Stupid Question: Engravings and Value

[krusty the clown]

theft is rare but borrowing takes place all the time. shops are full of tech's who either can't afford or are too cheap to buy tools. they think you owe it to them to let them make their living off of your investment.

 

[mhm993]

I had no idea of the depth of emotion over marked tools!
Being a user, not a tool concours kind of guy, I'm always looking for best value purchases. I guess I'm focusing on engraved tools for now on.

 

[kartracer23]

I own an engraving business and I can't think of a single time someone has asked me to engrave a tool. Guess they're mostly done with a little hand held rotary?
PS-I don't engrave my own tools either.

 

[SocketDeviler]

The engraved Cornwell ratchet I bought was from a retired old-timer. Cool cat just looking to make something back on his investment. He was helpful and informative. I liked getting the tool for a good price but I also liked helping him reach his vacation money goal.

 

[Bolster]

It's been said before, but the painful part of owning engraved tools is the look you get from other people when you pull out a tool with a name on it that's not yours.

Even if they're not thinking you stole it, you still feel the need to explain...

 

[Kevin54]

How often does shop theft by coworkers and recovery take place? Is it also generally a no-no to borrow tools from your coworkers?

As far as engravings, I'd probably shy away, but there's stuff like those really thick masking tapes that one can wrap as a band around their tools and I'm sure that could help in ID when it's not a case of theft.

I'm the type that I don't care if a co-worker borrows a tool, but they know the rules when they do. It gets wiped down and put back in its proper place. I don't want to have to look for a particular tool when I want to use it. And in my line of work, not all Toolmakers or Apprentices can afford what is needed. When I started out I bought only what I could afford and had to borrow quite a few times. When I got the money or time, I bought or made what I needed.

 

[speed bump]

Never even entered my mind when I bought those tools. I have all my Craftsman screwdriver handles intialed in a way the unless you know where to look you won't see it.

 

[caper]

theft is rare but borrowing takes place all the time. shops are full of tech's who either can't afford or are too cheap to buy tools. they think you owe it to them to let them make their living off of your investment.

Exactly,while it may not be outright theft alot of times someone "borrows" something from your box while your out on a test drive and "forgets" to put it back,you realize its missing a couple days later when you need it and start rummaging through boxes till you find it.Usually in the same box you found the last missing tool in.Pisses me off when I have thousands invested in tools and some other ***** has a few hundred but gets paid the same thanks to our union,then he wants to borrow my stuff to make his job easier.

 

[PZ 1]

Often it is just a mistake. I have ended up with others tools in my box when working with someone on the same job or in the same area. It is very helpful to have tools marked.

And yes, unfortunately there are more thieves in this world than I used to think there were. When working in the same shop with others, plain and simple, tools can get stolen.

 

[voidifused]

Everything I have is engraved; I'll let those who handle my estate worry about the initials on there.

I hear that

This how ever kind of makes me laugh, i mean isn't one side enough

Link

 

[Bolster]

Hijack complete, please resume your normal conversation....

LOL!! You're going to fit in very well around here.

 

[dxdexter]

I hear that

This how ever kind of makes me laugh, i mean isn't one side enough

Link

This is one guy who probably wouldn't need to worry about anyone stealing his tools. They are destroyed IMO.

 

[Bolster]

Hijack complete, please resume your normal conversation....

LOL!! You're going to fit in very well around here.

Regarding the issue, we can stop arguing. It's pretty clear the wisdom of engraving depends on whether you (inadvertently) "share" tools, or you obtain them with an eye to resale.

 

[dxdexter]

Regarding the issue, we can stop arguing. It's pretty clear the wisdom of engraving depends on whether you (inadvertently) "share" tools, or you obtain them with an eye to resale.

I never resell my tools, but no longer will engrave my tools because I hate the look. I did however engrave them when I worked in the trade.