ICON Tools

[OR VietVet]

I have drawers full of SK, Snap On, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, Cornwell, Proto and Thorsen tools. And yes, even some HF Pittsburgh tools and some Gear Wrench tools and OEM Tools and Lisle and Husky and other brands.

I have been hearing some positive reviews about ICON tools and some people even say they like the ICON tools ratchets because they have a lighter back drag on them. The ICON tools are made in China.

Does anyone have any of these ICON tools and can you give me honest reviews about them?

 

[wjburken]

I have drawers full of SK, Snap On, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, Cornwell, Proto and Thorsen tools. And yes, even some HF Pittsburgh tools and some Gear Wrench tools and OEM Tools and Lisle and Husky and other brands.

I have been hearing some positive reviews about ICON tools and some people even say they like the ICON tools ratchets because they have a lighter back drag on them. The ICON tools are made in China.

Does anyone have any of these ICON tools and can you give me honest reviews about them?

I have a 1/2” flex head ICON ratchet. It’s worked well for me. Can’t say that it has any more or less drag but I’ve never had high end ratchets. Mainly Proto or Craftsman. I have put the binders to it and it’s held up.

 

[OR VietVet]

The whole reason I posted this question was because I saw an ad at CL about a 12" and an 18" ICON 1/2" drive flex head ratchets for $50 for the pair. At HF the 18" one is $67 and the 12" ratchet is $49. I offered $40 for the pair and he accepted. I figured it was worth $40 to check the pair out. Short drive over and as advertised, they looked just like new and worked nicely with very little back drag on either of them. I got some suspension work coming up and I am gonna see if they can handle abuse.

 

[wjburken]

The whole reason I posted this question was because I saw an ad at CL about a 12" and an 18" ICON 1/2" drive flex head ratchets for $50 for the pair. At HF the 18" one is $67 and the 12" ratchet is $49. I offered $40 for the pair and he accepted. I figured it was worth $40 to check the pair out. Short drive over and as advertised, they looked just like new and worked nicely with very little back drag on either of them. I got some suspension work coming up and I am gonna see if they can handle abuse.

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Not a bad deal. I have the 12” and have been happy with it.

 

[OR VietVet]

Not a bad deal. I have the 12” and have been happy with it.

I have very nice, like new, Mac ratchets that are flex head and the same length. I figured for $40, let me beat them up and see what happens.

 

[B-train]

I can attest that the ICON line is pretty decent. It's made by snap-on (confirmed with HF associate). I bought all new sockets, ratchets, extensions, wrenches, and some pliers to outfit my new work truck. I refuse to pay premium prices for something that will get beat up on a jobsite and in the weather.

I have been impressed with the quality thus far. Look closely at the writing on the tools and you will see it matches snap-on. I've compared with snap-on tools and they are almost identical. I will say that I think they may be made a little lighter duty in some cases comparatively, but still better than a cheap brand.

So far so good, and $1500 got me all the tools that would have cost over 4k from real snap-on.

 

[gooffeyguy]

Most Harbor Freight associates are about as knowledgeable as an AutoZone associate (we all know how that is)

Snap-on is made in USA

Here's a good article comparing ICON with Snap-on. They seem like a decent, cheaper alternative to Snap-on

Icon Tools: Comparable to Snap-On or Better? - Auto Repair And Tool Experts

Icon tools are marketed as professional grade but does an Icon wrench versus Snap-On argument have any merit? Or are they junk?

www.autotoolexperts.com