15 Tips to Prevent Tools From Getting Stolen
- Give your tools an ugly makeover. ...
- Engrave personal information right on the tool. ...
- Invest in lockable power tools with apps
- Add GPS trackers to your tools
- Add interior deadbolts to your work truck
- Install a truck alarm system. ...
- Prevent trailer theft. ...
- Add exterior puck locks to your work truck doors. ...
- Invest in a heavy-duty job box. ...
How do you mark your tools?
All it takes to mark an item is to place the block on your tool and whack it with a hammer. There are also custom made ID tags that you can “permanently” glue to a flat spot on your equipment. If you have any other tips for marking your tools, either to get them back from thieves or keep them separate from your friend’s, let me know in comments.
How can I prevent my tools from being stolen?
Prevent your tools from being stolen by following these tips. Used tool buyers gauge the value of a power tool by its appearance. That means they look for the familiar “Milwaukee red”, “DeWalt yellow,” “Ridgid orange”, “Makita blue,” and “Bosch blue” brand color as well as name plates and the visual condition of the tool.
How do you report stolen tools to the police?
Find a prominent spot on the tool and add something like: “Stolen from Joe’s Plumbing, Scranton, PA Call (507) 456-XXXX for REWARD.” Just like an ugly paint job, marking and engraving a tool lowers the tools’ resale value and increases the risk of arrest to the thief.
How do tool trackers deter theft?
Tool trackers are visible deterrents and once the thieves realize your tools have them, they’re more likely to leave them and find another target. Thieves can’t afford to spend the extra time to pry off the trackers while they’re at the scene of the crime, and they don’t want to take the risk of being tracked while they head home with the “goods.”
How do you mark your tools so they don't get stolen?
If your tools are stolen, having identification marks on them will help make sure you're recognised as the owner if they're found. You can use paint or permanent marker to add your name or another identifying feature to your tools, or for something harder to remove, etch it in.
How do you put a security mark on your tools?
What do you use to mark your tools?Electrical Tape. Some people elect to use electrical tape to mark their tools. ... Spray Paint. It's much more fun to give your tools an easily identifiable individual look. ... Stamps. A lot of people opt to use a metal stamp to brandish their tools with their initials or company name.
What's the best way to mark your tools?
1:452:30How To Mark Your Tools - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor some reason I think it was on just a little too long. Not exactly sure why. But you can seeMoreFor some reason I think it was on just a little too long. Not exactly sure why. But you can see there's a little red tint to the lettering. So I actually after I was done making the video I pulled it
What do you do if someone steals your tools?
First, call the police and file a police report. Secondly, call your insurance company. Your insurance company can walk you through the steps you need to take in filing a claim and get you reimbursed for the stolen tools.
Why do people spray paint their tools?
While spray paint will prevent confusion over whose tools they are, and it might deter a thief, it has some problems: You may not want to spray paint your tools. It's still not unambiguously identifying information.
How can I put my name on tools?
0:433:36Engraving Your Tools with Professional Results - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd peel off just one label. And then you just put it on the tool wherever works best wherever youMoreAnd peel off just one label. And then you just put it on the tool wherever works best wherever you have a nice flat surface.
How do you permanently label metal?
When you're looking to make a permanent mark on metal, there are a few options for how the mark can be achieved. Any marking method which removes part of the metal itself to create the mark will be an option....EtchingDot peen marking systems.Laser.CNC marking tools.Hand-held marking tools.
Do tools have serial numbers?
The serial number of a tool can usually be found either on the rating label or within the battery compartment. It can consist of just numbers or a mixture of letters and numbers. In case you cannot find your serial number: please input your date of purchase e.g. 20062021.
How do I insure my tools?
If you use your tools for business purposes, they might be excluded from coverage in your homeowners or renters policy — you'll need to talk with your insurer to find out for sure. If that's the case, you can protect them with contractors equipment insurance.
How do I engrave my tools?
1:043:36Engraving Your Tools with Professional Results - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the engraver works just like a pencil or pen would just kind of grip it down close to the endMoreSo the engraver works just like a pencil or pen would just kind of grip it down close to the end there and so we'll turn it on and give it a. Whirl. So once you've engraved.
How do I permanently mark power tools?
Another way to permanently mark your tools is engraving. This is a neater method of marking tools because all you need is an engraver. Most engravings are done with a diamond-tipped engraver which you can use without specialist knowledge. They look like large pens, and you hold them in the same way.
How do you mark garden tools?
If they are good tools, it's easy to make them more noticeable with paint or tape.Paint the ends of the tool handles so they stand out in the garden.Or, mark them with a distinctive color of duct tape.
What is an impact wrench?
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.
Can you mark paint with nail polish?
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.
Can you use pallets for tool storage?
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.
Can you use different colors of markers?
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.
Can you make a wall hanger for tools?
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.
How to find out if your tools are missing?
Once you notice your tools are missing, activate the app from your phone and find their location. Tool trackers are visible deterrents and once the thieves realize your tools have them, they’re more likely to leave them and find another target.
How to protect your vehicle from thieves?
Invest in warning signs and stickers to let thieves know that your tools and vehicles are protected by GPS trackers and alarm systems and the entire area is being monitored with surveillance cameras. Thieves generally move on to lower risk opportunities if yours appears too intimidating.
How to store tools in a job box?
A heavy-duty job box is perfect for storing tools at the job site. Load in the tools and lock it up. But don’t buy a cheap unit, as thieves can get into those in just a few minutes. The better units are built with 14- or 16-gauge steel, so they can’t be opened with tin snips. Buy casters to roll the job box into position next to a pole. Loop the chain around a metal pole and thread the ends through the slots in the back of the box. Secure the chain ends inside the job box with a heavy-duty padlock. Remove the casters and set the box on the ground. That way thieves can’t roll it away if they compromise the pole or the chain.
What is worse than an ugly tool?
The only thing worse for thieves than an ugly tool is one that has some personally identifying marks permanently engraved into the tool. Find a prominent spot on the tool and add something like: “Stolen from Joe’s Plumbing, Scranton, PA Call (507) 456-XXXX for REWARD.” Just like an ugly paint job, marking and engraving a tool lowers the tools’ resale value and increases the risk of arrest to the thief.
Can thieves steal tools?
Bottom line: Thieves don’t steal tools they can’t fence and they certainly don’t want ugly tools that can be traced because of their unique look.
Can power tools be disabled?
The newest professional power tools can be disabled though a smartphone app. Once locked, the tool is worthless. But it’s not enough to buy those tools, you must advertise that fact by posting warnings on your work truck and trailer that all your tools are disabled.
Can you use manual sliding deadbolts on a truck?
Even a novice crook can pop those out in a few seconds. But interior sliding deadbolts make the job much harder to defeat. You can buy manual or electric sliding deadbolts to fit your truck. The electric versions cost more, but since they connect to your vehicle’s remote keyless entry system they lock and unlock with just a button push from your key fob.
What are some ways to protect valuables?
We have previously covered using equipment alarms, and various types of physical measures to protect your valuables, such as locking items up or locking them down, but there are other things that you can do which can also act as an effective deterrent to thieves.
Why do you need to mark your property for security?
Security marking valuable items will discourage burglars from stealing them by making it difficult to sell them on and it will also help the police to ensure your valuables are returned to you if they are stolen but subsequently found. For home security marking, mark your property with your postcode and the number and/or name of your house, ...
Why do we need security marking?
Security Marking to Protect Your Valuables Against Theft. Physical security restraints are a great way to protect many types of item against theft, but security marking your valuables delivers a low cost extra level of protection which is strongly recommended, ...and in some cases security marking is the only practical way of protecting an item.
What are the two types of security markings?
There are basically two types of security marking available, " Visible Markings " and " Covert (Hidden) Markings ", with the best systems often combining both types of mark for maximum effectivenes.
How many dots are in a bottle?
There are generally around 1,000 dots in each bottle, so there are plenty enough to mark many items, and it only requires thieves to mis just one dot when trying to clear all marks from a stolen item, to face arrest and prosecution for illegal posesion of stolen goods!
How to apply UV marks?
Sometimes these marks are applied by brushing a UV fluid over a customised stencil, while other UV marks are simply handwritten with a low cost UV pen.
Where to place UV mark on antique vase?
When using UV marking therefore, it is often best to place the mark on the item in the place least exposed to bright light, i.e. for antique vases or ornaments, the best place would normally be on the underside of the base, for pictures, mark on the back, etc.
How to engrave a tool?
It’s pretty simple to engrave most tools. You can buy an diamond tipped engraving tool for a dozen dollars or so, or you can use an engraving tip for a rotary tool. You can probably even use the tip of a diamond file. If you have lots of tools you can get custom-made engraving blocks that have your ID in hardend steel. All it takes to mark an item is to place the block on your tool and whack it with a hammer. There are also custom made ID tags that you can “permanently” glue to a flat spot on your equipment.
What are things you don't want to get painted on?
Things you don’t want to not get paint on include: Working surfaces (the jaws of wrenches, teeth and edges of saw blades, parts that slide against other things, etc.) Identifying marks (Wrench sizes, measurements, etc.) Safety warnings. Moving parts (Hinges, gears, latches, adjustment screws, etc.) Air vents.
Do tools add up to be a big investment?
And finally, tools add up to be a pretty big investment, they sometimes like to get themselves stolen. It’s good to mark them in a way that might prevent that or aid in their recovery if they are.
Can you spray paint your tools?
While spray paint will prevent confusion over whose tools they are, and it might deter a thief, it has some problems: You may not want to spray paint your tools. It’s still not unambiguously identifying information. Though how you engrave your ID on your engraver I’ll never know.
What should you do if your tools are stolen?
Your inventory sheet will come in handy when you file an insurance or police report —and you should file a police report. Local authorities may be able to connect your crime with others in the area, helping the police make an arrest. If you need a missing tool to finish an immediate project, considering renting a duplicate for the time being. It may be a cheaper and more feasible option than buying a brand-new model only to have your tools recovered a few days later.
What is fair game in tool theft?
Everything from large earth movers to rakes and shovels are fair game. If you have ever been a victim of tool theft, you know that it usually means a hit to your budget you were not counting on, as well downtime to replace the items that are missing.
How to label tools?
Label your tools by engraving or etching your company name on the tools in several locations. If possible, place some of the engravings in spots the theft may not notice, because the markings can help identify the tool later.
How much money do contractors lose due to tool theft?
The National Association of Home Builders estimates that contractors lose about $1 billion per year due to tool theft. The crimes can take place at the jobsite when a contractor turns his back for a moment or when someone breaks into a storage facility.
Do landscapers take their tools home at night?
Contractors who mow lawns or do other landscape work usually take their tools home at night rather than keep them onsite. When you get home or to your storage area, make sure everything is locked up. Use cable locks or chains to secure large items.
