Removing engraving from second hand tools

[Matt Irvine]

Recently I picked up a few Gedore spanners on the bigger end of the scale, and most of them are engraved. Normally when I get used tools with names etc, I just take it off with an abrasive disc on a grinder, but this is deep, very deep, does anyone have any suggestions on removing this, or making it less visible?

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[Mohawk Dave]

Well you can't "remove" it, but the ENCO catalog has some "liquid steel" type stuff that is supposed to be pretty awesome. Rub some in there, let dry, then sand to finish. I guess it's a better version of JB Weld, that's made for filling in missing areas. Sorry, I do not remember the exact name right now.

 

[softailgarage]

Well you can't "remove" it, but the ENCO catalog has some "liquid steel" type stuff that is supposed to be pretty awesome. Rub some in there, let dry, then sand to finish. I guess it's a better version of JB Weld, that's made for filling in missing areas. Sorry, I do not remember the exact name right now.

SteelStik... and that wont work, It'll be obvious and look like ****. No matter what you do it's going to show something was there. I would probably grind it down as close to the surface as possible, maybe even use a file for the last bit. Then set it outside for a week, wipe some used oil/grease on it for patina and call it good. Or you could grind it down, glass bead that section only & paint the remaining section black (might look cool, but it wouldn't be naturally aged anymore).

 

[humber2]

does anyone have any suggestions on removing this, or making it less visible?
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Lay it down the other way up.

 

[top drive]

tools with a story are cool anyway !

i vote leave it !

 

[Matt Irvine]

Lay it down the other way up.

It's on both sides, so that ones out


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[humber2]

It's on both sides, so that ones out

Some owners are just so inconsiderate.

Either they grind out the jaws on a minter or engrave names larger than the tool sizing.

I'd just wait 'til better arrives.

 

[Danglerb]

I wouldn't have bought them, unless crazy cheap, but now you have them.

Use a fine file to take off the high points, clean, fill with choice of gunk, paint to match the tool, live with it until you find better.

I would live with it, let it bother me some, but not much.

 

[Matt Irvine]

I wouldn't have bought them, unless crazy cheap, but now you have them.

Use a fine file to take off the high points, clean, fill with choice of gunk, paint to match the tool, live with it until you find better.

I would live with it, let it bother me some, but not much.

60mm, 50mm, 2", 1 13/16 all have it, and they are all a couple of hundred dollars each, so easy enough to live with

 

[jjjrmx5]

Some owners are just so inconsiderate.

Either they grind out the jaws on a minter or engrave names larger than the tool sizing.

I'd just wait 'til better arrives.

Obviously you have never been in charge of a tool crib or worked in an environment where tools "walked" if not personalized.

I say just leave the damn tools alone and use them.
They are ******* tools, not Tiffany diamond tennis bracelets.

Geesh. No wonder no one ever gets any work done. Too busy trying to make their tools look perfect and match instead of using the damn things. /rant.

As to the OP, no, mat'l lost is mat'l lost. Grinding may and likely will compromise chrome finish.Looks like a company owned engraved tool. That's why they do it.

 

[ganymede]

Those engravings are so deep that to grind them away would mean removing too much metal.
Just leave em be.
If you must do something, fill in with jb weld or whatever and paint them your favorite high visibility color.
I do that to tools with deep pitting.

 

[rsanter]

Tig weld then grind flat

Bob

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The original owner put their name on the tool deep enough so Sir Lightfinger would not be able to sneak that wrench home in his pants leg and buff the name off....
Don't blame the original owner one bit, as I do the same.... I like to buy my tools once, and the engravings have enabled me to retrieve tools from Sir Lightfinger more than once.. People say that the engravings hurt the resale.. Yes, Yes, and,,, Yes....But My tools were not bought for resale... So I am money ahead because I have had to buy very few tools Twice.. Because they were Deeply stamped or engraved with my name... Being that I do not want tools in my procession with someone else's name on them, I would not have bought the wrenches in the op.. Grinding on those wrenches would look hackish, so your best route would be to leave them as is if you keep them..

If you have a purchase receipt for those wrenches; I would keep it for safe keeping.. It would be a real bummer if You bought those wrenches from Sir Lightfinger, and the Police were looking for them..??

 

[BJ42LX]

You're between a rock and a hard place.

Hm. Maybe open a business called Mech Store No 2.

 

[Dust Devil]

That is the kind of marking that is cool. Not a personal name but the name of where it had been used. IMO that is cool.

 

[quattroJoe]

You're between a rock and a hard place.

Hm. Maybe open a business called Mech Store No 2.

Best idea yet!

 

[rick carpenter]

If you filled it, would the filled part take a black oxide finish?

 

[Danglerb]

If you filled it, would the filled part take a black oxide finish?

I would just get paint to match the patina or high visibility paint if that is what you like. Any kind of fancy coating is going to have some issues.

 

[sundmanti]

tools with a story are cool anyway !

 

[Hinez Wengler]

60mm, 50mm, 2", 1 13/16 all have it, and they are all a couple of hundred dollars each, so easy enough to live with

If they are that sizes take them to a bumper shop and have it stripped, buffed and new plated. 4 wrenches maybe $100 or less.

 

[FMX_22]

Leave it i doubt you would use a 40 and 50mm that often

 

[monomach]

I don't see what the problem is.

That engraving isn't going to have an effect on the use. Why waste time trying to get rid of it (and probably making it look worse in the process)?

Did you buy the wrenches to polish and stare at?

 

[IOWNJUNK]

95% of my tools are picked up at yardsales, auctions, flea markets etc. so most every tool I own has engraving of some sort, I wish they looked as good as those pictured above. Most of mine have some sort of chicken scratch misspelled **** or someone's ssn on them.

 

[bczygan]

Those tools are completely RUINED! They can't be used for anything.

I am sorry you had to see them in that condition.

So you can avoid having to see that abomination ever again, I will dispose of them for you as a free service.

PM me for mailing address.

 

[Duct Tape Man]

I have piles of tools - most are bought second hand. And lots of what I have, have the markings of previous owners, whether it be initials, dots in various configurations, or paint. I run them as is. I don't have enough time to worry about it, plus I don't wanna feel like I am running a tool museum. They are used tools, they have markings, and rust and dirt. That way, I won't be scared to use them.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

95% of my tools are picked up at yardsales, auctions, flea markets etc. so most every tool I own has engraving of some sort, I wish they looked as good as those pictured above. Most of mine have some sort of chicken scratch misspelled **** or someone's ssn on them.

the SSN always gets me. But I got something the other day that had "******* #7" engraved on it. By far the best one I've got.

 

[NorDel Garage]

Wrap some tape to cover it up. Color code SAE or metric if you want.

 

[NewEdgePerf]

tools with a story are cool anyway !

i vote leave it !

I like your thought on this. Tools with a "history". Think of it as a form of recycling.

Tony D

 

[ev88f]

What about filling it with some AllMetal type body filler? Finish it off with a scotch pad on a die grinder and I doubt you would see it

 

[rick carpenter]

the SSN always gets me. But I got something the other day that had "******* #7" engraved on it. By far the best one I've got.

Well I wondered where that thing ended up...

 

[Steinmetz]

Live with it. The marking gives it character. Just learn view it as tool marks on fine leather.

 

[PelicanPines]

Tig weld then grind flat

Bob

^^^ this...

 

[Westly]

tools with a story are cool anyway !

i vote leave it !

I do too. Especially since it was attractively done. The way to enable yourself to do this is place it out of view for a week, and then it won't seem like such a necessary thing to do

 

[bczygan]

It's already got a mark on it so......

Add your own unique mark or name and date and pass it on when you go.

I love it when a woodworking tool has a name on it. I may get my own punch to add my name to each one.

 

[Zeke]

Put an inverted V on the bottom of the M, close the E and H and make the C into an O. Let people figure that out.

 

[big.jim]

i have some whitworth spanners with my grandfathers name on them , i would/have never thought about removing it

 

[fitz11]

i have some whitworth spanners with my grandfathers name on them , i would/have never thought about removing it

That's a very different situation.