engraved (lightly) snap on tools. How to I remove the engraving?

[vtwinjunkie]

Greetings all.

I purchased a second set of snap on hand tools (stupid misake of my youth) when I was working at a motorcycle shop about 8 years ago.

It was a second job and I was making pretty good money at the time and my ego wanted me to have a second set of snap on tools.

I have since left the job and have this set of tools (wrenches, sockets, etc) basically a full set of hand tools that I do not need.

Trying to see if it is possible to remove the engraving or else I have to wait for someone with the same initials as me or close that can change the engraving hahaha.

thoughts? Besides calling me an idiot hahaha.

 

[JJThrasher]

I have found many techs don't really care about engraving on tools. I own several tools myself that have other people's initials on them. Worst part is when they start rusting through the engraving while the rest of the chrome is good.

You can try a wire wheel on a bench grinder if its light.

 

[ssdave]

If you're intending to sell them, leave the engraving alone. I always figure that engraving devalues the tools about 25%. Grinding away or otherwise trying to obscure the engraving devalues the tools 50% or more.

So, for a typical socket set that brings about $90 on ebay, you'll get about $70 for it with initials, and less than $50 if the engravings have been removed and instead you see the removal marks.

I'd just look for someone to buy them that wants the quality of the tool and doesn't care about engravings.

 

[vtwinjunkie]

Thanks alot all.

Having 2 identical sets I just cannot rationalize keeping them. The second set looks virtually brand new!

 

[ultgar]

If you're intending to sell them, leave the engraving alone. I always figure that engraving devalues the tools about 25%.

Unless they're signed by Carroll Shelby, Dale Earnhardt or Elvis, I agree with you. I collect vintage cameras and have bought a lot over the years on Ebay....I hate the engraving on these items. SD

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Leave them be and take a small hit in value. As stated above, they really lose value with nasty grind marks through the chrome.

If selling online, Take GOOD pictures and a good description so folks know exactly what they're getting. Also make sure to take 15 minutes and clean everything really well to get top dollar. It still shocks me at some of the great deals on eBay because the pawn shop seller didn't bother to wipe a layer of sludge off of a ratchet handle.

 

[Roberts210]

What are your initials?

 

[Tim37]

A while back I picked up a set of large so wrenches off cl dirt cheap,. They had three different engravings from three different owners. I tool a scotchbrite roloc and took the engravings down then buffed them they are much duller but I'm ok with it. If I where you I would leave the as is.

 

[Wyoming09]

A while back I picked up a set of large so wrenches off cl dirt cheap,. They had three different engravings from three different owners. I tool a scotchbrite roloc and took the engravings down then buffed them they are much duller but I'm ok with it. If I where you I would leave the as is.

x2 for ScotchBrite. I removed (mostly) some previous owners initials by hand with a good piece of ScotchBrite. I didn't removed them completely but lightened them enough that they were barely noticeable. Didn't damage the chrome at all(though it was more of matte finish as opposed to polished chrome).

 

[atomicpunk]

I buy tools to use, not look at, fill in gaps in the socket trays, or polish. Find someone that needs them and wants to use them. I bought plenty of used tools when I started out with other peeps initials, I put my own right next to them with a line through the old ones. Bunch of nitpickers on here.

 

[bob15]

You could keep the set and give them to a relative: son, niece, nephew, uncle, etc.

Double wrench sets aren't a bad thing. Nor is keeping the tools for future employment....kinda of a just-in-case.

I wouldn't grind the engravings off; but if I did, I would use a Dremel and a small stone wheel.

 

[Derek420]

Use a dremel and lightly remove it then use the buffer attachments and buff, if your good and patient and engravings are not very deep you can remove the owner marks and it will come out great and add value. I'm interested in what you have to sell and maybe in a package deal as Ive been looking for someone selling a package deal. I need tools for ppersonal use not to resale .pm sent I don't care about owners marks I don't understand why they, are worthless and people complain about or won't buy because of owner marks.. I'm your guy I'm wanting to open my own shop.

 

[jeeper46]

When i was still working as a Tradesman, I marked EVERYTHING I owned-We had a good crew of people there-If you dropped a tool, or left it somewhere, it would get back to you. With no name....finders keepers, maybe.

 

[zoomieport]

Unless they're signed by Carroll Shelby, Dale Earnhardt or Elvis, I agree with you. I collect vintage cameras and have bought a lot over the years on Ebay....I hate the engraving on these items. SD

I'll take the ELVIS set!!!

 

[vtwinjunkie]

I'll take the ELVIS set!!!

Me too

 

[vtwinjunkie]

When i was still working as a Tradesman, I marked EVERYTHING I owned-We had a good crew of people there-If you dropped a tool, or left it somewhere, it would get back to you. With no name....finders keepers, maybe.

dang...I have never been at a place like that.

I have since got into IT so I only pick up tools on the weekends...I find myself cursing and throwing tools less

 

[davethorik]

dang...I have never been at a place like that.

I have since got into IT so I only pick up tools on the weekends...I find myself cursing and throwing tools less

I engrave all my contractor tools because my coworkers like to use them more than their own tools, but stuff I use at home I don't engrave simply because I'm the only one using them 99% of the time.

 

[Dirtydan69]

I have quite a few used tools that are engraved with others initials. Oh well.

 

[rhandwor]

If you need the money sell the good set and keep the engraved set.

 

[IUEC Medic]

I think he's saying that both sets are engraved. I personally don't mind engravings... I use my tools I don't care if they look like they've been used. I would leave he engraving and if the purchaser wants to remove them let them do it. As someone who has purchases used tools from time to time, I am more wary of an attempt to remove engraving (possibly covering a theft?) than of someone's initials.

For me, the tool is going to get some paint on it and be permanently marked either way.

 

[mbshop]

Worse thing you can do is to mess with the engraving. Leave it alone and sell it as is. I have tools with others names on them and it has never bothered me. I doubt it will bother others.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have many tools with other peoples' engravings. Years ago, my #1 son asked "why does this wrench have "ED" on it?" I replied that it looked lonely, and I named it.

Truth is, It came to me after my Uncle ED passed away

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I have a wrench around here that has great grandfathers grandfathers fathers and my initials along with the initials of the person who sold it used to great grandfather.


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[unslow1]

I have quite a few used tools that are engraved with others initials. Oh well.

Same here. I have My Great-Grandfather's, Grandfather's and his cousin's tools. Then I have a lot that I have purchased from estate sales and pawn shops. I figure any tool that is engraved will eventually go to someone other than it's engraver.

 

[Danglerb]

Engraving bothers me, and I generally won't buy anything engraved unless its dirt cheap AND something I really need. OTOH I absolutely don't buy things a grinding wheel or wire wheel have been used on, that can't get cheap enough to be desirable to me.

Plenty are worse than me and won't buy any used tools.

 

[ilovevocs]

Just engrave "stolen from" in front the initials.


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[78C-10]

I'll take the ELVIS set!!!

Me three!

 

[bczygan]

Here's a foolproof method. Follow every step.

Get married.

Have at least 2 children.

Name them both so that their initials match yours.

When the time is right, gift them each one of your sets and tell them that you had them custom engraved with their initials!

Bill

 

[MDK22]

I engrave all of my tools. Always engrave or somehow mark your tools. If they are stolen it is the only way to prove they are yours. Otherwise the person can simply state they just own the same ones.

I trust a lot of people. Work with a bunch of good guys all my tools are engraved even the bits in my bit sets.

 

[ultgar]

I engrave all of my tools. Always engrave or somehow mark your tools. If they are stolen it is the only way to prove they are yours. Otherwise the person can simply state they just own the same ones.

I trust a lot of people. Work with a bunch of good guys all my tools are engraved even the bits in my bit sets.

Or you could buy a unique brand that no one else has. Buy a set of these and walk around with a UV light to find your missing or stolen tools. Also available with RFID chips in all of the general tools.

 

[unslow1]

I know a guy that spray painted his MAC tools Canary Yellow. Effective at keeping his tools separate from the others in the shop. I just couldn't bring myself to do something like that.

 

[jeeper46]

Here's a foolproof method. Follow every step.

Get married.

Have at least 2 children.

Name them both so that their initials match yours.

When the time is right, gift them each one of your sets and tell them that you had them custom engraved with their initials!

Bill

I engraved all my shop tools with my last name-sometimes my first initial,too. I gave a lot of them to my son, along with my Kennedy top and bottom boxes when he got a house of his own. Hopefully, when he uses those tools, he'll look at them, and think of his old Dad.

 

[Ifixvws]

I engraved all my shop tools with my last name-sometimes my first initial,too. I gave a lot of them to my son, along with my Kennedy top and bottom boxes when he got a house of his own. Hopefully, when he uses those tools, he'll look at them, and think of his old Dad.

It works!!!!

I cant go a day or two without using this wrench at the shop and not think of my father.

[/url]stein by Chadsci, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[chrisnazzy]

Here's a foolproof method. Follow every step.

Get married.

Have at least 2 children.

Name them both so that their initials match yours.

When the time is right, gift them each one of your sets and tell them that you had them custom engraved with their initials!

Bill

Bill, I like your idea the best!

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[turnpikecrusier]

If I buy used tools I leave the engraving on them. Only someone with those initials can say that it belongs to them. Ground off engravings can belong to anyone. Just saying.

 

[ssdave]

I'm thinking of getting a stamp similar to this made up for my Snap-On stuff. That way, nobody but me will want them, and if stolen it should be relatively easy to identify them. If it wasn't for identity theft, I'd put my social security number on them also:

 

[Empty Pockets]

Here's a foolproof method. Follow every step.

Get married.

Have at least 2 children.

Name them both so that their initials match yours.

When the time is right, gift them each one of your sets and tell them that you had them custom engraved with their initials!

Bill

Bill- You're a genius

 

[vtwinjunkie]

Thanks all. I have decided to leave them be! I will be posting these brand new tools for sale as soon as I find my paperwork for how much I paid and take 30% off as they are all brand new.

If they sell, they sell! if not, I keep 2 sets haha.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

One sad thing to mention is that pre-owned tools in as good or even better condition can be bought for 30% off new prices.. That is; tools without personal engraving or owner's markings.. Your brand new tools are no longer brand new; but pre-owned tools that have been engraved... Like others have mentioned; I would price engraved tools at least 25% less than comparable non-engraved tools selling on eBay. Bottom line is those wrenches are worth more to You than anyone else.

 

[Barnabas]

I don't mind engravings. I paint all of my tools with purple paint.