User Marked tools

[Junkman]

Do you buy tools that have been marked by the previous owner? What are your thoughts about tools where the original users marks have been ground off? How much do you "devalue" such tools? Do you think that when the tool is "ground clean", that it is a strong indication that the tools are "stolen"?

 

[toolfreak]

I don't buy tools that have been engraved or had them ground off. I suppose if there was a good enough deal on ebay I would bid on the tool.

 

[wilbilt]

I have a few tools with others' names on them. One of them I found in a gutter, and some others I bought at a yard sale from the guy whose name is on them.

What I don't like is when someone marks tools by grinding. I have a few with notches ground in them, and one wrench with "rings" ground around the handle. I think this destroys the value, not only from an aesthetic standpoint, but causes an issue with the strength of the tool as well.

I did stamp my SS# into a few of my SO wrenches many years ago (until I dulled the stamps after about 4 wrenches lol). I now wish I hadn't done that, but what's done is done.

Things I am concerend about being stolen on a daily basis I usually mark in an inconspicuous spot with my DL number. I have it written on a piece of paper rolled up and stuck inside ladder rungs, and have marked some power tools on the inside of the housings or areas covered by guards, batteries, etc.

Many people grind off other names, but I leave them on the few I have with them. I figure it shows I'm not trying to hide anything about their origin.

 

[bmwpower]

I don't buy tools that have been engraved or had them ground off. I suppose if there was a good enough deal on ebay I would bid on the tool.

I don't buy them either, but have a few that were given to me as such.

Usually the unengraved version goes for a little more on eBay, so I've been concentrating on them.

 

[Rickster]

I don't care about any initials but I shy away from the grind marks.

 

[kythri]

I usually try to stay away from the engraved/marked stuff, unless it's something I haven't been able to find anywhere else.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I always e mail the seller and ask if there are any owner marks, if not I'll bid on them. There have been a couple of times a tool was sent with an owner mark on them.


I stay clear of owner marks, too many different owner marks don't look too nice in my tool box

 

[ImportTuner]

I also don't buy any tools that have been marked, either with engraving or by grinding ...

 

[MarkH]

Depends on how they are marketed I am not afraid of them since it is a tool to get a job done. If it is from a guy out of his trunk behind a bar or a new ebay seller I will be cautious. From a pawn shop or ebay seller who has been in the market without issues over a number of years.

Since they are usually cheaper, thanks to the above, they usually get tossed on a farm machine. After two years of bouncing across the fields in the box attached to the machine, buried in dirt, and grease, mud, you most likely will not be able to find the engraving. After that treatment, jewels they aint. They just do the job they were purchased for.

 

[IntrstlarOvrdrve]

I don't usually care...cause I buy tools to use. I engraved all of my Snap On stuff when I bought it. I was in a shop where it wasn't all that uncommon for something to be *borrowed.* I don't mind losing that resale value because really, I don't plan on selling any of my stuff for a loooong time. Now that I don't work in a shop, I sometimes wish I hadn't marked everything, but like someone else said..whats done is done.

 

[george4]

I don't buy them either, but have a few that were given to me as such.

Usually the unengraved version goes for a little more on eBay, so I've been concentrating on them.

I have also noticed the price difference and think it is about the stolen tool issue on marked tools. They also tend to be pretty well used and I try to stay with like new. But if was a really great deal...

 

[Jbullfrog]

I mark my common tools so they find their way back to my box if they are borrowed. As for my specialty stuff that no one else has, I know it is mine. I have bought sets of tools with markings on auctions, but I knew the owner that was on them. As for E-bay, marks are less important then price.

 

[kblazer87]

Nothing wrong with marks on tools. I go to a lot of auctions/flea markets/pawn shops/yard/garage sales for tools and have a bunch with different owner marks. Always on the lookout for the same with no marks to replace if I can though. Markings usually allow for more negotiating room at flea markets/pawn shops/rummage sales as well.

 

[PAToyota]

On a different note, I have a bunch of old molding planes and each one has at least one name or initials stamped on it. Sometimes several. I think about that each time I use one of them - that someone a hundred years ago had that in his toolwrap and the projects he used it on.

 

[chad s]

On a different note, I have a bunch of old molding planes and each one has at least one name or initials stamped on it. Sometimes several. I think about that each time I use one of them - that someone a hundred years ago had that in his toolwrap and the projects he used it on.

Thats definately cool. On the practical machinist board, there was a pic of a ruller that is no longer accurate , as so many machinist stamped his name on it over the years, and the metal has stretched. One of the names on there is J. Kreusi, Thomas Edisons machinist from Menlo park.

Personaly, for hand tools, like when I buy used Snap On on ebay, Id prefer them unmarked.

 

[arkracing]

What is used to "mark, etch, or engrave" the tools - Most of the ones that I have seen are usually very amature looking - not straight etc. Is there any way to get an engraving to look straight and good on a tool?


(I'd rather buy them used with no marks - but I would like to identify some of my Snap-On Ratchets)

 

[TNToy]

Just a cheap little electric engraver, with a carbide tip. You can buy 'em from harbor freight pretty cheaply.

To make it straight and good, take your time. It's pretty difficult to actually 'write' with an engraver. The tip tends to walk.

 

[wilbilt]

Thats definately cool. On the practical machinist board, there was a pic of a ruller that is no longer accurate , as so many machinist stamped his name on it over the years, and the metal has stretched. One of the names on there is J. Kreusi, Thomas Edisons machinist from Meno park.

I have that pic saved somewhere. It looks like generations of guys left their mark on it. It's fascinating to look at.

 

[1320stang]

Thats definately cool. On the practical machinist board, there was a pic of a ruller that is no longer accurate , as so many machinist stamped his name on it over the years, and the metal has stretched. One of the names on there is J. Kreusi, Thomas Edisons machinist from Meno park.

Then he needs to pass it on to the 'Practical Foundryman's Board', LOL!!

 

[martell06]

yeah i'd say it depends on the seller. i got my hands on some nice, old snap-on, blue point, and cornwell tools at a garage sale down the road where the lady was selling her late husbands tools.

 

[ImportTuner]

yeah i'd say it depends on the seller. i got my hands on some nice, old snap-on, blue point, and cornwell tools at a garage sale down the road where the lady was selling her late husbands tools.

Kinda *****, you collect and collect all your life, then you die and the wife/significant other sells all your tools ..

 

[eschoendorff]

Kinda *****, you collect and collect all your life, then you die and the wife/significant other sells all your tools ..

So that someone else can continue to use them. It's not like they're throwing them away! I would hope that my wife would sell my tools (and buy herself something nice) if I weren't around. Someone else could at least use them or make a living for their family with them.