HF Icon vs. Pittsburgh line

[homedad]

I'm needing sets of T-handle hex key wrenches both metric and SAE. Since I apparently haven't needed any in 60 years I probably don't need to over pay. I plan to just go to Harbor Freight but don't really know what the difference is between Icon and Pittsburgh are. I know from experience that the enormous tools I have for tractors and large earth moving equipment don't break but that the smaller tools show their metal quality faster. Does anyone have an opinion. I had a friend who believed that all Chinese tools were made from case hardened cheese.

 

[DarkBlack]

Why do you limit yourself to China freight stores?
You can get US made Eklind sets right off Amazon for like $20

 

[jyoutz]

The Icon is supposed to be top quality equivalent to the box truck brands and the Pittsburgh is basic tools. That said, I have bought the Pittsburgh line and not had any problems with them. And they are lifetime replacement warranty, so if they break they will give you a new replacement.

 

[homedad]

Why do you limit yourself to China freight stores?
You can get US made Eklind sets right off Amazon for like $20

I never even heard of that brand. I'll look into it. Thanks

 

[homedad]

The Icon is supposed to be top quality equivalent to the box truck brands and the Pittsburgh is basic tools. That said, I have bought the Pittsburgh line and not had any problems with them. And they are lifetime replacement warranty, so if they break they will give you a new replacement.

Thanks. Is the Icon also Lifetime warrantied?

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks. Is the Icon also Lifetime warrantied?

IDK. They are costly so I don’t own any.

 

[JeepHead]

Thanks. Is the Icon also Lifetime warrantied?

Yes, the Ikon is lifetime warrantied and is really good stuff. I have several Ikon tools and really like them. This was my haul from last week's Ikon 35% off sale.

 

[California]

Seems to me Pittsburgh is for occasional non-critical use, while Icon is for the guy earning a living wrenching stuff where time is money.

 

[jyoutz]

Seems to me Pittsburgh is for occasional non-critical use, while Icon is for the guy earning a living wrenching stuff where time is money.

Although I have the Pittsburgh 1/2” impact sockets and I think even a daily user would have difficulty breaking them.

 

[mjonesnh]

Although I have the Pittsburgh 1/2” impact sockets and I think even a daily user would have difficulty breaking them.

Also have the Pittsburgh impact sockets. Haven't broken one yet. Seems to be about the best bang for the buck going. Using them with an adapter to 3/4 Makita 18v impact.

 

[California]

Yeah those black impact sockets were the exception, near indestructible. I've never read of anyone breaking one.

 

[Topzide]

I've compared the Icon to a Blue Point set off the Snap-on truck. My buddy couldn't tell the difference between the sets, other than the $! Comes down to convince, truck comes to your place of work, and you pay the premium! HF store might not be close by, but you can go there 7 days a week. I've got both the Pittsburgh and some Icon tools. It just depends on the task needed to be done with the tool. There are very few tools being made here on US soil anymore! Hopefully, that'll change up!

 

[Dftodd]

The Icon is supposed to be top quality equivalent to the box truck brands and the Pittsburgh is basic tools. That said, I have bought the Pittsburgh line and not had any problems with them. And they are lifetime replacement warranty, so if they break they will give you a new replacement.

I have the icon pliers set from harbor freight for my service truck.

I carried them onto the Snapon truck one day and compared them side by side with the snap on driver.

Other than the handle color, you couldn't tell the difference.

 

[newbury]

HF store might not be close by

That had been a deal breaker for me for decades. The closest HF to me, in either Mississippi or Northern Va. was about an hour away, thus requiring about 2 hours plus browse time. A LOT of deals I passed up. I might have visited each maybe twice a year.
Recently one opened up about 3 miles away. I've been there 4 times in 2 months.

 

[ConawayFarms]

I’ve had good luck with the Harbor Freight tools and I tend to lean towards Icon—they seem a bit sturdier for the smaller stuff like hex keys. But both lines are pretty budget-friendly, so checking some recent reviews might help you decide.

 

[Tinhack]

Recently one opened up about 3 miles away. I've been there 4 times in 2 months.

That's what I hear for my little town of Lytle. Supposed to be one moving into an open building in town but nothing yet. Maybe it's too big. It was a grocery store until they built a new super store next to it. Anyway, my nearest HF is about 15 miles up in the big city. I don't get there often and even have their credit card and inside track membership.

 

[5030]

I have a set of Pittsburg T handled hex keys and torx drivers as well and I haven't broken them yet. I'm a HF junkie as well, ITC member and credit card as well.

 

[JeepHead]

I put up a fence recently and needed a post hole digger and didn't want a 3 point one. Went to HF 3 weeks ago and bought the one they had there as my nephew has one and it's been a good tool. I also bought the 1 year no questions asked warranty. Last week it went on sale so I went in and talked to the manager and she took $60 off (sale price) and gave me the 2 year warranty for an extra $5. So basically if ANYTHING happens to this PHD in the next two years, I just walk in and they give me a new one on the spot. I am in that store about 3-4 times a week so they all know me by name which is good. I get the deals sometimes before they even hit the store floor.

 

[5030]

I always purchase the extended warranty on HF stuff that is mechanically or electronically complex. The no hassle return policy works as advertised, I know, I've used it more than once in the past.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Seems to me Pittsburgh is for occasional non-critical use, while Icon is for the guy earning a living wrenching stuff where time is money.

That seems to be the commentary I'm hearing and seeing among those who use tools for either day-to-day professional or hobbyists. The Icon has had some very favorable reviews from some pretty heavy-hitters in the automotive field.