408Chevelle
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2009
- Messages
- 148
What tool and technique do ya'll use to etch your tools? I have a lot of my great grandfathers tools with his initials carved in them and want to do the same to mine.
Tool etching
- Thread starter 408Chevelle
- Start date
Toolhorder
Well-known member
Electric engraver. I quit doing it though years ago because I think it's ugly and chances are you'll never get them back if stolen AND I have insurance so whatever.
Kjbakke2
ALLIANCE MEMBER
true. don't do it. although i have a craftsman wrench set that were my grampas and they are stamped "mack". i think they're cool just because of the sentimental value.
LoneGunman
Well-known member
LOL the "tool collectors" aren't awake yet, they'll be in here in droves screaming "Heathen, burn him at the stake" 
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Ditto!
But I got lucky beyond reason when my first tool box, a 2 drawer gray/red CM, was stolen from my car. The tools were returned to me 2 years later based on the police report I filed describing the initials on the tools.
Of course I returned the insurance claim $$!!
Unless you work someplace where the chances of your tools to get mixed up with someone else AND you don't ever expect to sell them, that's a waste of time. Better to make sure you have solid insurance on your tools.. I had a good policy and when my entire box was stolen, I got it all replaced... losing the odd wrench or screw driver is not life ending... I'd think twice before you do it.
nate379
Banned
I etch all my stuff. Has helped out a few times when trying to figure out who's tools are who's.
As far as selling them, I buy tools to use, so an etching on it doesn't matter to me. Just grind it off and put my own on it.
As far as selling them, I buy tools to use, so an etching on it doesn't matter to me. Just grind it off and put my own on it.
That, and you can forget about exchanging them. I've heard Sears won't even exchange tools they personalize.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Ive got my driver licsence number stamped into all my aluminum bodied pneumatic tools, and all my power tools as well, the plastic bodies, I melt the numbers into (using a different number set), funny, since I did that about 10 years ago, my stuff hasnt been stolen. My D/L is also stamped into the steel face of all my tool boxes and shop equipment, it aint pretty, but if my stuff is stolen, and the law comes across it, there is no dispute as to whos tools or box it is! And no, I dont give a fiddlers flute about the resale of my tools, who ever winds up with them when Im dead can worry about!
I have seen the law recover stolen items, I had my 9mm stolen out of my desk at work, and much to my complete disbelief, a detective recovered it and I got it back! Took almost a year, a fellow mechanic stole it, and sold it down the road from work at a tavern where there is a guy who buys guns hangs out. The detective made an educated guess that's where it went, and he was right! I thought for sure Id never see it again! Had it since I was 18.
I have seen the law recover stolen items, I had my 9mm stolen out of my desk at work, and much to my complete disbelief, a detective recovered it and I got it back! Took almost a year, a fellow mechanic stole it, and sold it down the road from work at a tavern where there is a guy who buys guns hangs out. The detective made an educated guess that's where it went, and he was right! I thought for sure Id never see it again! Had it since I was 18.
Uhhhhhh........I don't think I would have put my social number on those.
To ensure better identification, you need to put in your full name and DOB as well. Even better if you can etch in your signature. I bet the thief cannot sign your name as well as you can. Oh, don't forget your address. Can't be too careful.
just my 2 cents.
Good points. I'm going to need to get some bigger tools for all of that text if I'm ever going to fit my mothers maiden name on them.
Zrexxer
Well-known member
Can I get you to start adding date of expiration and the CCV code? Thanks
back2class
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,723
Ive been thinking of putting a mark of some sort on my tools. Not in obvious places and just a "o" or something with the stamp set. Like inside the open end on wrenches and inside the handles on pliers and so fourth to keep track of them.
nate379
Banned
They won't exchange, but they will repair or give you a new one and throw out the old one.
I use my tools for what they are intended so I don't really care if they have etching, spray paint or whatever to mark them. I'd of course not do it on that 24k gold collector's set or something like that, but that isn't a tool really designed to be used anyhow.
I use my tools for what they are intended so I don't really care if they have etching, spray paint or whatever to mark them. I'd of course not do it on that 24k gold collector's set or something like that, but that isn't a tool really designed to be used anyhow.
Last edited:
Red Green
Well-known member
In this day and age I assume you are kidding. But I was at an estate auction that the man who had passed away, he was 80 or so, had his Social Security Number on just about everything that he owned inculding his lunch box.
To answer the orginal question here is the blue point engraver http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=929&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog I am sure you could get one a hobby shop or Meijers for less.
Last edited:
nate379
Banned
If you are in the military I'm sure you know how many times a day you have to put the SSN on something. Not a whole lot of paperwork is filled out without it.
I just put my initials and that works for me. Came in handy when I had 2 roomates and we all turned wrenches. Sometimes we'd end up with 3 people's tools scattered on the bench while working on something.
I just put my initials and that works for me. Came in handy when I had 2 roomates and we all turned wrenches. Sometimes we'd end up with 3 people's tools scattered on the bench while working on something.
bushhawg73
Well-known member
I engrave all my tools. They are mine so I do with them what I want. I will pass them on to my kids some day and they will not mind. After I'm gone I could care less. Just my 2 cents worth.
ihredo4
Well-known member
I take a paint stick and fill all the stampings with they paint. Then I seal them in with clear finger nail polish. It is a pain in the *** more than anyhting to clean the stampings out but its not permanent. Makes my tools easily identified when mixed in with others tools.
jeepnut24
Well-known member
I got a rebuilt craftsman 3/8 ratchet on exchange that still had the PO initials in it. It was older and better than the broken one I traded in!!!
As for me, I use a bit of florescent paint on mine so I know they are mine. I can take the paint off if needed, but it does help keep things straight when tools get mixed up.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Hey Joe, I had my first tool box/tools stolen right out of my garage on a Sunday morning while I was out to breakfast, at the same time they took my pickup truck, my two brand new three wheelers and my brand new stihl saw, that I had not even used yet. They loaded all my stuff in the back of my truck, and two kids rode of on my trikes. I got the truck, the trikes back, never heard or saw of my tools or saw (nothing was marked). It does happen, now with all my marked tools, when it happens again, and the law just happens to randomly pull them over, whats going to stick out, this D/L number stamped in everyhing ? What do cops work with all day? D/L numbers. When was the last time your provided your D/L for a financial transaction ? Furthermore, what little kernel of info can a cop do allot with right on the spot, not your initials, or some random mark, but they can get you on the phone within minutes to ask you if your missing a truck load of tools.....?
Your post smells of sarcasm, as in using a D/L on my tools will lead to identy theft or something ? Feel free to keep the wheel of theft spinning, I will do what I can to slow it down.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
True, but I never sell tools. Only exception is if I buy up a lot of tools and sell what I don't like or need.
spencerian
Well-known member
I would put the **** polaroids of your wife in the toolbox too. Just for safekeeping.
caper
Well-known member
The police have been telling us for years to engrave our Social Insurance Number,Social Security for you yanks,in anything we have that's valuable.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Maybe i should get mine tattoo'd on my ***. I've already lost my mind, maybe when i lose the rest of myself it'll be useful..
I'm just joking around. Don't take me too seriously.
In all seriousness, I'm working on documenting all of the serial numbers on just about everything I own for the same reason.
I move states too frequently to use a DL number.
Keep
Well-known member
Had a friend of mine in the Army had his SSN tattooed across his chest in 2 inch block letters. Guy was a bit of a nut...lol
Kjbakke2
ALLIANCE MEMBER
that seems like a dumb move to me
thats something ive always been taught to keep secret
identity theft is a beetch