Has anyone worked at a shop that required tool markings?

[redwrench60]

I mark my tools but I'd HATE to be told I had to.

 

[wreckerman5357]

I don't see what the big deal about marking your tools is. They are tools, not pieces of art. If my boss tells me to do something, I do the best job I can and get it done, as long as it is a reasonable request. I don't see how this is unreasonable, they want you to do it, so do it, or look for another job. There are lots of guys out there that cant find work and would be happy to take his job if he cannot follow his employer's wishes.

 

[DGC15]

I worked at Boeing back in the late 60's. We had to mark all of our tools with the last 4 digits of our SS#. I have most of those tools today and there is no problem with any of them. We used a plate, connected to a transformer, that you placed the tool on and a "pencil" that was connected to the transformer. You just wrote your number on the tool. It etched it into the surface with a few small sparks.

 

[mercman86]

All of my tools at work are engraved with my initials. ALL of them, Snap 0n, mac, craftsman. None of their finishes have failed. Theft is not a problem at my shop, but the 2 guys I work with are slobs and when I allow them to borrow something, it usually ends up on the floor in a pile of rubble. When it a tool is found on the floor, there is no doubt whos it is because of the engraving.

 

[JDS968]

I don't know. Employer says "We've had trouble with auto theft in the parking lot. Instead of doing something about it, I'm just going to require that every employee acid etch his full name on the driver's door in 6 inch tall letters." Do you say "Yassah!" and get on it, or is it none of his damn business what you do with your personal property?

 

[wreckerman5357]

I don't know. Employer says "We've had trouble with auto theft in the parking lot. Instead of doing something about it, I'm just going to require that every employee acid etch his full name on the driver's door in 6 inch tall letters." Do you say "Yassah!" and get on it, or is it none of his damn business what you do with your personal property?

This is like comparing apples and oranges. This would not be a reasonable request for an employer for to make. Marking tools in an attempt to prevent workplace disputes is different.

 

[Gregster]

When I got into the trade I work at a general mech shop with an interesting crowd so I engraved nearly all my stuff with my initials. I'm a pretty nice person and like to help out so when someone would ask to borrow something I'd hand it over.. Well the "handing" it over became "never see it again" I'd spend sometimes an hour trying to find a hammer or pliers... I worked 7ft from my box and had to lock it constantly because the "borrowing" was getting so bad. My initials were filed off as well.

The worst was when I came back from vacation after 2.5 weeks and a person(s) decided to break the locks on my box and help themselves to the contents. This was in the period when I was starting to buy up SO products. Needless to say there were some nasty words exchanged between my boss and I. In the end he covered the missing tools and then some. I decided after that it was time to start looking for a new job. You don't know the feeling of showing up after vacation and having both locks broken with the contents of your tool box nearly empty/scattered about.

I have a friend that works at MB and that dealership requires engraving on tools so that if something is left behind in a car it's quicker to track down who left it there. ONE tool left behind and you're working night shift for a LONG TIME

 

[JDS968]

This is like comparing apples and oranges. This would not be a reasonable request for an employer for to make. Marking tools in an attempt to prevent workplace disputes is different.

How's it any different? Both are your personal property that you bring to work.

As for the "preventing disputes" nonsense...if I lend tools and they don't come back, I know where they went, I know where to get them, and I'm not doing that again. Simple. But if people are walking off with my tools without my permission, that's not my responsibility to solve, that's an employee problem. The employer has a responsibility not to have thieves on the premises.

 

[redwrench60]

Having someone tell you what to do with your personal property feels like them walking in your house, kicking your dog, smackin' your wife on the ***, grabbing a beer from your fridge and telling you to fix em' a sammich.

 

[flyingw]

Typically when working in the aviation industry, if a tool is used on or around an aircraft, they are etched. Stickers come off. There are many reasons why an employer requires tools to be marked but usually its for tool control. Back around 1998, technicians at Tinker AFB here in OK blew the tail off a tanker by over-pressurizing it. The plane was dispositioned to my company. We got the fuselage minus the tail and we moved it in to out warehouse to used for R&D. One day I opened up the keel beam bay door which is between the main landing gear and all these tools came spilling out. They were etched with a Tinker ID so we called up Tinker Quality control and they came out and gathered up all the tools. They traced them back to the technician they beleonged to. The one who DIDN'T report them missing. They were lost before they blew the tail off so those tools could have been onboard when the aircraft took off for its functional check flight and beyond or until such time that somebody opened up the keel beam bay. Its these kinds of reasons why employers require tools to be marked.

 

[scott917]

i can tell you what i would do just to piss the company off. they used to have this thing called a microstamp. it was like a metal punch and on the tip was a raised edge that would stamp whatever you wanted them to write on it. it was smaller than a grain of rice. i would use this and tell them to piss off. my name is on there, its not my fault you need a microscope to read it. get better glasses. lol

S

 

[Sureshot]

I bet it has alot more to do with drama reduction than theft. Look at all the drama on here over it. If you lend it is OK but if someone takes it is the employer's problem. That would be exactly why someone said make them f'n babies mark their toys and end this ****. As for the shops where guys get along great for you guys and hopefully it stays civil and the employer aka sitter doesn't need to get involved.

 

[wreckerman5357]

How's it any different? Both are your personal property that you bring to work.

As for the "preventing disputes" nonsense...if I lend tools and they don't come back, I know where they went, I know where to get them, and I'm not doing that again. Simple. But if people are walking off with my tools without my permission, that's not my responsibility to solve, that's an employee problem. The employer has a responsibility not to have thieves on the premises.

It's different because of the tools and cars are very different. My pickup was purchased because it does the tasks I require of it and its appearance is of great concern to me. Tools on the other hand are purchased to do work and make money, period, end of story. Visual blemishes do not effect their usefulness. A car is designed with appearance as an important aspect of said design. If you cannot see a distinction between a car and a tool, there is no point in arguing about this.

It is also different because you do not use your car to conduct business for the shop.

Engraving tools does prevent disputes, not going to argue something I know for a fact.

 

[Big Johnson]

I hated to mark the new Snapon wrenches that I just bought. But Id rather have them marked with my personal information and hopefully returned to me when someone found them then to someone just walkin away with it and not knowing who to return it to. Dont let people borrow tools EVER. Do what your boss tells you, sue him, or find another job... simple as that.

 

[hdridinas1]

EVERY single tool where I work is marked. Each tool that can be taken apart into multiple pieces, all the pieces are marked also. Allen wrench sets, each one is marked unless its the really small ones.

As the guy who was in charge of ALL the tools, I can tell you that etching them does not lead to failure in any way. Just dont etch plastic safety glasses....

 

[hdridinas1]

I hated to mark the new Snapon wrenches that I just bought. But Id rather have them marked with my personal information and hopefully returned to me when someone found them then to someone just walkin away with it and not knowing who to return it to. Dont let people borrow tools EVER. Do what your boss tells you, sue him, or find another job... simple as that.

I used to etch $90-150 Snap On FOD ratchets all the time. Brand new, outta the box.

 

[franzdom]

An alternative would be to get taiwan tools for work and keep the best for home?

 

[JDC]

It's simple. You know the policy, if you do not like it, do not work there. If you are OK with the policy, work there. I work for a Catholic institution, and I am not Catholic. They have policies such as upholding Christioan value, not offering Birth Control, etc. I am fine with the policies, so I am employed. People need to quit getting all **** hurt over stuff. It is not your right to work somewhere and not follow policy. I'm sure you will have complaints at any other employer you work for. Look for another job if you cannot possibly fathom engraving tools. Congratulations, I'm sure you will have the shiniest tools in the unemployment line.