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Engraving - Tool ID

dhcomp

dhcomp

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Hey Guys,

What are most of you doing for identification on more expensive tools?

I'm about to take delivery of a nicer box, and plan to place my name and DL number on it in a few obvious, and one hidden location.

Any special tips? The box engraving is mainly for if it was ever stolen.

I just spent 2 hrs with an engraver engraving all the new sockets/wrenches i got, but this is a little excessive. Mainly to help identify between mine and the roommate's when working on stuff together.

Anyone have any hot ID tips out there?

Thanks!
 
Oh, pfft.... :doah:


I thought you meant you had an engraver do it.
My bad.

I'm not engraving all my tools.
heeeeeeelllllllll no...... :haha:
 
I clearly won't either, but the main socket /wrench sets I did.

Might as well start off on the right foot, right?
 
Thought about painting screwdriver handles, etc.

Really to identify though, rather than prevent theft.

Main purpose of this discussion was tips on marking stuff in terms of theft recovery/ID.

Am i going to identify a deep wall 10MM 1/4 drive socket? No.

But hidden ID on a box with $5k of tools might be useful.
 
At work I have almost all of my tools engraved with either my first initial, last name, and either the last 4 of my SSN or my employee # (some have both #s). Smaller stuff has my initials and last 4. I don't do disposable stuff like drill bits. Some of my stuff also has blue reflective tape on it. It serves two purposes- easy ID and it is easy to spot when a flashlight hits it.

At home only expensive stuff is etched. I do that incase it is ever stolen and makes it's way into one of the local pawn shops. I also have photos of almost everything.
 
Thanks for the tips. I like the reflective tape idea.

I've been engraving D.Hall into everything (first initial, last name). I'm a little leery of using the last 4 of my ssn.

Any risks using a DL number?

Not on tools, but on the box, in a hidden location? Thinking this might aid in recovery, or at least ID, on a stolen box. Hell, maybe i'll just use my phone number.

Comments?

Box is supposed to show up today, and it will be engraved on the bottom immediately....cause im sure as hell not tipping that thing up to engrave once its full!
 
I personally HATE engraving my tools, although I DO do it. Either SSN or DL#. I hate how it chips the crome and can make it cut the crap out of you if you slide your hand down the tool. Actually what I now prefer to use is a Electro etch pencil. It chemically acid etches the material and works great. Any industrial supplier shouls be able to supply you with an Acid etch pen. Works on Steel, Aluminum stainless Steel what ever. It stinks and it's a good idea to alcohol wipe the etch right after writing on the tool. It will burn your skin if it gets on it pretty good so use gloves and dilute it with Alcohol.
 
rdn2blazer said:
I personally HATE engraving my tools, although I DO do it. Either SSN or DL#. I hate how it chips the crome and can make it cut the crap out of you if you slide your hand down the tool. Actually what I now prefer to use is a Electro etch pencil. It chemically acid etches the material and works great. Any industrial supplier shouls be able to supply you with an Acid etch pen. Works on Steel, Aluminum stainless Steel what ever. It stinks and it's a good idea to alcohol wipe the etch right after writing on the tool. It will burn your skin if it gets on it pretty good so use gloves and dilute it with Alcohol.
Click to expand...

That acid pen sounds sweet.

I have yet to chip any chrome on these craftsman ones, and none of it is really deep enough to significantly roughen the tool.
 
I've been engraving D.Hall into everything (first initial, last name). I'm a little leery of using the last 4 of my ssn.
Click to expand...

I started doing it almost 20 years ago, before ID theft became the big deal it is today. I would probably use a DL# if you change jobs, or an employee # if you think you are settled in. Really, as long as you have some type of unique number, it doesn't matter what it is.
 
No employee numbers here....this is a home toolset.

I'll stick to DL number on teh box, thanks!
 
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