Richard Cranium
Well-known member
I used to engrave my D.L. in my tools but gave that up a long time ago. too many tools not enough time.
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How do you mark your tools?
- Thread starter Exceller8
- Start date
as general rule i do not loan my tools.
cheaper sh..stuff might be loaned and taken away from my presence. but the better tools. they may be used by others when i am around, but they are not loaned away. only to select few. and even then with stern reminder whose they are and how to treat them.
nowdays, i use paint to mark them most often. just to make them easier to recognize and id. (sae with one color, metrics with other)
back when i used to go to work in jobsites more often, and with my own tools, i used to mark everything.. sometimes i just used bright tape to quickly mark them. and most often just i marked my tools with sharpie. then i used to paint some of them.. and then also engraved my initials to some of the more expensive tools (mostly powertools) and this engraving was was done hidden or inside (sharpie etc was visible anyways).
i have also used invisible ink to mark my tools too. (so they are only visible with UV or blacklight) and this i think i might start doing again with my stuff.. basically no one can guess it being there. they might remove the other markings but be suprised with uv light showing text inside the casing of the tool when questioned about ownership.. "so please explain why i knew that there is MY initials and date of purchase written inside of "your" tool?"
cheaper sh..stuff might be loaned and taken away from my presence. but the better tools. they may be used by others when i am around, but they are not loaned away. only to select few. and even then with stern reminder whose they are and how to treat them.
nowdays, i use paint to mark them most often. just to make them easier to recognize and id. (sae with one color, metrics with other)
back when i used to go to work in jobsites more often, and with my own tools, i used to mark everything.. sometimes i just used bright tape to quickly mark them. and most often just i marked my tools with sharpie. then i used to paint some of them.. and then also engraved my initials to some of the more expensive tools (mostly powertools) and this engraving was was done hidden or inside (sharpie etc was visible anyways).
i have also used invisible ink to mark my tools too. (so they are only visible with UV or blacklight) and this i think i might start doing again with my stuff.. basically no one can guess it being there. they might remove the other markings but be suprised with uv light showing text inside the casing of the tool when questioned about ownership.. "so please explain why i knew that there is MY initials and date of purchase written inside of "your" tool?"
altersaddle
Well-known member
I don't mark tools I buy (although I will buy used tools with markings).
If I re-handle something with a turned handle, the handle I make will have three rings on it.
If I re-handle something with a turned handle, the handle I make will have three rings on it.
methomas70
Well-known member
I have a bunch of stuff I've bought used (in great shape) with previous owner's markings.
I like when future sellers engrave their tools.
It creates a buyers market for me because most people aren't willing to pay a decent price when someone else's initials are on them.
Although I've read on here that some people automatically assume that used tools that are engraved are stolen.
I disagree. If your name is, oh let's say John Smith, and the wrench set you're selling me has "JS" etched in them, I'll buy them and sleep fine tonight.
Then again if some sketchy character in an alley is selling them, I'd pass.
But, truth be told, I don't buy much of anything from sketchy characters in an alley.
I like when future sellers engrave their tools.
It creates a buyers market for me because most people aren't willing to pay a decent price when someone else's initials are on them.
Although I've read on here that some people automatically assume that used tools that are engraved are stolen.
I disagree. If your name is, oh let's say John Smith, and the wrench set you're selling me has "JS" etched in them, I'll buy them and sleep fine tonight.
Then again if some sketchy character in an alley is selling them, I'd pass.
But, truth be told, I don't buy much of anything from sketchy characters in an alley.
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i have also used invisible ink to mark my tools too. (so they are only visible with UV or blacklight)
Never considered this. Any particular brand or type? Is the ink long-lasting? Is the ink removable?
I don't mark ones I've bought, since I don't lend them. On the ones that are engraved, they were bought on Ebay and it doesn't bother me that they are. It's like tattoos...good for others, not for me, but doesn't bother me.
On the few engraved I bought at an estate sale, the previous owner was the guy's father in law, so they have his name on them.
On the few engraved I bought at an estate sale, the previous owner was the guy's father in law, so they have his name on them.
geartow
Well-known member
I engrave my initials into common items that get mixed on large jobs visegrips get mixed very easy when you are partnerded on a job someone doing left side while you do right. Ratchets, gear wrenches creasant wrenches these also get engraved .
atthebeach
Well-known member
I have some tools from my grandfather's and my dad's tool boxes which they had engraved with their initials. I always find myself thinking of them when I reach for one of their tools. I am far enough along in life now to recognize there are some adult conversations I wish I could have had with them.
In my shop I don't have any reason to mark my tools. The wife is the only one allowed in my shop. The neighbors have no idea that I even have a shop. They just think I have a lot of living space, so they don't even ask to borrow tools.
When the wife started borrowing my tools, I got her a tool set of her own. Separate tools and separate checking accounts...two of the basic principles that lead to a long and happy marriage.
In my shop I don't have any reason to mark my tools. The wife is the only one allowed in my shop. The neighbors have no idea that I even have a shop. They just think I have a lot of living space, so they don't even ask to borrow tools.
When the wife started borrowing my tools, I got her a tool set of her own. Separate tools and separate checking accounts...two of the basic principles that lead to a long and happy marriage.