Improving legibility of Hex keys

[Adam.C]

deleted

 

[fivespdcat]

This is a really nice idea, I like the ingenuity. Though I would reach for a paint crayon first.

 

[General Geoff]

Looks really nice. To improve wear resistance, you could try painting over it with epoxy resin, as a sort of clear coat.

 

[Rico.]

Brilliant idea.... I wonder if you could paint on a special varnish so they would
last for ages. I like it.

 

[Coach James]

I think I'm going to steal this idea.

Coach

 

[Drew_flux]

I like it, going to have to steal that one.

 

[StevePgh]

Adam - I'd add your first post with the pic to the Tips and Tricks thread.

I'm interested in hearing about what folks do to improve readability on their sockets. The crayon trick would work for impact sockets, but what about chrome?

 

[lotsoftools]

Great idea. I wonder if clear nail polish over the crayon would work.

 

[nine4gmc]

I bet white nail polish would work, IDK if clear would work over crayon wax.

 

[Jim C.]

Hey Adam, good idea. It might be an improvement over my current method of squinting and using a magnifying glass to read those little numbers. I think I'll give it a try!

Jim C.

 

[Hootbro]

Little hard to find but I use this:

http://www.markal.com/lacquer-stik/

Works much better and lasts longer than a crayon.

 

[jeffmoss26]

What about the paint pens made by Markal? Would that work?

 

[dsmnickk90]

What about paint them wiping over it with a rage with some paint thinner on it so the paint in only left in the stamped letters?
Looks awesome though

 

[Griff93]

What about the paint pens made by Markal? Would that work?

It works great but you have to let it get a bit dry before wiping it. I did a bunch of my impact sockets like this several years ago. All of them are still very easy to read and they get daily use.

 

[oldtools808]

You would think tool companies would want to make their marking with better contrast!!. I like to use florescence paint, let it dry & sand off excess...

 

[CWP1616L]

I've been trying to come up with an idea like that for my wire strippers.

 

[Outlawmws]

I like it! I'll have to score some (decent) white crayon and steal this idea!

I agree it has other uses as I have other tools with fine non contrasting stampings too!

 

[dsmnickk90]

I tried that first. The paint didn't fill up the letters like crayon. And for the smaller keys, wiping off the excess wiped out the paint in the letters. But do try it and see what you think.

I haven't tried over coating the crayon yet because its holding up fine. You can remove it with mineral spirits if you don't like it.

I wonder what would happen if you let it dry then take a razor and shave it from around the outside of the letters.

 

[young_buck]

this is a great idea, I am going to try this on my impacts, Thanks for sharing OP

 

[ddo]

Could try cooking em a bit to melt the crayon and better fuse the crayon to the hex key....crayons will melt below 150 F. To remove the wax boil some water and throw the hex keys in. The wax should float right out. At boiling temps you shouldn't affect the temper of the steel at all.