How do you mark your tools?

[Exceller8]

I'm looking for ideas on how to mark my tools, especially my specialty Snap-On wrenches. I don't want to engrave or paint the tools so what are some other options?

Here are some options off the top of my head:

1) Engrave
2) Paint
3) Laser Etch
4) Zip Ties
5) Drill or Grind

#3 would be cool, but where do you get it done? What do you guys use? Pictures would be great!

 

[63mothership]

Electrical tape. Blue for metric, red for standard with the size marked on the tape (much easier to read) and initials on the tape by the size

 

[Fretters]

You can electro-etch too, using readily available items to make a homemade unit.

 

[flying eyeball]

 

[Rubiman14]

I don't mark many of my tools. Usually just the ones I keep in my Jeep tool bag, as they get scattered doing trail repairs. We have a laser at work and I'm fortunate enough to be the programmer. So I use that or just a simple pencil engraver when I need to.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I don't mark anything I know what my tools looks like. I always remember what I loan out as well

 

[one9gt]

unmarked, i dont loan tools out and if i do im literally riding your back as i watch you use it.

 

[Exceller8]

I don't mark anything I know what my tools looks like. I always remember what I loan out as well

Here is an example of why I want to mark my wrenches. I bought some specialty 3/8" & 7/16" angle wrenches and I want to put them in the same bin as my regular angle wrenches so I can identify them quickly. Sometimes I trade out tools and I wouldn't want to trade out those wrenches thinking that they're regular angle wrenches.


I like the tape idea!!

 

[ZRX61]

I find it better to mark anyone who messes with my tools. It only takes one or two before word gets around

 

[Exceller8]

I find it better to mark anyone who messes with my tools. It only takes one or two before word gets around

 

[Chris83]

At my shop each tech pretty much uses a different brand so it's pretty easy to identify who the tool belongs to. But for the odd thing I do mark I just use a sharpie or paint pen which both come off pretty easy if it's on metal.

 

[pistolpete1313]

A little off topic but judging by how many great brands there are out there, for the pieces that may be confused with others, this is a great reason to be a little different. Be the Proto, sk, facom, etc... guy at your shop for the usual sized tools.

I want to hear from people who use tool control software. I wonder how far out we are from more penetration of this.

Snap On System

Facom System

 

[WJD]

Engrave, engrave everything. Each tool or set cataloged also.

Don't loan much, I don't run a tool rental store.

Have been in projects, races and the like where tools get intermingled with others, permanent tool identification is a good thing.

 

[one9gt]

A little off topic but judging by how many great brands there are out there, for the pieces that may be confused with others, this is a great reason to be a little different. Be the Proto, sk, facom, etc... guy at your shop for the usual sized tools.

I want to hear from people who use tool control software. I wonder how far out we are from more penetration of this.

Snap On System

Facom System

Unless you're shop runs a tool control program, such as airline maintenance or you're military, where they track and inventory every single tool its a bit overkill for the shop. We used TAS prior to snap-on introducing their software and its a pain in the ***. Every single tool down to a screwdriver bit had to be etched with its unique id then inputted into the system. It's great once up and running but setup *****.

 

[tshetter]

I do not engrave or mark my tools in any way.

Maintenance doesn't loan tools to production, I don't loan my tools to anyone, and my box stays locked.

I also don't leave any tools out on the production floor while not actively working on something.

Just the way it goes and it works well for me.

 

[trackwelder]

I mark none of my own tools. All my work tools are painted somewhere with green paint. Makes it much easier when there are several teams all working in the same area with similar tools.

 

[FOCUS.FREAK]

ever think of using a center punch on the wrench. like two or three dots in a spot you will remember?

 

[torqueman2002]

I don't mark my tools any more.

I did engrave all my tools when I first started out, many years ago. And I'm glad I did.

I had a set like the 118-piece CM set below.

It was in the back seat of my car when it got stolen. I filed a police report in Syracuse NY where I was visiting, then returned home to Rochester.

It seems like it was a year or so later, 2 Syracuse detectives visited me in Rochester with a bag of tools with my engraved initials. They had been recovered and wanted me to identify them at an upcoming trial.

I received about 45% of the the tools back.

If I was to mark any of my tools now, I'd etch them using my media blaster and a metal template.

 

[LXCam]

1) Engrave
2) Paint
3) Laser Etch
4) Zip Ties
5) Drill or Grind

#3 would be cool, but where do you get it done? What do you guys use? Pictures would be great!

I have a buddy in Highland that has a super wammy laser set up. If you're serious I'll ask him what he may charge. But what is it you're looking to do, couple letters, complete name?. Let me know and I'll find out.

 

[shanny19]

It's easier to de-mark than most engraver weilding i-got-mine-'ers suspect.

When I get engraved tools from the pawn shop, I set up die grinders with 2" rolocs in the following progression: Fine surface prep pad, if needed medium surface prep pad, if needed green bristle disc, if needed worst case, 120 sandpaper. Of course, if you get to steps 3 or 4 you'll have to work backwards too. With care, most engravings disappear with no harm to chrome.

For big lots, you kinda get to know the guy. Rick G I have your tools. Dude with social ending in 7834 I have your tools.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

I don't mark any tools. If I filled tools with electrical tape etc., the tools would be too hard to Polish and buff.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

I don't mark any tools. If I filled tools with electrical tape etc., the tools would be too hard to Polish and buff.

 

[Flivver250]

I don't mark mine, loan mine or borrow anyone's tools. If I need it I buy it, hell if I don't need it I buy it. Of course I am now a home hobbyist and it is a non-issue, but back in the day when I was in the bay, my tools did not get loaned. I bought a beautiful set of open end box Wright tool wrenches starting a 1 1/4 and going up to about 3" I think, all looked brand new except the original owner had etched them. To this day that etching irks me, makes them feel like they aren't mine. BTW, paid 200 bucks for that set. The seller got them in an abandoned storage unit he bid on and won. The wrenches were worth that in scrap metal value damn near.

 

[CJM8515]

Since I dont generally loan stuff out I dont mark anything. Those who do I loan to are told to bring it back or else and they are trusted people anyways.

 

[kctyphoon]

i would ask why i wanted to mark them.. if its just around trusted people, then a piece of colored electrical tape might be fine. it allows for quick ID and can easily come off if you decide you want it removed... if its it suppose to be a way to identify something lost of possibly "accidentally taken" then id want something you cant take off..

i got frustrated with stuff disappearing off my trucks at work . i juggle 2 different types of utility trucks so im aways letting people use what im not. since alot of our stuff is identical its easy to get things confused with someone else's, and easy for people to steal.. so for that i just spray painted all my stuff (ugly green) that is either company provided, or junk i dont care about. i buy my own hand tools (knipex mostly) and im the only one that does that - so theres no mistaking whats mine for that stuff..

if you dont want to engrave cause it just makes stuff look ****** - maybe you can get a metal stamp or punch instead.. pick one letter, or a number, and just stamp everything you own. not easy to see, doesnt look ******, and wont come off..

 

[Wakefield]

Colored fingernail polish

 

[pendragon1998]

I expose all my hand tools to a radioactive source. All it takes to ID them is a geiger counter.











J/K

 

[ZRX61]

Rick G I have your tools.

Oh no you don't

 

[ngk22r]

ever think of using a center punch on the wrench. like two or three dots in a spot you will remember?

Three dots in a triangle shape is how I mark my tools

 

[Thumper68]

At one point I had all the tools in the box in my truck spray painted blue and all the ones at home with a dot of hot pink nail polish, and yes she was pissed when she couldn't find the bottle.

All my power tools that may leave the shop for a job get my address engraved on some part so if someone trys to sell you a tool with 89496 on it give me a shout.

 

[kblee27]

Colored fingernail polish

I mark my tools not bcuz of loan but to ID the wrench size 10, 12, 13, 14. etc.

I tried painting, but I guess my paint isn't good enough as it would flake off.

I tried electrical tape, it would get messy and gummy and peel off.

I tried heat sleeving, but it wouldn't last long either.

brothers label tape seemed to last the longest.

But thanks for the fingernail polish tip.
I might try some and see how long it last.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I'm looking for ideas on how to mark my tools, especially my specialty Snap-On wrenches. I don't want to engrave or paint the tools so what are some other options?

Here are some options off the top of my head:

1) Engrave
2) Paint
3) Laser Etch
4) Zip Ties
5) Drill or Grind

#3 would be cool, but where do you get it done? What do you guys use? Pictures would be great!

I pee on them like any good dog does...lol

I need to come up with a technique since I travel with some tools, some hand tools and measuring tools

 

[77thor]

I pee on them like any good dog does...lol

OMG... LMAO!

I think that I just peed a little...

 

[Gidge]

I have painted tools in the past, but these days I don't even bother to mark them.

 

[RV77]

I painted my snap on wrenches years ago with red spray paint,wiped them so it will leave paint in letters and numbers.works good after letting them sit over the weekend.

 

[stevenhs]

I don't like marking my brand new snap tools.

 

[countryroad82]

Back when I was in trade school I painted all my tools pink. It was great. Nobody wanted to borrow them and if they did they made sure to bring them right back!

 

[Empty Pockets]

My tools are always locked up, unless I'm working on a project. Aside from my key, my wife has one, and my son has one. No need to make them

Both know not to put anything back when they finish. I have a plastic box on my work bench for the tools, I'll put them away

 

[jeepinerdeep]

If you are going to put tape on them. Why not get a brother p-touch and make nice labels? The label tape comes in many widths and colors.

 

[BK13]

I pee on them like any good dog does...lol

Dangit, beat me to it!