KnurledNut
Well-known member
Love it or hate it, ICON is trying...
New ICON 30/60 angle wrenches
- Thread starter KnurledNut
- Start date
Spencer Was Here
Well-known member
I'm happy with the SAE and metric sets I bought off Amazon that are made by Capri.
The metric set I bought comes with 19 wrenches and the SAE set comes with 13.
The metric set I bought comes with 19 wrenches and the SAE set comes with 13.
ouch - do they have a smaller metric set? I'm balking at Icon's price ($70 list, $53 if you time it right with a coupon) for their 8-piece metric set since these are probably occasional use at best (though they would have probably been dang handy a few weeks ago).
No hate for Capri - I have their thin wrenches and they've been fantastic.
I looked at the SAE set when I was at HF the other day. They look nice. I'm not sure who is making them for HF.
For the price with a 20% or 25% coupon, I think they are worth considering. I'm hoping they will put out an addon set with larger sizes.
Hopefully someone will put up a review.
For the price with a 20% or 25% coupon, I think they are worth considering. I'm hoping they will put out an addon set with larger sizes.
Hopefully someone will put up a review.
Now that I've seen what the various brands I've actually heard of want for a set on Amazon, I agree.
...and some smaller sizes too - 6mm and 8mm would be nice.
Indeed
Madjik Man
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- Dec 3, 2015
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I wonder how these compare to Tekton’s?
I believe Tekton are Made in USA. Also they offer a wider variety of ranges in addition to being able to buy individual wrenches from 6-50mm and 1/4-2”.
I know it’s $150 vs potentially $52 but it might be worth it to get Tekton (for me)
I believe Tekton are Made in USA. Also they offer a wider variety of ranges in addition to being able to buy individual wrenches from 6-50mm and 1/4-2”.
I know it’s $150 vs potentially $52 but it might be worth it to get Tekton (for me)
They are MiUSA, and (if I understand it correctly) machined vs. forged. Really interesting stuff from Tekton, and of course the info on their site is fantastic.
It's a bigger investment than I can bite off though - I totally get these for anyone making money with their tools though.
Unfortunately not a lot of options for true 30*/60* angle wrenches. Even less options for "quality" options.
When I still worked at Caterpillar, I picked up the CAT branded sets up to 1-1/4". With my employee discount and made in USA by Snap On, it was the best option for me. I don't recall what I paid or the prices for the metric options (which I didn't buy).
I passed on Tekton because CAT was actually cheaper, but more importantly I wanted forged over Laser CNC machined, despite also being made in USA. Tektons offerings have a straight beam, there are no rounded edges where you're holding the wrench. Personally I just don't like that.
I'm sure Capri makes good stuff, but they don't have the sizes I needed, stopping at 1" SAE and 24mm in metric. I'm also personally not a fan of the "v-groove" style head on the open end. The CAT wrenches cost me little more than the Capri go for and Capri are made in Taiwan.
Not really a lot of options beyond that. I checked with my Matco, MAC and Cornwell guys at the time and didn't care for their options (if any), especially the price. Speaking of which, I have a lot of Snap On tools, but I wasn't going to pay the price they're asking for their angle wrench offering.
Madjik Man
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I hear you. And Icon quality is just fine for a home gamer like me.
I just hate how it just comes in sets with no ability to add on or warranty out just one unit.
Yeah - I've wound up with a lot of Icon stuff and been very happy with all of it.
Warranty is for just one until (you don't have to swap out the whole set), but I 100% agree with you on HF's lack of singles. Even if they just offered it online, and maybe only for their higher-end offerings (e.g. Icon and Doyle, but not Quinn), it would be a big step forward IMHO.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
If I understand it they EDM them out of a plate. I’m curious about the inherent differences and potential advantages/disadvantages between the 2 techniques. For a home gamer like me I doubt it would make any difference at all, but for someone making their living with them it might be a definite factor.
There are threads and videos on YouTube about the differences. Tekton I think has some info on their website as well.
But beyond that, it comes down to price, ergonomics (hand feel) and to a lesser extent asthetics.
bcradio
Well-known member
I bought the Icon sets this weekend with the sale. I haven't had a chance to use them yet, but they look and feel very nice. They are also forged, which I prefer.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I’m personally waiting for Wright to make a set with WrightGrip ends. At least in SAE, since I’m dumb enough to keep buying rusty old **** to play with and restore.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Just be aware that there's a good possibility that the beam section of the wrenches are going to be square with sharp corners if they're anything like the other ICON wrenches. And the way they're packaged, you can't really feel them before buying them.
They certainly don't look that way, but you're right about the packaging, it's hard to say for sure.
I have the Icon stubby wrench set and I had the Icon offset wrench set in the past, both have rounded beams. I already mentioned in a previous post that's one reason I skipped over Tekton.
I wasn't aware that any of the Icon wrenches have square beams, I'd like to know which sets that applies to.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
When they first came out they had them on a rack where you could touch them. They were very square. Maybe they have since changed.
So I looked at my wrenches after my previous post.
Four different wrenches, all 19mm-3/4";
2 Snap On, 1 CAT, 1 Icon... The beam on all of them are virtually identical in both appearance and hand feel.
But you know what, they do actually ALL have a somewhat square beam. However I would say they have all also been rounded off enough to not be uncomfortable. They all feel like a normal wrench in the hand, nothing feels any different.
Now I have used/owned some wrenches in the past where they were more like a completely flat beam with sharp edges, similar to holding a piece of raw steel in the shape of a wrench. The Capri double box end wrenches for example. I'm also assuming the Tekton angle wrenches feel much the same.
But to the best of my all be it limited experience, Icon wrenches do not fall into that category.
I have several sets spread across various functions. Here's what I just rounded up:
L-->R Sunex, Icon, SK, Tekton, Hazet
The Tekton and Icon have rounded handles, the others (Sunex, SK, Hazet) are much closer to squared.
I donated a Craftsman set to Habitat that was generally similar to the Tekton. I also have a Husky set that is pretty square:
I've used all of them pretty extensively except the SK. The only one that stands out as "feeling square" in use is the SK, but the beam is so wide that it feels just fine (the main reason it isn't used much is it has been my anti-slip set and I don't need that very often).
L-->R Sunex, Icon, SK, Tekton, Hazet
The Tekton and Icon have rounded handles, the others (Sunex, SK, Hazet) are much closer to squared.
I donated a Craftsman set to Habitat that was generally similar to the Tekton. I also have a Husky set that is pretty square:
I've used all of them pretty extensively except the SK. The only one that stands out as "feeling square" in use is the SK, but the beam is so wide that it feels just fine (the main reason it isn't used much is it has been my anti-slip set and I don't need that very often).
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They do it's annoying but you can get them from harborfreight.com/parts
InjectorService
Well-known member
The problem I see with these is the availability of sizes beyond the range of the set. The set is probably great if you stick to automotive, but if you venture into construction or AG equipment 3/4 or even 1" just isn't enough.
Thats why I bought Tekton, I can get almost any size I need, they are made in the USA and barely any more $$$ than the other options.
They are amazing wrenches by the way. I'd love if they made some USA combo wrenches, I'd buy sets for sure.
Edit: as far as the Tektons being laser cut or whatever rather than forged, I've reefed pretty hard on my larger sizes and had NO spreading whatsoever.
Another thing is the head shape, they advertise the smallest head for getting around obstructions. And this definitely saved my bacon about a week ago. I don't think a Snap on would have fit in that case.
Thats why I bought Tekton, I can get almost any size I need, they are made in the USA and barely any more $$$ than the other options.
They are amazing wrenches by the way. I'd love if they made some USA combo wrenches, I'd buy sets for sure.
Edit: as far as the Tektons being laser cut or whatever rather than forged, I've reefed pretty hard on my larger sizes and had NO spreading whatsoever.
Another thing is the head shape, they advertise the smallest head for getting around obstructions. And this definitely saved my bacon about a week ago. I don't think a Snap on would have fit in that case.
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purplezr2
Well-known member
Bingo, they need a couple large sets, one up to 1 1/4" and another to 2" in my opinion.
I don't work on a ton of equipment, but in the time I have even my set that goes to 1 1/4 has let me down.
OP
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I like the idea of add-on sets in general. It gives the customer options, especially those on a limited budget.
Tekton has a ton of options, but where can you walk into a store and see all of them displayed?
HF has to make the most of limited retail floor space.
Using Tekton pricing, a midsize 12 pc. set from 13/16-1-1/2 would run $457.
A completer 8 pc. set of large sizes from 1-9/16-2 would run $807.
Being somewhat of a specialty tool, how many Tom, ****, or Harrys will grab either set on a whim when they go in for more zip-ties?
Sales floor real estate consumed vs. inventory moved would likely end in a loss.
Their Pittsburgh 6 pc. jumbo angle wrench set for $70 seems to make more sense for the time being.
Tekton has a ton of options, but where can you walk into a store and see all of them displayed?
HF has to make the most of limited retail floor space.
Using Tekton pricing, a midsize 12 pc. set from 13/16-1-1/2 would run $457.
A completer 8 pc. set of large sizes from 1-9/16-2 would run $807.
Being somewhat of a specialty tool, how many Tom, ****, or Harrys will grab either set on a whim when they go in for more zip-ties?
Sales floor real estate consumed vs. inventory moved would likely end in a loss.
Their Pittsburgh 6 pc. jumbo angle wrench set for $70 seems to make more sense for the time being.
Yeah, they're not cheap. The larger the size and the more wrenches in the set, the higher the price. Tool truck or USA made only make it more expensive.
But in my opinion, angle wrenches are more of a specialty tool and marketed towards a small segment of the population. Jumbo size wrenches also fall into this category.
BarrelRoll
Well-known member
Angle wrench sets to 17mm or 3/4" are great for auto mechanics and DIY guys though pretty worthless for heavy equipment and industrial mechanics. Hopefully they come out with expansion sets to at least 1 1/4" if not 1 1/2" or 2".
I'm on my 3rd brand on angle wrenches. Originally I bought a set of Williams made in USA 15/60's, fit and finish was horrible for the price of the wrenches and I wanted the 30 degree angle, they were very disappointing for the money. I bought 1 Tekton, I just didn't like the feel. I ended up picking up snap on off e-bay 1 wrench at a time for close to Tekton. The fit and finish and feel of snap on is just nicer and well worth the money to me. I do have Pittsburgh jumbo angle wrenches I've slowly been replacing with snappy when I find them cheap on e-bay, they work ok for the times I use them and couldn't justify a high dollar angle wrench set when I bought them. I would have considered the Icons if I could get them up to 1 1/4" if they were out at the time.
I'm on my 3rd brand on angle wrenches. Originally I bought a set of Williams made in USA 15/60's, fit and finish was horrible for the price of the wrenches and I wanted the 30 degree angle, they were very disappointing for the money. I bought 1 Tekton, I just didn't like the feel. I ended up picking up snap on off e-bay 1 wrench at a time for close to Tekton. The fit and finish and feel of snap on is just nicer and well worth the money to me. I do have Pittsburgh jumbo angle wrenches I've slowly been replacing with snappy when I find them cheap on e-bay, they work ok for the times I use them and couldn't justify a high dollar angle wrench set when I bought them. I would have considered the Icons if I could get them up to 1 1/4" if they were out at the time.
BarrelRoll
Well-known member
I prefer the 30/60 and replaced a set of 15/60 with them. I've run into situations where the 15/60 just don't cut it. We -4 clamp cylinder lines on a cone crusher that are a pain to tighten under a dust shield, you run into a dead zone with the 15/60 that doesn't exist with the 30/60.
InjectorService
Well-known member
No. Or you shouldn't. The point behind 30/60 is having no angle that you can't get the wrench on.
Plus, most combination wrenches have 15 degree heads, so you already have that angle in your box if you need it for some reason.
^^^ what he said...
infinite97
Well-known member
I have the tekton 19 wrench set up to 1 1/4”, I believe. It works, I bought it because I wanted USA, but snap-on pricing is ridiculous.
The square beam is horrible. Hurts the hand, but more frustratingly, the wrenches are quite hard to pick up off the flat ground when slick with oil.
The square beam is horrible. Hurts the hand, but more frustratingly, the wrenches are quite hard to pick up off the flat ground when slick with oil.