So I need an engraving tool...

[Ruger_556]

What's good and what's bad? Need to engrave all the tools I've bought since starting at the dealer (So this is going to be a couple hour project). Currently looking at this one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EBHARK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bob15]

I have a Dremel that is about 20 years old and still works fine.

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-290-01-Stroke-Engraver-Template/dp/B0000302YN

 

[spacedoutbob]

I would go with a Dremel, I have had mine for 38 years and still going strong.

Bob

 

[Fretters]

There's also the option of electro etching/engraving.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Dremel or one of the laser machines at work

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I have a Dremel that is about 20 years old and still works fine.

http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-290-01-Stroke-Engraver-Template/dp/B0000302YN

I use that one.

 

[Givl Reggin]

The hand engravers will look like a drunk monkey made scratches on your tools -- is that really what you want? Find a local jewelry shop that does laser engraving, most do these days, and they will make it look professionally etched.

 

[Ruger_556]

I used a dremel last time and didn't like it, too slow so it just walks all over the place and doesn't really do anything... I was thinking an air engraver would be better but maybe not?

 

[AndrewV]

****, may take you a week strait ruger.
Personally don't engrave my suff. But the guys at my shop used my dremel. Took them a while lol.

 

[efb16acrx]

We used a air engraver at the last rental shop I worked at, putting our numbers usually in 3 different spots on the equipment and it worked way better than a dremel. Looks like hammered **** no matter what you do. Our was a florida pneumatic, but I would think any of the better brands would do just fine. Why are you required to engrave the tools? I'd try to avoid it on chrome tools if possible.

 

[Ruger_556]

****, may take you a week strait ruger.
Personally don't engrave my suff. But the guys at my shop used my dremel. Took them a while lol.

Yeah, it's going to take awhile.

We used a air engraver at the last rental shop I worked at, putting our numbers usually in 3 different spots on the equipment and it worked way better than a dremel. Looks like hammered **** no matter what you do. Our was a florida pneumatic, but I would think any of the better brands would do just fine. Why are you required to engrave the tools? I'd try to avoid it on chrome tools if possible.

It's not required but most of the guys have a lot of the same tools (Like FD+ wrenches) so when you got 2 guys working on a truck or something you go to pick up your wrench and the, is this mine or yours discussion ensues... I engraved everything before I went to the dealer and it's time to get caught up again.

 

[efb16acrx]

Understandable. People stay out of my bay at work so I don't have that concern. Have you considered putting a wrap of some obnoxious electrical tape color on them? Just thinking of less permanent stuff.

 

[PureLeaf]

Or a quick blotch of spray paint. Easily removable in the future with acetone.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I bought a Dremel 44 years ago,, and yes,,, it is loud,, tricky to use and takes a bunch of practice to not look like scribble done by a drunk monkey... Practiced on some junker stuff and traded the drunk monkey for a snail....

Later on, I bought letter stamps.. That takes a solid, well placed hammer strike to not look like ****,, as well.. Practice again..

That air engraver has me in curious mode... Line up some oak blocks to cradle your tools in a vise when engraving... Those blocks may need some goofy bevels and cuts in them to hold the different tools at a workable angle for engraving.. Hang onto those blocks when you are done... There will be more tools to engrave in your future..

 

[Ruger_556]

Understandable. People stay out of my bay at work so I don't have that concern. Have you considered putting a wrap of some obnoxious electrical tape color on them? Just thinking of less permanent stuff.

I would prefer permanent myself

That air engraver has me in curious mode... Line up some oak blocks to cradle your tools in a vise when engraving... Those blocks may need some goofy bevels and cuts in them to hold the different tools at a workable angle for engraving.. Hang onto those blocks when you are done... There will be more tools to engrave in your future..

I like the wood block idea, that might just work

 

[Kracin]

What's good and what's bad? Need to engrave all the tools I've bought since starting at the dealer (So this is going to be a couple hour project). Currently looking at this one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EBHARK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

those CP engravers are beast. they will mark anything.

if you have a steady hand you can do a good job with it. we have one at work that our tool and die guys use. we mark up all kinds of stuff, makes clear and easy to read markings. not like those scribed markings that become invisible with a little dirt.

 

[Ruger_556]

those CP engravers are beast. they will mark anything.

if you have a steady hand you can do a good job with it. we have one at work that our tool and die guys use. we mark up all kinds of stuff, makes clear and easy to read markings. not like those scribed markings that become invisible with a little dirt.

Cool, exactly what I wanted to know

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The hand engravers will look like a drunk monkey made scratches on your tools -- is that really what you want? Find a local jewelry shop that does laser engraving, most do these days, and they will make it look professionally etched.

I would be interested in the cost to have tools laser engraved.... A price gap amongst jewelers can be expected,,, but any thoughts on a ball-park figure...? It would sure look nice...

 

[Kracin]

I would be interested in the cost to have tools laser engraved.... A price gap amongst jewelers can be expected,,, but any thoughts on a ball-park figure...? It would sure look nice...

i think that would be awesome if you only needed one set engraved.... but how many hundreds of tools do you need engraved by a jeweler... might cost an extra 700 bucks.



you could just go cheap though, get a nice center punch, and make your "mark".

some people make a triangle, some people make a square... some just make three dots.


design your "mark" and mark your tools with it.. simple and effective punch style marking, the bonus is a lot of people won't be wise enough to know what it is so they won't grind it off.

 

[86k10]

I have been using a Craftsman one I bought about 10 years ago, it is just a standard engraver. I don't know if isn't precise enough for you but it does get the job done.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

My dad has an engraver that's similar to the dremel design, I forget the brand. He worked in a body shop as a painter for many years and engraved all his tools very neatly in cursive, I don't know how he did it. I tried using it one time and had the same experience as you Ruger, the damn thing tended to walk all over the place. I think an air model would be a lot more powerful and quicker like you're suspecting but unfortunately I'm not 100% sure. Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[Kracin]

My dad has an engraver that's similar to the dremel design, I forget the brand. He worked in a body shop as a painter for many years and engraved all his tools very neatly in cursive, I don't know how he did it. I tried using it one time and had the same experience as you Ruger, the damn thing tended to walk all over the place. I think an air model would be a lot more powerful and quicker like you're suspecting but unfortunately I'm not 100% sure. Sorry I can't be more help.

they are, the one he listed is 34000 BPM. or close to 550 hits per second. those things feel like writing with a vibrating pen.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

they are, the one he listed is 34000 BPM. or close to 550 hits per second. those things feel like writing with a vibrating pen.

Would something like that be used to engrave firearms as well? What types of engravers do they use for that? Might be worth looking into but probably expensive.

 

[AWH]

Sears used to offered custom laser etching on some socket sets... 2-lines, 12 characters... based on the price of the personalized and regular 50 & 180 piece sets it seems like it was about $.25-.30 cents a piece.

 

[Kracin]

Would something like that be used to engrave firearms as well? What types of engravers do they use for that? Might be worth looking into but probably expensive.

couldn't tell you, never owned a firearm.

knowing gun nuts though, they probably have some special engraver that you only use on guns, and it costs 2000. lol

 

[OutsideMachinist]

The hand engravers will look like a drunk monkey made scratches on your tools -- is that really what you want? Find a local jewelry shop that does laser engraving, most do these days, and they will make it look professionally etched.

I understand it wont be for everyone. But personally I dont care about resale value of my tools I just use them. The cheap dremel works fine for me. I even have spray painted a lot of tools

 

[PureLeaf]

I understand it wont be for everyone. But personally I dont care about resale value of my tools I just use them. The cheap dremel works fine for me. I even have spray painted a lot of tools

Spray paint would be preferable in that its completely reversible. Apply a solvent, to remove, and you'll never know a mark was there. Obvious downside of that is that if someone actually stole a tool, and wanted to make it their own, your mark could be removed.

I'm the same, i've tools with paint, and tools engraved with a dremel engraver. It looks ok, but I agree with it looking like a drunk monkey's writing comment.

 

[90zcar]

I have been using a Craftsman one I bought about 10 years ago, it is just a standard engraver. I don't know if isn't precise enough for you but it does get the job done.

Same here. Mine is around 15 years old and still works fine. It gets a little scribbly but it gets the job done


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

 

[Ign]

What's good and what's bad? Need to engrave all the tools I've bought since starting at the dealer (So this is going to be a couple hour project). Currently looking at this one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EBHARK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Damn, I don't know why you need to spend that much. I've had this one for almost 10 years, it's been great: CP710:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EBHARK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Just like you it got a lot of use at first, I engraved virtually everything I own including all my wrenches, ratchets, power tools etc. I'm not a tool polisher and not worried about resale. Now it gets used as new tools come in.

 

[Hornman]

couldn't tell you, never owned a firearm.

knowing gun nuts though, they probably have some special engraver that you only use on guns, and it costs 2000. lol

Gun engraving is done with a small hammer and tiny chisels. Simple tools, very high skill level.

 

[Ruger_556]

I ended up getting this when Zoro did 30% off. I'll get it hooked up to a regulator tomorrow and try it out.

 

[RBailey]

Subscribed

 

[Ruger_556]

Used it for awhile tonight, far better than the dremel tool and worth every cent... A bit like writing with a vibrating pen. It'll actually write fairly deep too instead of just scratching the surface.

 

[bob15]

Curious about being different than the dremel vibrating pen.....how so? I can adjust depth, same as yours.....they both vibrate and write like a pen......

Not trying to start a war.....just trying to see or understand the difference......they are both vibrating tools.

I am surprised about being made in Sweden.

 

[Ruger_556]

Curious about being different than the dremel vibrating pen.....how so? I can adjust depth, same as yours.....they both vibrate and write like a pen......

I am surprised about being made in Sweden.

It just functions better Writes a lot deeper and smoother, the CP hits just about 5x faster so that may be the difference.

I thought it would be Japan or Taiwan since it's CP but Sweden sure explains the price...

 

[RedneckWelder]

Damn that looks great. Can you come down and engrave my tools at the shop?

I'd do it myself but I have absolutely horrific handwriting due to my nerves, and adding a vibrating pen to the mix just does not end well.