So i have a set of ingersoll rand impact sockets that have/had a printed markings on them. The sockets are good but the “screen priniting“ has worn off. I have made labels with a label maker but those soon get damaged and worn off. I have marked with a paint pen but first shot of brake clean — you guessed cleans them up. Any good ideas. Engrave?
Marking sockets sizes
- Thread starter uscarry45
- Start date
I’m sure you’ll get some good advice. What about labels or paint marking, then wrapping with clear packing tape?
This is one of several reasons why I prefer to avoid laser etched tools.
LWB
Well-known member
A socket organizer with the sizes marked. I doubt anything will last on the socket.
ETA This is also a great excuse to buy new ones
ETA This is also a great excuse to buy new ones
This sounds so logical. Makes perfect sense. Why mark tools at all? The tool that fits best is the right tool, regardless of size or system of measure.
But in practice it’s inherently impractical and terrible advice. The time and aggravation savings with being able to glance at a task and lay ones hands, near instantly, on the correct tools is immeasurable.
If you look at a fastener and know what size it is you should be able to look at the socket and know what size it is too, without reading whatever is etched or stamped or printed on it. Keep the on a rack of some sort in order of size. You don’t need to read the size to know if it fits.
MarcSeattle
Well-known member
Facom makes socket size tags that go inside the socket. They're plastic and slightly oversized so they just push in and stay in place. They pop out for cleaning. Search for Facom Le Tag.
Which socket could you more easily lay your hands on? 13mm or 9/16”?
I stored these tools this way to teach my kids to work on cars. I wanted to reinforce knowing the size, selecting the right size, optimizing depths or drive sizes for a given size. They would have done what you said, just kept trying until they found one that fit. In time, you do learn which one is which. But marking is objectively better.
How do you know what size you need? Measure each bolt head and then go look for a socket of that size? If you can identify the size of the fastener by looking you should be able to identify the size of the socket by looking.
Having tools organized and sorted is very helpful and something most people do. Having the sizes visible doesn’t seem to be that helpful.
I use mostly SK sockets that my old eyes can't read most of the time. I'm not an auto mechanic so I don't always know the size but I'm pretty good at guessing just from repitition.
One thing I do is keep BBE's on the wall behind my main bench. They make a quick reference when I'm unsure.
One thing I do is keep BBE's on the wall behind my main bench. They make a quick reference when I'm unsure.
Sorry if I’m talking at you brother. Apologies and respect.
I keep that chart I made in my toolbox with the std sizes for each national std. If you are working on a VW for example, you can guess with some certainty what sizes you will need. You don’t need to calibrate your eye to discern the difference between a 12mm bolt head and a 13. It’s 13mm on VW.
I know what you are saying tho. The markings on my impact sockets (back to the topic) aren’t THAT important. The black oxide finish is kinda fragile and it’s easy for me to find my 19mm, even if it wasn’t marked. It’s worn and covered in anti-seize. I personally struggle with 15mm, 16mm and 5/8”. If they weren’t marked I’d give myself a 30% chance of grabbing the right socket. This is made worse due to the fact that on some US vehicles, you may encounter either or both (15&16mm) on the same vehicle.
My advice remains: never buy laser etched tools, especially black oxide tools. Laser marking is the hallmark of a cheap tool and the markings rub off over time.
What I do is rub crayon into stampings, specifically on black oxide tools (doesn’t work well or help much on chrome) to help me grab the right tool. This lasts much longer than you might think. Crayon is wax and not much sticks to it. You can wipe greases and oils off it. And it’s easy to restore.
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theoldwizard1
Well-known member
My 1/4" drive 10mm has red tape on it.
My 1/4" drive 9/16" had blue tape on it.
My 1/4" drive 9/16" had blue tape on it.
jsaw
Well-known member
I have a couple of Grey Pneumatic deep impact sockets. The only size marking is laser etched . they are not stamped at all. Over time, the laser etching wears off so there is no size on the socket.
I took My engraver and etched the size in big numbers on the side if the socket.I then took a paint stick and traced over the engraved numbers. I have to reapply the paint on a regular basis, but the size is easy to see.
I took My engraver and etched the size in big numbers on the side if the socket.I then took a paint stick and traced over the engraved numbers. I have to reapply the paint on a regular basis, but the size is easy to see.
Schurkey
Well-known member
Backwards. Metric = blue.
I'm about to the point of needing a magnifying glass to read the sizes on some of my sockets.
The white Crayon filling in the stamped-in sizing is a great idea. I've got an excess of yellow tire crayons...I wonder if those would work.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
If You are working under a vehicle and ask Your Youngster to hand You a 3/8" drive, 15MM chrome deep well socket, Your Youngster will likely, without a doubt, hand You the correct socket. The manner in which Your toolbox is organized with the proper size markings makes this possible.
I've used paint marker in the past, and silver permanent marker (the Milwaukee version works great, but sadly they don't sell them anymore).
Many years ago I used nail polish to fill in the stamping on the slide of a Glock. It worked really well. I see no reason why it won't work on sockets or wrenches, similar to the crayon idea.
Many years ago I used nail polish to fill in the stamping on the slide of a Glock. It worked really well. I see no reason why it won't work on sockets or wrenches, similar to the crayon idea.
Sweetcorn
Well-known member
Etch or engrave them with some kind of rotary tool, die grinder, pencil grinder, etc., with a carbide burr.
Was the nail polish glitter metallic? Like moonlight mist or?…..I’ve just run out of nail polish and I need new. I think autumn frost looks best on my toes, really accentuates my toe hairs. Like to see that on a Glock.
There are paint sticks you can buy for the purpose that are like oil based paint you can rub on. I tried that too. They work. Maybe not as easy as crayon and doesn’t last forever. I found crayon easiest to reapply. And as a former marine, I always have a few packs of crayons handy as emergency rations.
jsaw
Well-known member
No, afraid not. It was just plain white.
But I've also used green.
Lots of guys used nail polish and other methods mentioned to mark timing belts, bolts, etc.
At CAT we used paint pens. We had a Grainger vending machine in the shop.
I thought that was what White-Out was for! aka torque stripe.
Yet another thing that works. I used to keep a bottle or two handy.
Funny story, I guess people sniff white out these days like they do spray paint. I was carded last time I bought it. Not sure if that's normal or common.
I use the rub on paint crayons (markal Lacquer-Stik, I get them from mcmaster, who call them 'paint crayons for recessed characters' or something). They work a lot better if you heat the part you're marking with a heat gun or hair dryer befor you rub the crayon on. I get a couple years out of the application, depending on how much solvent the tool sees, and how deep the engraving is.
I also have used them to make faint stampings on parts or data plates readable.
They sell some inexpensive decent wrap around labels on amazon and other places, I usually get 3-4 years out of them except on my 10, 12, 14, 17mm. Those are more like two years. Those Olsa socket holders are great and currently crazy cheap. I do usually have to ream out a couple of spots to get certain sockets to fit though, just one or two per holder.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I have not looked for the marking on a socket in many years.............................
If I throw all my sockets in a brown paper bag and ask the youngster for a 14mm, he’ll grab it for me - quick. Why, because he’s that good?
Nope. For the same reason 30 years ago I scoffed at geezers who painted big numbers on theirs -— I could see the tiny engraving across a dimly lit room.
Now I wear readers and still need a flashlight and a headache style squint just to tell if it’s metric or standard.
10 years ago I loved the giant “new style” engraving on snappy impacts so much so I bought darn near the whole set, now I can hardly see that unless I take it out in the sunlight.
Luckily (to use the example above) I know my 1/4” 9/16 because it’s the largest size SAE I have and my 13mm because it’s the most worn looking or shiniest depending on if I just replaced it.
When I was young I could easily find the size I was after, now I depend on some organization, gut instinct and experience because reading the sizes is nowhere near as practical as it once was.
In fact the only time I read them now is when I grab what to my mind surely is the right one and it doesn’t fit where I expected it should.
More than once I’ve thought if sockets and wrenches were always marked in braille I’d be fluent.
Nope. For the same reason 30 years ago I scoffed at geezers who painted big numbers on theirs -— I could see the tiny engraving across a dimly lit room.
Now I wear readers and still need a flashlight and a headache style squint just to tell if it’s metric or standard.
10 years ago I loved the giant “new style” engraving on snappy impacts so much so I bought darn near the whole set, now I can hardly see that unless I take it out in the sunlight.
Luckily (to use the example above) I know my 1/4” 9/16 because it’s the largest size SAE I have and my 13mm because it’s the most worn looking or shiniest depending on if I just replaced it.
When I was young I could easily find the size I was after, now I depend on some organization, gut instinct and experience because reading the sizes is nowhere near as practical as it once was.
In fact the only time I read them now is when I grab what to my mind surely is the right one and it doesn’t fit where I expected it should.
More than once I’ve thought if sockets and wrenches were always marked in braille I’d be fluent.
mslim
Well-known member
I have sockets on Olsa rails. Blue for metric, red for SAE. I can usually eyeball the correct size but if I don't, I have its neighbor handy. Sometime you might need another size socket to gain access to your primary job and it's good to have a few options nearby.
Also I think I might try the Brother label tape and see how it holds up.
Also I think I might try the Brother label tape and see how it holds up.
I work part-time at auto parts store and know which bolt size I usually need but I've never been able to eyeball a bolt/nut and tell you the size. same goes with i.d.'ing the socket just by looking at it
and they've never worn off? or do you have to occasionally replace them?
The only one I've ever replaced was the 10mm of course.
nbpt100
Well-known member
Everyone operates differently. You do you.
I like my sockets marked. I tried the labels you can buy on ebay. Good idea but they do not last if you use the socket. There must be something special about the labels Buster 21 is using. Who makes those?
It can be hard to see the etched or stamped markings sometimes. I also use a white paint pen to mark the 10mm and 3/8 SAE. Then I can count up or down to get the size I want from the socket holder. There was a thread on here a year or two ago that suggested that. I tried it and I like it. I wish I could recall who's idea it was so I can give them the credit. MAYBE Second gear rubber. ???