Is Icon by harbor freight really a good tool brand?

[Trav]

I am no tool snob either but I get exactly what you are saying. Who can forget going into a HF store and being overwhelmed by the stench of cheap plastic and Chinese rubber, crappy tools, orange power tools that where one job away from letting the smoke out, didn't run true and used oddball size things like grinding wheels that only HF carried but never had in stock along with made in India wrenches that broke in half the first time any torque was put on them.

They were a joke store, things change and so have their stores and many of their tools. I only have a few things like the plastic ratchets that have been great, Icon pliers and flex wrenches and a few odds and ends not because I am afraid of them its just I don't need new tools very often. Just yesterday after a year or so of looking and at all the brands I bought a Hercules 3/8 long 12v ratchet, it seems very well made and decent quality.
Many people will not buy it because it is made in China but they will buy a Chinese owned and Vietnam made TTI for 2x the price with a Milwaukee name on it, ditto Dewalt and others.
The Icon stuff is mostly Taiwan made and seeing as the big steel mills were built by Krupp and Nippon steel and other big names it is no surprise the tool steel is as good or better as most other big names.

 

[AutoMechanic]

It seems Icon has came a long way since this was originally posted in 2020. I’ve had good luck with a few of their things. I plan on possibly picking up their semi deep sockets this week sometime and maybe a couple other things. For some things like their wrenches I’m sure there is a lot better difference in the Icon and Pittsburgh. I recently ran into a situation where I had pulled out a set of Pittsburgh wrenches that I had just because they were convenient to travel due to the handle on the rack. Get to where I am going to fix something and the 1/2 isn’t right on the open end. Had to go get another 1/2 because I didn’t want to drive 20 miles home. I’m sure Icon doesn’t have that problem. Also it appears they don’t have the issues with the chrome they used too either.

 

[Opelman]

I picked up some Hazzard Fraught stuff to stock a small cart at my part time job in a mower shop. I was tired of dragging stuff back and forth from home. The 1/4 drive socket set was a deal at $100 but the ratchet sucked to use. It went gimpy quickly and was warrantied out without issue. Craftsman ratchet used as a replacement before I got to the store was a poor performer too. I grabbed a Ko-Ken ratchet to use and so far so good. Used the home box Cornwell ratchet today, rather pleasurable. Overall the SO have been the best.

 

[facility1]

somewhere over in Taiwan there probably is large tool factory or more that manufactures hand tools for Milwaukee, Craftsman,Dewalt,Icon etc to a particularly high standard according to the tool (name brand) specifications, seemingly quality good hand tools come from there and are price reflective.

 

[TomYoung]

Harbor Freight is known for the highest quality tools on Earth.

In the universe.

 

[cptbarkey]

Astro Pulley Puller. Need to swap a power steering pulley for my Dodge truck.
Astro Carbide scraper. Woot sale for a few dollars off, cant wait to try it on a gasket job.
Several Milwaukee packouts (not pictured), swapping from Dewalt Tstaks. The Tstaks are still very useful but the extra space has already made my weekly ranch commute much easier w/ tools.

 

[wavinwayne]

I really want to try their Icon ratchets. I need a long 1/2" ratchet, so next time I'm in HF, I'm picking one up.

 

[Lenny5160]

I really want to try their Icon ratchets. I need a long 1/2" ratchet, so next time I'm in HF, I'm picking one up.

All Icon ratchets will be 40% off next week. Starts Monday for Inside Track Club members; Friday for the unwashed masses.

 

[cb_13]

My experience so far is that they’re OK. Not great, not terrible.

I inherited quite a few Icon tools with my new job and after a little over a month here’s the things I’ve experienced.

The 18” flex head 1/2 dr ratchet, great. I recommend this one, I’d buy another for my personal tools if the need ever arises.

3/8 swivel head ratchet. Do not recommend. Under too much torque the one I have will reverse direction causing busted knuckles and cursing. Also the comfort grip extends farther than the shaft of the ratchet, just an fyi. I found out by bending that part when trying to get every inch of leverage I could out of the tool.

Ratchet wrenches, the back drag is pretty terrible BUT the mechanism is strong. I’ve used these for things I know would have stripped the mechanism in my personal Gearwrench sets. They’re just not really for precision work.

Anti slip combination wrenches, they work well. I’ve had a few spots where I’ve been forced to use open end wrenches due to space constraints and they got the job done. I did have one issue where the wrench flexed so much I couldn’t break a bolt loose in the space I had, that was using the box end. I’m not gonna confuse these with Snap On any time soon but they get the job done 90% of the time for about 1/5 the cost.

Sockets and torx bits, another recommend. I’ve been quite impressed with these. I’ve given them a beating and none have broke or rounded off a fastener that started off in good shape. Quite a bit of chrome peeling from the sockets but if you’re buying for aesthetics or to impress your friends maybe Harbor Freight is not the store for you??

 

[cptbarkey]

All Icon ratchets will be 40% off next week. Starts Monday for Inside Track Club members; Friday for the unwashed masses.

This weekend is a 20% off under $20, or 30% off ITC. I picked up the Icon slip joint pliers for a whopping $12.59.

 

[wavinwayne]

All Icon ratchets will be 40% off next week. Starts Monday for Inside Track Club members; Friday for the unwashed masses.

I'm going to buy the "gold" ratchet if they have it in stock, because why not. I'll post a pic if I score.

 

[dlundblad]

I'm going to buy the "gold" ratchet if they have it in stock, because why not. I'll post a pic if I score.

I’ve seen many posts of the gold rubbing off and thus staining people’s hands.

 

[Trav]

I’ve seen many posts of the gold rubbing off and thus staining people’s hands.

I cant see any point in that tool.

 

[wavinwayne]

I cant see any point in that tool.

I want it because I want it.

 

[cptbarkey]

I picked up the Icon 1/2, 3/8 long flex head comfort grips, 1/4 flex head comfort grip, 1/4 stubby, and the Anti Slip wrenches in the parking lot sale today. All are excellent quality. If I compare the ratchets to my Gearwrench 120xp flex heads, the icon have smaller heads but a bit thicker. The wrenches are comparable to my older Tekton extended length wrench set. I plan on divvying each across my travel set and garage sets.

 

[The_Eric]

My experience so far is that they’re OK. Not great, not terrible.

I inherited quite a few Icon tools with my new job and after a little over a month here’s the things I’ve experienced.

The 18” flex head 1/2 dr ratchet, great. I recommend this one, I’d buy another for my personal tools if the need ever arises.

3/8 swivel head ratchet. Do not recommend. Under too much torque the one I have will reverse direction causing busted knuckles and cursing. Also the comfort grip extends farther than the shaft of the ratchet, just an fyi. I found out by bending that part when trying to get every inch of leverage I could out of the tool.

Ratchet wrenches, the back drag is pretty terrible BUT the mechanism is strong. I’ve used these for things I know would have stripped the mechanism in my personal Gearwrench sets. They’re just not really for precision work.

Anti slip combination wrenches, they work well. I’ve had a few spots where I’ve been forced to use open end wrenches due to space constraints and they got the job done. I did have one issue where the wrench flexed so much I couldn’t break a bolt loose in the space I had, that was using the box end. I’m not gonna confuse these with Snap On any time soon but they get the job done 90% of the time for about 1/5 the cost.

Sockets and torx bits, another recommend. I’ve been quite impressed with these. I’ve given them a beating and none have broke or rounded off a fastener that started off in good shape. Quite a bit of chrome peeling from the sockets but if you’re buying for aesthetics or to impress your friends maybe Harbor Freight is not the store for you??

Your comment about ratchet drag and function makes me think that a little bit of oil may help out if you haven't already. I've used/owned quite a few where the ratcheting mechanism was basically dry and some oil much improved matters.

 

[cb_13]

Your comment about ratchet drag and function makes me think that a little bit of oil may help out if you haven't already. I've used/owned quite a few where the ratcheting mechanism was basically dry and some oil much improved matters.

On box end ratchet wrenches? Did you just dunk them in some oil?

 

[The_Eric]

On box end ratchet wrenches? Did you just dunk them in some oil?

Dunking it would work fine too. I usually put a few drops of whatever is handy (engine oil, ATF, 3 In 1) on the seam between the ratchet body and the movable box, then rotate it to work it down in. Or sometimes if I have the forethought, I'll lay them out and drop oil on them, then let them sit so the oil can creep down inside.

 

[cb_13]

I will give it a try. Thanks.

 

[Hootbro]

Dunking it would work fine too. I usually put a few drops of whatever is handy (engine oil, ATF, 3 In 1) on the seam between the ratchet body and the movable box, then rotate it to work it down in. Or sometimes if I have the forethought, I'll lay them out and drop oil on them, then let them sit so the oil can creep down inside.

I do the exact same thing. Just use a few drops of CLP gun lube and just let it soak in.