Redemption Garage great video bro . I agree for the price you can get a bigger toolvault/ extreme tools / homak box that have been around for a while and are known good quality. In a professional automotive work a tech needs a good tool cart not really a box
I got my icon 73” with hutch, stainless top, side locker, hutch light and lock set for $6100 after tax. Delivery was good. Box was packaged well. I’ve had it almost a year. No issues. Very happy with my purchase. Matco wanted over $14k for the same set up.
I see people compare Icon to Strictlytoolboxes, which seems like a fair comparison. I've only looked at the 72" options because that is what I wanted, and at least for that the prices are functionally identical without a coupon from HF, and the 2 huge differences is that Icon uses thicker gauge steel. 16 on the shell vs the 18 strictlytoolboxes uses, and 18 on the drawers vs the 20 gauge strictly uses. It's even more obvious when you look at the weights. Strictly toolboxes lists it as about 600lbs net, vs Icons almost 900lbs weight. That's another 50% more weight for the Icon, and I'm thinking that directly translates to quality. Icon drawers are also rated like 2x higher than strictly toolboxes. I've never put hands on a strictlytoolbox though, so I can't speak to them, only the numbers I see online. Past that, I realize this video came out 3 years ago, and I'm assuming it came out after they had their price drop, but if not that could make a large difference. They have even had a second price drop recently, which makes it a better "value". All that said, I don't understand how people can constantly compare a brand new toolbox with a lifetime warranty to a used toolbox that you've got to hunt for. Around me the "deals" on snappy boxes can be pretty sporadic, and often times all the snap on boxes are priced pretty high unless they are beat to death. I love to buy quality products for sure, but buying a used american made toolbox only helps the guy selling it, it's not like you're helping an american employer. It just seems like a weird comparison.
Just because its from harbor freight? All snap on would have to do to is put their logo on it and then yall would say its worth $10,000. These arent priced for DIYers. They are priced for working technicians.
@@andybub45 I dont care if snap on puts there logo on crap your point isn't valid to me im not a snap on junkie who every would think this box from icon was worth 10 grand if it had snap on name on it is on crack..
mikeaze423 there’s a lot of truth in that, there’s a new guy right out of high school at my shop who has the top of the line triple bay Matco rebel he couldn’t even change a freaking brake can without my help.
I agree for the price you can get a repoed or even good discounted snap on box from snap on dealer and or even used just be careful buying used snap on boxes
I agree, I saw these in person and they seemed very high quality. The prices are just too high for them, truck boxes are too close in price right now. The US general boxes are a much better value, I just wish they made a hutch to match
It’s like comparing a Chevrolet/Ford to a Mercedes or BMW. Both will get you to the supermarket and back home and a Timex and Rolex will both tell time.
The current price is $2199 but you can use a 20% plus 10% off your first purchase with the Harbor Freight credit card... That's $1500 delivered with a lifetime warranty. Still... The US General 56" box is $600 with the same coupons. As a homeowner, I really only need the 46 in Yukon tool cabinet and I can get that for $300 with the coupons so that's probably what I'm doing. Leave me with a big pocket full of cash to go buy something else
I bought my KRL series Snap on box on the truck brand new for under $2000 and they threw in the stainless top, plus $500 to spend on more tools, a Snap on jacket, hat, daily planner. And my box came with a little bottle of touch up paint, if I ever needed it.
I have a tool purchasing theory: I either buy the absolute cheapest tools(like if it’s a rubber mallet, plastic tray, etc) or I buy the highest quality(Milwaukee impact, snap on o ring picks, Mac breaker bar).
I’ve been rocking the us general 44x22 for the past 3 years now with zero issues. It’s to store my tools when they’re not being used, it would be smarter to invest in a good quality roll cart that u work out of all day like I do. The icon boxes are beautiful no doubt, but $4k is just not realistic.
I picked up a 2016 matco 5s triple bay, came with the power drawer, usb ports, ss top and kick plate from a pawn shop for 1600 last year. Its black with chrome trim. My snap on dealer said the best thing about the icon box is hes been able to raise the price of his used boxes. As quality has a price.
I'm definitely not a professional mechanic but I wrench on shit pretty much every weekend, and I love my cheap Husky 52 inch setup and hell of alot cheaper than that
I am a retired aircraft mechanic and I made due with a 27" Waterloo box for my entire career and when I retired three years ago I bought the US General (series 1) 44" toolbox setup and got everything for under 2K at that time. What happen is I bought the first 44", top box and side box and quickly overfilled it with all the tools from work and all the tools I gathered up around the shop, home and my son's place. So back to HF and got a second 44" box and top cabinet a side cabinet and locker. Then I bolted it all together and I have truly great tool storage. I think that folks so really examine what they can afford and what they really need and go forward. Oh sure the Icon boxes appear to be really nice as my local store has a full set up of the 72" on display but really for the DYIer the US Generals are more then good enough. Back in January I walked into my local HF and they had a open box Series 1 US General box 44" for $240.00. I am looking at it and the manager said he take 50% off on it. It had the keys and everything work I said ring it up I take it. I took the 44" home and put it in my RV garage and put all my electrical tools and equipment in it and it resides there. I have to agree that the harbor freight Icon boxes are overpriced and should be for the 56" $3,200 for starting price and then the 20% which would put it around $2,560 would be a more fair price. If they offered the same box at $2K I think they would be flying out of the store so fast that they would be out of stock so fast.
Harbor Freight is 100 times the size of Snap-On. So you're worried about the wrong company being around. Harbor Freight also employs a lot more Americans than Snap-On does too. Facts!
Harbor frieght has been arpubd sonce the 70s but still not as long as snap on. I didnt say i was worried about harbor freight though i am worried about the $4000 dollar box and whether they will sell enough to keep making them and if you wanted my opinion I would say it is a big risk. But you are preaching to the choir about harbor freight employing more Americans I like harbor freight and the idea of harbor freight but not too sure about a lot of these new tools and their pricing so close to other proven tools and tool companies but we will see. Thanks for your input and we will see about the boxes but so far I havent seen a single box sold.
@@RedemptionGarage Harbor Freight is positioning themselves to be the go to for tools. They're going to drive everyone else out like the big box stores did. Sears was around for a long time and they're gone now.
You may recall, but when these were first being marketed before they were officially available, HF had a Suggested Retail price was $2499 for the 56" (versus 3999.00). Therefore with 20% off coupon, it would have been 1999.20, the price point you suggest. Trump's new tariffs may have had a lot to do with the price increase, but, a nearly 40% increase was ridiculous. I suspect that HF won't change anything for now as the supply chain is interrupted. Other than what's in stores, it's doubtful that they're sitting on a lot of these in Calabasas. At the original price point, I would have considered a full set-up, but to your point a used Snap-On/Matco will last many years, warranty or not.
I just bought a 56 inch US GEN top/bottom and side locker new ,got a discount because it had some damage on the locker after i got it home.The damage is unseen ALL for about 1100.00 .I Love it with the drawer mods i did tightening the slides and adding a pop rivet .My son just bought a used Snap On EPIQ all black bottom 84 inch for 3 k . I do love HF and I like the choices with that being said I buy a bunch of KD or Gearwrench instead of HF tools
Well I think Icon took your advice cuz now it's 2k$ like exactly what you said , I agree with most what you said except getting snap on box from the truck , getting a used one yes , and thanks for the video.
Snap on tool boxes are like diamonds, if you want to know what they are worth go to a pawn shop. I would like having a warranty with HF and a New Box vs someone old scratched box. JMO
The old Craftsman boxes were not bad either. Going used is a great way to get a quality box. But there are a lot of turds in the search. But the US General will do the job for a 1/3 of the price. HF missed the mark by not rolling out a house credit program at the same time. Cheers
It's funny you mention $2000 being a more acceptable price point. My brother just last week bough that exact box brand new for $2000 plus $400 for the stainless work top. The 73" Icon now sells new for $3000 without work top. Seems like they listened.
I might add another issue.. Unfortunately i needed another Box as soon as possible. So i went into a Harbor freight yesterday 07/01/23 and was going to order a 73Roll Cab with hutch and told i wouldn't receive it till mid-November ! Hope their warranty doesn't work the same way. I am going to look used main brand boxes at this point.
They should add Snap On Epiq features for the price their asking. For example the locking handle drawers, power bank drawer wider range of colors also obviously the tank grade build quality.
I really appreciate honesty. Your speaking your mind, your opinion and I wont fault ya for that. Needs to be more brutal honesty. I agree man. The Icon boxes should be a little more, even up to double what the US General boxes are. The 72 inch US General box is 1200. The Icon should be at MOST 2500. Justin Dow did a video showing how the US General 36 inch box is more than adequate for most. I've seen the truck brands boxes. For the same or less. And that seems to be the consensus with most people. Spend money on tools, not the storage. I'm gonna get a 44 or 56 US General.
Even 2k is still to high for a product that hasnt been out that long... and like u said u cant customize it . So i think the 56"should be around $1,100 to $1,200 max . It seems like a good box but im not paying that much for something that isnt proven yet . +u can find better deals out their. Great video thanks for sharing......👍 #smallenginenation
Dude thank you for being honest. Another person who got a free box seem to be trying to get a harborfreight sponsorship. They keep saying how good everything is and how they are trying to run icon only. There are so many good American box brands out there. The build quality isn't any better then some of the mid range boxes from anyone else. Good to see you knocking out some vids. Hope your staying safe man
@@RedemptionGarage what time so I can set my phone, I'm having trouble getting notifications lately and since your in a different time zone it's still pretty early for the west coat
Good honest review...I agree they seem to be great quality but they definately missed the price point. Drawer depth is another thing they dropped the ball on. 21in drawer depth is a joke at this price.
I bought a mac box back in the 60s still have them but I also have a general boxes I like the general better snapon I paid almost 10grand for it was a joke I traded off
I think the majority of people that shop Harbor Freight are not professional mechanics and cannot justify spending that kind of money on a tool box, no matter how nice it is. I just looked at one myself, and yes, it is a very nice tool box and it is nicer than US General or anything Home Depot (Husky), Lowe's (Craftsman and Kobalt) offer, but, it's not 3 times nicer. I think I'd be willing to spend an additional $500 over one of those brands, but that's it!
I’m way late but I got a KRL box for 2,800 off the truck it was a new damaged box couple of dents and one puncture on the backside of the box no one wanted it cause it was damaged, bought it pushed it up against the wall and no one even saw it cause it’s in the back.
Buy the 72” and have $2200 left over to buy more tools. I had a US General 44” for about 17 years with no issues. Only it’s looking rough specially after dropping it. I see a 72” in my future. Do some of the mods they show here on RU-vid it should be the last box I buy!!
I bought used master series snap on with stainless top for 2k on Craigslist my dealer got me new slides and she was back to brand new and made in USA I also know that they been around for 100 years I can expect quality
So I am reading on the warranty from icon that the toolbox is not lifetime warranty. This says it on the warranty pdf on the toolbox website if you click on it... I knew they had to do it. What do you say about it now redemption garage?
I have to say I was looking into purchasing one of these Icon boxes but after watching this video I realized in the back of my mind I also was thinking it's a lot of cash. Especially considering I currently have 2 old snap on boxes (30 yo) and an old Husky box (15 yo). Now I realize I just need to trade in something and get a good American Made Snap On. Plus it will make the wife happy with all that and motorcycle lift in garage...she can't get car in garage.
The HF box is now (June 2021) $2199 no coupon/sale, just the price. Your comparison kind of goes all over the place on customization. Pick the two narrow drawers on the ICON and replace with one twice as deep. What does that do to the ICON price, (probably just have to buy it outright and keep the shallow drawers?) and what does that do to customize one different drawer in a snap-on? then you have an apples to apples comparison.
You can get a Matco or Mac for a better price than Snap on is also a great option, thanks for reminding everone to cheek the numbers on boxes should be ran before you buy used
Is this a better built box than the US General Series they currently sell? Yes, I would say so. I have personally seen what these are capable of with a decent amount of tools in them and how they hold up (cousin bought the 73" bottom). But I agree with you 100% on your comments regarding the price comparison to what other boxes are out there and what you can get. Contrary to popular belief, you DO NOT have to buy brand new monstrosity of a SO / Matco / MAC / etc toolbox at full MSRP and 18% interest. Ebay, Craigslist, and even the tool truck itself can have some really good deals for a variety of reasons: trade ins, repossessions, change of hearts, retirements, etc. I understand that there are indeed people out there that can't afford a brand new Cadillac of a toolbox, and there's nothing wrong in buying the best you can afford. But as you stated, good deals can still be had for the same amount of money. And if HF seriously, honestly thinks that they are going to get a 10,15,20+ year tech to trade in his Matco / Mac / SO box for one of these... they are living a pipe dream, at best.
You should remake this video because they dropped the prices drastically I bought the green 56 inch yesterday for 1,650 dollars with a coupon. But they’re still 2,199 a thousand dollars less than when you made this.
It’s China made and not Taiwan made? Oof given how the reason I’m jobless right now, is due to their lax wild life regulations, that might be a deal breaker going forward. Any country but China. Until they get their shit together.
Not always man sometimes they are but you can buy a krl for 3000 pretty easy. I think they are priced too high but we will see maybe they will sell a bunch of them. I just havent seen a single peraon that has bought one yet and it has been 6 or 7 months since i have had this. We will see though.
Can you do another review on the icon impact sockets that review wasent really showing them much kind of went thru them fast and didn’t really compare them too other ones or even show the 3/8 deeps would be great too show them next too another brand socket jus a suggestion thanks love the videos
Im with you on HF overpricing Icons. I considered it when it came out. Also considered a Snap on as well. I needed something ASAP. I was gonna wait till the HF credit hit my state but that wasnt gonna happen till late 2020. I ordered a Snap On box in December till this day havent seen it or the rep. There is absolutley no reason in hell why an American made product should take 3 months or longer to be delivered to a customer in America. Snap On is complete BS!
Wow really that's a shame? I would like to own a Snap On roller cab but they are ridiculously expensive compared to the Icon roller box. I don't know why you guise say the Icon roller cabs are overpriced and that you can find a Snap On tool box for less than what the Icon boxes are priced? That is for a used 2nd hand Snap on boxes who wants to buy a used tool box? I wouldn't I want all my purchases to be brand new not used. And whoever say that you can even find Snap On boxes brand new cheaper than the Icon boxes is pulling that out of their A$$ess. If it is that is what you will get off the Snap On tool truck for a lower price it may not be the one you want at your own specs but for me i'm picky what I look for i'm very specific on what I want on a roller cab so the price that they saying that you can find Snap on tool cabs for less than 3 grand or so is either used 2nd hand or a brand new box but not what you have in mind for your own specs and needs.
I am currently looking at boxes and feel the 56 should be about 1500 but they are 2500. Pretty hard to justify that when I can get the USG 56 with the top chest for 1520. The Icon definitely feels nicer than the USG but is it a 170% increase in price feeling? I dont really think so and personally like the taller drawer layout on the USG more although adding a tall drawer to the icon looks to only cost about 100. I may still go with the Icon as I like the extra depth of drawers but man it's a hard decision.
Nice looking but the key for a strong toolbox is the welding. The more spot welds the stronger the box. ICON toolboxes and gen-3 boxes use too many rivets. Rivets are weaker than spot welds which permanently join two pieces of steel. Snap-on toolboxes likely use twice as many welds as the ICON boxes. Looks are deceiving.
so did the tool box key break on you yet? couple of guys on facebook posted pics of their key breaking at the hinge. also do you know if we can replace the lock with a snap on or matco type?
Every thing you said, I said when all this 1st came about! I am 100% with you. Nobody pays that for a SO box. I know ppl with Epics that were new for less than this thing costs. Harbor Freight fucked up and missed the mark. 1 thing that I find very annoying is that only the green comes with black trim. Why not offer black trim on all? Not that would sway my decision but Im sorry, Im not spending 4k for this when the Gen2 will do just fine. 1st of all, its too tall for me. I am 5'6''. I walked up to it at my store, they have the whole set up and dont get me wrong its nice. But for me I would never buy it for that very reason. I cant comfortably rest my arms on it or work so fuck it. Now the storage locker, if you ask me if the only nice part of this whole ICON thing. But even it is outrageously priced. They also built this thing up, like super super hyped it up and then released the prices and everybody shit a brick. And to justify it they say oh wait, our credit card, bam, take that SO. um no....
I’ve bought a Matco box 56 “ $5000, drawer size is the same as icon, purchased a73” icon with stainless top was $3815! Are you just butt hurt because harbor freight didn’t send you the big box?
My matco dealer told me the debt stays with the purchaser they won’t chase you to repo their box back. like boxes or scan tools, do not be weary of buying a used box.
Thanks for your input but i promise you they will reposess the items if they are not paid for. But people can not check if they want but i would be careful myself.
I agree 2K would be perfect. My Snap-On box was 7K, I traded it in and paid 2K. The box I traded in was only 1K. So basically I got my Snap-On for 3K brand new.
I bought a krl1022 pretty much the snap on equivalent of that icon box, Custom ordered drawers and color. It was $8,400. That box for 3,200 is a great dral. Is it as good as my snap on, no but for the money if that box was around whe. I bout mine in 2007 i would have went icon
