What do you guys use to fill in the numbers on sockets? I spend more time using cheater gl***es and a magnifying gl*** to try and read a size and am still having problems. Wrenches will get a highlight or filled depending on style. Had cataract surgery and my close vision is ****.
More likely if not deep engraved or stamped , paint will come off . I remember back around 2000 my father was buying New craftsman Laser etched ,I asked why spending $ on when you have S, M , M-C . He told me could not see the markings , He said it will more likely happen to you , 26 yrs later hard for me to see. Specially chrome 1/4 & 3/8's Also tig / mig welding even with Magnification lenses for helmet
I used a Mopar brand burgandy automotive touch up paint about 35 years ago on sockets and wrenches. I let it set up for an hour or so after applying then wiped the excess off with WD40. Still just as visable today. Sorry for the ****py light reflection in the pic.
Would have thought most of you would have developed the ol 'Vernier Eyes' by now, just picking up the right size wrench by eye without reading anything.
Yellow paint pen, let tack, wipe will alcohol. Most of my sockets are pre-laser etch. Did the same with the graduations on my old torque wrench. Plus, +3.00 cheaters help too!
I'd go to the local hobby shop and pick up a little bottle of model car paint. Or, steal your wife's fingernail polish. Either way, it will be critical to get all the grease and dirt out of the stamped numbers on the sockets first - they need to be clean, clean, clean.
I considered painting the numbers but that doesn’t make the numbers any bigger Stickers are easy. Reasonably durable. Got them while deep into a project requiring both SAE and metric under the car. Www.steellabels.com
I struggle likewise reading the sockets. I have a set of Craftsman laser etched sockets and the ones I use the most are worn off. I was with a friend looking at some items to buy and the "seller", and my friend were talking and the seller was making fun of people that couldn't just "see" what socket he needed. I can't. Also, I am a grinder and not a welder. I wish I had an answer to the problem rather than verification that it is a problem.
Get a small can of One Shot sign painters enamel, it's pretty resilient and doesn't wear off easily. HRP
Change all the fasteners on your ride to Small, Medium and Large. Easy!!! You can carry the wrenches and sockets in your pockets!
I had trouble with my black impact sockets. I re-marked them with a Dremel with a carbide tool much bigger and no problem, now. Gary
I realize these Milwaukee sockets are impact sockets, but, they are worth every penny IMHO. My vision is still good enough to read standard imprinted/stamped sockets, but it's not going to get better with age. I have tried the stickers in the past, too. They worked great until they started to peel and wear and...not a great permanent solution.
Those look great and I'll point out another minor quibble. Many sockets that are stamped are not 'clocked' so they all align. Stick then in a rack and it's hit or miss if they are legible. Annoying. The pic shows the side hole in the bases all align.
I just take two above and two below the size I think I need. Saves the trip back and forth to the toolbox.
Can confirm they do: There seem to be very few options when wanting a socket set and a storage rail, as most seem to include a molded case instead...yet another reason I went with the Milwaukee set.
I just take a bunch of sockets and wrenches I think should be close. Usually by the 2nd trip to the tool box I have the size of the sockets and wrenches I need...
I use fine-tip paint pens for jobs like that. (No, not Sharpie markers.) You want the tips smaller than the indents. At the moment, they're stashed out of sight somewhere..... But I have this photo of one of my past projects. (Vintage steamship door labels) The 3 on the bottom are done, and the 3 on top are not yet.
Yeah, I can guess correctly 90% of the time just by a quick glance but there are times that the odd metric gets where it shouldn't be. Funny story - Once while I was riding shotgun with my buddy through the Windsor/Detroit tunnel something shook loose and fell from the car on the roadway. He instantly yells out...Hey thats my 9/16" open/boxend wrench! Sure enough, thats exactly what it was. Pretty good when you can hear what size your tools are.
The Jalopy Journal
