Best Way to Mark Tools – Quick and Easy

To avoid unnecessary expenses, marking your tools is your best bet yet. Making them distinguishable makes it easier to identify in the case of recovery or a mix-up. Today I’ll be showing you how I got to keep my tools together and discoverable for a couple of years now, best way to mark tools.

Being unable to identify your tools when they get stolen or mixed up with a couple of other tools can be exhausting. Incurring the expenses that come with the replacement of your tools can ruin your monetary plans too.

There are many varieties of ways to mark your tools, and it can be quite a daunting task to decide on a particular one, especially if you have little to no knowledge about their properties or the materials on which they are to be used.

You can paint your tools in your unique color style to make them different from others. It is possible to choose a unique set of patterns or colors.

Tool painting is different from painting car parts or a stable structure. There are various methods for marking your tools with paint. For example, it would be over the bar to use a paint spray can on your spanner or hammer.

Before painting, clean your tools and ensure that you have covered the following parts:

• Moving Parts (Hinges, adjustment screws): The paint can hinder the movement of such parts.
• Identification Marks (Brand name, tool size): Imagine not being able to differentiate between a size ten and 12 spanners!
• Rubber Grips: The paint would make rubber grips slippery.
• Air vents: These parts should not be blocked with paint or anything, as it can damage the system.
• Work Surfaces: Parts such as blades of saw and points of screws should also be protected.

After painting with your desired color and pattern, remove the paper or tape used to block the above-listed parts, and then allow them to dry.

Painting is relatively more straightforward compared to other marking methods. Also, you can mark your tools and beautify them in one go!

Another method to mark your tools is actually to mark them. An engraver can be used to write or draw your preferred unique style of identification on your metallic devices.

This is simply done with an engraver. For safety purposes, use Sorbothane gloves to protect your hands. Use earplugs to protect your ears too. Most engravings are typically done with a diamond-tipped tool.

Engraved marks last longer than paints and many other methods of marking your tools. Additionally, you can explore more identification methods by taking advantage of its flexibility and dynamism.

Similar to painting, taping can also be color-coded. You can use thick paper tapes to make different patterns on your tools, especially handheld ones such as spanners and wrenches.

Cut a strip of your desired tape color and stick it on your tool. Make sure that your devices are clean. Else the tape would not stick on for long. You can also use white electrical tape and use a paint marker to color into your desired color and pattern.

A tape can easily be removed and changed, so it might not be safe for anti-theft purposes. But this is also what makes it advisable compared to other methods of marking tools. Borrowed tools can be labeled when in use, and the tapes would be removed before being returned to the owners(s).

Tagging simply involves marking your tools with customized ID tags stuck on your tool(s).

Clean a flat surface on your tool to ensure that it is free of oil, dirt, grime, or anything that can impede the glue from properly sticking on.

Tags can be customized to create a logo or information specific to you. They can be easily used, and you only need to stick them on a tool’s flat surface. Also, the permanent glue would ensure that the ID TAG does not fall off or get damaged.

Like spray painting, you can mark your tools using nail polish to paint unique colors and patterns. Mark the easily noticeable areas as well as the hidden parts. In case the open marks get erased, the hidden one would be enough to prove your ownership.

It is preferable to use nail polish of unusual color to make unique patterns or designs on your tools. Mark hidden and open areas, and make sure to protect moving parts and work surfaces.

Nail polish has the same advantage as spray paint. You can be creative with it. Although it can easily get worn off from frequently used tools, it is easy to use the identification method.

A more subtle method to mark your tools is to brandish them with a customized metallic stamp. You can get your name or logo made on the stamp block.

Simply place the stamp block on the tool and hit hard with a hammer. It can be quite hard to do, depending on the strength and malleability of the tool.

Stamping is more challenging to spot than painting. This makes it easier to catch thieves and resellers. The main characteristic of this method is that it is harder to notice the stamps without scrutiny.

You can use a permanent marker of different colors to mark your tools. This will make them stand out from others. Different people can simply use different permanent markers to write different things on their tools in a shared workshop.

It is pretty straightforward. The only precaution is to avoid marking on handles and work surfaces. Mark only on spots that are hardly touched to make the mark last longer. Also, clean the area intended for marking before you mark it.

A permanent marker is easy and straightforward to use. It requires no expertise, and it is fast to do. You can easily mark all your workshop tools in minutes.

Branding is another easy method used to mark tools. Place your intended tool under the branding iron and press your customized logo on it.

Branding can be used to mark many tools, except glass and metal. Also, the branding tools can easily be carried around, and they do not require any expertise to operate. The branded marks would also last longer.

This is similar to engraving, but the marks are tinnier and more subtle.

Wear a pair of safety gloves, and then use the machine to make your desired mark on the tool. This is a more advanced method of marking your tools.

It is more versatile and can make many complicated or straightforward patterns, numbers, and logos on your tool.

There are different varieties of inkjet printers for various purposes. The handheld ones are enough to mark your simple tools.

The handheld uses electricity to impact marks, logos, patterns on the body of the tool.

Inkjet printing is more durable than regular painting and coloring method.

Presses are equipment used to impact your desired number or logo on your tools.

Insert your tool under the pressing head/crimp and pull down the lever. The impact will press the customized head onto the device.

A stamping press can use stamp heads of different materials depending on the tool’s material to be market. Also, it is easy to use.

Tools in the workshop need to be neatly arranged for easy identification and access. Below are two of the best methods of organizing tools:

You can use pallet DIY tool cabinets or buy a ready-made one. Tool cabinets come in different materials and sizes. They are ideal for storing tools because they have many drawer levels for various devices and equipment.

Also, tool cabinets can be painted to beautify your storage area.

You can buy or make a DIY wall hanger for hanging your tools. This method will give your workshop and organized look, and the hung devices can easily be spotted. Additionally, the floor will be free for other things.

All DIYers must have some tools in their car garages. Below are three such useful tools:

This is a must-have tool in every garage. A heat gun can be used for many things, but it is usually used to break thread locks.

Heat guns have hanging hooks with which they can be hanged on your wall hanger. The most efficient methods to mark it is to.

A vernier caliper is vital for taking correct dimension markings. In comparison, a micrometer is for taking ultra-precise measurements.

The jaws of the vernier caliper should be left slightly open and stored in a cabinet that is dry and away from direct sunlight. A micrometer can also be stored in a cabinet alongside the vernier caliper. You can mark it by taping or slightly painting the handle.

An impact wrench is a significant component of the tools and equipment of any garage DIYer. This small handheld tool is commonly used to loosen nuts from parts that are susceptible to rust.

Impact wrenches are better kept away in cabinets. The marking can be done either by taping or engraving.

The above-listed tools are essential and unique because there are hardly any intermediate DIY garage tasks that do not require their usage.

Knowing the best way to mark tools and making them distinguishable is vital for those who frequently use garage tools in shared workspaces. Be sure to choose what method works best for you as per cost and ease of application. Also, ensure reaching out to an expert to mark your tools when things get complicated or get too busy.