Do You Mark Your Tools?

Coffeeman · #1 01-13-2008, 10:23 AM

Besides my initials or name on them.....

Looking for suggestions on what others are doing to code/mark their tools for a quick indentification of what tool it is? Hope this makes sense.

Currently my tools only have my intials on them, but I find that I'm wasting time looking for the right tool. (Want a small gouge, but reach over grabbing a v-tool instead or vise-versa.) I've seen some people mark their handles to represent some code, and I've never asked them what it means.

In just seperating out my gouges from V- tools, for a quick visual reference, I'm thinking of painting some Green on each Gouge handle "G" green=gouge and a Voilet color on each V-tool.

Looking for other shared suggestions that might make more sense before I start marking "my code". Thanks, Bill

pallin · #2 01-13-2008, 10:51 AM

Nearly all of my tools are Pfeil carving tools and are marked with a number that identifies the shape and width of the cutting end. It is fairly easy to remember: the lower the first number, the flatter it is. The numbering system is shown in the Woodcraft catalog. Other carving tool manufacturers have also used this system.
But a color coded system might be good. You wouldn't have to read the number to know what type of tool it is: veiner vs sweep gouge.

Canopener · #3 01-13-2008, 11:37 AM

Coffeeman,
Somewhere along the line I saw an article where Harold Enlow carved faces on the ends of his tools. That might be an interesting project.
For myself, and like many others, I rely on some tools much more than others so I stain the handle darker and my brain picks up on this, on some I have wrapped the shaft in leather to make it easier to work with, or with flexcuts, since they have a harder finish, I simply use a magic marker as the mood hits me and can be removed later.
BTW, good question, I am interested in how this one turns out.
Jim

Ron Davidson · #4 01-13-2008, 11:40 AM

I use a liquid plastic that actually leaves a raised mark. For instance I mark the V gouges with a V that is raised and the size of the v tells me which size it is. I use the same method with gouges and chesels. My knives I mark with the same liquid plastic only I use braille to label them and I also put a mark on the handle by the blade to tell me which is the cutting edge. The Liquid plastic is called Marks allot. I get it at a low vision store here or you can order it online at www.maxiaids.com Look under marking and labeling. I think I got Xsailor using the same material. You can mark them however you like with this but this is the easiest way for me to find mine without getting cut.
Ron

Mottles · #5 01-13-2008, 12:37 PM

Hi Bill, yes I do the initials, size, etc. and I put a drop of Pink nail polish on the handle.
Kathy

brian bailey · #6 01-13-2008, 01:04 PM

I must be missing something here

, but I just look at the cutting edge of the tool as they lay on my workbench before me.

I do woodburn my name into the tool handle for ID.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #7 01-13-2008, 01:08 PM

You can get "Plasti-dip" in different colors, you can coat the end or the whole handle?

squbrigg · #8 01-13-2008, 02:01 PM

I mark all my gouges with the number of the gouge using liquid eraser/white out. It wears well, highly visible and doesn't hurt the wood. I like to be able to grab the right tool quickly as I'm working and searching for the sweep of the gouge is frustrating.

Bob

Thomp · #9 01-13-2008, 07:10 PM

bill,

because im tired of grinding nicks out of the cutting edges of my tools i rack them in ice trays the cylindrical kind,
insted of piling them on the bench...

but you cant see the edge profile so when there racked its like a game of 3 card Monty...

enough was enough,
i started marking the top of the handle
# profile then drawn shape then size
see attachment a #9 u gouge 1/4th " Green color means gouge at quick glance also

it works well especially since i got my Midwestern set of 10 stubai palm tools...

Eddy Smiles · #10 01-13-2008, 08:48 PM

I use the inter-changeable flex-cuts and I have the shape of the tool, the size and the number of each labeled on each roll compartment. But I'm with Brian, after a heavy carving session where I've scattered most of my tools helter-skelter across the table in front of me it just comes down to checking the shape of the tool that I need before I use it.