New ICON box

[oldwino]

Looking around on u-tube and saw a promo for a new ICON tool station from good old HF. Doesn’t go on sale till September 30, but this thing looks like a stud. Lots of cool features like adjustable drawer tension, etc. no price announced but you can bet “it beats SnapOn”
Guess they have one on display at selected stores

 

[CafeTools]

Pics?

 

[oldwino]

I only saw the u-tube review

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

I Remember seeing info about it last year

https://toolguyd.com/harbor-freight-icon-tools-storage-2019/

 

[CafeTools]

A 56 inch box for $2400? No thanks.... USA general is good for most.

 

[Mikeske]

Seems the tool bear found a Icon box

 

[Wamsutta]

^ That's a good video.

 

[Skin]

Seems the tool bear found a Icon box

Box and tools look fantastic. Price? Not so much. Its not really competing well with Extreme or Montezuma. If the "real" price is closer to 2G I think it will be pretty tempting. The box warranty is also a laugh. At least for now. If they're still supporting them in 10-15 years with parts i'll be shocked.

Still waiting to see if they'll do the tools right and have open stock.

There were some yet to be announced tools on the demo sheet too. Stubby reversible ratcheting wrenches, crows foot wrenches, flare wrenches, high performance double box ratcheting.

A 56 inch box for $2400? No thanks.... USA general is good for most.

They're chasing professional users and trying to undercut truck brands. Its not targeted at a home gamer who just changes their oil and rotates their tires.

 

[Yarpo]

They're chasing professional users and trying to undercut truck brands. Its not targeted at a home gamer who just changes their oil and rotates their tires.

I mean a lot of professionals are using HF boxes at this point, icon or not. At that price point used(like new) KRL722s are littering craigslist and ebay. Seems pretty meh

https://www.ebay.com/i/382616655893...lq3dLBxphmDbPLyx5KZWVQLhwMjHdzTBoC8mMQAvD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/i/133069927979...6cu2-FtMcPES8b3373qlSigN1E4rgQHRoCUvMQAvD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/i/153590532691...l-kqZroXNvitTtDTbncFBlAUj81GR0OxoCAAUQAvD_BwE

 

[Skin]

I mean a lot of professionals are using HF boxes at this point, icon or not. At that price point used(like new) KRL722s are littering craigslist and ebay. Seems pretty meh

https://www.ebay.com/i/382616655893...lq3dLBxphmDbPLyx5KZWVQLhwMjHdzTBoC8mMQAvD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/i/133069927979...6cu2-FtMcPES8b3373qlSigN1E4rgQHRoCUvMQAvD_BwE

https://www.ebay.com/i/153590532691...l-kqZroXNvitTtDTbncFBlAUj81GR0OxoCAAUQAvD_BwE

That's why I said I think they'd be better off pricing closer to or just under 2G.

 

[WittHay]

The marketing says one thing but the reality is these boxes are mainly for the non tool truck customer. Instead of buying a Extreme, Tool Vault, Masterforce, Homak, Carlyle or whatever 24" box. Somebody can now buy a HF Icon box.

Most people who work in a shop with a few hundred dollars or a trade-in can buy a new US made tool truck box on credit. Its the people with a grand or three cash lying around or room on their credit card for a $3000 purchase, is the target market for these boxes

For the guy with a big garage and some extra cash. What is better a used USA box or a brand new, nice looking, heavy duty import box that would probably last forever?

A lot of car dealerships now use built in boxes. Self employed independent, heavy duty, basically any mechanic well into his career you get into the "Why people buy expensive tool truck boxes thing"

 

[Mikeske]

The marketing says one thing but the reality is these boxes are mainly for the non tool truck customer. Instead of buying a Extreme, Tool Vault, Masterforce, Homak, Carlyle or whatever 24" box. Somebody can now buy a HF Icon box.

Most people who work in a shop with a few hundred dollars or a trade-in can buy a new US made tool truck box on credit. Its the people with a grand or three cash lying around or room on their card for a $3000 purchase, is the target market for these boxes

For the guy with a big garage and some extra cash. What is better a used USA box or a brand new nice looking heavy duty import box that would probably last forever?

A lot of car dealerships now use built in boxes. Self employed independent, heavy duty, basically any mechanic well into his career you get into the "Why people buy expensive tool truck boxes thing"

I have to agree with your final statement. The whole thing is a few mechanics and I was one of them that worked in aviation and vehicle repair for 40+ years out of a very basic 27" Waterloo box that was branded by a tool company (Bonney). I was always the cheap Charley and would remain that way as I was working in a industrial environment and most aviation mechanics would simply go out and buy a cheap roller box every few years. I used the same tool box for my entire career and after I retired I replaced my boxes a Craftsman pawn store find for the home and Bonney/Waterloo box for work with a couple 44" Harbor Freight US General boxes and a couple side boxes and top boxes all bolted together in the back of my garage. The sad thing was I would have popped for something better if there were the choices we have today as a middle of the price range tool storage. I will say now that I have a perfectly good setup for my use I stay with what I have as it will outlast me.

I also see the independent vehicle repair shop mechanics/technicians jumping all over this line of tool boxes when they want to upgrade from the very basic U.S. General tool boxes, I see a lot of the independent shop mechanics with the U.S. General boxes as they are some of the best bang for the dollar and what I see is the guys buying a Icon setup and then taking the U.S> General boxes home or selling them to the folks just starting out in vehicle, aviation repair.

 

[Parrothead]

That's why I said I think they'd be better off pricing closer to or just under 2G.

That’s going to be tough to do unless they plan on dropping the price on the US General stuff. Free Delivery and Lifetime Warranty does factor into that equation. IF they can drop the price, it will be a winner. Expect some thinning of the heard at some point too. I have a hard time believing they’re going to keep all the colors for the US General line long term.

I think their target audience is the beginning mechanic. Like it or don’t, the credit card will play a factor as well as not having to haggle with the Snappy man. Most people don’t like that game, and HF will eliminate that part of the equation.

Yes, used boxes are an option, but you have to search Craigslist, make arrangements for transportation and loading, and hope to find the colors and model you want. You’ve got to give HF at least a little credit, they listen. For years on GJ people complained about depth, parts and warranty. Problem solved. I wonder if Waterloo and Snap On realized what they created with the import tax on boxes smaller than 22”. Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it.

The path of least resistance is most often chosen.

 

[LB-1911]

Built in boxes? Explain please.

Cut from a previous thread that turned into a train wreck.

Recently applied for a new position as a mechanic at a Toyota dealership, i asked the manager where I could put my toolbox. He Said that's not needed, we have built in toolboxes. I looked around and they're pretty huge. Looks like the huge snap on workspaces, just wasn't snap on. And there's no way people weren't sharing them. Don't know if they even had locks. Kinda freaked me out. Wondering if anyone else works at a place where they have their own toolboxes sorta "built in". I'm used to my toolbox and am picky about the way it is organized. Should be a weird experience. But at least I didn't Go for a snap on tool box that my dealer almost convinced me to get.

 

[M6erfan]

Cut from a previous thread that turned into a train wreck.

Thx.

 

[M6erfan]

After watching the 2nd vid I think $2400 seems fair. Free delivery is huge for many people as is the lifetime warranty. I bet they do well.

 

[Tallpilot]

Box and tools look fantastic. Price? Not so much. Its not really competing well with Extreme or Montezuma. If the "real" price is closer to 2G I think it will be pretty tempting. The box warranty is also a laugh. At least for now. If they're still supporting them in 10-15 years with parts i'll be shocked.

Still waiting to see if they'll do the tools right and have open stock.

There were some yet to be announced tools on the demo sheet too. Stubby reversible ratcheting wrenches, crows foot wrenches, flare wrenches, high performance double box ratcheting.



They're chasing professional users and trying to undercut truck brands. Its not targeted at a home gamer who just changes their oil and rotates their tires.

They are indeed. Are they going to be successful? I don’t know. Do they know that pros don’t pay list for a Snap-on box? What’s a 68” Epiq with rebate, inflated trade, etc? $3,500? $4,200? So if they think their Chinese box is 1/3 the price of a Snap-on they are way off; it’s at best half. It also looks more like a Master’s series drawer configuration and those are a little cheaper I think.

HF doesn’t offer weekly payments and I don’t think they even offer any type of interest free financing. They also don’t take trades.

I can’t imagine putting a couple grand on a credit card at 20% when I could pay my driver $55/week for an arguably better box plus warranty support we know HF isn’t going to provide.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Way too much money. At that price point. Go look for a used tool truck box.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

If the icon box is anything like the extension with the speed collar I would be sorely disappointed. The extension is crooked as can be. Didn't even think about looking at it in the store.

Sent from my moto z4 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[barev]

Some irrational types such as myself prefer new. I'm just a home-gamer with a 44" US General but I can see myself making a poor financial decision to buy one of these in a few years.

Way too much money. At that price point. Go look for a used tool truck box.

 

[Nineeightyone]

Some irrational types such as myself prefer new. I'm just a home-gamer with a 44" US General but I can see myself making a poor financial decision to buy one of these in a few years.

I feel the days of cheap used toolboxes are coming to pass, as the general population becomes more driven to try to profit as much as possible ("I know what I have" mentality) and conversely, everybody wants a "you ****"-caliber bargain.

Personally, I feel that with my 52" Husky box, the only move that would make sense is to the US General 56" -- I don't have room for anything larger at the moment, and I could use one or two more semi-deep drawers.

I'm not sure where the Icon toolboxes will fit into Harbor Freight's lineup, just like I said about Icon torque wrenches.

There are definitely some items missing from the HF offerings though, and if we see a good no-skips, reversible, ratcheting, non-China combination wrench set I think it could be a winner. Throw a WrightGrip style open end on there, and I might be buying another set of wrenches just because.

I don't feel the US General boxes really lack much, then again I don't do professional automotive work, and would say I'm more of an enthusiast.

 

[Skin]

They are indeed. Are they going to be successful? I don’t know. Do they know that pros don’t pay list for a Snap-on box? What’s a 68” Epiq with rebate, inflated trade, etc? $3,500? $4,200? So if they think their Chinese box is 1/3 the price of a Snap-on they are way off; it’s at best half. It also looks more like a Master’s series drawer configuration and those are a little cheaper I think.

HF doesn’t offer weekly payments and I don’t think they even offer any type of interest free financing. They also don’t take trades.

I can’t imagine putting a couple grand on a credit card at 20% when I could pay my driver $55/week for an arguably better box plus warranty support we know HF isn’t going to provide.

Epiq is still a minimum of 5 to 6 grand. Only box your dealer might be able to get close with is a Krl722 but, dare I say it, that Icon box looks better built and has the power drawer and adjustable drawer tension.

 

[kythri]

HF doesn’t offer weekly payments and I don’t think they even offer any type of interest free financing. They also don’t take trades.

I can’t imagine putting a couple grand on a credit card at 20% when I could pay my driver $55/week for an arguably better box plus warranty support we know HF isn’t going to provide.

Unless your dealer floats you the box on his dime (truck credit), aren't you still paying interest to Snap-on credit at a comparable rate?

 

[M6erfan]

... plus warranty support we know HF isn’t going to provide.

Well, we don't know anything about their Icon warranty support yet. It's a little early to start bashing them...

 

[oilslick]

Price is a little high, quality looks like it could be there. I hope it pressures snap on to compete in some way.

 

[RV8guy]

If the price was $1250 for the 56" box, I might be interested. For $2500 I can easily get a used KRL

 

[dagofast]

I'm kinda excited to see these new Icon boxes in person. I'm not at all sure I'd drop $7300 on any toolbox let alone one from HF but I'm a cheap old *******.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Unless your dealer floats you the box on his dime (truck credit), aren't you still paying interest to Snap-on credit at a comparable rate?

IIRC the lowest snap on will go through their credit program is 9.9%. You also forget many people won't get approved for any credit card, but will get approved at 25% through snap on credit. I've seen it first hand.

 

[X1 Mike]

Unless your dealer floats you the box on his dime (truck credit), aren't you still paying interest to Snap-on credit at a comparable rate?

IIRC the lowest snap on will go through their credit program is 9.9%. You also forget many people won't get approved for any credit card, but will get approved at 25% through snap on credit. I've seen it first hand.

Yep, mechanics for the most part (at least ones buying new boxes) have crappy credit and end up paying huge interest. If you are chummy with a tool truck guy he will tell you.

Also the driver isn't floating you anything on his dime. The interest is built into everything.

 

[rmsg0040]

I could see the 36" roller cabinets being used a "tool cart"

 

[Skin]

Yep, mechanics for the most part (at least ones buying new boxes) have crappy credit and end up paying huge interest. If you are chummy with a tool truck guy he will tell you.

Also the driver isn't floating you anything on his dime. The interest is built into everything.

Truck credit really is interest free. Most guys wont do boxes on it unless the customer is really well known though. The best prices on truck boxes are with trade in and using quarterly rebates through the credit department then pay it off before interest kicks in.

IIRC the lowest snap on will go through their credit program is 9.9%. You also forget many people won't get approved for any credit card, but will get approved at 25% through snap on credit. I've seen it first hand.

That's because CCs are unsecured so chasing a deadbeat can be problematic. They don't care what you bought, they just want their cash and interest. Truck financing uses the tools as a form of collateral so short of someone skipping town they aren't in as nearly as much risk and they have a nationwide network of poor bastards (franchises) to do the dirty work of tracking you down.

 

[Mikeske]

I have to wonder when I was working at a independent part time a block away from the dealership that had all 4 brands of the tool trucks stopping in weekly why none of them could stop at the independent shop nearby. All of the mechanics had a good set of tools but none of them would stop and the shop was busy. We ended up getting most of our tools from a Grainger store a mile away.

Now the tool trucks never stopped and it was a long established shop. I see that a lot of that with the tool trucks. I am guessing that type of operation would be a prime candidate for the new Icon line up of toolboxes and I am willing to bet that the mechanics in this situations like this will be going in to harbor frieght to buy. I know yeah the Snappy boxes are freaky nice but I think for just tool storage a good quality box is all I want.

 

[chrismenke]

Truck credit really is interest free. Most guys wont do boxes on it unless the customer is really well known though. The best prices on truck boxes are with trade in and using quarterly rebates through the credit department then pay it off before interest kicks in.

Nope. Truck credit involves interest built into the price. And the interest is steep. As a cash buyer who didn't carry a balance on the truck my prices were always a fraction of what my employees were paying.

Let's say I pay $75 cash for a $100 tool instead of paying $20 a week for 5 weeks. That means the tools 'real' price is $75 and the 'interest' is 33%, in 5 weeks. Extrapolate that out and you're looking at ~350%/yr 'interest'.

The interest and breakage are built into the MSRP. If you're a bad credit new employee who may or may not be there next week and want the driver to carry you, you're paying full price. If you're a good credit employee who pays cash, the driver is gonna discount the tool as he's not loaning you money...sometimes very significantly.

At least if you're smart enough to ask!

Note that I would sometimes get my driver to agree to a deal, and then pay him off a few grand over a few weeks. He knew I'd got the better of him then, but he also knew I was 100% good for it and not a flight risk.

 

[Skin]

Nope. Truck credit involves interest built into the price.

As a rule, it doesn't. That's why its truck credit. If you want to pay interest you just go through Snap-on Finance.

Non-specials have a 15%-20% margin in them so no, you aren't going to just walk on flash some cash and get 25% off. I think you vastly overestimate how much money the guy behind the wheel makes on a single sale and as a result think they have all this room to play with the price. I never met a guy who didn't stick roughly to MSRP unless it was a new product roll out or a show/monthly special.

 

[Mr_B]

delivery included is good but price is little high for a new brand from a cheap retailer .
can't see them doing that well unless quality is above expectation or sales price pretty good .
ongoing trade war means consumer going be paying more for prc goods.
Once spending over 2K you got lot of options new and used, used would be my choice as who can refuse a branded box with most of the price depreciation already removed .
how much is a used icon going be worth when need sell and what parts going be available in 10 to 20yrs ! concerns that need thought when spending fairly serious money ...

 

[Wamsutta]

Any info in the gage thickness of the box? When that guy in the video knocked on the side of it, it sounded pretty solid. It would be worth whatever HF is charging for it if it doesn't use anything thinner than 16 gage.

 

[rmsg0040]

What I don't like about HF is that it has too many wild names, if they streamlined everything it would be better.

They should do a series for their toolboxes, kinda like SO

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm kinda excited to see these new Icon boxes in person. I'm not at all sure I'd drop $7300 on any toolbox let alone one from HF but I'm a cheap old *******.

I agree. I'm not into Tool Box walls. I was hoping there would be an ICON cart with a deep top till and 7 drawers.
I saw the ICON prototype at last year's SEMA show sitting next a comparable Snap on unit with duct tape over the Snap on badging and the ICON box was built like a tank.
I'm looking forward to the ICON tools coming out though just because I can

 

[Shopguy78]

I agree that HF needs to streamline their brands. They also are creeping into tool truck prices with some of their new lines. Pick a direction and price competitively.

 

[X1 Mike]

Truck credit really is interest free.

Nope. Truck credit involves interest built into the price. And the interest is steep.

As a rule, it doesn't. That's why its truck credit. If you want to pay interest you just go through Snap-on Finance.

Non-specials have a 15%-20% margin in them so no, you aren't going to just walk on flash some cash and get 25% off. I think you vastly overestimate how much money the guy behind the wheel makes on a single sale and as a result think they have all this room to play with the price. I never met a guy who didn't stick roughly to MSRP unless it was a new product roll out or a show/monthly special.

Truck credit is far from interest free. The driver would go bankrupt if he was truly financing people at 0%. I actually got far enough into the purchase process of a truck franchise to know how they roll the interest in and how they can give so much on trade in of boxes. There are quite a few dudes who skip on their bill and that truck driver can't pay for it with 0% interest.