Replies

1. 
   Dreamcatcher | Sep 24, 2009 05:40am | #1

   What kind of tools? what material?

   For plastic encased tools like electric power tools you could try heat branding. Many woodworking supply stores like Woodcraft and Rockler offer custom branding irons.

   If mostly hard metal tools then engraving might take awhile.

   For hardened steel, you could try your hand at etching them. My wife works in a machine shop that etches all their metal parts.

   For soft steel you could stamp them. A set of individual letter and number stamps is pretty cheap or there are stamp companies that will custom make a stamp too.

   I generally just use magic marker in several locations but take pictures of each tool next to a card telling the make/model and serial number. I sorta figure if it gets stolen then any mark doesn't really matter as much as just having good insurance.

   DC

2. 
   popawheelie | Sep 24, 2009 05:52pm | #2

   To me, there is two reasons to mark them.

   One is to put a serial # on them so there's no mistaking it is yours. And if someone grinds it off there is a grind mark there. It doesn't have to be big because you will take your time to inspect it.

   The other is for quick verification when you are looking for tools at the end of the day. Or you have some subs on the job who might help themselves to your tools.

   So a large swatch of a color that is unusual helps.

   If you want it to be bright paint, use a white undercoat.

   Some people use tape.

   I've had confusion with helpers at the end of the day. They start packing up somebody elses tools.

   DC's sugestion of taking a picture of the tool is a good idea for insurance.

   I'd take the picture with the serial # showing.

   That way even if someone ground off the number the picture would show the spot where the #s used to be.

    

    

   "There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
   Will Rogers
3. 
   reinvent | Sep 27, 2009 01:12am | #3

   Here are a couple of other options.

   http://www.etching-metal.com/

   http://www.unitednuclear.com/markers.htm

   http://www.possupply.com/UV-Security-Marking-System-UV-Marker-UV-Light

4. 
   Tyr | Sep 27, 2009 05:55am | #4

    Kind of been there.  I have used the letter/number stamps quite a bit but certain steels are too hard.   I ended up using an engraver on harder stuff and plastic.  It depends on your goal.  If numbering things is an insurance premium saver that is one thing.  I've had tools find their way to hock shops.  I found that my local PD required hock shops to provide lists of whatever they took in.  Make contacts with them.  If you have tools marked in several places you can claim them. 

   Some tools take a lot of wear on metal surfaces.  On some Cresent wrenches I had a vertical mill cut a groove and then put the ID number in the groove bottom.

   Finally, I painted and photographed everything.  I was using yellow before DeWalt was using it.  That allows me to spot tools being carried away on job sites.  It was easier then but a good check out system plus the paint and ID pretty much discouraged people from walking away with stuff.

   Extension ladders are aluminum and good to use the letter/number punch  If you really want to do a number on plastic buy an extra punch set, set up the number like a printer would set type, (I have wide bladed Vice Grips).  Use a heat gun and press the number into the plastic in several places--then log it and take pictures.  Tyr

   Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.... Roman Poet Phaedrus 15BC–50AD