Engraving tools

[clark_nicholas]

So do you guys engrave your tools. I never have but my dad and grandpa did. I'm thinking about getting a engraver and doing it. Ive already had some tools taken, but that was before i had lockable storage and the coworker that im sure took them cleaned them up and said that he just bought them off ebay. anyway Is there any downside to engraving

 

[OccupantRJ]

Get a rotary versus an impacting engraver for better results.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Only downside to it is it hurts resale if you ever part with your tools. Some people do very nice engraving while others make it look like ****

 

[Tony N.]

Only downside to it is it hurts resale if you ever part with your tools. Some people do very nice engraving while others make it look like ****

Yeah, I noticed engraved tools sells for 10-20% less.

 

[geologist]

I don't buy engraved tools, but I engrave a few of mine. I have a special monogram that I developed that merge my initials (SB) as a single letter (that looks like an S or a B depending on how you look at it). With that said, I engraved a few ratchets and wrenches.

 

[Boiler]

Use metal stamps and just do one letter or digit. Gets the job done, isn't offensive to the eye and seems to rust less

 

[ricocarlito]

Anyone have problems with rust after engraving?

 

[Tony N.]

Use metal stamps and just do one letter or digit. Gets the job done, isn't offensive to the eye and seems to rust less

Isn't it hard to stamp forged metals? I mean you're going to need more than a hammer and stamps right?

 

[battmain]

No rust, but the chrome on some seemed to start chipping at the engraved point. I put my initials in a set many years ago. I think I went through three engraving tools. It didn't like engraving tools. Would I do it again? Probably not.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I always have, just so when there is more than one of the same tool floating around, I know which ones are mine. It doesn't stop theft, if someone wants your tools bad enough they will take them no matter what.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

So do you guys engrave your tools?

Absolutely not; it destroys the value of the tool.

 

[wornoutoldman]

So do you guys engrave your tools. I never have but my dad and grandpa did. I'm thinking about getting a engraver and doing it. Ive already had some tools taken, but that was before i had lockable storage and the coworker that im sure took them cleaned them up and said that he just bought them off ebay. anyway Is there any downside to engraving

Take those back and engrave them for sure!

 

[jjjrmx5]

Absolutely not; it destroys the value of the tool.

Bull^%$t.
Or at least to the point that it only matters if you buy and sell a lot of tools and to those that collect them normally.

And mainly, it only destroys the value if you decide to sell it. And then it depends upon the buyer as some of those who "USE" their tools to make a living could care less vs. a the high volume of tool polishers on GJ who want virgin tools. (Which really, calling it what it is, is the OCD control freaks who have issues far beyond getting fussy about tool markings . C'mon ...be honest with yoursef ).

If a used tool is in good or great condition and only has an engraved initial or two, I could care less. That's one more ID mark to let me know it's mine.

I use what I buy . Many here do not.

If used in a big shop or in light or med. mfgr where turnover is high and theft is possible, engraving gives you a second line of defense of tool security. BTDT.

It's kinda like tattoos.
Some love them, some hate them and some are indifferent.

I'm happy to lightly tag a high priced tool to ensure it will stay with me for a lifetime.

As for marking them, Blue Point air powered rotary engraver here.

 

[atomicpunk]

I engrave all my tools with my initials. In fact the first tool I ever bought off the Snap-On truck was a Blue-Point electric engraver. Never noticed any rust after engraving. As for resale value after engraving, I don't care, I buy tools to use them not to display. I found it helps identify what tools are yours if your working on something with other people and they have the same make of tools as you.

 

[crewchief888]

i used to mark/engrave tools many years ago, i got tired of it.

in the last 4 or 5 yers i started marking air & electric tols when the month/year i bought them, just to see how long they last

 

[jhelrey]

Just spray paint them pink...

 

[wreckerman5357]

Absolutely not; it destroys the value of the tool.

Who cares? I buy tools to use and make money. I don't buy **** I don't plan on using until its ****-up. That said I also like to be able to identify my tools from other people's. So, the answer is yes, I engraved every tool down to individual sockets so I can positively identify them.

 

[geologist]

Absolutely not; it destroys the value of the tool.

After ******** with my ratchets, I store them in a plush velvet case and polish them daily using the fur or a baby seal and only the most premium metal polish available.

It's a tool.

 

[jjjrmx5]

After ******** with my ratchets, I store them in a plush velvet case and polish them daily using the fur or a baby seal and only the most premium metal polish available.

It's a tool.

Steven, you might want to try storing your sockets in fat-lined otter fur pouches also using semi-endangered free-range Panda fore-skins with dried polar bear placentas as the draw strings like I have. I've had nothing but good luck , but the prices can be a bit high.
The smell can be off-putting but they are good at deterring theives and do a good job at keeping rust at bay due to the natural animal oils.

A solid solution as long as you do not own cats. Well--duh.


PM me if you need my pouch supplier.



Lolz.


/threadjack.
Mea culpa.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

There are some tools you don't want to engrave; for example: this 1999 Snap-on FK835. They have sold on eBay for as much as $240 in used condition.

This one is brand new -

 

[jjjrmx5]

There are some tools you don't want to engrave; for example: this 1999 Snap-on FK835. They have sold on eBay for as much as $240 in used condition.

Yep.

I'm sure that EVERY service dude on Snap-on truck routes back in 1999 were going, f&^k, dude I just gotta buy that flex head shortie hard handle ratchet because I know that I can just throw it into the back of my box and make twice what I paid for it in 12 years. ****, now where is my job ticket and WTF am I doing only being paid $8/hr for?????????????????????????


We need a reality check in aisle 6 please...





Buy it. Use it . Keep it.----or at least until the point of upgrading if necessary.
If it has a possiblity of walking, mark it.

Those that don't advocate it have never worked in an environment that needed it.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

Yep.

I'm sure that EVERY service dude on Snap-on truck routes back in 1999 were going, f&^k, dude I just gotta buy that flex head shortie hard handle ratchet because I know that I can just throw it into the back of my box and make twice what I paid for it in 12 years. ****, now where is my job ticket and WTF am I doing only being paid $8/hr for?????????????????????????


We need a reality check in aisle 6 please...

If I went on a time time machine back to 1999, I could buy 10 of them for about $750 and then sell them today for at least triple that.

 

[wreckerman5357]

If I owned that thing it would look like my other Snap-On ratchets: used with my initials carved into the square drive side, right where the handle meets the head. A tool I cannot use is a worthless *************.

 

[jjjrmx5]

If I went on a time time machine back to 1999, I could buy 10 of them for about $750 and then sell them today for at least triple that.

And If I could go back in time, I'd stockpile 67-69 Camaros and Firebirds formerly made at a former GM plant right down the street from me.

Hindsight is 20/20 muchacho.
But it's not reality. Well...it can be YOUR reality, and that's cool.

 

[countryroad82]

Just spray paint them pink...

When I was in tech school I painted all my tools orange on the bottom and inside the drive end. The paint has still held up well over the years.

 

[cotjocky]

Yep.

I'm sure that EVERY service dude on Snap-on truck routes back in 1999 were going, f&^k, dude I just gotta buy that flex head shortie hard handle ratchet because I know that I can just throw it into the back of my box and make twice what I paid for it in 12 years. ****, now where is my job ticket and WTF am I doing only being paid $8/hr for?????????????????????????


We need a reality check in aisle 6 please...





Buy it. Use it . Keep it.----or at least until the point of upgrading if necessary.
If it has a possiblity of walking, mark it.

Those that don't advocate it have never worked in an environment that needed it.

+1

I take care of my tools and don't regularly abuse them. I also don't spend hours polishing them. They get wiped clean and oiled if it shows signs of rust and that's it.

I engrave most of my tools because it helps to easily identify what's mine and helps to cut down on theft.

Engraving tools do kill the resell value, but I hardly ever get rid of a tool or sell/trade it off so it's not a big deal for me.

On the flip side, I try to avoid buying used tools that have been engraved because I know I'm going to put my name on it. I'll pay a little more to get a tool that hasn't been marked/engraved when I'm buying used.

 

[back2class]

The downside to engraving is minor. Small minority of collector (think uptight) folks don't want those squiggly scratches so it does drive the price down on occasion for used tools. Makes perfect sense on new tools as some people just gotta have new and blemished obviously are not good. Never though about it one way or another utill I came here and realized some people care. But remember GJ is not "normal". We have a very high percentage of tool collectors here. In fact I would suspect that the majority of folks here spend more time trading, organizing and restoring their tools than using them. That's ok....we all love tools here. But it does create a bit of disconnect between the guys who look at tools in a utility sense and those that see them as more. I don't engrave my tools as I am not in a shop where I have to track ownership and I swap and sell a decent amount. I would not hesitate to do so though if I had any reason to. Though there is no harm in marking in less obvious ways like the inside edge of an open end wrench. A little thought can prevent unncessary ugliness.

 

[Ascinder]

Going overseas as an aviation contractor I was required to engrave all-and I mean all my tools with first/last initials and my last four of the social for accountability/FOD control. I bought a cheapie impact engraver from HF and the damn thing work fantastic! You need a steady hand and a magnifier helps when doing small stuff like individual screwdriver bits, but I would buy that engraver again in a heartbeat. I don't care about resale value, but if I did, it isn't that hard to take a file or grinder to the stuff and engrave new initials on. I tried to make all my stuff look uniform and not put it anywhere it uglies up the tool too much, but as long as the socket still turns the nut, who cares what it says on it?

 

[jeffmoss26]

I had my Leathermans and a few pocket knives laser engraved with my name at work.

 

[ncfh]

Just have to laugh, this thread is too funny!

Oh, and yup I do indeed paint tools, hard hats, torches, welders, and more, pink.

I at least give them to a pro to paint, so it's not like I'm chasing stuff around with a rattle can...

or do I?