You should be able to do this for everything in your toolbag within 10 minutes. To start, all you need is your kit and a Sharpie.
The process is simple:
- Pick a tool
- Find an empty area on the tool
- Write your initials there
Claiming ownership is an easy way to make sure that a lost tool is returned to you, especially when almost everyone on set has their own toolbag with similar gear.
If you want extra security, add a phone number or email address if there’s room. The easier you are to track down, the more likely you’ll get a tool back when it’s misplaced.
For gear that you don’t want to ruin, writing your name on tape and attaching it to the object achieves the same effect. For instance, my laptop has a piece of tape on its underside with my name and cell phone number on it.
Countless times I have accidentally forgotten a tool or lent it out to then have it returned when somebody matched my initials with my name.
You shouldn’t underestimate this simple tactic.
It’s a straightforward way to save a few bucks by not having to reorder the tools you may have left on set or that ended up in somebody else’s toolbag.