Voiding warranty

[TheTrooper]

For years I've always engraved my phone number in my tools in case they are lost or stolen and someone tries to pawn them. Will this void the warranty? It's always in an area visible while using and when the case is open.

 

[sancho57]

Why would it? A lot of folks mark their tools. I'm guessing that as long as you don't change, reconfigure, disassemble the tool you'd be ok.

 

[jools]

I engrave name and postcode on all my tools and boxes. Site work makes you more aware of identifying what's yours. With some of the more common battery platforms like makita18v it's hard to keep track of what's who's. One advantage of being the only Festool owner on site as its green and black it's mine and also the disadvantage as most are aware of the price difference and more valuable on the dodgy second hand market. Scaffolding companies tend to have a colour that is sprayed on their gear. For it to work it must be indelible which makes resale harder. Invisible marking is available like micro dot and smart water but of course not a deterrent to the naked eye of your average thief who will ignore the warning stickers.

 

[TheTrooper]

I'm still curious. A guy I know painted a oscillating tool and took it in for service and they charged him because the warranty was void.
I'm guessing that it would be more cost to recondition the tool, maybe?
Does festool actually read this?

 

[Brent Shively]

For years I've always engraved my phone number in my tools in case they are lost or stolen and someone tries to pawn them. Will this void the warranty? It's always in an area visible while using and when the case is open.

It will not void the warranty unless the engraver damaged the tool causing it to fail.  For example, the tool housing cracked due to being engraved.  Most engraving does not go that deep.

Brent

 

[demographic]

I engrave my name, postcode and the date I bought it on the tool.
That way its obvious to everyone else who owns it, and I can remember when the guarantee runs out at a glance.

Plus I put a coloured blob of paint on the tool, the box it comes in and all the rest of my toolboxes.
Pretty much anyone on site knows that colour means its mine.

I have heard of people putting their national insurance number (or the US equivalent) on their tools but I've never done that so far.