Do you buy engraved tools?

[Papawheelie]

I have some 1" and larger wrenches that I got from my father-in-law that he got from an estate sale. They are engraved with "Las Cruces P.D. Tool Room"!

I sure hope these are not stolen from the Las Cruces Police Department!

 

[Aberdale]

Sure. Why, don't they work anymore after they're engraved?

I bought a ton of used SO at a sale. A mechanic was selling his tools, and all of them were engraved with his initials. I got a great deal because the collectors weren't bidding.
And I don't need to engrave them with my name because they already have his name for ID if stolen. Bonus!

'dale

 

[bwringer]

My Dad engraved all his tools with a neat little "logo" using a stylized version of his first and last initial.

I inherited most of his tools a few years ago, and it's always kind of neat to grab a tool and notice Dad's logo.

 

[Cadillac fan]

Heres my 2 cents.

If I can get them cheap I will buy them most of the time. I have bought some whitworth spanners that were engraved, I almost passed on them but decided I to take them anyway. A few weeks later I got an old English lawn mower to take apart. Some of the bolts were whit worth and I was glad I grabbed the tools.

If you don't have the tool you should buy it if it is cheap. You never know if you will see it again plus if you do get another you can always have that as a spare.

 

[radgto]

I buy engraved and just polish it out with a roloc disc on a die grinder. Most engravings I've run across don't even penetrate the chrome... Yeah, looks a little buffed out but I use my tools anyway.

 

[NHBandit]

Yes, I did buy them.

I still try and not buy tools that are engraved but I do understand that tools are engraved for many reasons and not all are stolen goods.

The main reason I was worried earlier is because the wrenches were marked: NHBandit

You must have got them from my ex wife. She took everything... Save them. They might be worth money some day..

 

[BFBOB]

I have a way to grind off most engraving without much change in the look of the tool. I did an old pair of Channellocks today and they were marked with a guys SS# and the year 1949.

.

C'mon, spill the beans! What's your removal method?
I've seen (and bought) tools that had apparently had owners' marks ground off - some neatly, some not so neatly, but on all it was obvious.

 

[methomas70]

I bought a Craftsman crown-top logo electric engraving tool at a garage sale last year.
I think it was 3 bucks.
Nice one too, complete with the yellow vinyl pouch.
Anywho, upon closer inspection, I noticed the housing of the tool had the owners initials engraved on it.

Now there's a neat trick.

 

[Exceller8]

C'mon, spill the beans! What's your removal method?
I've seen (and bought) tools that had apparently had owners' marks ground off - some neatly, some not so neatly, but on all it was obvious.

I have 2 scotchbrite wheels on my bench grinder. One is hard and fairly new and the other is a softer wheel that is really worn down. I have the best luck with the worn wheel unless the engraving is really deep. If I have to use the harder wheel it will usually mess up the chrome but still better than looking at an engraved tool.

 

[zkling]

I don't go out of my way to purchase them, but I won't not buy them if they are a tool I need and in otherwise good working condition. Now granted I'm not usually purchasing said tools in a dark alley out the back of a guys trunk. So, I highly doubt they are stolen. Actually the few engraved tools I have came from a widow, so I know where the original owner is. Two of my tool boxes have a brass name plate of the name, date and address of the original owner. Both are Pre WWII, I just didn't have the heart to get rid of their name plates.

Props, if you can find tools with your initials already engraved. If I had the choice I would pick the non engraved tool, but well, I'd also like to drive a Porsche, but it just ain't in the cards ATM.

 

[928'er]

I've bought a couple of engraved tools on ebay - they are usually are being sold by pawn shops.

When I see the engraving it makes me feel sad for the poor guy who had to pawn his tools for pennies on the dollar to make rent or feed his kids.

By the way, I had a high end bicycle stolen years ago (by two guys in a car with stolen license plates) and the cop who took the report told me that I should engrave my driver's license number on items of value - otherwise, the cops have no way of finding the owner - should they ever recover the stolen property.

 

[zkling]

I've bought a couple of engraved tools on ebay - they are usually are being sold by pawn shops.

When I see the engraving it makes me feel sad for the poor guy who had to pawn his tools for pennies on the dollar to make rent or feed his kids.

Never know, they could have been pawned for money for hookers, blow or bail. I'm a bit surprised a pawn shop would even buy engraved tools.

 

[kenburkholz]

The engraving part does'nt bother me as much as buying stuff from a pawn shop only helps the bastards that screwed someone over and bought the stuff for pennies on the dollar, Sorry for venting, but, been there done that. Ken.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I have regretfully bought a few with owners engraving; I don't want someone's name or initials on my tools...

 

[Ruger_556]

I engrave all my tools just so no one else will ever want them...

 

[spacedoutbob]

It doesn't bother me if the engraved tools are at a good deal, I would say that 95% of my tools are engraved. However, if I have any suspicion that they might be stolen, I stay away from them.

Bob

 

[nicksnothereman]

Anything engraved and that mark just becomes the name of the tool.

That's how I've always dealt with it (with other stuff, don't really buy used tools). No big deal, it still works even if it's got someone elses name on it.