'Stamping' gear

[domlee]

\'Stamping\' gear

Related to an earlier post about stolen gear, someone mentioned 'stamping' their gear to avoid theft. How do I do this and and is there any special equipment involved? I know all Suzuki outboards are micro dot protected but my new Mariner has nothing of the sort so I would like to put some sort of indellible ownership details on the shaft.

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[omega2]

Re: \'Stamping\' gear

Why not etch your post code on all your stuff? we have, anything that can move has been done, it will not prevent theft but will help recovery in some cases, and the insurance man will be pleased.

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[Evadne]

Re: \'Stamping\' gear

You can engrave using a dremel (or similar) or buy a set of letter and number stamps, the kind you hit with a hammer, for making marks into (soft) metal. Hardware shops or Screwfix will do them, if you can't borrow a set from a friendly workshop manager. They won't make much impression on hardened or stainless steel without a particularly big hammer though!

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[jerryat]

Re: \'Stamping\' gear

Hi! I wouldn't be inclined to 'stamp' your details on an outboard, if only because they are made of alloy and this is more than likely to be damaged/cracked. I use a kit, the details of which I got at the Southampton Boat Show a few years ago via the Hampshire Police who had a bus there. The kit has a diamond 'pen', untra-voilet pen, stencils etc etc and therefore covers all materials you are likely to want to mark. For example, for all metals, I use the stencils (they are quite small letters about 6mm high) with the diamond pen. I used this on some instruments as well. The ultra voilet pen is used on more delicate stuff. There were also warning labels supplied that have stuck to metal etc internally and externally for at least 6 years without deterioration.

I'd be inclined to give your local crime prevention officer a call.

Good luck, and I hope the B******s leave your gear alone as well!!



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[domlee]

Re: \'Stamping\' gear

Thanks for the assistance and advice. I will use the UV pen for hidden marking plus, on the plastics e.g. the cowling, I will write my postcode using a fine tipped soldering iron. It is a shame we are all getting a bit paranoid about opportunistic theft but I guess the more difficult we make it for the thieves to dispose of their ill-gotten gains the more they will think about taking it in the first place (I hope!)

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[MIKE_MCKIE]

Re: \'Stamping\' gear

I have done all the electronics etc using the u/v pen & put the SSR number on, where it doesn't interfere with viewing the readout but is in plain sight. It is NOT invisible, so any potential tea-leaf should be able to see the marking & will (hopefully) leave it alone. I have 30+ year old winches & when one broke recently, it was a toss up as to repair or replace. Repair won the day, not on price but on desirability/security. Sad times that we have to be so distrustful, but not much we can do about it, except take such precautions as we may think of. A farmer acquaintance suggested converting the wire guardrails to a 12v electric cattle fence, his opinion of thieves being that they are lower than cattle. Must say the idea has it's merits IMHO!!
brgds

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