Really liking Icon sockets

[M635_Guy]

I had not thought about the single tool issue, that would be quite annoying. They do sell singles as replacement parts (pdf, page 77) I don't know how much shipping costs but the prices seem pretty reasonable. Annoying, sure, but let's face it if you lose a socket you're waiting for HF/Tekton to send a replacement, driving out to your local wherever to pickup something ASAP, or waiting for the tool truck to show up (and praying to god it wasn't yesterday).

Hopefully they will start to carry singles in store in the future. I think if they did that with Icon, that would really set them up as a real player as it's basically 1:1 with what the truck offers, and 1:1 with what you could get at HD/Lowes.

I'm surprised they haven't done something like a Truck Jr. model, at least in bigger metros - more delivery to sell singles, etc. than what the real truck guys are doing, but with extra stuff available to buy while they're there and maybe a 36" cabinet in there for guys to check out Icon storage.

If getting something with a warranty from a store that's close you can go to NAPA, Auto Zone, O'reilly's or the like. They are everywhere and all their tools have a warranty with them.

I'm surprised NAPA Carlyle doesn't get more love here. They sell some really nice tools, including a lot of specialty tools, have a no-BS walk-in/walk-out lifetime warranty and great coverage. There are 14 within 30 minutes of me, and 4 within 15 min. And they have a local delivery service - same day/next day depending on stock and time of order.

 

[UglyViking]

I'm surprised they haven't done something like a Truck Jr. model, at least in bigger metros - more delivery to sell singles, etc. than what the real truck guys are doing, but with extra stuff available to buy while they're there and maybe a 36" cabinet in there for guys to check out Icon storage.

I'm surprised NAPA Carlyle doesn't get more love here. They sell some really nice tools, including a lot of specialty tools, have a no-BS walk-in/walk-out lifetime warranty and great coverage. There are 14 within 30 minutes of me, and 4 within 15 min. And they have a local delivery service - same day/next day depending on stock and time of order.

Icon stuff hit stores basically right before the pandemic kicked off, so time will tell what their longer term plans are but who knows if covid has impacted any of the planning. Frankly, I don't see them going around shop to shop to service techs, that's only going to raise the price on product. I'll fully admit that I'm not a tech, I've never worked as a mechanic in a pro sense and have only done basic maintenance on vehicles (like swapping alternators, water pumps, oil changes, lift kits, etc.). That said, I really don't understand the whole fascination with "the snap on guy comes to my shop once a week". If I broke/lost a socket I'd be thinking about replacing it ASAP, maybe not same day but at least next day. I couldn't imagine the truck coming, finding out they don't have the part I'm looking for, only to wait till next week. It's such an antiquated system it's unreal. Again, I'm not their market so maybe they know something I don't know. I'm guessing that it's the whole "mark of a pro" and sense of place more than practicality. (to be clear, I'm not talking about quality of tool, I'm talking about the tool truck model.)

I've not owned any NAPA tools I can recall, maybe a torque wrench? Even that sounds wrong. NAPAs have been dying around me for quite some time, so I don't know that I'd be heavily invested in them from a brand perspective. Autozone/O'Rileys/etc. seem to be everywhere and while I've purchased a few of their tools I don't know that they justify the cost, mostly purchased them because I needed the size wrench/socket at the time and it was going to be 20-30 mins to the HD/HF store.

I may have to go poke around NAPA, at least online, and see what they offer. Honestly, I've been pretty impressed with the single Tekton ratchet I've got at the moment. Feels like a quality tool, purchasing was easy, I got some bonus bucks sitting in my account now, and most importantly their website is very clearly laid out. Most major autoparts stores could use a UX designer on their webfronts, same goes for home depot, lowes, etc. although I suppose it's easy to judge on the outside considering the product I work on probably gets the same feedback.

 

[M635_Guy]

Icon stuff hit stores basically right before the pandemic kicked off, so time will tell what their longer term plans are but who knows if covid has impacted any of the planning. Frankly, I don't see them going around shop to shop to service techs, that's only going to raise the price on product. I'll fully admit that I'm not a tech, I've never worked as a mechanic in a pro sense and have only done basic maintenance on vehicles (like swapping alternators, water pumps, oil changes, lift kits, etc.). That said, I really don't understand the whole fascination with "the snap on guy comes to my shop once a week". If I broke/lost a socket I'd be thinking about replacing it ASAP, maybe not same day but at least next day. I couldn't imagine the truck coming, finding out they don't have the part I'm looking for, only to wait till next week. It's such an antiquated system it's unreal. Again, I'm not their market so maybe they know something I don't know. I'm guessing that it's the whole "mark of a pro" and sense of place more than practicality. (to be clear, I'm not talking about quality of tool, I'm talking about the tool truck model.)

I've not owned any NAPA tools I can recall, maybe a torque wrench? Even that sounds wrong. NAPAs have been dying around me for quite some time, so I don't know that I'd be heavily invested in them from a brand perspective. Autozone/O'Rileys/etc. seem to be everywhere and while I've purchased a few of their tools I don't know that they justify the cost, mostly purchased them because I needed the size wrench/socket at the time and it was going to be 20-30 mins to the HD/HF store.

I may have to go poke around NAPA, at least online, and see what they offer. Honestly, I've been pretty impressed with the single Tekton ratchet I've got at the moment. Feels like a quality tool, purchasing was easy, I got some bonus bucks sitting in my account now, and most importantly their website is very clearly laid out. Most major autoparts stores could use a UX designer on their webfronts, same goes for home depot, lowes, etc. although I suppose it's easy to judge on the outside considering the product I work on probably gets the same feedback.

I agree with a lot in your post, and I'm in the same bucket - never made money turning wrenches, just saved my own as a relatively-serious DIY guy (meaning I've good for nuts and bolts, but I can't really diagnose things beyond the very-simple and haven't gotten into a motor yet). But I'm a goofus with an opinion anyway. I like my Tekton ratchet fine, but it's a distant third behind my Icon and Snap On ratchets, which are close for me. I have a couple Carlyle ratchets and they're fine, but not competing with the other three I mentioned overall. They do have a nifty hex bit roto head ratchet I like a lot, and the flare wrench set I have from them is great. For sockets and wrenches, it seems like they'd be a good choice. They are more $$$ than Tekton and Icon though...

 

[UglyViking]

I agree with a lot in your post, and I'm in the same bucket - never made money turning wrenches, just saved my own as a relatively-serious DIY guy (meaning I've good for nuts and bolts, but I can't really diagnose things beyond the very-simple and haven't gotten into a motor yet). But I'm a goofus with an opinion anyway. I like my Tekton ratchet fine, but it's a distant third behind my Icon and Snap On ratchets, which are close for me. I have a couple Carlyle ratchets and they're fine, but not competing with the other three I mentioned overall. They do have a nifty hex bit roto head ratchet I like a lot, and the flare wrench set I have from them is great. For sockets and wrenches, it seems like they'd be a good choice. They are more $$$ than Tekton and Icon though...

It's interesting that you put the Icon and Snap On as direct competitors and the Tekton as a distant third. I'm looking at replacing some poor quality Craftsman sockets and wrenches, do you have any experience with Icon vs Tekton for sockets or wrenches? I'd be curious to know your thoughts there as well.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I had not thought about the single tool issue, that would be quite annoying. They do sell singles as replacement parts (pdf, page 77) I don't know how much shipping costs but the prices seem pretty reasonable. Annoying, sure, but let's face it if you lose a socket you're waiting for HF/Tekton to send a replacement, driving out to your local wherever to pickup something ASAP, or waiting for the tool truck to show up (and praying to god it wasn't yesterday).

Hopefully they will start to carry singles in store in the future. I think if they did that with Icon, that would really set them up as a real player as it's basically 1:1 with what the truck offers, and 1:1 with what you could get at HD/Lowes.

While I agree that they need to sell singles under at least one of their lines - the idea that one "broke the 10mm" and is now down and unable to fix things isn't on target for the "compare to snap on" marketing. I have 18, 10mm sockets. On my cart.

 

[Magnum440d100]

I'm surprised NAPA Carlyle doesn't get more love here. They sell some really nice tools, including a lot of specialty tools, have a no-BS walk-in/walk-out lifetime warranty and great coverage. There are 14 within 30 minutes of me, and 4 within 15 min. And they have a local delivery service - same day/next day depending on stock and time of order.

The local Napa here in riverside/Moreno valley has piss for tools.

I do have 2 Carlyle tools in my road box. A #2 Philips I picked up at a Napa in Kansas, and a 1/2” drive 3/8” deep impact socket I picked up in San Diego. No complaints about either.

Back home I have a 1 1/4” Carlyle socket used for Mopar engine crank bolts.

Truth be told, if there were a closer Napa, or even if the “close” one had tools, they would be a strong contestant.

 

[Mr_B]

I'm surprised NAPA Carlyle doesn't get more love here. They sell some really nice tools, including a lot of specialty tools, have a no-BS walk-in/walk-out lifetime warranty and great coverage. There are 14 within 30 minutes of me, and 4 within 15 min. And they have a local delivery service - same day/next day depending on stock and time of order.

Napa been useful to me, I got 2 stores fairly local, we got parts delivery 2 or 3 times a day, they dropped off speciality tools and done a couple warranty exchanges with parts delivery which works great .
Had a few carlye bits from the sales flyers and fair bit of it good buy at sales price and if got a good local store. carlye high-five compact head ratchets nice, icon high-five long pattern ratchet wrenches nice .
Just got pick the cream from each retailer and only worry about life warranty on basic hand tools of higher failure items such as ratchet mechanisms and swivel uj jointed type tools .
Basic hand tool failure makes zero impact in a professional shop, phone, internet, office computer, a lift, tyre equipment, air compressor setup issue, some air tools/speciality tools failing can ruin a day/days work but not so much a socket ratchet wrench pliers or screwdriver lol .

 

[lardy1]

Off topic, I only wish all NAPA stores were equal.

 

[javyLSU]

I'm surprised NAPA Carlyle doesn't get more love here. They sell some really nice tools, including a lot of specialty tools, have a no-BS walk-in/walk-out lifetime warranty and great coverage. There are 14 within 30 minutes of me, and 4 within 15 min. And they have a local delivery service - same day/next day depending on stock and time of order.

I have not had good experience with NAPA's warranty. I tried to warranty a Carlyle screwdriver and a socket earlier this year, and after asking me for a receipt, they quickly referred me to the "limited lifetime warranty," which says something to the effect that it's "guaranteed to be free from defects in materials or workmanship, but doesn't cover wear or abuse." I have bought ZERO tools from NAPA since.

 

[snickers muncher]

I've got tools from all the brands mentioned except Snap On and Icon. Snap On is out of my comfortable price range and Icon came out after I already had the basics.

The only brand that let me down was Gearwrench. The flare nut wrenches are garbage and the spline ratcheting wrenches are lobster clawed with too loose of a fit.. The sockets seem okay though and I got a universal impact that was DOA and they FedExed a new one after a phone call. I'd grab Icon wrenches over GW if I needed some.

The sleeper for me was the Duralast 1/4 set. Much better quality than I was expecting. I warrantied the extension for a loose fit with no problems at all.

 

[M635_Guy]

It's interesting that you put the Icon and Snap On as direct competitors and the Tekton as a distant third. I'm looking at replacing some poor quality Craftsman sockets and wrenches, do you have any experience with Icon vs Tekton for sockets or wrenches? I'd be curious to know your thoughts there as well.

I really just think of them as "ratchets in my box", not really competitors. The feel of the ratchet mechanism while using it and the handle are big things with me (and probably everyone) and my SO and Icon ratchets are both great there - the SO has an edge for both in pear heads, though a small one and they both have a heft to them that I like. The Tekton is really good on feel and handle, but is literally and figuratively "thinner" in a way that knocks it down a notch for me. But it's also $11 less-expensive (and HF isn't running 20% coupons like they used to). I wouldn't say a single bad thing about Tekton's ratchet. I have SO and Icon 1/4" rotos and actually prefer the Icon by a hair, but probably because it came first.


I also have both Icon and Tekton sets of 3/8" sockets. They're both really nice. Icon doesn't re-use as many blanks as Tekton, which means sizes around 14mm and below are shorter, which has been handy a couple times.

I doubt there's a mistake to be made there. Same cost story as before - an 8mm-19mm set is $26 (on a rail) where the Icon 8mm-19mm in a tray is $40...

For wrenches, I have Tekton for my main set, and I've got no issues with them. The 6mm to 24mm set runs $100 these days, where Icon's set is $120 for 6mm-19mm and you'd have to add another $75 for the 20mm-24mm set (which I probably wouldn't, but whatever). I can't compare them. For what I do (mainly auto DIY), I'd invest in sockets vs. wrenches. (I got the SK's when they were on mega-sale to have the SureGrip feature on the open end because I was facing a lot of work on a rusty car, and I wanted to have a zero-offset ratcheting set - I know that's weird as a 'secondary' set). While Tekton is doing something similar to the blank-sharing here too - it's not a straight progression on length that twigs my slight OCD-tendencies. Since it doesn't matter in terms of performance/use, I don't care. I sure the Icons are nice too.



Overall I get the sense that Tekton is the new Craftsman - nice quality for the price, a great warranty and customer service. On the line of "Premium Consumer" and "Prosumer" where Icon is really targeting pros or people looking for tool-truck-or-close-to-it without paying truck prices. The warranty is the same on paper. The customer service is probably variable based on the store, but I doubt it meaningfully changes the outcome. If you leave near a HF, you're likely to walk out with your replacement tool if you need a warranty replacement.

Net: Have a fair amount of both and really like both. I do think Icon edges Tekton on the tools themselves, but not sure it translates meaningfully in most cases to the work I do and certainly runs at higher prices. No real mistake to be made IMHO.

 

[Ton ton]

I have seen Napa Carlyle tools receive love on Garage journal. I have zero experience with Napa warranty. But their prices are reasonable enough, I am not planning on losing sleep over a lousy warranty experience.

 

[Mr_B]

I have seen Napa Carlyle tools receive love on Garage journal. I have zero experience with Napa warranty. But their prices are reasonable enough, I am not planning on losing sleep over a lousy warranty experience.

Napa warranty on tools been fair with me, for sure individual branch and having an account helps massively but I would expect most genuine failures from normal use and more obvious defect not going be too much a problem .
Warranty conditions can never be taken for granted as companies warranty protocol change or the tools change to junk you don't want swap out to, think people would of learnt that by now and realize self warranty on small value hand tools the better cost and best full lifetime warranty you can get plus opens your tool source option to some better tools .

 

[VolvoRyan]

I just wish ICON didn't try so hard to emulate Snap-On. Specifically, with the way the sizes are marked on the sockets. Most every other socket brand has the size in big fat fonts on the sockets. Snap-On has stupid thin fonts or dumb NASCAR fonts. I'm always squinting at those as I become an old fart.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

I have seen Napa Carlyle tools receive love on Garage journal. I have zero experience with Napa warranty. But their prices are reasonable enough, I am not planning on losing sleep over a lousy warranty experience.

Same here. When things are reasonably priced, warranty means little to me.

-Ryan

 

[VolvoRyan]

At this point I'm convinced people are paid to post Tekton stuff on this site. The products aren't good enough for people to be that fanatic about them.

I think a lot of "Craftsman" folks (myself included) stumbled into Tekton, which was all over Amazon, as Sears disappeared and tanking what was Craftsman. At that time, HF wasn't where it was today (pretty good!) and it was suffering from the reputation it had 15-20 years ago. Tekton filled that vacuum of sorts.

I remember that time.... and being surprised that Tekton did what I asked of them. It's natural that a bit of loyalty/comfort develops in a brand.

I'll also say that Tekton puts on "the show" pretty well if you've ever ordered direct from them. It feels like they packaged your order especially for you. Kinda nice. I went quite a bit "upmarket" when I retooled the shop, but I still get a kick when a box from Tekton shows up.

This is probably why you hear a lot of "Tekton" when we're around this price point. They may not be the Craftsman of today, but they certainly filled the void for a little while.

-Ryan

 

[haveissues]

The next time I need something I'm going to try tekton. For me, personally, I view the better harbor freight stuff the same as all the other decent made in taiwan brands, just more expensive. Plus hearing how they want receipts from some people to honor lifetime warranties for hand tools makes that warranty worthless to me.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Off topic, I only wish all NAPA stores were equal.

That, good sir, has been the biggest issue I have with NAPA. My closest store has zero tools stocked. The next closest is just big enough for a service desk. Amazingly I have like 5 locations within 15 miles of my house but zero within 15 miles of work. It's weird.

I have seen Napa Carlyle tools receive love on Garage journal. I have zero experience with Napa warranty. But their prices are reasonable enough, I am not planning on losing sleep over a lousy warranty experience.

I enjoy Carlyle tools, but they can get pretty expensive. I've bought a lot of professional industrial branded tools for less than many of my Napa tools and I think that is why they aren't as popular on here.

 

[AJHD]

As I'm sure others have said, my issue with Icon tools is their price. It feels the same as buying a rebranded made in Taiwan tool from the tool trucks, but without the warranty and/or convenience. Carlyle is another example of paying a premium for made in Taiwan tools.

Having said that, unfortunately just about everything in life, especially anything made from metal and made off-shore tools have gone up in price significantly. So that price gap has closed a bit. I've noticed HF has lowered the prices on some of the Icon line over time. But then again other things continue to get more expensive, so it can cancel each other out.

Full disclosure, I can't speak much as to Icon quality. The only Icon tool I own is a 1/2" ratchet and I've never actually used it. I picked up a Gearwrench and then a Snap On shortly after buying it, and just never sold or returned the Icon.

However, I did buy their snap ring pliers set on impulse when they first came out. But the quality control was terrible and 2 or 3 of them were unusable out of the box. I eventually exchanged them at HF for a new set after having to show the manager the "lifetime warranty" printed on the damn box. But, I never used them and sold them at some point, and again buying a Snap On set later.

There are some Icon tools I'd like to try, but I've had no desire or no need to pay for them.

 

[M635_Guy]

stepped sizing and quite small dimensions main plus with icon .
they pretty much a visual copy of snapon .
I can see why people would buy them, moulded trays can be a bonus, potential easy warranty and being able buy and warranty in a physical store is nice .
With 20% of they were pretty cheap too ...
If HF start looking at stahlwille, hazet, facom and koken for inovation and ergonomics rather than the obsession with snapon and increase range significantly they could make some serious progress .

Then people would just complain they're copying Stahlwille, Hazet, Facom and Koken. I agree they're over-indexed on SO, though that is mainly the font of the size-marking in this case.

Could you be more specific about what you'd like to see?

[EDIT - sorry about resurrecting an old thread - got a notification about it and didn't pay attention to the dates]

 

[m6z]

The Icon stuff is pretty nice IMO.

The packaging is wasteful though. I doubt many people use the included socket tray.

 

[AJHD]

The Icon stuff is pretty nice IMO.

The packaging is wasteful though. I doubt many people use the included socket tray.

I'm personally not a fan of "included organizers". I rarely use them and usually throw them away. They take up too much space vs. "aftermarket" tool organizers. I have the same opinion of blow molded cases. I throw them away any chance I get.

Anyway... In the case of Icon, I actually wonder if their tools would be any cheaper if they didn't include their tools not only in plastic trays, but a plastic tray within another thicker plastic case. It just seems like an excuse to charge more for something most people probably throw in the trash.

 

[m6z]

Looks like they've added some new stuff.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[tester19]

Good point about HF not stocking singles of sockets or hand wrenches.
I do see Northern Tool has just about all sockets/hand wrenches available individually.
This has saved me when I need a certain odd size or when I want to modify something.
.
.
.

 

[Ton ton]

Has anyone tried the steel faced dead blow hammer in ICON brand?

 

[Kuma601]

For me it is buying what is convenient. Warranty is nice if accessible which for me mailing stuff back-forth isn't. That entails finding a box or mailer then standing at the Post Office. These days if looking I first hit Orielly's since it is the closest. HF has a location close by now so they are convenient.

Eventually I'll buy a proper set of shallows and HF has them in good sets, the Power Torque variant in 1/4" drive is 9 pieces so not sure if spending $14 more to get 5.5mm and 14mm is worth it. I can use the 14mm but 5.5mm? Mainly for 8, 10, 12 and 14mm shallows. The rest will just take up drawer space. (I should just buy those singles but the OCD desires the full no skip set. LOL)

 

[lardy1]

Not to go off on a rabbit trail but those extractors might be worth a look.

Looks like they've added some new stuff.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[tez929rr]

And really, “depend on them in an emergency?” That’s the most pretentious thing I’ve heard in a while.

Projection.

 

[Etchase]

I think Tekton has less then 100 employees. Anyone work there who can confirm?

 

[merkyworks]

Has anyone tried the steel faced dead blow hammer in ICON brand?

No I haven’t.
At $55 it seems overpriced for overseas made. Trusty Cook USA made is $55 and I’d mush rather get US made

 

[Ton ton]

No I haven’t.
At $55 it seems overpriced for overseas made. Trusty Cook USA made is $55 and I’d mush rather get US made

Thank you.

 

[M635_Guy]

No I haven’t.
At $55 it seems overpriced for overseas made. Trusty Cook USA made is $55 and I’d mush rather get US made

I think they're counting on the fact that Trusty Cook is not well-known. I'd guess the Icon is 100% fine. I have a TC set that I really like, and definitely would get them again over Icon at the same money, or even close.

I especially have used the "Stubby's Cousin" a lot.

 

[AJHD]

No I haven’t.
At $55 it seems overpriced for overseas made. Trusty Cook USA made is $55 and I’d mush rather get US made

Agreed, however TC is not available local if that matters. I also noticed TC was showing out of stock on a bunch of items last time I looked.
I would also like to see HF release more colors and sizes of these new hammers in the future. Hopefully their price will drop a bit too.

 

[merkyworks]

I especially have used the "Stubby's Cousin" a lot.

I’ve been wanting to get that guy!

Agreed, however TC is not available local if that matters.

Valid point for sure.

 

[nbpt100]

You guys are right, Trusty Cook is not a well known brand and I just leaned of them.

HF is continuing to expand their lineup with more breadth and better quality. If you get their emails they have a new tool or a few to show off every Tuesday. It will be interesting to see where they are in 5 years. The only Icon stuff I own is a snap ring pliers set. I like them for the price. they have done the job. My only complaints are the return springs are too weak. They could be a bit stronger. I also wish they offered a set for smaller snap rings. I like the blow molded case. I do not put all of my tools in a box. I sometimes need to travel with them so a decent hard case is a plus. I also like hard blow molded cases for power tools.

I do not see myself buying any Icon sockets as I am well stocked. But if I ever needed something I would give them serious consideration.

 

[bubinga]

The next time I need something I'm going to try tekton. For me, personally, I view the better harbor freight stuff the same as all the other decent made in taiwan brands, just more expensive. Plus hearing how they want receipts from some people to honor lifetime warranties for hand tools makes that warranty worthless to me.

You can have them email you a copy of your receipt and keep it on your phone!