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Pittsburgh vs. Icon Allen & Torx Sockets - Worth the difference?

measuredtwice

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Mar 17, 2019
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1,705
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USA
OK, German engineering but over priced for Taiwan mfg. Thanks.

I doubt there's any German engineering involved.

Must be a rebranding thing. Isn't Channellock a private company with USA plants?

I don't see hex bit sockets on their website. They sell mechanic tool kits which include sockets.


The hex bit sockets are on channellockproducts.com not channellock.com .

https://www.channellockproducts.com...6-point-hex-bit-socket-set-7-piece?SKU=372404

Channellock.com is the main company website with the USA made pliers and screwdrivers and a few things that are sourced from Taiwan or China.

Channellockproducts.com is the website with the licensed stuff sold by DoItBest.

Channellock used to have an explanation on their site but I can't find it now. DoitBest calls the products "exclusive". -->

Engineered with the latest technology and the quality you’ve come to expect, Do it Best’s exclusive Channellock® products include everything professionals and DIYers need to complete every project.
 
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Professional Tool User

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Apr 9, 2018
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BC
OK, German engineering but over priced for Taiwan mfg. Thanks.

You may be giving German engineering more credit than it's worth. I've looked at the photos of the wiha sets online. It looks like it came from a generic production run that anyone can buy for rebranding, not made to custom specs. I've seen Titan branded sockets that look very similar. Taiwanese tool manufacturers will laugh at you with their tool patents and quality control standards if you don't give up them the credit that they are due.
 

nbpt100

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Oct 19, 2016
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Location
Massachusetts
You may be giving German engineering more credit than it's worth. I've looked at the photos of the wiha sets online. It looks like it came from a generic production run that anyone can buy for rebranding, not made to custom specs. I've seen Titan branded sockets that look very similar. Taiwanese tool manufacturers will laugh at you with their tool patents and quality control standards if you don't give up them the credit that they are due.
Maybe I am giving credit too quickly to the Germans.
OK. The Germans can be like that too. Look at the VW emissions scandal.
 

nbpt100

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Oct 19, 2016
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Massachusetts
I doubt there's any German engineering involved.





The hex bit sockets are on channellockproducts.com not channellock.com .

https://www.channellockproducts.com...6-point-hex-bit-socket-set-7-piece?SKU=372404

Channellock.com is the main company website with the USA made pliers and screwdrivers and a few things that are sourced from Taiwan or China.

Channellockproducts.com is the website with the licensed stuff sold by DoItBest.

Channellock used to have an explanation on their site but I can't find it now. DoitBest calls the products "exclusive". -->

Very informative. Channellock is branding tons of hardware store type of items now. From flashlights to work gloves to vacuum cleaners.
 

lardy1

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Mar 17, 2019
Messages
3,402
Location
Michigan
I doubt there's any German engineering involved.





The hex bit sockets are on channellockproducts.com not channellock.com .

https://www.channellockproducts.com...6-point-hex-bit-socket-set-7-piece?SKU=372404

Channellock.com is the main company website with the USA made pliers and screwdrivers and a few things that are sourced from Taiwan or China.

Channellockproducts.com is the website with the licensed stuff sold by DoItBest.

Channellock used to have an explanation on their site but I can't find it now. DoitBest calls the products "exclusive". -->

Interesting. I wasn't aware of any of that. I just saw them on the rack on sale and found them online and jumped to an ill informed conclusion. I just thought that for ten bucks a set I'd have them around. If they're junk I'm not out much and I have others.
 
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nbpt100

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Oct 19, 2016
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Interesting. I wasn't aware of any of that. I just saw them on the rack on sale and found them online and jumped to an ill informed conclusion. I just thought that for ten bucks a set I'd have them around. If they're junk I'm not out much and I have others.

For the price you did very well. I doubt they are junk, They may be very well made, who knows? Like I said the only thing that disappointed me at that MSRP was that the 9mm was skipped. Now that I think about it more, I used the 9mm on Brakes for my old Ford Taurus and Station Wagon.....in addition to something on my VW.

Let us know how they work out for you. Good Luck.
 

seagullplayer

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Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
117
Location
Southern Indiana
My "localist" hardware carries Channel-lock brand. All of it I have bought is pretty good stuff. Pretty handy that they sell individual sockets and wrenches.
 

El Hefe

Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
10
Also picked up the Capri long set. Wish i looked closer at how may sizes were 1/4 drive. Still worth it for 25 bucks.
 
Last edited:

ZenkiS14

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Mar 24, 2021
Messages
110
Location
MO
I actually really like that the 6mm is 1/4, I've never had a 6mm that was tighter than 25nM that I couldnt do with a 1/4 ratchet.
 
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racinfarmer

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Feb 6, 2012
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2,155
Location
Minnesota/Utah
My Capri stuff finally show up. I've only had to use one of the sockets so far, but they appear to be really nice. Glad I bought these over the Icon.
 
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