I mark my tools, do you?

[@user-vr8bn8po2i]

I went on Amazon and bought a custom initialed small 13 mm hot iron brand. Was about 20 bucks. Its hexagonal in shape and I just heat it up and brand all my tools.

[@TuneNgoon]

This is a good idea! I may do that honestly

[@user-vr8bn8po2i]

@@TuneNgoon not one tool has come up missing since I started doing it 😁

[@keeganyablonski]

What jonda felt was that you where using

[@eladiotorres7804]

Got a link ?

[@user-white007]

Work on chrome or does that just wipe off

[@wrefk]

If you use Hercules or Bauer brand tools you won't even need to worry about them being stolen in the first place

[@redeyedfreaks]

Got the Hercules for work for that exact reason 😆

[@bossmanz28]

Unfortunately some of us jus need a really good tool to do our job efficiently like flexvolt grinders. All 3 of mine have a custom rafter hook attached to them. Helps out for my job and its an identifier

[@theoutdoorslife]

Don’t leave Ryobi outta this

[@Mack_Dingo]

A plumber showed me the 'Mark your measuring tape underside at 5ft'

[@stevenpolitz-lv5nt]

I was shown, long ago, to write my name on the underside of my height…unless… you are 5’ lol.

[@corona7st788]

Mark a 7 on the back of mine with a blade. Get it back every time... $25 for a fat max fudge that

[@ihiohoh2708]

Except when your measuring tape has measurements on the back too.

[@gideonarmagost5119]

i literally did that today at 69 inches

[@MrPronoobslayer]

Little do we know he's just marking up his coworker's tools with his initials to sell

[@philliphall5198]

Engraving is best way

[@ericculver9700]

Yep

[@jbdragon3295]

Ya, I’d mark all my tools that way. You can’t wipe that off, it’s permanently there.

[@dancearoundtheworld5360]

invisible dye is the best way to catch scrubs

[@theTCburrito]

This is the way. I have no experience with it but hell I’m only 15. But my dad on the other hand has been working at my grandpas metal shop since he got out of the Air Force and he engraves ALL his tools

[@johnrichy2k6]

I use a Dremmel tool to scribe my initials into all of my tools! Also numbered all of my batteries so I know to rotate and keep track of what’s on charge etc

[@kristene2372]

I do the same with my batteries

[@georgebonney90]

I cut my initials with a razor in the same spot you marked yours

[@ericculver9700]

THE cheap engravers from harbor freight work grear5

[@corona7st788]

Same with a lucky number lol

[@homealone5087]

I've got so many tools with initials that aren't mine. They're not stolen. Just old.

[@MarcoH72]

I absolutely mark my tools.

[@catatonic_wrenching]

I scribe both where the battery goes and on the right hand side next to the trigger- engraved with a pick. They will eventually pack with dirt but as long as you keep your tools clean they’ll be easy to miss for potential thief’s. I chose right hand side near trigger because most guys are left handed and when they’re checking out the tool before the steal they’ll most likely only look at it in their right hand.

[@jmackinjersey1]

You know what really works well, and no one will ever steal your tools and you never even need to mark them? A steel pipe. IYKYK.

[@C_Contracting]

A saying from when I was in the Marines that stuck "there's only one thief in the Marine Corps, everyone else is just trying to get their shit back, mark your gear ". My tools look like a kindergarten kid went at it with paint markers. Always go for the battery slot too

[@Cintury]

I definitely mark my tools with sharpies and oil paint markers.

[@tiggalong227]

I always clearly mark my tools then use a uv marker in a weird place so even if they clean the visible mark off I can still prove it’s mine we also these markers to mark codes for padlocks and so on for follow up personnel

[@dailydrivensedans4875]

I mark mine on the batterys themselves as those are far more likely to go missing

[@donovanluna3945]

Engraver works too

[@lexxb6386]

Buy a cheap engraver at Harbor Freight. Engrave it deep. Works great

[@KylewithanL]

And this is why I love working by myself

[@cbmech2563]

Every tool in my box is engraved with initials, the more expensive stuff has my drivers license number incase someone breaks into the shop and steals the box. And my information is on the back of one of the drawers of the box. You can go right ahead and be that trusting but I'm not. The only thing not engraved is the engraver.

[@Perth369]

I mark mine like that. However, I still mark the top somewhere. Both, to find it easily in a pile of tools, and to ensure a thief doesn't look for any other marks.

[@juniormeghji2551]

On the Milwaukee M12 batteries I mark mine on the inside where the battery slides into. On the M18 I mark them where the battery slides into. But not only mark them with a permanent marker, but scribed with a scribing tool and than marker

[@kunaladhikari5215]

I engrave my name initials into the plastic of all my powertools with a solder.

[@EncryptionV4]

Personally i engrave all of my tools and write my name on absolutely everything, even have my name on tires.

[@feraltrafficcone4483]

The fun part is that I’ve had six of my hand tools go missing on my current data center job site. I’ll get it stolen, buy another, and it’s gone by the end of the week. Super, super frustrating

[@revioxy4580]

I chip all of my tools I can completely lock them down, track location of them, ect once my drill was lost on the site my app was showing the tool was actively being used locked it up and sure enough it was back in my bag by the next day 🤣

[@KandObros1819]

I engrave all mine.

[@TNBushcrafter]

The main reason I bought a HF cordless flexshaft rotary tool. Order and slap a battery adapter on it and engrave all your stuff. Even hand tools.

[@TuneNgoon]

Smart man!

[@Mr.vanman]

Paint it ryobi green no one's stealing that😂

[@TuneNgoon]

😂

[@mdavid7149]

Bought a SKIL combo kit after all my Milwaukee stuff + packout. I pull SKIL out of my packout and still use both brands while my stuff gets left alone the crew don't want anything to do with SKIL. I love it 😅

[@TuneNgoon]

😂nice

[@rodrigofarruguia1708]

If you buy pink tools no one steals them.

[@30769s]

I engrave my initials on the outside of my tools and put some paint into it so it shows, usually pink. Found a lot of my stolen tools that way

[@Rancourt762]

Initials and date put into service. Helps track longevity and tool life. More important for the battery but all the tools get it regardless.

[@TuneNgoon]

That’s smart!

[@scoutmaster33]

Black marker works waaaaaay better than white as it’s easy to shine a light and read the change in emissivity of the marker versus plastic but five fingered frank isn’t going to see it like the glaring white marker.

[@stevegraham3817]

I engrave my full name and phone number, and then spray paint half of the tool in fluro green, and they still get stolen. Initials that can't be seen aren't going to stop anyone.

[@quentinbridgeforthtv]

An additional benefit of doing it this way is that the tool still looks clean

[@Temppy1]

I ingraved my tools

[@andrew4403]

And by the way it's best to engrave it because they'll find where you wrote your initials and wipe it off and then there you're screwed again if you engrave it they'll leave your tools alone.

[@TuneNgoon]

True

[@realSamAndrew]

Has anyone ever seen Ryobi at a pawn shop?

[@Manhandle730]

I can’t recall if I did or not but I was pretty surprised to see a Chicago electric miter saw the last time I was at a pawn shop. It’s was something like $35. For it. Meaning this crack head that brought it in probably made $5-8. off of it.

[@cherob1984]

Yup! Seen a whole kit at a pawn shop and they were asking about the same as a brand new one from HD

[@thebordernow]

​​@@cherob1984 Yeah, isn't that stupid?! Only thing stupider than that is the person who pays almost full retail price in a pawn shop for tools that can be bought new at the Big Box store for not much more.

[@gonzo1075]

Thats why you brand them, like a cow....just brand your initials into the plastic that's what I do.

[@glendonh3711]

You can use old typewriter letters heat them and imprint them into the plastic, use a little paint to highlight it

[@amle6588]

I painted mines pink.

[@NunYa953]

If you work in a place that you have to mark your tools, you should find a better place to work. Also, it's much better to use a UV ink to mark stuff like that.

[@poppz-11]

I use a soldering iron to carve out my name, then fill the holes with paint, or an engraving tool on wrenches and ratchets.

[@bigastudios123]

I do the same thing but I use nail polish so it doesn’t come off with regular use as easily

[@pathfinderairborne920]

Along with engraving and using a good maker, which are good ideas if you're around a lot of folks using the same tools, take a few minutes, with your tools all lined up, and spray with them with a certain color paint. Not all over the tool, but a quick swipe of paint. Something bright and noticeable. Pink works real well. Most thieves won't touch a pink tool, not manly enough and is obviously not theirs. The ones that accidentally grab your tools, won't, for the same reasons.

[@jasoncarson369]

Been doing this for years. I had a boss that told me he bought pink lighters because nobody stole them. I said well then... I'm painting my tools pink 😂

[@jasoncarson369]

You can't miss your tools if they're sprayed hot pink 🤷‍♂️

[@TuneNgoon]

Hahah I love it!

[@oksuure]

I mark the battery slot, and the battery, with a unique scratch of my initial and a dab of spray paint

[@MendandMake]

Engrave it if you want it to last

[@ajlegacy72]

I just engrave my initials

[@bobbiusshadow6985]

Of course I mark my tools .. and territory, by pissing on them. Everybody’s nose knows the difference

[@wrench_man08]

Take metal letter stamps heat them up a little and melt your initials on.

[@left4halo4]

Normally I just keep my boxes locked, or weld tabs of steel with a hole drilled through on my boxes and lock a drop bar to it

[@donotrobme9295]

Use a pen engraver imho plus the paint pen

[@hypotheticallywhatiskyle]

Inside the tool is the move

[@motorbreath3]

Team soldering iron and paint pen. Yer done.

[@lordpenguin2929]

I use a Dremel and engrave my tools with my initials

[@UltraMagaFan2]

I keep my tools locked up in a toolbox inside of my garage and the only other person that uses them is my father. So, no I do not mark my tools. I have no reason to.

[@Thomk121]

You gotta get one of those metal etching tools. but it etches into it. Schools used to use them on calculators, science equipment, and computer equipment.

[@TuneNgoon]

Agreed!

[@Captmorgann]

can't unmark my engraving ;)

[@jacobstacy588]

Never had anything stolen but I work in small shop and we all have a lot of the same tools so we get them mixed up sometimes but always figure it out

[@TuneNgoon]

Usually same, that’s why I don’t go to crazy with engravers or branding lol

[@john050994]

I burn mine in with a soldering iron. Cant get rid of that without it being lika a car with a scratched out vin. That shits stolen.

[@TuneNgoon]

That’s true that’s a fool proof way!

[@jonathancollins9831]

I got a couple cheap metal stamp kits from harbor freight. Welded the letters of my last name together and lightly torch them to get them hot. Now my tools are permanently engraved 👍🏼

[@TuneNgoon]

Love that idea

[@erichood3169]

8nce they start looking beat up I usually spary paint them a odd color.

[@Eamador3]

I paint mine yellow for DeWalt, and everyone stays away

[@dancearoundtheworld5360]

my dewalt is green and makita is black and some batteries are knock offs full of rocks

[@Eamador3]

@@dancearoundtheworld5360 mine are squirt guns 🔫

[@Esneezy]

We use spray paint on my crew. We have red blue and green tools. Each color represents the owner of said tool.

[@TuneNgoon]

That’s a good idea too! I like it

[@jhouzen2512]

I engrave my initials. I see people taking everybody's batteries all the time at work.

[@TuneNgoon]

Smart man!

[@markkusallinen3469]

Could you mark under the trigger so that it only shows when pulled back?

[@waterlife.1905]

I wonder if snap-on tools sells engravers? 400$ well spent.

[@TuneNgoon]

😂

[@DillonDaVillain222]

I maro mine on the outside ke qnd qnother mechanic are always getting our Milwaukee batteries mixed up I've accidentally taken his a few times lmaoo

[@benbohannon]

We dip ours in chocolate. Haven’t worked or been stolen since!

[@ericculver9700]

I use an engraver and then they can't see it to scrub it off

[@TuneNgoon]

Smart!

[@TheFastlane9802]

Harbor freight engraver does all my tools

[@loganwork7024]

I use an engraver

[@user-jt9zw7qt5c]

Where did u buy that marker? Thanks

[@TuneNgoon]

If you go on Amazon and type in “ paint marker” there will be a TON of options in any color you want !

[@rhec4208]

Everybody knows rubbing alcohol takes off, just about any kind of pen 😊

[@LygerTheCLaw]

joke's on you, i could get that off with some acetone. better to etch your initials in deep.

[@TuneNgoon]

They’re locked up anyway lol

[@ryankirk2007]

Brand them with solder iron and bent metal….. doesn’t have time be initials either

[@82cardshark]

I dremmel my initials on everything

[@dooley9621]

That paint pen is instantly wiped off, always do a deep engrave.

[@kylewatson6739]

An engraver or Dremal tool nd engrave ur initials in them

[@otool]

I also date mine by my initials where the batts go

[@master6435]

Lol anyone who does not own a soldering iron and does not burn their name into the tool is the fool

[@Catharticscrapper]

Engraver works best.

[@aliciamiller2224]

I saw a guy that was heating up a piece of metal that had his name on it, then he branded his tools with it lol. Looked pretty good actually.

[@TuneNgoon]

That’s honestly pretty cool !

[@theone-ou3gd]

I use a little hand held engraver works good as well

[@gregorsamsa1364]

I just make sure everyone on the site understands that i wipe poop on my tools 💩

[@darengibney7357]

Do you work with those tools or are you a collector of new tools??

[@TuneNgoon]

I always get wierd comments like this. Yes I do, I just wipe em down try to keep them nice. They are used for my personal use and side work. My work tools look much worse. Either way people love to hate

[@Southernboy302]

I laser etch my name into my tools.

[@weedchameleontv7751]

They need to start making dem with tracking

[@equanox100]

Etch it in there, really small where it’s hard for them to see.

[@TuneNgoon]

I try!

[@troyxtrill]

I scratch my initials and color fill it.

[@emmcee476]

If I am concerned with having my tools stolen, I'm in the wrong shop

[@TuneNgoon]

A lot of people use the same tool brands too.

[@jimbusmaximus4624]

Just use a scribe or a dremel. You can't rub that off (I know... thats what she said.)

[@TuneNgoon]

😂

[@Stickyboy67]

Better start carving that name in there

[@APO1029]

How is the person who buys the stolen tools at fault? Blame the thief

[@TuneNgoon]

I mean if they can’t tell then oh well

[@AndrewGonzalez-hz6gh]

Ingrave your tools bro way better then hit the ingraing with the sharp paint marker way better and good lung giting it off with brack clean

[@TuneNgoon]

Thanks for the tip

[@patbird9694]

Milwaukee power tools are just battery operated paper weight.

[@patrickbush8121]

I don’t think them tools have ever seen much work being done with them they all look brand new still

[@TuneNgoon]

I clean my tools every time I use them! Also this is my home set, my work set is pretty bad, but I also clean those everyday. Just like to make them last. ATF usually deteriorates the grips pretty bad if you don’t wipe them all down.

[@lennonjames3871]

I wouldn't use a marker hello 😂

[@TuneNgoon]

A lot of people have better ideas! Just something I do!

[@kevinhammond9864]

Those tools look like they are for show only 😂

[@TuneNgoon]

That’s what happens when you have a homes set and a work set and you take really good care of them. Usually when the new generations come out, I take the old ones from home and take them to work and I keep my home ones as the nice ones.

[@thefreebird413]

I also have a spreadsheet that has a list of all of the serial numbers incase they do get stolen.

[@TuneNgoon]

Dang! You took it to the next level 😂😂 for me a lot of my serial plates are so worn down you can’t see em!

[@TNBushcrafter]

Yeah we pretty much needed one on big industrial jobs. Otherwise we'd be emptying out and writing down everything in our personal job box(gangbox) when we arrived on site.

[@cappalott6646]

I’ve very curious what does that even do ?

[@thefreebird413]

@@cappalott6646 not much other than it give you the serial number if i does get stolen so you can give it to the police. It also gives you a reference if someone gets tools mixed up, you know which one is yours by the serial number.

[@ChronicBongitis420]

Don't just put your initials put your driver's license number that way if shit gets stolen it can actually be traced back to you instead of some random set of initials that thousands of other people have.