Who Makes Sockets with "Oversize ID Marking"?

[Bolster]

Who else makes sockets with "Oversize ID Markings"? I'm looking to buy a set, but I really want big markings on the sockets. I like them. Don't want to limit my shopping to the only two I know, which are:

Matco...

Craftsman...

Anybody else?

 

[sk farmer]

armstrong 10 letters

 

[Bolster]

Oh yeah, I see that...

 

[Bolster]

So far I like the bold marked Matcos. But I talked to a Matco rep today, and he says the Matco markings come off if they contact brake fluid!

Would you believe he suggested I look at Craftsman, if I wanted oversize-marked sockets?! Maybe that was just his way of blowing me off.

 

[Rickster]

 

[djb2]

Perhaps edit the title to add "Large Print" for clarification

I was wondering who made over-sized fastener heads, or how something would end up that way (galvanization?).

I've found that some label-makers have durable outer layers. No marker stands up to Kano-Kroil, etc.

 

[atari]

I think you buy stickers that are made for that, i think they were like 6 bucks for both metric and SAE I think.

 

[Wesley B]

If you are going to use them alot then get the matcos! Dave Blank told a while ago that they were very durable. And everything I read about craftsman is that they either wear off very fast or aren't very visible in the first place.

 

[OccupantRJ]

You could buy a laser engraver, then you could engrave ALL the older mechanics tools in your area for a profit. It only takes seconds to engrave a typical marking. My employer has entertained the purchase of one, as we already have a pad printer for inks. Laser engravers can be had that operate from a printer port on a computer.

 

[beelsr]

Brother P-Touch and the largest tape roll it will take (3/4 or 1"). Regular tape's pretty durable and I think they make a couple HD versions too....

 

[Monte]

Proxxon

Koken (impact sockets only)

or something different...:

 

[PassnThru]

Maybe it's time to stop fighting it and buy some reading glasses

Yeah - I need to do that too

 

[sgrammel]

Maybe it's time to stop fighting it and buy some reading glasses

Yeah - I need to do that too

Doesn't help much with the small font sizes.THE BIGGER THE BETTER

Turning 50 in August...anything with big fonts is good in my book!

 

[iandh]

Gearwrench sockets have large stamping on them.

 

[mn_commander]

+1 on the Gearwrench

 

[woody 73]

Maybe it's time to stop fighting it and buy some reading glasses

Yeah - I need to do that too

I was thinking that also ,see that is what happens when you turn 40, darn if only I could turn back the clock...Just wait till you need a hearing aid, darn that is what my doc wants me to get next.

We just can not win this fight!

 

[Bolster]

We just can not win this fight!

Yeah, but I read this whilst I was roasting up some gopher. I believe it is Tennyson's Ulysses who said:

"Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are...
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

Thus I am strong in will to find me some sockets with BIG MARKINGS on em.

Gearwrench:

So far, Matco is winning the contest, for my money...

 

[Garage_Mahal]

Engraved/Embossed > surface printing. Gearwrench FTW.

 

[Stick Figure]

I've never put the Matco's in contact w/ brake clean, but the markings on mine are doing okay after a couple of years. I know they are showing some wear though. I'll have to pay better attention tomorrow and see how they are holding up.

 

[Merkava_4]

Proto has pretty good size numbers on their sockets.

 

[Bolster]

Engraved/Embossed > surface printing. Gearwrench FTW.

Mmm, I'm not sure...I believe the Matco is laser engraved and then filled with an epoxy paint.

 

[hammergodthor]

Ever thought of painting over the size markings and wiping the paint off before it totally dries? The paint down in the size stamping cavity will remain, leaving you with colored size markings. Should be easier to read.

Don't have a picture of one, but I'm sure somebody here does!

 

[hammergodthor]

Just found this company online...

http://socketid.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=29

 

[Fedwrench]

Ever thought of painting over the size markings and wiping the paint off before it totally dries? The paint down in the size stamping cavity will remain, leaving you with colored size markings. Should be easier to read.

Don't have a picture of one, but I'm sure somebody here does!

I believe Elroy posted some pictures where he painted over some marking with yellow paint. Proto has a single stamped large size marking on their newer sockets.

 

[superautobacs]

I've used Markal pens in yellow/white to fill in the stamped numbers on hex keys for easier identification.

 

[Teken]

I actually really like how the laser ID is done on the Craftmen, also the GearWrench version is also top notch.

This X-Mas perhaps I shall drop a few bills on a master set from GearWrench and enjoy some of the new offerings from across the ocean.

On Topic: I plan on using some sort of hi vis metallic blue paint and spraying the inlay of the name and the numbers in the tools. Part for owner markings, and also to hi light the numerals better.

Just waiting for the paint to arrive next week and will post up the end results.

 

[impulse922]

i'm not sure i should really recommend these(havent really used em), but Mountain tools have laser etched sockets.

(i won a 1/4 and 3/8 drive in a high school auto competition)

 

[Teken]

Just found this company online...

http://socketid.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=29

The site does not provide any details about cost for these labels.

 

[gsport]

craftsman now makes sockets with larger than normal numbers..

 

[iandh]

The site does not provide any details about cost for these labels.

The price is at the very bottom of the page, $9.95, not all that bad I suppose.