Marking tools

[KEH]

Didn't want to hijack the other thread about tool markings. I have found used tools with a wide variety of owner marks, in addition to engraving names.

Painting the entire tool. Some colors I have run across and sometimes bought are pink, green, yellow, and some indistinct faded color. Must have been from a left over spray can.

Putting sports of color on the tools, 2 or three being most common.

Grinding notches somewhere on tools. 3 notches on the flat side of the sockets is common. Some grindings are in indistinct shapes, possibly on the theory that a thief will not notice that the tool is marked.

Using a center punch to put 2 or 3 dimples in some strategic spot on the tool.

Sometimes a name is engraved on the plastic handle of a screwdriver, and I have seen the 3 notches cut in a screwdriver shank.

I have bought marked tools but prefer not to. The only thing I really wont buy is chrome sockets that show air gun damage in the square drive. If I was going to mark my tools, I think I would go the paint route, maybe in high visibility orange.

 

[JJThrasher]

I work with trustworthy people. If I can't trust the people I work with I need a new job.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

There is a bit of difference between Your worthwhile contribution and hijacking a thread. If We didn't enjoy participating here; many of Us wouldn't be here. Some of this stuff gets discussed in more directions than could be drawn on a map,, but that is part of the fun, amusement, and learning curve here.

 

[gdocktor3]

I have a few older wrenches with grind marks down the beam on both sides. They are almost like scallops at an angle and they feel pretty good in the hand.

 

[Sloper0204]

Every tool that I use that might possibly leave my immediate control is marked in either florescent pink or orange in as obvious a means possible with my initials in black paint marker over top of that.

If it is something that I won't allow people to borrow, no markings.

 

[Know Wosad]

Make it fun then when you catch one......
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004C89M9Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I work with trustworthy people. If I can't trust the people I work with I need a new job.

There has been more than once when those trustworthy people took it upon themselves to "help" put some tools away... Makes for one big mess to sort out. Having your tools marked can make the difference in whether or not You get Yours back.. Some thought My tools were "shop" tools and walked up behind me and helped themselves.. I politely collected My roaming tools and showed them the shop box..

 

[ken w.]

I use to mark my tools when I started 25 + years ago. I think I've lost more tools than I have had stolen. I buy used tools and see grind marks . engravings , SS numbers , whole names. You name it , I've seen it on tools. I don't bother anymore. If you work in a shop with other folks and have to borrow a tool more than 2 times - it's time to buy your own. I have a whole set of tools I got from a family member that has his name on every piece. Looks bad , but I have yet too use them.

 

[cgrutt]

Interesting. I just put up an SK ratchet on ebay that had a series of grinding marks. I put right in the description I didn't know if they were original or added by a previous owner, but this seems to confirm the latter...

 

[fourjeepin]

My grandfather marked his tool with his initials. I like finding them on the tools as it always makes me think of him.

 

[555]

I was going through my open/box end wrenchs yesterday. One of my snap on wrenchs has these markings engraved on it / | \ . It was a used wrench I picked up for my field box in the 80s. It was kind of like finding an ancient artifact, I wondered who used it and what kind of work the owner did before it came in my possession. I'd guess by it's shape it dates to the late 50s-early 60s.

When I was in college I worked at a motorcycle shop part time. The shop owner was retired military. He issued each mechanic a work bay with nice tool chest and tools. Bay 1 had a blue tool chest and blue painted tools, Bay 2 had a red chest and red tools, and Bay 3 had a green chest and green tools. He would "inspect" the boxes every month and if you were missing a tool, it would be replaced and the replacement cost deducted from your next paycheck. Special tools were "signed out" from the parts department. Needless to say we were very careful keeping track of our tools and made sure the tool chest was locked when not in use.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I do mark all my tools at work. It isn't because people are not trustworthy. It is because a lot of the stuff we have is the same tool. So it is really the only way to tell the difference with some things. Paint wears off. Although I have been thinking of painting a couple of things orange or yellow just so I can find them in our dingy poorly lit shop.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I try to engrave all my tools at work. Everyone uses the same types of tools, and you may be on a job with 6 or 8 guys per shift and it might span multiple shifts. Guys grab the wrong tools, or things get mixed up. This week, I found a leather man that someone left on my cart. No name on it, but I happened to hear a guy complaining that he lost his, so I was able to get it back to him. I also realized that I was missing a pair of channel locks... The one that I forgot to put my name on of course.

I don't bother with my home tools, but with work tools, I really don't see any reason not to if there is any possibility of getting them mixed up.

 

[Thumper68]

A buddy of mine was going to work at a new shop, the weekend before he was to start he marked all his tools with blaze orange paint, he moved his box in on Monday morning along with 7 other techs who were starting that day as well, of the 8 of them 3 including my buddy had freshly blaze orange marked tools.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I've always went the engraving route on my tools with a simple "N.G.M." or "N.M." I've never had a tool stolen that I know of.

 

[Finky198]

I work with trustworthy people. If I can't trust the people I work with I need a new job.

THIS IS THE KEY

I work with 1 other person so if he didn't take it
Which he never does Then it was my own damn fault

I mark very few Hand tools its either items that I might lend out, or tools used in a common tool box if were out side of the shop. Usually red or blue tape, my initials or buying an off color tool to start with...

I do mark ALL POWER TOOLS and batteries at the shop and in more then one location so if a thief thinks he can just sand it off beware theirs hidden marks on it somewhere to positively id them... and Always keep Records of your serial numbers...

ONE other thing very little goes missing, if they think you a little off your rocker ....
OH don't steal from that guy he'll..... your ...

 

[Empty Pockets]

My oldest son and I have the same initials. Accordingly his tools are marked with first initial and a Roman numeral 2

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[Barnabas]

Purple paint on my tools. Usually just one side.

 

[GeorgeFromPa]

i use pin striping tape on my wrenches and stuff.. i clear coat over the tape.. lasts a long time before you have to do it again

 

[bczygan]

I would hate to have to deface my tools.

Bill