Icon vs Icon vs Snap On surprising results

Icon ratchet wrenches vs. Snap On ratchet wrenches very surprising results at the end. We test to see where harbor freight exceeded expectation and where Snap on fell short.

[KodiaKSE]

I work as a industrial millwright (where the money is at) 20 years experience swinging wrenches. Big wrenches. While Harbor Freight tools are not Snap on tools, They do a fine job. I used to be a snap on guy when I wrenched on cars. But when I moved to industrial work, I started carrying cheap tools with me because my toolbox wasn’t next to me all the time and a lot of times other hands were using my tools or I was carrying things to other locations. That being said, I slowly started bringing my snap on tools home to use in my garage and Harbor freight tools started populating my professional bag/box, mainly because if something got lost, I wouldn’t give a shit. I have not been on a snap on truck in over 5 years now. Great tools. But honestly way too overpriced for what you get. I’m sure I’ll get flak for this but whatever. I picked up a icon set not long ago and they do just what I need. For me a open end on a wrench of for rapid on off twisting of a already lose fastener that’s still more than finger tight. Otherwise there’s better tools for the job, like a closed end wrench or 6 point socket. This test is great and shows the difference, but if I saw someone do that in the field with a open end, I would call them a butcher as it destroys the fastener. Being a mechanic isn’t how expensive your box is, or the name on a wrench, it’s knowing how to use a tool properly and knowing the right tool for a job. Great review though. Nice job guys.

[chadnoel]

Gotta be honest as someone who had all snap on & cornwell wrenches my whole wrench drawer is becoming Icon. Got that set, the stubbies, the double flex offset wrenches also picked up a mid length set to keep in my roll cart. And some anti slips. In total I have about 50 icon wrenches, all different styles. So far only two have broken, mind it was either from me striking it with a hammer or lowering the car on it to break a bolt free, and they were swapped out no questions asked. May be my experience but I got tired of breaking a tool truck wrench and waiting weeks for a replacement/repair. Maybe my tool guys just suck idk? But I highly recommend the icons and I abuse them on a daily basis

[jeffmockus]

When I win the lottery, a snap on truck will show up in my driveway. Until then, Icon will do just fine. Great video. Thanks for your time in making it.

[starter_hart]

The reason they sell the non flank drive wrenches is to tighten chrome or anodized fasteners like AN fuel lines and not leave marks in them from the extra bite they give.

[beilno]

There is reason to have the non flank drive version, as they do damage the fastener at times even on the snap-on ones. Now for most people this is not an issue. As I build classic cars where visuals can and do matter, the un-cut version defiantly has its place.

[petermccuskey]

Owning over $50 K of Snap On tools I stopped buying Snap On because of warranty and have switched to Icon. I have over $40 K in Snap On boxes and have switched over to the Icon Boxes. They are all made in the same factory. Wake up and smell the coffee.

[Npc]

I was in a bind and needed another open-ended wrench IMMEDIATELY, so I went to the store and got a set of Crescent black wrenches. They have the same ends on them as the Snap On. I use them with a wrench extension bar and they fit into the slot perfectly. They're my new favorite open-ended wrenches. Try them out. Pleasantly surprised.

[johnlepkowski]

The true test of a tools value is how well it holds up over the years. There are a lot of good tools out there pick what works for your needs and budget. Many of my snap on tools are sitting in a us general cart. Nice cart from harbor freight and an amazing value

[davidreynolds]

Only broke 2 icon ratcheting wrenches. Broke the 18 mm because I was impacting on the other end of the bolt (to be fair they were my only wrenches at the time) and on the 14 mm the switch broke off because it got stuck behind a flex plate on a locked up engine trying to get the torque converter off. 3 years deep with my set and nothing but praise from me.

[toddthomas]

They make the non-Flank Drive wrench because in some applications people don’t want their fasteners all chewed up and they don’t abuse the shit out of the wrenches and have to strip the bolt out

[ProductReviewsyou]

Wait until next years. Harber freight will perfect their little mistake.

[everfresh]

I have the icon anti slip wrenches... 1 I would never use a open end wrench to tighten a fastener to that extreme 2 I think the icon anti slip is designed for fastener removal.

[thebackwoodsmechanic]

Snap On is always the best quality but is it worth the price. Some people will notice that with Icon you stood straight on the fastener while with Snap On you turned sideways to apply further leverage & force which makes a difference as well
Most tools will do 95% of a tradesmans needs if used properly. But if you turn wrenches daily in tge automotive field, you definitely need tge better quality tools . They do grip better & last for tge long haul

[chrise]

You mis tested the icon with the wrench facing the wrong direction at 11:30 when you said it's not going to tighten the rounded edge, then you used the snap on in the correct direction. I'm not sure how much of a difference it made, but that needs to be pointed out.

[andrewschmitt]

The icon are a great value to new techs. As a new tech I bought the basics to get started for value (think Tekton, icon, husky, gear wrench, etc.). Overall they will work for basic stuff. For more rounded fasteners and day to day use...I vote Snap on. The quality is superior, especially in the metal vitality. For starting our however, Icon are good.
For standard wrenches, the next sets I'll buy will be Wright tools. Their anti-slip seems the best imo.
Anyway, Icon took a good jab at Snap on for price vs quality. But not many things beat Snap on overall

[peterkolovos]

Sorry, but I'd NEVER pay Snap-On prices for tools. To me, they were just a status symbol for mechanics. With all the tools offered today with lifetime warranties, there is NO reason to make that company rich off of your sweat and labor.

[boosted._sky]

6:25... That particular set doesn't have the flank drive but icon wrenches do come with a version of flank Drive. It just so happens. Those ones do not. But you can get it.
This is apples to oranges not Apples to Apples.

[toolsonabudget]

the flank drive damages the bolts i fix older vintage vehicles and clients notice so i use regular wrenches to not damage there nuts

[ColdWarVet]

120$ with a coupon! They are 180$ now, 6/2021. HF jacking up the prices on Icon.

[mikey]

Old school mechanic here, toward the end of your video, when your comparing the Anti slip Icon ratchet wrench with the Icon non anti slip. Overall in reality its not a scam. The difference is that the non anti slip is so that you don't dent or scratch up a shinny nut on a chrome part when unfastening or losening like something on a motorcycle, some customers are quite picky on custom thing especially if the part is chrome. And the anti slip, well thats for like tuff rusty bolts or nuts that are to lossen. That are like underneath are vehicle or engine bay.