New Harbor Freight Tools SEMA 2023

[M635_Guy]

Yup. They absolutely are implying that they are as good as SO. And that you're a sucker if you pay more for "the same" tool off the truck.

You seem to imply the differences are as vast as the prices. I've never seen an example of that that is data-driven, nor have the the Snap On tools I own ever made me say 'Now THIS is a massively better tool' than its Icon equivalent (mostly for me that's ratchets and my 3/8" torque wrench. I'll likely pick up SO's 9" copy of the LN47ACF they showed at SEMA and compare it to my LN46ACF pair). My Knipex Pliers Wrench is a better-made tool than its Icon brother, but I've never needed to put the Icon down and grab the Knipex to get something done. The differences are pretty subtle.

The two products I own that immediately convey a massive gap are my Malco locking pliers and my Koken extensions - the Malco because it is just over-built (in the best possible way) in every aspect possible and the Koken because the knurling and 'notched' base(s) are so much better than any ex.tension I've ever used that it's silly.

As a ratchet and socket *****, I used the SEMA discount to get a 3/8" Z-series ratchet and a set of Z-series sockets, which arrive Tuesday. I'll be very interested to see how they compare to my other sockets and sets.

I don't really attribute anything that is good about Icon to HF itself, other than they're selecting ODM partners that are delivering good tools and quality. The "Designed in California" bit they do on the Icon packaging makes me roll my eyes. If something I got there was ****, I'd have zero issues call it out.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

How dim does one have to be to equate Made in USA to Made in Taiwan/China/India, etc?

Check out a youtube/tiktok/FB comment section. It will astound you.

In fairness, some people also post anti HF or "non expensive" tool stuff as well that is silly.

 

[M6erfan]

It will astound you.

It wouldn't though. More and more I'm convinced the world is comprised vastly of dimwitted dolts. At least, North America.

 

[M635_Guy]

Very much so. HF Loves and promotes the FUD around their tools coming from the same plants as SO. They sure dont make any effort to set the record straight.

Can you show me examples where they're promoting their tools as coming from the same plants? I've seen lots of idiots say **** like that, but it's about all kinds of stuff - certainly not limited to Snap On.

Folks in this thread who are on Tiktok, YT, reddit etc. see the idiots promoting the BS that "they all come from the same plant in china". Id almost swear that HF was pulling the strings in the background to push those lies. My tinfoil hat is in the shop, why do you ask?

I'm never going to have TikTok, but haven't really seen a ton on YouTube that says it. Even comments like that on Reddit tend to get corrected when it comes to Snap On. I mean, when a massive part of their identity revolves around MiUSA for a massive percentage of their hand tools, it isn't hard to look at the label on the Icon thing and see "Made in Taiwan" (for most of them)?

As a guy who works in tech, the "strings in the background" don't really exist to the extent people think. Artificial stuff tends to come back to haunt you because it's pretty easy to track down online stuff, and it's too easy for a disgruntled former employee, 'influencer', marketing agency guy to blow it all up.

 

[LWB]

You seem to imply the differences are as vast as the prices. I've never seen an example of that that is data-driven, nor have the the Snap On tools I own ever made me say 'Now THIS is a massively better tool' than its Icon equivalent (mostly for me that's ratchets and my 3/8" torque wrench. I'll likely pick up SO's 9" copy of the LN47ACF and compare it to my LN46ACF pair). My Knipex Pliers Wrench is a better-made tool than its Icon brother, but I've never needed to put the Icon down and grab the Knipex to get something done. The differences are pretty subtle.

The two products I own that immediately convey a massive gap are my Malco locking pliers and my Koken extensions - the Malco because it is just over-built (in the best possible way) in every aspect possible and the Koken because the knurling and 'notched' base(s) are so much better than any ex.tension I've ever used that it's silly.

As a ratchet and socket *****, I used the SEMA discount to get a 3/8" Z-series ratchet and a set of Z-series sockets, which arrive Tuesday. I'll be very interested to see how they compare to my other sockets and sets.

I don't really attribute anything that is good about Icon to HF itself, other than they're selecting ODM partners that are delivering good tools and quality. The "Designed in California" bit they do on the Icon packaging makes me roll my eyes. If something I got there was ****, I'd have zero issues call it out.

All the more reason for them to stand on their own two feet.

 

[M635_Guy]

All the more reason for them to stand on their own two feet.

I agree. I think if they took the time to look at where they're sitting they'd realize that.

I don't mind the comparisons at all. Coupling it with close copies of the ID is silly and unnecessary. When I'm using the tools, the marketing doesn't matter. They work or they don't.

For me, as a guy who maintains six family cars, they've been fine. In the cases where I've added to or replaced Tekton with Icon (ratchets, sockets and wrenches), it's been a noticeable step up for things like slop/tolerances/etc. My SK sockets are beefier than anything else I own, but all of them work well. As I've noted here many times before, I really appreciate how much shorter the Icon 3/8" set is below 14mm or so than the Tekton set because they're not sharing blanks across sizes as much as Tekton. That has come in extremely handy on occasion... (I'm sure the SO equivalents do the same thing).

 

[scooby074]

How dim does one have to be to equate Made in USA to Made in Taiwan/China/India, etc?

TicTok, reddit. nuff said. Its rampant. They would literally SWEAR that SO's standard tools are made in the exact plant that HF tools are made. Even that HF makes the tools themselves FOR SO. COO stampings are just lies in their world.

I dont know if its fallout from the Jack court case or what, but its definitely out there.

 

[Meursault74]

TicTok, reddit. nuff said. Its rampant. They would literally SWEAR that SO's standard tools are made in the exact plant that HF tools are made. Even that HF makes the tools themselves FOR SO. COO stampings are just lies in their world.

I dont know if its fallout from the Jack court case or what, but its definitely out there.

Glad I don't look at tiktok or reddit. Even though the ICON and SNAP-On pliers look extremely similar , I'd never think they were made at the same plant given the Snap On and HF business models and practices.

I always thought HF was showing a competitors item and say compare the price to a similar item. I don't know if the ICON pliers are just as good as Snap-on, but at the price point and quality the ICON has, it's good enough for me.

I got some HF Doyle tongue and groove pliers as well as some Channellock within the last year or so. Similar pliers sizes, but one curved jaw one straight. I wanted to try the Doyle. Works the same as the CL. Hate to say it as I like CL pliers, but the Doyle "looks" better as it's finished slightly better on the recent purchases. Doesn't impact function though. Can't comment on longevity either and likely never will as I don't usually wear out my tools since I just DIY. CL does have the history behind it and I have plenty of their pliers already.

I do think HF has stepped up the quality with their better offerings and that suits me fine. I kind of like middle of the road quality in tools. I think the HF higher end stuff is middle of the road overall. I don't want to use cheap tools (some of the low end HF offerings or various other brands) and I don't need to use the best/pro grade tools either since I'm not making my living with them.

At the end of the day, everyone just needs to make a choice on what suits their needs for whatever they are buying.

 

[zendriver]

Since we’re down the rabbit hole, how dare HF compare their ODBII scanners to those from Snap On?

For two hundred dollars more it has to be better.

ZR15s OBD2 Code Reader with 3.5 In. Display and Active Test/FIXASSIST

Amazing deals on this Zr15S Active Test Obd2 Code Reader at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Since we’re down the rabbit hole, how dare HF compare their ODBII scanners to those from Snap On?

For two hundred dollars more it has to be better.

ZR15s OBD2 Code Reader with 3.5 In. Display and Active Test/FIXASSIST

Amazing deals on this Zr15S Active Test Obd2 Code Reader at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Now that, I would be using "compare".

I saw HF released, or is releasing, a new line of Icon scan tools. Couldn't see enough screen shots of the menus to guess as to which software they were using. That has the possibility to shake up the market a bit depending on the price point.

If it has Autoauth capability and half decent support, plus being able to see it in person?

 

[AEAdam]

Since we’re down the rabbit hole, how dare HF compare their ODBII scanners to those from Snap On?

For two hundred dollars more it has to be better.

ZR15s OBD2 Code Reader with 3.5 In. Display and Active Test/FIXASSIST

Amazing deals on this Zr15S Active Test Obd2 Code Reader at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Great example. This is why people hold the views they have. Companies do this.

There was an older Bluepoint version, EECR5, and a new model with a snap on brand EECR5A that looks almost exactly like the HF.

It used to be the case that rebranded items were always Bluepoint. This looks like a rebrand with SnapOn branding. I wonder what that means for Snap on.

This is the problem with this whole discussion. Companies really do purchase cheap Asian goods and mark them WAY up.

 

[M635_Guy]

Since we’re down the rabbit hole, how dare HF compare their ODBII scanners to those from Snap On?

For two hundred dollars more it has to be better.

ZR15s OBD2 Code Reader with 3.5 In. Display and Active Test/FIXASSIST

Amazing deals on this Zr15S Active Test Obd2 Code Reader at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

That's not really SnapOn, it's BluePoint...

I have the 5160rs (same as the 5610), which I think is the same as the ZR15s and probably the EECR5. It's pretty good and has a huge range of capabilities, if a pretty stripped-down interface. The FixAssist/Repair Solutions software is a bit wonky. If they could make that work better, it would be pretty amazing.

I recently got the Autel MX900 in search of something a little more graphical. It will get pressed into service soon...

 

[zendriver]

That's not really SnapOn, it's BluePoint... (I

I have the 5160rs (same as the 5610), which I think is the same as the ZR15s and probably the EECR5. It's pretty good and has a huge range of capabilities, if a pretty stripped-down interface. The FixAssist/Repair Solutions software is a bit wonky. If they could make that work better, it would be pretty amazing.

I recently got the Autel MX900 in search of something a little more graphical. It will get pressed into service soon...

Very good point.

Snapon gets to way overcharge for the same
Import ****, harbor, freight seljs but they get to continue to claim the higher ground of their Premier brand name.

That’s very well played.


The next thing we know they’ll be suing harbor freight over floor jacks

 

[M635_Guy]

TicTok, reddit. nuff said. Its rampant. They would literally SWEAR that SO's standard tools are made in the exact plant that HF tools are made. Even that HF makes the tools themselves FOR SO. COO stampings are just lies in their world.

I dont know if its fallout from the Jack court case or what, but its definitely out there.

Can you post some examples? I do remember a lot of that when it came to the Daytona jack, but very little on anything else. I don't have TikTok (and never will), but I'm not seeing the rampant content you are. No sarcasm/whatever here - I'm genuinely wondering what I'm missing. Even when stuff comes from the same ODM, "the same factory" thing often isn't as 'identical' as people think.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

It wouldn't though. More and more I'm convinced the world is comprised vastly of dimwitted dolts. At least, North America.

If the lie is repeated enough then it becomes a truth. The whole floor jack lawsuit really solidified a perception in some people’s minds and that grew into a lie which now has its own fangs online.

Personally, I don’t get it. Be happy with the tools you buy. You don’t have to compare and contrast everything. Ten years ago, no one cared what you bought and now with all the tool influencers on social media that is all we talk about.

 

[AEAdam]

If the lie is repeated enough then it becomes a truth. The whole floor jack lawsuit really solidified a perception in some people’s minds and that grew into a lie which now has its own fangs online.

Personally, I don’t get it. Be happy with the tools you buy. You don’t have to compare and contrast everything. Ten years ago, no one cared what you bought and now with all the tool influencers on social media that is all we talk about.

My view is that the lion's share of posts on forums like these are the "what to buy?" posts. I think people are rightfully concerned about buying merchandize not fit for purpose, or available cheaper elsewhere. They don't want to be suckered because they've learned not to trust the marketplace. That's why people aren't simply "happy with the tools they bought/could afford". They are questioning everything. Are Bosch dishwashers really made by Bosch in Germany? or are they rebranded Kitchen Aids made in China? How would you know?

 

[7palms]

I was hoping we could talk more about the early black friday Harbor Freight coupons that just dropped. I need some more of the $0.99 superglues and the $1.99 zip ties.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'm probably a buyer for the newly expanded bit set. I've been looking at that set for a while, but really wanted something with sockets, so now I've got no excuse. First Icon purchase for me.

 

[AEAdam]

I'm probably a buyer for the newly expanded bit set. I've been looking at that set for a while, but really wanted something with sockets, so now I've got no excuse. First Icon purchase for me.

I built a little set like that for interior work. It was foam in something like a Plano parts organizer case with a clear lid. Wish I had pictures. I had bits, screwdrivers, 1/4" drive sockets, some electrical tools, plastic prybars etc. That thing came in very handy. Couple times I was driving on holiday and had to change something stupid like fuse or a lightbulb and I had the tools I needed. That was the first thing that came to mind when I saw that kit.

That said, I'd probably quibble with the ICON contents and quality. Even for interior work, you might need pretty bad *** T30s and T40s. I don't need SAE hex or SAE sockets for an automotive kit like that. I had a T72 and a couple SO wobble plus extensions, which I found helpful.

 

[NUTTSGT]