Socket Comparison Harbor Freight ICON vs Pittsburgh Pro

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

i have been using the colored pittsburgh 6pt sockets for over 20 years. When i started I could not afford so. So I got these and 20 years later I am still using them! none ever broke. I am a professional Mercedes Benz Tech so they really got used. I also have the 1/4 deep and regular socket set. Love them. I would recommend them. Icon is better if you need 6pt sockets as pittsburgh no longer has them in 6pt.. Also the HF 1/2 impact gun lasted me 20 years of hard use! It was way better than any tool truck one I bought. Cost me $49 at the time. avoid the truck at all cost. these are just as good and have a life time warranty. I broke lots of 17mm deep impact snapon but never broke the pittsburgh.

[@ThriftyGarage]

Great information! Thanks for sharing.

[@robertfrate9738]

Hi, I just got Pittsburg 1/4 6 point deep and shallow socket set from hf, 9$ just a heads up,

[@ThriftyGarage]

Nice deal!

[@narcissistinjurygiver2932]

@@robertfrate9738 1/4 flex head ratchet pittsburg pro is awesome

[@robertfrate9738]

@@narcissistinjurygiver2932 ty for the tip I’m getting them soon, there sockets are awesome,

[@MichaelRCarlson]

"Traction rings" are actually just a visual indication of a metric socket. A quick way to visually differentiate from standard sockets.

[@mostachiocam1598]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that has trouble with those Pittsburgh pro socket rails I hate those things

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

Nah, those are to prevent people from stealing the sockets.

[@deeeyewhy5949]

@@ArbitraryLifestylesomeone can just walk out with the full set though….. also just as hard to get the impact sockets on and those have a plastic string you have to cut to open the pack.

[@bigds6692]

I love the tool reviews! What's mostly in a thrifty garage? Good, inexpensive reliable tools!

[@VinSpacker]

I believe the ring of dashed lines are there to indicate that it is metric.

[@ThriftyGarage]

Interesting….

[@deeeyewhy5949]

You should have compared a more comparable item like the deep well sockets that are six point across the Pittsburgh pro and icon line.

[@miket2172]

I just bought some bolt extractors the other day had no vice grips on me I almost flipped out trying to remove off of that stupid holder they come on

[@kcuhc84]

How do you make a set of sockets in China, ship them to the United States, transport them to a store, hang them in the store, sell them for $8 and make a profit?

[@ThriftyGarage]

Probably because they make 100,000 and put them on a shipping container. Costs $1/set delivered ($100,000). But they make $700,000. All speculation and a hypothetical. Profit margins might be different. But it's definitely a quantity game.

[@desertratedc9596]

The standard pittsburg is typically China made, pittsburg pro is usually Taiwan

[@robertfrate9738]

Hi, I use Pittsburg sockets all the time and I’ve no problem whatsoever with them from hf, I’m not paying tons of money for big name tools to do a quick job when inexpensive tools do exactly what I need and no problem whatsoever, just my opinion, excellent quality video ty so much, Bob,

[@ThriftyGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@robertfrate9738]

@@ThriftyGarage keep up the good work,

[@fukemnukem1525]

Is it a traction radius around the top....or a tactile indicator to say it's a metric socket?

[@Alex-gn7wd]

Pittsburgh: $20 Snap on: your truck

[@gmpny3945]

Thanks for the informative review. I don't think the ICONs are worth almost 4x the price of the Pittsburgs.

[@ThriftyGarage]

I agree. The ICONs are a little on the pricey side. At that price there are lots of other competing brands to choose from.

[@alexnelson8]

They are 100% worth it when you realize you need all the sizes they skip. I’ve had to go back and rebuy every set of sockets and wrenches I have with skipped sizes. If I had to do it all over I would probably start with the Quinn master mechanic kits

[@piercehawke8021]

I've come to that conclusion as well; especially using the newer Snap-On ratchet wrenches with the oval heads, they're downright frail compared to the old Snap-On teardrop head versions, let alone the Pittsburgh versions.

[@jimmysgarage9068]

Really good in depth review!

[@ThriftyGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@jimmysgarage9068]

@@ThriftyGarage 🤘

[@austingoleman9431]

That’s what my old snap on sockets come in same tray as icon but take up lots of room when u get into deep sockets and 1/2 sockets

[@frankthespank]

Pry them off with a screw driver, take a dremel tool or die grinder and shave the plastic down so you can remove the sockets easier and store the sockets on them, that’s what I did. 😎

[@ThriftyGarage]

Great idea!

[@frankthespank]

@@ThriftyGarage I used that plastic box that my Icon Torx sockets came in for my air hammer bits, perfect size for ‘em. I peeled the top sticker off, took that Icon plastic part off that’s attached with screws and made a label for the top. 😎

[@nn-xm8lz]

Thank you!!! I was searching how the heck to pull sockets off those Pittsburgh sets without breaking off the whole plastic clip. Worked like a charm.

[@frankthespank]

@@nn-xm8lz Glad it worked out! 🤓

[@kauztekgaming]

Pitts pro impacts are def better than icon.

[@ThriftyGarage]

That’s good to know!

[@stevescott1962]

10mm is the one socket no one has, and its the only one u have 😂🤣

[@jpasby779]

I brought my Cobalt 1/4 inch drive socket set to a job thinking that's all I need. Later I realize that I need deep sockets for what I am doing.What are my best options for a 12 point in a quarter !/4 inch drive?

[@ThriftyGarage]

There are so many options available on the market. Too many options to consider. Find something in your price range that has a 12-pt deep socket. Check our our ultimate socket test series for an idea of where to find different brands. We compare 20 different brands.

[@horsefly1020]

Anybody know why the icon sockets can't be bought online? It always says in store only. I've been trying to get the metric deep 3/8 sockets forever but my 2 local stores never get them back in stock.

[@timweb1510]

They don’t want your money and business, go elsewhere 👌

[@thebackwoodsmechanic5029]

HF is trying their best to replicate Snap On with Icon

[@ThriftyGarage]

Looks a lot like that to me!

[@zorgzev96]

They do a disturbingly good job of it too. I prefer my Snap-On ratchet over Icon but sockets are a toss up honestly.

[@tomvermeulen1082]

Never does any of the comparison videos that he promises will be coming. So I've seen a few of these videos that have just absolutely wasted my time.

[@ThriftyGarage]

What comparison videos are you referring to?

[@dustinparker9456]

I never understood in some metric sets is why a 18 is skipped?

[@benjaminlockhart2792]

and 15 mm for steering adjustments on ford

[@ThriftyGarage]

Yea, working on Toyota's who cares about 15mm and 18mm is a must have. Now on my GM work truck I use 15mm all the time.

[@dustinparker9456]

I was also working on my wife’s Kia. Digging through my wrenches and noticed no 23mm in my set. I almost think the missing ones a SAE fills the blank. I say just make a complete metric set.

[@benjaminlockhart2792]

@@dustinparker9456 I bought a tekton impact metric 3/8 set the other week for work and I like the fact it doesnt skip any sizes. 7mm to 19 mm. I wouldve bought a 1/2 inch drive set too if I had thought about it. It was only I wanna say 28 dollars for short set and 37 for deep set. Good stuff!

[@VinSpacker]

The skipped sockets are sizes that are generally known for being used less often. I think it's a stupid way to save money on manufacturing costs. The Icon line however doesn't skip sizes and specifically advertises "No Skipped Sizes" on the products.

[@timweb1510]

The two rings note the metric and not standard you smart tool guy 😂

[@ThriftyGarage]

Good to know!

[@Crazywaffle5150]

Well yha the snap on is dirty. It's used. I don't see why anyone would spend another 20 bucks on their stocks.

[@The73Reaper]

Use a flat head

[@takenusername]

You had a chance to compare all 3 at the 10mm size and choose not to... 🤨

[@ThriftyGarage]

“Our biggest regrets are not for the things we have done but for the things we haven't done.” -Chad Michael Murray

[@afweldingllc]

Fuck snap-on! They need to get with times. They are a complete ripoff. I hope they go under if they dont change. IMO

[@ThriftyGarage]

What would Snap-On need to do to stay current? Yes, they are expensive. But they fill a niche and cater to a select group of professionals. One of the biggest services they provide is not manufacturing tools but rather performing customer service and warranty work to keep their clients working in auto shops. BTW, I’m not disagreeing with you that their tools are expensive. Rather trying to understand how they might improve.

[@timweb1510]

@@ThriftyGarage wrong, snap on is a financing business selling overpriced junk. They are masquerading as s tool company

[@ThriftyGarage]

I get it. And McDonalds is a real estate company selling burgers.

[@valgames1904]

that told us shit looks are nothing the test is on the metal

[@gncc600]

Not even smart enough to remove the sockets... can't even watch the rest.

[@MrJruta]

Uhm, how are they SUPPOSED to come out? Seems a stupid design

[@ts6640]

I know I myself couldn’t remove....I suspect an anti-theft type measure in terms of design. Maybe you are brilliant enough to have cracked the secret code?

[@gncc600]

@@ts6640 Stick a screwdriver in there and pry up gently. After once or twice they come on and off easy. Or you can be like this guy and destroy it and scratch your new sockets. Either way works.

[@ts6640]

@@gncc600 understood. Thanks!

[@bassheadlife492]

@@gncc600 I just wiggled them out without any tools