Advice on security marking tools please?

[Seahorse]

I shan't be leaving anything of value in my lottie shed but I'd still prefer not to have things nicked. I want to write the postcode/lottie site on them in something that's immediately visible (ie not UV) and won't easily come off. I've seen etching tools which look great but I'm not sure if I want to go to the expense of buying one (and I don't know how easy they are to use). Has anyone had success with using an ordinary 'permenant marker' type pen for stuff like this? Or have any other cheap(ish) solutions?

Claire

[Hazel at the Hill]

Paint shafts flourescent yellow? Luminous stripes all the way down? Anything that makes your tools recognisable from 50 paces will mean that they are less likely to be 'borrowed' - or if they are, they will be put back again!

[Two_Sheds]

I've painted my Plot number on my tools, in black gloss, white gloss or black permanent waterproof marker.

[seasprout]

I know someone who branded the wooden handles of their tools. But then you have to make a brander with your postcode on first.

[Seahorse]

Thanks folks Plain old gloss paint sounds good! I've considered painting everything shocking pink or some similarly inyerface colour too

I bought a marker pen this aft that claims to be indelible on any and all surfaces and have tried it out on both wood and metal. Seems good so far.

Claire

[NOG]

Just a tip I painted my plot number on my wheel barrow in 7 places and it went missing.

A few months later someone was no the plot with an old wheelbarrow with 7 squares of new black paint.....emmmm

[rustylady]

Yes Nog, if someone is determined to nick your stuff then painting, etching etc won't do a bit of good. There are always ways to remove ID's. I just don't leave any good stuff on the lottie.

[Seahorse]

Yes, sadly, I agree that if someone really wants your stuff, they'll take it. Just looking for ways to make things less attractive to opportunists!

Claire

[Two_Sheds]

Seahorse, you're right. People do nick stuff, but we do what we can to make our stuff less attractive or less accessible to thieves.
If your stuff is all security marked, and your neighbours isn't, chances are your stuff will be left alone (or they might nick everything!)

[hectors]

I paint my tools. It's a trick I learned in the Army... we used to paint every paintable surface of our tools, just to avoid loosing them under the dirt and for easily distinguishing between teams.

Of course, you should not paint hinges, bolts, edges, rubber handles and the such

As far as by now, the only radioactive green axe and shovel I've seen, are mine!

Sure, they can scrap the paint off, or use paint remover... but again, the trick is to make things difficult, you'll never be 100% safe.

[bubblewrap]

If your tools have wooden handles you could burn ID on with a soldering iron.

[johnkelly]

Permanent Marks From Marking Tools

Metal marking tool can be in any shape and size with a character engraved on one end. It is used to create an indent of a character in an object, the metal character end is held against the product surface you wish to mark, while striking the opposite end with a hammer or machine.