Mark those tools!

I checked out a local used tool store, and sure enough, my MIG welder was sitting right in the middle of the store. It looks like I'll get almost all of my stuff back, and the sheriff is looking for the culprits. (One of them used his own driver's license as ID when they sold the tools!)

I was lucky. I've never marked my tools, recorded serial numbers or done anything else that I can use to prove ownership. That makes it tricky to prove that the tools at the tool store are mine, and it would have complicated things if I had to file an insurance claim. So here's what I'm going to do:

1. Mark everything. Not sure if I'll use my name or driver's license #.

2. Record model numbers and serial numbers of all power tools.

3. Take digital photographs of everything.

You all might want to consider doing the same.

Still seems to work. I enabled the police one time to make an arrest by letting them know where I thought the motorcycle (dirt bike) was. They asked it I could identify it. I said I could,,the main jet had been soldered shut and re drilled. They went to the place and there it was, and they got into small talk about dirt bikes and asked the parties if soldering the main jets was a good thing to do. Well, the "parties" made much ado about how stupid that would be,,blah blah blah, so the police impounded the bike and took it apart. Yeap, was mine. This along with the ID scratched in the plastic of the air box put two young men away for 2 years.

Now, they title dirt bikes so it is somewhat better unless they go south of the border.

My suggestion would be to get a sherrifs theft ID number. These are a number that your local sherrifs Dept can get for you registered in your name. Marked all my tools that I took to AZ last winter knowing that if they were stolen on the way or in Phoenix the chances of recovering them were greatly increased and the ID number made for no dispute about ownership.

Dad had a CB stolen in the late 70's at a town function in small town IA. Was a rash of CB's stolen that night. If I remember right the only radios that were recovered had these numbers.

Hope things go well recovering your tools.

JT

Are these theft ID numbers available in any state? I'm in Michigan; I've never heard of them.

They aren't well publicized though and the receptionist at the Sherrifs Office may not know about them. They were pushed here in IA just a little in the 70's. All sorts of supplies available. Metal stamps, Engravers, even confettie for grain.

They are a 10 digit alpha numeric code. First two letters reference the state, next three numbers are for the county, then 4 digits and a letter that are specific to you. Something like this.

IA0990123X

This one would be for someone living in Iowa in county 99, and would be the 123rd person with a last name beginning with X to register a number.

Hope this helps.

JT

I'll check into these IDs with the local sheriff.

Jeremy