Show your ICON tools!

[1foxracing]

This pace needs another ICON thread and I find it refreshing to see all the Craftsman/Sears threads dying. As many here know I own a lot of different tool brands with Wright still being my favorite but I have been purchasing some of the ICON line.
Here is some photo's.

1/4" drive

If you want to open it up it takes a Torx T5

3/8" drive

1/2" drive

 

[qwik]

I bought the 3/8’s deep sets yesterday for my 11yo, they look very similar to Snap-On. Outstanding deal at $42 (with coupon) out the door, I’ll buy more

 

[spike99250]

I tried to buy the 3/8 sets today with the coupon but they had none in stock. Our store barely has any of the ratchets. I think they had one or two 1/4"'s and maybe one 1/2". Socket wise everything standard but the 3/8 size deeps. I did not see any of the impact sets either.

 

[Mikeske]

Ratchets and ratcheting wrenches. These are fillers for my Bonney set. These items were never sold by Bonney and I got my Bonney set in 1983

 

[woody6904]

Upcoming birthday present from my wife and son. The other day I wished I had had the long 3/4 working on a combine. Maybe just me but I don't really like the anti slip version, that's what WrightGrips are for IMO. These will end up in the service truck.

 

[Andres26tnt]

This thread will be short as HF ICON has a very limited amount of tools in its inventory.

 

[Jtels85]

This thread will be short as HF ICON has a very limited amount of tools in its inventory.

In that case, I’ll post a picture every day of just a single Icon socket and then move on to single wrenches. I’m sure Icon will come out with new tools before I run out. Anything to keep the Icon threads alive. We must spread the word to let everyone know how great these tools are.

Long live Icon and Harbor Freight! Down with Snap On!

 

[ChrisLS8]

In that case, I’ll post a picture every day of just a single Icon socket and then move on to single wrenches. I’m sure Icon will come out with new tools before I run out. Anything to keep the Icon threads alive. We must spread the word to let everyone know how great these tools are.

Long live Icon and Harbor Freight! Down with Snap On!

I'm headed to the shop this weekend to get a big ol ICON tattoo on my right arm

 

[thesilverone]

how are they exactly great again?

 

[OHMS LAW]

They look good for at home or on a field service truck, but i don’t think I’ll be trading in my snap ons for these. Hell not a day goes by at work that the guy with us general cart full of discount prices tools comes sniffing around asking to borrow my snap on stuff. I always joke cornwell shows up on tuesdays and snap on on Wednesdays.

 

[Jason280]

they look very similar to Snap-On

Hell, the markings and knurling looks identical.

 

[WittHay]

Not identical but close enough. Except Snap-on has USA on the sockets and Icon forgot to put Taiwan on theirs

 

[snickers muncher]

Icon

 

[Citation]

So what are the odds that the new Tekton 90T ratchets are coming from the same OEM as the Icon stuff?
The guts look remarkably similar.

The roto heads also appear to be the same other than a quick release which I'm sure is a configuration change
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A50NB1K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The biggest difference I see is Tekton isn't trying to shamelessly copy the look of Snapon.

 

[1foxracing]

Hell, the markings and knurling looks identical.

Knurling is much better on the ICON, you can actually grip it.

 

[Strouty]

Don't try and compare an aspect of one socket to another that doesn't even exist, Snap On uses it to designate a Metric from an SAE socket, definitely not designed to grip. If you want knurling to grip, buy an insert that is knurled and designed specifically to grip. As always, your pics are great, but this time I am finding your comments strangely shilling.

 

[Ryan]

How many times does this argument have to exist? Though I’m not one of them, some people really value HF tools. If like me, you don’t... please don’t bother those that do.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Not identical but close enough. Except Snap-on has USA on the sockets and Icon forgot to put Taiwan on theirs

Guy literally posts 15 times a day in every Icon thread to make sure we all know he doesn't like Icon.

 

[M6erfan]

Knurling is much better on the ICON, you can actually grip it.

With oily hands or gloves, both those "knurlings" are pretty useless. Carlyle, OEM, and GW have actual useful knurling.

Just one example where Icon fell down on their socket design. Sometimes copying S-o isn't the best thing to do.

 

[Ign]

I'd say post your Icon tools along with what you paid so we can judge if we wanna pay those prices at HF vs Carlyle, SK, Proto et al

 

[Jtels85]

Guy literally posts 15 times a day in every Icon thread to make sure we all know he doesn't like Icon.

The shilling is just as prevalent as the disdain for this brand. It’s just so hard to comprehend why anyone (pro or DIY) would purchase Icon when you could buy Snap On. My god, haven’t these people been informed? Don’t they know that without Snap On tools, their projects will never get done and they’ll always be half the man they should be for buying cheap, Taiwanese made “clones”. Can’t believe anyone who does basic oil changes, routine maintenance and a couple of things around the house would EVEN CONSIDER buying anything other than Snap On. What a bunch of fools. Just a bunch of misinformed morons buying this Harbor Freight garbage if you ask me. Pfffft.

 

[Strouty]

Had no idea how hard they were trying to trick people into thinking they are selling Snap On quality tools. I don't think I have ever seen anything like this before, at least not to this scale. They are not only copying the tools, but the advertisement materials too. I know they say imitation is the best form of flattery, but holy ****. I guess I will follow Ryan's request, this is it for me and the ICON debate. Between the blatant copying and fine print, they are walking a line between scamming and lying to people. They even define the lies.

From HF's website:

WHAT DOES "COMPARE SIMILAR"/"COMPARE" MEAN?
At Harbor Freight Tools, unless otherwise specified, the "Compare Similar" or "Compare" price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the "Compare Similar" or "Compare" price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. The comparison price may not reflect the prevailing market price or the average retail price. No other meaning of "Compare Similar" or "Compare" should be implied.

 

[Lassen Forge]

With oily hands or gloves, both those "knurlings" are pretty useless.

I don't know they're good at collecting grease and dirt, which then hardens into the recesses.

 

[AntiqueVises]

Upcoming birthday present from my wife and son. The other day I wished I had had the long 3/4 working on a combine. Maybe just me but I don't really like the anti slip version, that's what WrightGrips are for IMO. These will end up in the service truck.

Have you used them yet and if so, how are you liking those? I'm very tempted to grab a sae and metric set!

 

[woody6904]

Have you used them yet and if so, how are you liking those? I'm very tempted to grab a sae and metric set!

No just picked them up last nite. Soaked the box ends in some ATF to lube them up. Going to get some use tomorrow working on a fertilizer spreader. At this point no complaints. The pics are comparing to a Blackhawk which are my favorite ratcheting wrenches.

I keep reading in all these ICON threads, ICON too expensive just spend the money on Snapon. Does anybody else, including Snapon even make extra long ratcheting wrenches?

 

[ChrisLS8]

No just picked them up last nite. Soaked the box ends in some ATF to lube them up. Going to get some use tomorrow working on a fertilizer spreader. At this point no complaints. The pics are comparing to a Blackhawk which are my favorite ratcheting wrenches.

I keep reading in all these ICON threads, ICON too expensive just spend the money on Snapon. Does anybody else, including Snapon even make extra long ratcheting wrenches?

GW Tekton, EZ Red all have double ended XL wrenches but non of the standard combo variety

 

[zktk01]

I couldn't resist all the Hoopla with a 50% coupon active $19.99 a piece.

 

[Jtels85]

I couldn't resist all the Hoopla with a 50% coupon active $19.99 a piece.

Nice score! Just sent that coupon to my dad and he bought the metric set for his traveling tool box he keeps in the RV.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

No just picked them up last nite. Soaked the box ends in some ATF to lube them up. Going to get some use tomorrow working on a fertilizer spreader. At this point no complaints. The pics are comparing to a Blackhawk which are my favorite ratcheting wrenches.

I keep reading in all these ICON threads, ICON too expensive just spend the money on Snapon. Does anybody else, including Snapon even make extra long ratcheting wrenches?

The heads of those ratcheting wrenches look nice and thin - good design there. Maybe I'll take a better look at the wrenches next time I'm at HF. I don't really need more sockets, the ratchets are meh for me, I have plenty.

 

[yellow wagon]

I looked at the ICON stuff at my local HF after all the hype here on GJ. The wrenches and sockets looked good for the money. The ratchets are meh at best. The plastic handles are cheap feeling/looking. If you want to make and sell tool truck level tools they need to look and feel the part.

A lot of people compare new HF to new Snap-on. But honestly, I’d rather buy used Snap-on. The big thing for me is the heritage, the quality and the value. Should you ever want to sell some SO, there is always value for them.

ICON isn’t tool truck equal IMO. Tekton seems just as nice if not nicer. If HF really wanted to make a statement they needed even better quality, better look and feel and their own marketing to show the benefits not steal SO’s marketing.

 

[Skin]

Does anybody else, including Snapon even make extra long ratcheting wrenches?

The Snap-on ones are already long. Matco offers them also.

If you want to measure SO is 235mm and Matco is 240mm for 9/16".

 

[supertooljunkie]

I used the 1/2 off coupon and picked up a set of 3/8" deepwells this past weekend. Otherwise, I don't know if I would have paid $40 for a set of Harbor Freight sockets even if they are supposed to equal Snap On quality.

After ratchets being recalled I have a hard time spending that kind of cash for them. I have had good luck with Pittsburgh Pro ratchets at a much lower cost. I will give those another year to see if they start to turn up in pawn shops and pay pennies of the dollar for them then.

 

[woody6904]

The Snap-on ones are already long. Matco offers them also.

If you want to measure SO is 235mm and Matco is 240mm for 9/16".

The Icon is 10 inches or 254mm for the 9/16".

 

[Motorman55]

I'm going to pick up that ICON 3/8" Metric Deep socket set this week when I get over near HF. That is if they have then in stock. They look as good as any other imported sockets and at $19.99 for the set I figure what the hell, I'm not turning wrenches for a living everyday anymore since I retired last year, so I'll give them a try.

 

[jkesselr]

What is this 50% coupon y’all are speaking of?

 

[zktk01]

What is this 50% coupon y’all are speaking of?

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/12+PIECE,+3_8"+DRIVE+PROFESSIONAL+DEEP+SOCKETS+ICON

load the page on your phone let them scan it at the register.

 

[Wood_Guy]

The Icon is 10 inches or 254mm for the 9/16".

My ratcheting Snap-on 14mm is 336mm. Not sure why you guys think that’s long.

 

[WittHay]

The Snap-on ones are already long. Matco offers them also.

If you want to measure SO is 235mm and Matco is 240mm for 9/16".

The Icon is 10 inches or 254mm for the 9/16".

My ratcheting Snap-on 14mm is 336mm. Not sure why you guys think that’s long.

The Snap-on High Performance Ratcheting Box Ends are extra long and have 0° box ends. The box end is useful for 12 point flange bolts on starters and other 12 point fasteners. These are tough to remove with a regular length Snap-on/ Icon length combo wrench. Either double wrench or hammer

The Snap-on equivalent to the Icon ratcheting wrench according to HF is SOXRR707 and I agree with Skin they are plenty long enough. The Icon 9/16 ratcheting wrench is the same length as a Snap-on long combo wrench and i found these long wrenches to be too long for most things especially the open end. The old school box end wrenches seem to work better on tough things than extra long combo wrenches

 

[woody6904]

The Snap-on High Performance Ratcheting Box Ends are extra long and have 0° box ends. The box end is useful for 12 point flange bolts on starters and other 12 point fasteners. These are tough to remove with a regular length Snap-on/ Icon length combo wrench. Either double wrench or hammer

The Snap-on equivalent to the Icon ratcheting wrench according to HF is SOXRR707 and I agree with Skin they are plenty long enough. The Icon 9/16 ratcheting wrench is the same length as a Snap-on long combo wrench and i found these long wrenches to be too long for most things especially the open end. The old school box end wrenches seem to work better on tough things than extra long combo wrenches

I guess I should have went to the Snapon store instead Saturday night. Thanks for the info.

 

[WittHay]

I guess I should have went to the Snapon store instead Saturday night. Thanks for the info.

Going to the HF store on Sunday morning might not help either Some jobs require Monday to Friday tools.

Every Icon tool according to HF has a Snap-on USA equivalent.. The Snap-on ratcheting wrenches at least to me seem plenty long enough, almost too long.

My question is What is the point of extra long ratcheting combination wrenches like the Icon? The long open end is good for hydraulic hoses in larger sizes but is unwieldy in smaller sizes.

Any bolt or nut that is seized or tight that you cannot put a socket on. Either you have to double wrench or use a wrench extender, hammer or heat. None of these are good for a ratcheting wrench