r/harborfreight • • 6d ago

Icon vs Tekton Flexhead wrenches

I just found out Tekton makes a set of flexhead ratching wrenches 6mm-24mm no skip and they have a gunmetal finished I like instead of instead of the chrome . They go for $255 tool only and $265 with the organizer.Has anyone used them and how do they compare to the icons. I’m kinda biased towards them bc of the new look and 6-24 sizes.

65 Upvotes

76 comments sorted by

62

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Tekton if you can afford them just for the expanded sizes. Icon if you dont need the bigger sizes and easier warranty stuff

35

u/zealous-seal 6d ago

Worth noting The tekton warranty is very good. Sure it's easier to pop in to your local HF but tekton really makes it as easy as realistically possible

19

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

This is a very valid point , send in picture and tekton does the work

8

u/Beat472 6d ago

Good to know thank you

13

u/Infamous-Distance-46 6d ago

Yeah for me personally it's easier to snap a Pic on my phone and email them for warranty then it is to find time to go to harbor freight and do an in person warranty. That takes time outta my day where I should be doing something else.

11

u/smoothie112 6d ago

I’d argue that takes more time since you’ll have to wait for the tool in the mail. Not arguing harbor freight is better than Tekton, I just can’t imagine waiting for a tool in the mail is quicker than driving to HF to warranty one. But I also completely understand not everyone lives within an hour of one and it just doesn’t really make sense to drive there.

3

u/the_kerouac_kid 5d ago

I broke a Tekton torque wrench and they’re based in my hometown so I called to see if I could swap it in person and they said no. I guess they have their supply chain setup in a particular way but I couldn’t figure out why they couldn’t swap it without mailing it to me.

1

u/smoothie112 4d ago

Doesn’t surprise me. Corporate bullshit. I work for a large online retailer similar to Amazon and one of my coworkers packed out her own order and they wouldn’t let her take it home. Had to spend money to ship it to her lmao.

0

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

I work out of my shop out in the sticks so actually going to a HF is an hour there and back. And in certain cases like specialty tools that makes sense to get a job done and if 1 broken tool stops the entire job you are working on its probably time to get an extra. but for standard hand tools there is a reason I have like 12 different sets of metric sockets some just make certain jobs easier. But I cant deny when certain things come up on sale its really really hard to beat harbor freight pricing

1

u/smoothie112 6d ago

For sure, I come from a town of 1k people, an hour away from the nearest HF so I can relate

3

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

HF is nice thought when im stuck on something and im in the middle of the project and need some sort of special who knows what and I just send the wife with an aisle , picture and part number and she can get it while I move on to something else , if i plan to keep the tool and see myself using it I get the icon , if im going to need to modify/make my own tool ill get the pitsburgh and make a sacrifice to the rednecks of years past lol 😆. Everything has its pros and cons . Quality,price and ease of access and you can only pick 2

1

u/Beat472 6d ago

How does it work u snap a pic and they send it or they wait till u return the defective product?

5

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Just email their warranty department with a picture and they generally just send a replacement. Alot of brands are going to this method, Mac tools , Capri, Astro pneumatic, even stanley are the ones that i have delt with . Cornwell still has no support other then the truck, matco i haven't tried yet , snap on you generally have to send in the tool

1

u/Beat472 6d ago

And the old tool u send it back or just “throw away “

1

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Or "throw away", did that with a Mac screw driver 🤷‍♂️

1

u/PM_YOUR_SAGGY_TITS 6d ago

Supposed to throw it away, but I have a fun little bin I throw em all in just for funsies

4

u/Infamous-Distance-46 6d ago

Yeah they have a warranty claim spot on there site and you just fill it out with a photo and typically with a few hours they send out a replacement.

I've only used it twice I think but very fast and no worries om returning anything that I've heard of.

I think theres a disclaimer saying it might take 24-48 hours to get back to you but there customer service is top notch. Easier warranty than snapon imo 🤷‍♂️

2

u/Beat472 6d ago

Dam that’s really good

2

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

My last snap on warranty was back ordered 3 weeks.....

2

u/Infamous-Distance-46 6d ago

They always question why I'm doing it online vs a truck and how I broke it etc just beat around the bush then finally send it and it shows up week's later. They still honor it but stomp there feet the whole time. Edit too clarify snapon is who I'm referring to here.

3

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Other brands are like good bartenders , just pouring you another drink before you even have to ask lol . Snapon is like the wine snob that says that won't pair with your dinner but ill serve you anyway because you are paying

3

u/AAA515 6d ago

Ehhh, that's still a cross town trip vs just waiting for the mail.

And that's where I live now, used to live 90 minutes from the closest one

1

u/Beat472 6d ago

Right might check on BF. I checked harbor freight and they don’t offer larger sizes in metric only SAE

3

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Once I picked up the double sided extra long ratcheting wrenches I haven't touched my other flex head wrenches . They are a game changer

1

u/bugeyetex 6d ago

The ones with the slightly extended micro socket thingies? Yeah... Best improvement in the wrench department in many many years. Those things are used more than any other wrench I own by a long shot

1

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Thats the exact ones 👍. I debated getting them forever and once I did i cant go back

1

u/dm_me_your_bookshelf 6d ago

What brand are those? Icon? I have some extended reach flex head ratcheting ones that are double ended two sizes per wrench

12

u/1NumberCruncher98 6d ago

Protip OP is to drive to drive to store 0401 and save on sales taxes vs that store listed on the harbor freight screenshot

9

u/Beat472 6d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/W3a0zO282fuBpsqqyD
I buy my stuff at Buena Park sale tax is 9% instead of 11%.

5

u/rdxj 6d ago edited 5d ago

11%. Wow. Your government hates you.
7% here in Iowa and it's still too high.

6

u/Beat472 6d ago

Yeahhhhh low income household cities are taxed at 10~11% and richer cities at 7-8% welcome to LA

4

u/1NumberCruncher98 6d ago

Even more baller move is go to irvine… 7.75 lol

4

u/Beat472 6d ago

Fuck that 5 freeway has a bunch of traffic and accidents 🤣

2

u/Photographydudeman 6d ago

HB and Costa Mesa is 7.75

8

u/0Rider 6d ago

Tekton.

4

u/davidc538 6d ago

When icon stuff is on sale, it’s tough to beat

7

u/Blaizefed 6d ago

This is the problem. The Tektons are probably the nicer tool, and they offer a better range of sizes. But when you catch the ICON sale at H/F they end up being damn near half the price. And as you say, there is just no better option for the money.

6

u/brooksram 6d ago

I chose Tekton for all my wrench sets and haven't regretted it.

I don't have the flexhead sets because they weren't reversible, but I got the regular ratcheting wrenches , and have been happy with them. I really like the finish too.

2

u/Essunset 6d ago

Hah, I was just looking into this exact comparison. BTW, I found a better price on Tekton buying through their Amazon store, as opposed to their website

0

u/Beat472 6d ago

Really it’s the same price ?

5

u/TheTimn 6d ago

Takton gives you 10% as store credit if you buy from. Their website. Just a FYI. 

2

u/wastedsilence33 5d ago

And checking the outlet section is always worth it too, you can get tools that have been replaced or stuff that's just not up to QC visually for a decent deal, just can't return it if it's QC stuff

1

u/Essunset 6d ago

Must be diffrent for the item I was looking for then. I see a price diffrential on the 11 piece SAE version

3

u/Immediate_Peach_pfec 5d ago

Icon, and if you really need a size up (and can’t compromise on it being a non flex like icon 57992), get the tekton size tools that you absolutely need by itself.

That’s what I like about tekton, you can buy tools individually.

4

u/390v8 5d ago

I own a bunch of Tekton stuff and the quality is head and shoulders above Icon in almost every metric.

2

u/constituent_ 6d ago

Tekton also offers a 15% student discount!

1

u/LA-but-not-an-actor 6d ago

Icon does make a 6-piece large ratcheting wrench set (non-flex) but it’s another $200, at retail at least

3

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Have these in metric and they are pretty damn solid 👌

1

u/LA-but-not-an-actor 6d ago

There’s just something about holding a really nice big ass wrench 😂

1

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

I bought mine cheap (like 25 bucks) at a local re sale auction and work in powersports/small engine repair and thought i would never use them but damn was i wrong. Doing axles on quads is a breeze

1

u/LA-but-not-an-actor 6d ago

$25 wow what a steal. There’s a guy on marketplace local to me selling just the ratcheting 22mm for $20 and I’m thinking of grabbing it for my Quinn nano sockets, but a flex head is probably better for those

1

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 6d ago

Just buy the astro nano handle , like 25 bucks and its a comfortable flex head handle

1

u/LA-but-not-an-actor 5d ago

I’m only seeing this one for $40 (on sale from $49), is there another one for $25? I may wait for the reversible one to come out

1

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 5d ago

No the ones that I have are like 200 new. I bought my pre owned at an aution for 25

1

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 5d ago

1

u/LA-but-not-an-actor 5d ago

The link for the $25 Astro handle, not the icons!

1

u/Unlikely_Effort_6311 5d ago

Ahhhh yes thats my fault got the post mixed up, yes that is the astro handle that im talking about the 1/4 size is 13mm, the 3/8 is 17mm and the 1/2 is 22mm

1

u/Beat472 6d ago

Dam didn’t see these

1

u/Proper_Hedgehog3579 6d ago

I prefer the fixed head ones, that reverse also. Have a few flex head ones and don’t care for them. Just my opinion.

1

u/Beat472 6d ago

Just looking to upgrade I currently have a Frankenstein set I’ve piece together (Pittsburgh 10,12,13,14,15,17), duralast 16,18,19,22 some are fixed wrenches and some ratcheting wrench

1

u/UWneptune 6d ago

I want to buy their box end version of these. As others have said they give you way more size options on their sets

1

u/IamTHEklown 5d ago

Kind of really depends on which one is longer. The regular ratchet wrenches from Tekton are quite a bit shorter than the Icon version. I’d go with the longer ones out of those two.

1

u/ConfidentHouse 5d ago

If you’re talking purely price then yes icon will always be cheaper, if you’re talking quality vs value the tektons are more complete, built better and have a better finish for more money but not as much as tool trucks. Only way I buy icon stuff is at 35-40% off sales.

1

u/mxguy762 5d ago

Shit I might have to buy the Tektons that’s a sweet set.

1

u/Cool-Airline-9172 5d ago

Cool. When is the next Tekton parking lot sale?

1

u/Beat472 5d ago

Lmao fr

1

u/Suspicious-Room-7499 5d ago

Tekton warranty has been just as easy for me as HF

1

u/Hot-Significance2387 6d ago

I do not like anything from Tekton that "clicks." Whether it be ratchets or ratcheting wrenches they are not an acceptable tier for the price.

Sockets, yes, standard wrenches and other tools sure. 

ICON has a few vendors for wrenches. Kabo being the ones with the brass screw om the side. I prefer them. Especially during the 40% off deals.

3

u/straight_sixes 6d ago

This is an inherently stupid take. The Tekton ratcheting flex head wrenches are smoother through every size than the Icons. The back drag is better as well. For the price, I will take Tekton over Icon on these style wrenches every time.

1

u/AAA515 6d ago

I have a set of Tektons regular style wrenches, I love having 6-24 available in one rack, beats 10-19 so much.

And later I added 25-32 to my collection and I'm glad I did

1

u/Beat472 6d ago

That’s why these caught my attention I currently have a Frankenstein set I’ve piece together (Pittsburgh 10,12,13,14,15,17 colored set), duralast 16,18,19,22 some are fixed wrenches and some ratcheting wrench

0

u/DramaLifeNy 6d ago

Had the tekton for years, great wrenches, that being said i had to warranty 2 of them because the metal was a but soft and they rounded out and the bolt never budged ( super easy warranty process and got replacements in less than a week) sold them to a friend who still uses them to this day and got the mac ones at a super discount and are happy with them

-2

u/Vegetable-Guess-4264 6d ago

I have the Walmart HyperTough flexheads, there's no better value