Harbor Freight has launched 2 new online-exclusive ICON tool sets, a 251pc Technician’s tool set, and a 382pc Core Master tool set.
Both sets are essentially bundles of existing Icon tools.
The Technician tool set, shown above, is $800 online, and the Master Core tool set, shown below, is $1300 online.
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The Core Master tool set comes with 54 tools and sets, and the Technician Tool set comes with 32 tools and sets.
For the $1300 382pc set, you “save over $1,000 compared to buying tools separately,” and for the $800 251pc set, you “save $420 compared to buying tools separately.” These types of claims tend to be very misleading.
For example, Husky, Kobalt, and other brands have been using inflated “value if purchased separately” claims, even though no one is building a mechanics tool set by paying open stock and replacement part prices.
Let’s analyze the 251pc Technicians tool set, which is apparently also labeled (mislabeled?) as an apprentice starter kit.
Harbor Freight claims that this $799.99 set saves you $420 compared to the $1,222.68 it would cost to buy the same tools separately. They also say you save thousands of dollars compared to Snap-on.
The Icon 251pc set comes with:
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- 2 ratchets
- 33pc bit driver set
- 42 screwdrivers and hex keys
- 104 sockets
- 17 extensions and adapters
- 4 pliers
- 28 wrenches
- 11 striking tools
- 10 misc. tools
On the product pages, when you click on the “see how this BEATS the competition” link, it takes you to a Snap-on pricing comparison, but also list of all of the SKUs contained in the kit bundles.
In the case of the 251pc set, that’s 32 individual tools and sets. I added all the prices together, and it came out to be $1215.68.
There’s a slight difference between the $1215.68 I calculated and the $1,222.68 Harbor Freight is claiming. This is because the 4pc scraper and removal tools set is a “new lower price” – $25 instead of $30, and the safety glasses are on sale for $8, from $10. That accounts for the $7 difference.
$799.99 compared to $1215.68 reflects savings of $415.69, or around 34.2% compared to buying all of the 32 tools and kits separately to build the 251pc tool set.
Their “save over $420” claim is not perfectly accurate, but it’s very close. AND, most importantly, you do save over 34% compared to buying everything separately.
Let’s check the accuracy of Harbor Freight’s claim about how you “save over $1000” on their 382pc master set.
At the time of this posting, the price for all of the 54 tools and kits comes out to $2310.46, compared to $2317.46 that Harbor Freight is claiming. Again, the difference is due to a $5 price drop on the scraper and removal tools et, and $2 discount on the safety glasses.
$1299.99 compared to the sum of $2310.46 comes out to a difference of $1,010.47, which is a discount of around 43.7% compared to buying the 54 tool and sets separately, containing 382 total tools and accessories.
For the 251pc Technicians tool set, Harbor Freight says:
This set provides the tools needed for an early career or student technician as well as a perfect second tool set to have away from the shop or for use as a mobile technician.
And for the 372pc Master Core tool set, they say:
This set provides the tools needed for experienced technicians as well as setting up new bays in the shop. These tools are built to meet the rigorous standards you’ve come to expect from ICON, bundled together for unbeatable value.
These do look to be unbeatable values – if you want everything the bundles come with – as the effective discounts of just over 34% for the Technicians tool set and nearly 44% for the Master Core tool set are considerably better than what you can get even with an abundance of 25% coupons.
Each set is advertised as having a limit of 1 per customer.
A lot of brands have been coming out with larger tool sets and assortments.
These sets makes a lot of sense, not only because it provides a convenient one-stop shop for students, new techs, and others who need tools but might not be sure how to build up their first kit, but because all of the inclusions are existing Icon SKUs.
Basically, Harbor Freight put together a couple of bundles and baked in large discounts to make them more convincing. I think the next step for Harbor Freight would be to come out with tool and roller cabinet or cart storage integrations.
The limit of 1 per customer is smart, presumably to limit resellers or businesses from exploiting the hefty built-in discount. In a similar sense, they’re likely going to have to exclude both sets from coupon eligibility.
It should be repeated that I found Harbor Freight’s claims of how much you save, compared to buying the tools separately, to be honest. They were slightly off in a way that could be explained and deemed fair.
Ignoring their “compare to Snap-on” marketing, we’re in a world where Harbor Freight’s Icon tool valuation and savings claims are more accurate and honest than the claims being made by Home Depot and Lowe’s about Husky and Kobalt, respectively.
Jim Felt
Stuart. On behalf of all of us in your online community I’m so pleased you’ve dissected the true dollar value proposition vs. the marketing hype values traditionally listed.
I’ve personally not bought any such tool conglomeration in my life (and except for the occasional relative’s or colleague’s gift).
So thanks for your efforts!
Jerry
I agree.
To the tool bundles, the problem with them, is that unless you are a newbie going to college or something, when you get a big bundle like this you probably already have a bunch of them
Stuart
Brands are increasingly targeting students who are exiting trade schools and training programs and entering the workforce. Often, they’re starting off with nothing.
fred
In our businesses – my partners and I were outliers in that we bought and maintained all the tools needed to get the work done. That philosophy probably started with a family union-shop plumbing business that had origins in the early 20th century. But it served us well in attracting and retaining talented employees – some of whom spent their entire working lives with us. Most of these folks also accumulated their own tool collections – and may have used some personal favorites (e.g. a Martinez hammer) on our jobs – but they were not burdened with that need.
Jim Felt
Fred. We did exactly the same thing with our multi time zone commercial photography studios. Though some photographers still bought their own gear because of personal preference. The odd Leica and such. ;-)~
Stuart
Thanks!
I really didn’t want to, and then didn’t really want to do the same for the larger kit, but it felt like a “someone really needs to” type of value-check.
I didn’t mind the work, it’s the “are you a human, we’ve noticed strange activity” prompts after opening dozens of links to check the live prices that make it extra tedious.
I was actually pleasantly surprised. Harbor Freight being a rare example of honest advertising – who woulda thought?!
Peter
True that.
Dan
Dear all tool companies . Stop selling kits with SAE sizes ! Nobody needs or wants them!
Stuart
I use SAE all the time, more so than metric, although not for automotive work.
fred
Around the house there are still lots of SAE bolts/nuts/screws in use. A few minutes ago, I was tightening up nuts on 1/4-20 dowel screws that hold the legs on a kitchen table. For old cars, motorcycles etc. – you may also need SAE (or Whitworth for some of my vintage British iron) – but you are probably better off buying what you need rather than relying on some kit that may be missing a critical size. As a kid – I drooled over the gazillion piece tool sets advertised in Mechanix Illustrated. Mercifully I never bought one – otherwise I might still have 100 cheap cut-nothing hacksaw-blades and bad Allen wrenches – used to inflate the tool count. At least from the look of them – these Icon kits seem a bit better curated.
MM
Same, I use SAE at least as often as metric. It’s not necessary for modern vehicle repairs but it is absolutely found on modern vehicle accessories and aftermarket parts. A lot of made-in-USA equipment uses SAE hardware, like my Scag mower. Many around-the-house applications are fractional: the lag bolts on my gate hinges and deck, the bolts securing my mailbox to the post, hardware on outdoor lights, etc. Hardware for electrical work like all-thread, unistrut, etc, is fractional. If I’m working on some repair or DIY project I’m picking fractional hardware by default unless there’s some special reason to use metric simply because that’s what’s most common at any local shop. The same is true for work projects: I’m perfectly happy to work in metric units but I’m most familiar with the performance, availability, and price, of fractional hardware so that’s also my default unless the circumstances require otherwise.
S
There’s also the conversion as well. Plenty of times where an official 1/2″ nut works better with a 13mm wrench until the paint wears off, or an official 13mm that’s corroded or wearing down that a 1/2″ works better on.
My metric and sae sets have both earned equal spots in my tool box. For every day I could live without one, there’s another day where it’s all I need.
justin
i would really disagree from a professional end
Mason M
Yeah… as an HVAC mechanic who can, off the top of my head, name at least ten specific situations that use a different SAE size, I’m gonna say you’re wrong and I’d much prefer an SAE kit over metric. In fact, I think automotive is the only industry in the USA that uses primarily metric over anything else.
Hepdog
My 72 C10 disagrees with this statement
MAD_Tony
Metric cars and trucks with SAE brake fittings laughing in the background.
Gary
That’s not true..at all
Keith
If your a mechanic the only time you would ever use SAE is on some 1987 or older American pile of crap…. lol…..
Trip
Try working on airplanes and get back to us
Chad
I used SAE tools this year on a 2019 F150, installing aftermarket parts that were all SAE fasteners. All Ford, Chevy and Chrysler vehicles used SAE fasteners well into the 2000’s. My 06 Jeep is a mix of metric and SAE.
Matt
Ha ha ha, not so. Ive had cars and trucks that are mostly metric, but with a 3rd party supplied assembly (like a transfer case) that is SAE. Frustrating.
S
Dear all car companies, stop making SUV’s. No one wants them!
I think the metrics (ha!) disagree with either opinion here…
MattT
Dead all tool companies: Dan doesn’t speak for all of us!
MattT
“Dear”. Dang it.
Mopar4wd
Use SAE all the time cars as late as 20 years ago maybe even past that sometimes had SAE mixed in. Power equipment SAE is still common, Same with trailers. Industrial electrical equipment I work with seems to use lots of SAE. Considering auto makers started moving metric 40 years ago the amount of stuff that still uses SAE is astounding. Even in Aerospace SAE is pretty common.
Richard Clark
Believe me, SAE is still used by many in fields you may not be familiar with
Kevin
As an airplane mechanic (A&P mechanic) all I use is SAE, I don’t have metric tools at all in my work toolbox. On the other hand, I got your point, I have a second tool set just to work on my car…
Dave
I work on older machinery that has SAE and even some newer stuff that uses SAE, Haas in particular.. Most of the hold downs and fixtures that the machinists are using have SAE fasteners also. Pretty sure plumbers are still dealing with a lot of SAE as well as many other trades.
Josh
If they want to sell to aircraft mechanics coming out of school, they need to offer SAE wrench ONLY sets, as well as 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive 12 point SAE sockets only. Nothing over 3/8″ in sockets and odd sizes in wrenches like 11/32″ and 11/16″.
I’m an aircraft mechanic with mostly snap-on from when I started in 1992, but my set for the road has a good amount of Icon and I haven’t found icon to be inferior yet.
Brandon Chad Randall
This is so true what’s the point anymore sae is rarely needed
Andrew
Seems to me that harbor freight is really trying to be the new sears of mechanics tools. I wonder how the quality compares to the top quality of the day. So if craftsman was 7/10 and snap on was 10/10 back in the day where does icon rate compared to top brands. I bet very similar.
Eric
I have an Icon box at work. The finish is easier to damage than my previous Snappy boxes. It is otherwise on par with them, and I like the dimensions of the hutch better (it’s taller inside). I own or have used various Icon tools, and also own a bunch of older (90s era) Craftsman. I would say they are of similar quality. If Craftsman is a 7 on your scale Icon is between 6.5 and 6.75.
Josh w
I run a set of their wrenches against my non-flank drive snap-on wrenches and have not been disappointed yet in over a year of use as a full time aircraft mechanic.
The knockoff knipex pliers wrench is nowhere near as smooth in operating the adjustment. But I haven’t been able to break it yet.
The sockets seem on par with husky or craftsman. They do the job, but are slightly looser in tolerance inside and slightly thicker walled than a snap-on.
I run icon swivel head ratchets almost exclusively and prefer them to my snap-on swivel heads with the square plastic handles. The 1/4″ swivel ratchet is probably my second most used tool after a ratcheting screwdriver.
Icon is very close to snap-on and possibly slightly better than husky. I refuse to bother with kobalt due to the very hit or miss warranty at Lowes.
Scott F
Reasonably good variety of tools for the new-grad on this. I wonder what that price/savings would look like if you inserted your favorite options across all makers, i.e. not just compared to Snap-On.
And how much of it would you actually put into a bag, if you were prepping one for somebody? 3 of the 7 pliers? No skips is great for the sockets, but certainly overlapping across drive sizes – how much? Would be nice if they snuck some impact sockets in here (the 3/8″ deep set, perhaps), but that would add cost quickly and I’m sure isn’t necessary for many.
It is nice to see the advertised savings are correct, they actually had somebody do the math internally! Granted, the catalog already has all the included SKUs so it should be pretty easy for them to get to.
Harry
The answer is Tekton LOL. Price compare their bundles for the win.
If you’re in an accredited automotive/diesel/whatever program that is enrolled in the Snap on excellence program, as a student you purchase select tools at 55% off of list price. There are rules and fine print. It’s been over 26 years since I took advantage of it. MAC, Cornwell, SK, and Tekton all have student discount programs.
However, it’s not just students that are interested in tool bundles. Sadly, there have been lifetime tool collections swept away or melted in the various fires and storms that have hit regions recently. Thefts at shops are also on the rise. I would be all over Tekton’s bundles if I lost my tools. What I like most about this thread is that no one is bashing Icon. Refreshing.
fred
Tekton is also a brand that represents the Amash family’s effort to step up their game. Some of their earlier import tool brands (like GRIP, MIT, Mechanics2000) were more likely to be seen in clearance bins at auto parts stores than in hands of serious mechanics. Tekton now seems to be pretty well respected – with many items now USA-made.
Chris
Few wording edits needed:
$1299.99 compared to the sum of $2310.46 cones out to a difference of $1,010.47
Harbor Freight’s Icon tool valuation and savings claims are more accurate and honest that the claims being made by Home Depot
Stuart
Thank you – *fixed*!
John Stuckey
HF has upped their game over the last few years.
The best sleeper in the store are the diamond dust tipped screwdrivers.
Randy Welch
I agree icon tools are good quality tools, but I do wish Harbor Freight and other tool manufacturers to include certain sizes in their sets. The metric and SAE sizes are the same or so close they will interchange but others Will not. The 18mm, 15mm, 12mm, 10mm are in a size of their own so they need to be in sets they are commonly used. The 14mm and9/16 close,17mm and11/16 ,19mm and 3/4. These will interchange but the other metrics will not so it would be good if they were in the sets and some others were left out.
jules rosen
A heck of a lot of the Chinese crap that I buy from TEMU etc uses metric especially things like Allen wrenches
Philip+Proctor
HF owns the space Sears used to. Good tools, fair pricing, easy warranty process.
Bill
HF Icon tools are really good. The service HF provides is great for the person starting out on a career path in maintenance… as far as the SAE is Metric tools go… we need both in today’s world. I work in the aviation field and use HF tools as well as their competitors. Snap on tools along with the other big names are way over priced and are difficult to get replacements, we have broken snap on tools at work on Holloman AFB NM and it takes months to replace, snap on guy doesnt even come around to check with us…I can stop at HF on the way home and get a new tool immediately… are the Hf tools on par with Snap on , Cornwall, and the others names…no but they are getting there and I love the Icon line
Jared
For 800 dollars I could put together a pretty good tool set and save a few bucks… This in my opinion is not a good deal… At all in fact i find it to be quite the rip off especially from harbor freight … You can get a damn good portion of those tools from a craftsman 230 piece set for $99 dollars… And to piece together the rest of the tools needed would probably run a few hundred more…I could probably have the same amount of tools and same quality or better for around half or a little more… 800 is outrageous this is still crazy expensive for harbor freight.. even the price of there tool boxes is ridiculous now… You used to be able to go to harbor freight to save money now they are just trying to be competitive with the other tool/hardware stores …
Mopar4wd
But that’s the point of the new HF they still have Pittsburgh and Quinn tools on the value side but now they have ICON filling out the higher end. You could build this with Pittsburgh tools for probably 250 bucks and 400 bucks with Quinn. depends on your budget and needs. I have very little ICON stuff but a friend who is a diesel mechanic gave up on snap on other then for specialty tools and switched to ICON for his base tools after his last set was stolen. He says they are basically 95% of snap on at 50-60% the price.
ElectroAtletico
10x👍 for your grunt work. It does appear to be a great set of deals across the board. Throw in a decent 42in US General roll cart and for roughly $2k a new tech can start banking $.
Dang, Harbor Freight did hit a nice HR with those deals!
Mark M.
Thinking back on Icon and even Pittsburgh Pro tool purchases from HF, I have yet to be disappointed. Admittedly I’m not a pro using them every day, but the stuff I’ve bought has seen some hard DIY use on cars, tractors, implements, stuff like that. If I was starting off as a tech fresh out of school I’d have zero hesitation buying one of these sets. You’d prob get some snarky comments from guys with tool truck boxes but the joke’s on them when they are paying a monthly note for tools.
Jimmy
Both appear to be already sold out!
Stuart
They were unavailable from the start and presumably coming soon. Most retailers do this – they list products before they can start shipping.
Jimmy
OK gotcha, thanks Stuart.
Greg Watson
In the past I was actually thinking of harbor freight tools as one time use or a disposable option for a few years I had felt that way as I feel that most people had. Don’t know what you are saying about this not being a good deal, I don’t think you have purchased a craftsman tool in the last 15 years or so but it is not as good of a product as it was in the era of sears days and the day’s where everything was actually warrantied in the store , they were a great thing to have. Unfortunately the quality of the tools had been diminishing and it was actually a painful task for anyone to get the warrantied tools to be honored by the company that boasted about the life time warrantied tool line. I have used everything that is in the world as well as some other things that I or other people I have worked with created to do a specific job. The one thing that is a fact about tools is that they are going to fail and they will become worthless to any job if they are not easily replaced. That is why we as craftsman and tradesman are sometimes more loyal to one brand or another. That is the best way of achieving a relationship with the people who use the products that you’re selling. I think harbor freight has been working twice as hard as the other big name companies in their efforts to make it as easy as possible for the consumer ( that’s us) to get a good deal on a good tool and receive a replacement tool if it is necessary. Thank you for your article on this tool bundle. It’s just the facts and I have to say that you have done a good job with your presentation on this matter. My own opinion of harbor freight has not been always in their favor but I definitely have to say something about the company and the quality of the tools as a whole has changed and the way it is looking now is their goal is to be what craftsman was in the past and I am glad to see that a company is not only working on improving the quality of their products but they are being as honest as they can possibly be with their customers. They have changed my mind and I will be honored to have the higher end of their tools in my toolbox.
Jimmy
I tend to agree with the suggestions of not needing the SAE stuff for probably 99.9% of late model automotive repairs.
Why not drop the SAE (but have it available as an add on kit), and replace it with needed impact sockets and a cordless 3/8 impact and cordless ratchet? That would make more sense and are 100% needed for today’s techs.
I do really like the concept of these kits, they are pro grade, and are heavy on needed accessory tools like striking tools, pliers, and prying tools. Most “mechanic tool kits” have none of those, which is laughable as they are such go-too tools.
Richard Miller
I have come to believe these savings claims are universally misleading. Nice to see that someone (Harbor Freight) is being honest.
Julian Tracy
I’ve bought quite a few Icon items. Their pliers are very nice and just as satisfying to use, even next to my primarily Knipex assortment. Very happy with their ratcheting wrenches, definitely feel a step up from the current cheap feeling mass-market Gearwrench options.
It’s a joke to suggest the older Craftsman tools are of a higher build quality than this new Icon lineup – I’ve owned 10-15 Craftsman ratchets and no matter USA or other, they’ve all felt like crappy ratchets. Even the new V series flex head set which I bought during the Lowes sale leave a bit to be desired in smoothness (still a great deal though).
I’ll say HF has come a long way from their oily smelling stores of days past. I’m still not buying plug in tools or saw blades or bits there, but the new one that just opened up down the street from me is a great looking store with good service. For wire brushes, tool carts, impact sockets, specialty tools, hydraulic jacks, etc, it’s a world’s better choice than most any other retail option.
I have a 1/4” Pittsburg ratchet that is my favorite go to, and I love the new extra large Icon creeper I just bought.
LarryQ
Does anyone have experience with Icon tools? I’ve never tried them before– my experience with HF is their Pittsburgh line, which is ok but certainly not tool truck quality, if you know what I mean.
Jimmy
The Icon stuff is super nice, it’s their new top-tier. Pittsburgh (which is pretty crappy) has now been trumped by Pittsburgh Pro and Quinn, which are both quite nice. The Icon line is even nicer than those, and exude tool truck quality in every detail.
Bill
The problem with Harbor Freight is they do not sell individual tools, I bought a set of Icon large metric ratcheting wrenches and they will not sell me a 24 mm to make my set whole after bI lost it. They only replace it with the tool in hand. No one else does that not Home Depot, Lowe’s or Snap-on you can buy individual tools anywhere but Harbor Freight.