HF Icon vs. Pittsburgh line

[Willman]

I remember when HF was only mail order, before they had their different brands, some stuff was ok, some was pure junk, but was cheap

 

[Fields_mj]

In previous carriers, I worked on a lot of equipment, and most of it required the use of hex keys (ie allen wrenches). I tried a handful of brands and quickly decided that Bohondus had the best product. I was using ball end wrenches which are more prone to get rounded off, but they are a LOT more convenient to use. If you're using a square end instead of a ball end, most brands will work fine. Keep an eye on the end of the wrench. If it starts to show signs of wear, sand/grind a little bit of the end off to remove the worn portion.

 

[homey53]

I remember when HF was only mail order, before they had their different brands, some stuff was ok, some was pure junk, but was cheap

I could never figure out why Harbor Freight continues to drag themselves down with their "Junk Lines" of tools. They have some decent lines of tools, and not being a professional, I buy those often, but some of their stuff I can't understand why they even produce it? Like Willman said, "pure junk". Incidentally, does anyone use HF's "Quinn" line of tools? Where do those fit in to their ranking?

 

[JeepHead]

I could never figure out why Harbor Freight continues to drag themselves down with their "Junk Lines" of tools. They have some decent lines of tools, and not being a professional, I buy those often, but some of their stuff I can't understand why they even produce it? Like Willman said, "pure junk". Incidentally, does anyone use HF's "Quinn" line of tools? Where do those fit in to their ranking?

Quinn is just okay, nothing to write home about. The Ikon series is the high end stuff at HF. You see a lot of pros moving to the Ikon brand and the warranty is unbeatable.

 

[John_Mc]

The similarity between clone tools and high-end name brands is intentional. The clone makers set out to match the appearance as closely as possible, to convince you that they are just as good. In some cases, it actually is as good, or very nearly so. In others, it is just window dressing to get you to by.

In my experience, the Icon tools generally rank right up there in quality with the name brands - or at least close enough that I'll never know the difference. I've found other cases where the clones are just junk. (Northern Tool was famous for the latter. It may still be true, I haven't really followed their stuff as much lately. They or their suppliers would even go so far as copying the text from the name-brand tool's advertisement and using it in their own and designing a name and logo that was very similar. However, the tools were cheap junk.)

And the "made in the same factory..." rumors you her from time to time are really no clue. Sometimes it is just a matter of changing the name and/or the color. Other times its a cheapened design made from lower quality components. The same factory can make junk to meet one company's specs and nice stuff to meet another spec. If the junk company's spec is for a certain look, the factory can do that as well.

 

[5030]

I remember when HF was only mail order, before they had their different brands, some stuff was ok, some was pure junk, but was cheap

Reminds me of Northern. Used to be all chainsaw related and then diversified themselves into everything and opened storefronts and of course still sold a lot of junk stuff along with good stuff. Unlike HF, their after the sale warranties suck, big time.

 

[5030]

I will say I have both a Metric and SAE set of Pittsburgh ratcheting open end wrenches and they work and hold up just fine when used as intended. The only downside is none of them are marked on the ratcheting end with a 'L' or a 'R' so I marked them myself as it was a crapshoot using the correct rotation. The ratcheting box end is a time saver for me.

 

[Bentrim]

For all my working life I purchased tools of the truck. Snap on, Mac, Matco. Started with a set of Craftsman. When Snap on was advertising their flank drive I really agitated the tooolman when I told him the flank quit driving. Had no issue with him warranting that socket. As expected had no issue with the truck tools even when I purchased their cheaper line Blue Point etc.
There was no Horible Freight close so that is why I stuck to the truck guys or Craftsman,
Since I have retired Horible Freight has opened a store just 2 miles from my house, after a True Value hardware store closed. Personally I would rather have the True Valve. My be someday I'll get a need to visit the new store.
Just saw a article where Snap on sued Harbor Freight over their floor jack. From what I read Snap on lost.

 

[John_Mc]

I will say I have both a Metric and SAE set of Pittsburgh ratcheting open end wrenches and they work and hold up just fine when used as intended. The only downside is none of them are marked on the ratcheting end with a 'L' or a 'R' so I marked them myself as it was a crapshoot using the correct rotation. The ratcheting box end is a time saver for me.

Marking them "L" and "R" is a good idea. Most of mine have an arrow engraved, but it's so fine an engraving that I don't have a prayer of seeing which way it points without my reading glasses on. I just end up giving them a spin every time I pick them up.

 

[charlessenf]

I've got the cheapest set HF offered ten-12 years ago and have yet to break one. HFT really doesn't stand behind their stuff like Lowes or Home Depot. But, for regular home shop stuff, the quality is sufficient (has been) for me - one notable exception are their cheaper batteries!
BTW - I have two different T-Handle Allen Wrench sets for HFT The newer one has (possibly) never been out of its box.