Sorry. It's a double edged sword. Either I hijack someone else's thread and piss people off, or I start a new thread and still piss people off. Anyway, I checked out the new Icon tool line up today in person. I'm not impressed. This is what they took so long to release like it was the end all for the tool trucks? I was pretty disappointed especially in the combo wrenches. Weren't these supposed to have a toothed open end similar to the Carlisle's? Every wrench had a smooth open end. I picked up the set in the carry case. A few of the boxed ends had off center broaching. WTF? The beams reminded me of the cheap Pittsburg long pattern wrenches. I would just think that a 100 dollar "premium" set of wrenches would have better quality control. The ratchets seemed good. Although, I didn't see much difference between them and the Pittsburg pro line. If this is what they are making now, I'd hate to see what they look like after they've been out a while and the quality control suffers further. Harbor freight does have some gems in their store. But in my opinion, the icon line for the price isn't it.
Yep. Another Icom thread.
- Thread starter monster1
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Cheapskate
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They have 2 different wrench sets, one with anti-slip grip(64712) and one without(64709).
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...ion-wrench-set-with-anti-slip-grip-64712.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-...rofessional-combination-wrench-set-64709.html
Cool. At least there is that. My store only had the smooth opening sets. All the pegs were full. But with the ratchet section, it was all cleaned out except for the display models on lanyards.
Cheapskate
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Did anyone seriously think HF was going to revolutionize the quality of hand tools? If you don't like them or see no value in purchasing them well...don't. Move on and buy something that meets 'your' requirements. If they are too expensive for their quality the market won't buy them, they will live a short life on the shelves & you may have an opportunity to buy them at clearance prices. HF created ICON to make money not provide exceptionally high quality tools comparable to tool trucks that were to be sold at bargain basement prices.
ARFLY
Well-known member
Is ICON not a HF exclusive? I got an email from Lowe's yesterday for a one day 10% off. In the fine print is listed all the exclusions. ICON is listed as excluded from the 10% off AT LOWES.
Cheapskate
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joshmodelskidoo
Well-known member
They do seem alright by what little i have seen but double the price or more for 10% better than Pittsburgh pro doesn’t seem to great to me. I will probably stay away from the icon stuff for the most part but the November add has 3/8s drive deep icon sockets for $20 vs standard $40 so im considering that
ARFLY
Well-known member
Interesting. In the add Loews has it spelled with all caps the way HF spells it. Someone didn't do a good job editing.
bcradio
Well-known member
I like the way you think!!!
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Icon, like most of Harbor Freight's higher end tool releases, is 80% hype and 20% substance. Icon's quality control and reputation is not good enough for something that costs around the same as Gearwrench.
When you are recalling a ratchet with internals that are very similar to the GW 84 tooth where people have already been complaining about the mechanism locking up for years, this is negligence. It shouldn't take long for them to weed out the problem if they tested the ratchet properly before releasing the tool. The same goes with their chrome sockets. Of all the Made in Taiwan tools out there, Harbor Freight ones seem to have the worst quality control.
When you are recalling a ratchet with internals that are very similar to the GW 84 tooth where people have already been complaining about the mechanism locking up for years, this is negligence. It shouldn't take long for them to weed out the problem if they tested the ratchet properly before releasing the tool. The same goes with their chrome sockets. Of all the Made in Taiwan tools out there, Harbor Freight ones seem to have the worst quality control.
BrandoJames
Well-known member
What's the Over/Under regarding the first "ICON Buyer Remorse Thread".
I'll say before Thanksgiving.
I'll say before Thanksgiving.
Loving these Icon wrench sets! The quality is there and I felt the price was decent compared to other comparable brands. Napa Carlyle is too damn expensive unless you catch them on sale and even then, the store has to order them in. I don’t like that concept.
Ign
Well-known member
The little Carlyle I have I've had shipped to my door. My franchise owner has zero interest in selling tools. But yeah, it's only reasonable on quarterly sales.
Anyway I always felt - based almost entirely upon the early released breaker bar - that ICON was the Emporer's New Clothes --- HF was just saying, "Trust us, we say it's better and we're charging a whole lot more so SURELY it's better."
bczygan
Well-known member
As a HF fanboy, I will state my feelings about the improved offerings.
They probably won't appear in my toolbox.
If they had made enough improvement in the tools they already offered, to bring them up a measurable level, I would be OK with a 10 or 20% cost premium. But the jump is too much. Kind of funny saying that HF tools are too expensive, but for me, they are.
Part of it is that their existing tools are adequate or more than adequate. And I don't see the giant difference that the new arrivals have, that would support their price.
So for now they are a no go. My main worry is that they will discontinue the tools I am happy with, forcing me to have no choice.
Bill
They probably won't appear in my toolbox.
If they had made enough improvement in the tools they already offered, to bring them up a measurable level, I would be OK with a 10 or 20% cost premium. But the jump is too much. Kind of funny saying that HF tools are too expensive, but for me, they are.
Part of it is that their existing tools are adequate or more than adequate. And I don't see the giant difference that the new arrivals have, that would support their price.
So for now they are a no go. My main worry is that they will discontinue the tools I am happy with, forcing me to have no choice.
Bill
The thing is there is a huge improvement over the current selection of wrench sets at HF. And compared to other companies like gearwrench the icon wrench sets BLOW THEM OUT OF THE WATER. They are a perfect design with a nice case too...
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Is there any bennifit over Tekton which also comes with a nice socket rail?
Same Icon set is $20 with a super coupon and $40 without.
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-in-dr-dp-6-pt-skt-sets-5-16-3-4-in-8-19-mm?set-range=8-19-mm
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Same Icon set is $20 with a super coupon and $40 without.
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-in-dr-dp-6-pt-skt-sets-5-16-3-4-in-8-19-mm?set-range=8-19-mm
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ARFLY
Well-known member
Someone didn't do a good job spelling "Lowes" , either.
Spelled just like their web address.
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lets be honest
even if HF were to take snapon sockets, rebrand them ICON, and sell them at 90% SO prices
people will still **** on them
i have 2 HF at reasonable distances near me and i love the fact that i can just walk into the store and get a replacement, no questions asked
the icon sockets are 1/5 of the SO sockets. the question is, are they only 1/5 as good? i personally think no
i checked the tolerances on icon sockets and snapon sockets. on a 10mm, the icon is actually either the same or a tiny bit tighter than the snapon. thats important to prevent rounding
even if HF were to take snapon sockets, rebrand them ICON, and sell them at 90% SO prices
people will still **** on them
i have 2 HF at reasonable distances near me and i love the fact that i can just walk into the store and get a replacement, no questions asked
the icon sockets are 1/5 of the SO sockets. the question is, are they only 1/5 as good? i personally think no
i checked the tolerances on icon sockets and snapon sockets. on a 10mm, the icon is actually either the same or a tiny bit tighter than the snapon. thats important to prevent rounding
BrandoJames
Well-known member
Let’s clear this up. Most of the critics here don't have a problem with HF. I have HF tools in my garage: U.S. General cabinet; Daytona 3 ton jack; Doyle pliers.
The problem is when a bargain basement retailer starts making wild claims e.g., "Snap-On Quality!!!" for their new tool line with a zero track record. A tool line that's already had a recall for their 3/8" ratchets due to manufacturing defects.
In business, wild advertising claims are commonly referred to as "puffing", e.g. "Best Burger In Town!!" The subjective, over-the-top claim is simply a marketing gimmick that no one takes seriously. Except for the Icon devotees on this board. As I’ve stated elsewhere, the numerous Icon threads here accompanied by countless shilling posts is quite odd.
For the record, as an Icon “devotee”, I have never believed Harbor Freight’s claim nor I do think these tools are comparable to Snap On. Personally, I’ve never made such a claim myself. I never fell for their marketing tactic either. I see Icon as a quality, readily available brand that’s filling in a void that Sears left behind many years ago. That’s how I view this line. Finally, I can go into a brick and mortar store and buy good quality tools at a reasonable price. I don’t view modern day Craftsman, Husky and Kobalt as good quality, so I don’t want to hear it. Harbor Freight can compare to whatever brand they want, doesn’t matter to me. I think it’s hilarious and smart on their part. You guys get all upset at their marketing tactic and think those of us who are buying the tools are dumb and ignorant. Well, whatever. I think some of you are ignorant for paying those ridiculous tool truck prices. To each his own. I can almost bet these Icon tools wouldn’t stand up to daily abuse like Snap On would. I don’t need Snap On. I don’t want Snap On. I’m a DIY’er who works in pharmaceuticals. I’m not a mechanic. Not everyone on here is a pro. I’d have been happy if these goddamn sockets were direct copies of Craftsman USA sockets. To me, I’d probably enjoy that a lot better. As a matter of fact, I’d love to see some Icon raised panel wrenches. Bring it! I’ll open my wallet.
Sanny81
Well-known member
I’ve been out of the loop on this new Icon line and I’m here thumbing through the new HF catalog and I see a little insert for their Icon toolboxes. I’m intrigued by the 36” base cabinet so I went on the website for a price....$2700?!?!?! What are they smoking?!
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
ICOM makes a damned fine ham radio - I have a couple in my shack.
Not to be confused with ICON, short for: Incredibly Cheap Oriental Nutdrivers...
Not to be confused with ICON, short for: Incredibly Cheap Oriental Nutdrivers...
ICON, short for: Incredibly Cheap Oriental Nutdrivers...
lol i like that
kythri
Well-known member
Given the early Dual 80 recalls and issues, it seems they're adhering to the playbook rather well.
The problem isn't the puffery (not puffing, dammit), the problem is people that wouldn't touch the brand with a 10 foot pole or every deign to enter an HF store getting their ******* in a twist, and shitting all over posts where people are interested in it.
This tempest in a teapot would be over if those people would just shove off.
BrandoJames
Well-known member
You might read my previous post again. I’m an HF customer and own their tool cabinet, floor jack, plier set, etc. And as anyone who’s taken Business Law 101 knows, the correct legal term is “puffing”, see definition below:
"Puffing is generally an expression or exaggeration made by a salesperson or found in an advertisement that concerns the quality of goods offered for sale. It presents opinions rather than facts and is usually not considered a legally binding promise."
https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Puffing
kctyphoon
Banned
Hf is not a manufacturer. If final production runs find a flaw in the design when people start using them - that's not exclusive to hf. Unless u wanna start bashing car manufacturers and every company that's ever had a recall. The desire to actually fix the problem and ISSUE a recall in the first place is probably not something they HAD to do.
I didn't see anyone crucifying SO when everyone finally found out u were paying 3 times the price for a hf quality jack.
I didn't see anyone crucifying SO when everyone finally found out u were paying 3 times the price for a hf quality jack.
Especially when you can get a equivalent Proto for $1,700 from Zoro. Same gage metal, etc.
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BrandoJames
Well-known member
I didn’t claim HF was a manufacturer. But like any retailer, their reputation is tied to the products they promote and sell.
In regard to the SO vs HF lawsuit: Snap-on paid the price in lost sales, legal fees, and bad publicity. Many people bought the HF Daytona jack instead of the Snap-on jack. In that case, the HF comparison to Snap-on wasn’t mere puffing—the jacks were made at the same factory. HF was basically selling the same jack (with a few cosmetic differences) for a much lower price.
.
I think the Icon are pretty expensive. I’d rather get used Snap-on, Mac, Proto, SK, or Wright for the prices HF is asking on Icon products.
Guys that wrench for a living have the trucks come which provide a service. In an industrial setting, at least where I work, they order everything. HF to me was geared more toward the DIYer and these prices might be putting HF beyond their niche.
Guys that wrench for a living have the trucks come which provide a service. In an industrial setting, at least where I work, they order everything. HF to me was geared more toward the DIYer and these prices might be putting HF beyond their niche.
I'd expect the Proto to be a good bit better, the Icon boxes I saw were not impressive at all.