. i was surprised that this will make my 9th post. i feel as i have been more neutral than anything but when you look at that list it makes you think what the motives are behind some of the posters. as someone said earlier. this one strange conversation.

 

[Cheapskate]

just an fyi. if you look over to the right when you click on this topic there are 2 numbers. the farthest right is total views. the one just left of that is number of posts. if you click on that number it tells you who has posted to the topic and how many times. very interesting info. i was surprised that this will make my 9th post. i feel as i have been more neutral than anything but when you look at that list it makes you think what the motives are behind some of the posters. as someone said earlier. this one strange conversation.

Who Posted?

User Name Posts
Fedwrench 51


In the lead with 51 posts, Fedwrench is obviously an ICON shill!

 

[sk farmer]

Who Posted?

User Name Posts
Fedwrench 51


In the lead with 51 posts, Fedwrench is obviously an ICON shill!

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.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Don’t lump koken in there, between quality and price they exceed snap on in both departments some of the time.

Meh, my 1/4 drive extensions didn't hold up too well. I can promise the snap ons are better quality, I really dont even reach for the koken anymore. To be fair, everything else of theirs has been doing very well for me.

Imo it's not fair to compare Komen to snap on anyways. The prices are so different they're almost not in the same market. This is a testament to the high value proposition of Koken.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

While most of this conversation is about ICON, but a lot, the interesting part, is about the business of importing and selling tools.

 

[Fedwrench]

Who Posted?

User Name Posts
Fedwrench 51


In the lead with 51 posts, Fedwrench is obviously an ICON shill!

That's too funny. Sorry, I don't have any free harbor freight tools. I bought what little I have with my own money. I started this thread almost a year ago after seeing ICON for the first time at last year's SEMA show. After returning my 3/8 flex head ratchets for the recall, I'm down to two sets of ratcheting wrenches, stubby & long, a couple of 1/4 drive ratchets, one 3/8 fixed head ratchet, and the 1/4 drive shallow metric socket set. Not a whole lot. What I have is working well. I never considered ICON as replacing any of my existing tools but, rather supplementing them. This thread has evolved into a monster with a life of its own. Most of the posts have little to do with the tools themselves which is unfortunate because, to me it was all about the tools.

 

[Cheapskate]

That's too funny. Sorry, I don't have any free harbor freight tools. I bought what little I have with my own money. I started this thread almost a year ago after seeing ICON for the first time at last year's SEMA show. After returning my 3/8 flex head ratchets for the recall, I'm down to two sets of ratcheting wrenches, stubby & long, a couple of 1/4 drive ratchets, one 3/8 fixed head ratchet, and the 1/4 drive shallow metric socket set. Not a whole lot. What I have is working well. I never considered ICON as replacing any of my existing tools but, rather supplementing them. This thread has evolved into a monster with a life of its own. Most of the posts have little to do with the tools themselves which is unfortunate because, to me it was all about the tools.

Since this thread has almost 1000 posts and 80,000 views(with no end in sight) you should contact Harbor Freight and demand your complimentary ICON toolbox bud.

 

[platypus20]

I’ve been using the Icon sockets and wrenches at work, in the service van, for over a month, so far I see no issues, I bought 2 of the ratchets, but in the service van, I’m still using the Harbor Freight composite ratchets (for about 8 yrs now).

 

[zendriver]

Maybe they should look like knock-offs of Craftsman.

 

[krux]

Nominated for the 'Best Post in Thread' award. Congratulations.[emoji481]

Nominated as best post!

Ignore the noise and keep being you. If you like the tool, great! If you don't, great! I have used every brand and guess what? If the job gets done, that's all that matters. The tool did what it was created for.


Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

 

[Nineeightyone]

Nominated as best post!

Ignore the noise and keep being you. If you like the tool, great! If you don't, great! I have used every brand and guess what? If the job gets done, that's all that matters. The tool did what it was created for.


Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

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.

 

[xxxstevemanxxx]

Finally got to check out the Icon stuff at a Harbor Freight. Im 50 miles away from the closest store, so it isnt a quick stop by any day type of thing. The thin beam on the Combination wrenches is a deal killer for me. I grabbed both packs and put them into my cart until I decided to grab one and feel it in my hand. I cant believe anyone would want to use that wrench! It is so thin, its like a knife blade going into your hand! I have the MAC Precision Torque combination wrenches and they have the most comfortable beam design I have ever felt. Wanted a spare set for the shop truck but Icon is a no-go for me on those, and the MAC wrenches are just to expensive to buy all over again, even though they are the best I have used. I guess I will have to go with a Tekton or something?

Secondly, I got the Icon 1/4" and 3/8" Non-Flex rachets so I can finally test them out. They dont sell a 1/2" No-Flex rachet? Does anyone know if they are going to produce one? I wanted the full set of 3 matching rachets, and I dont want the flex head variant, as those always get floppy and loose over time. I have MAC locking flex heads when I need something like that, but still wanting full Icon sets for the shop truck and I dont see the 1/2" Non-Flex even on the website. Kinda bummed out about it...