Kind of a silly question but I am looking for a suggestion regarding a label maker. Trying to get the shop better organized so I want to start labeling a variety of items (cabinet drawers, containers, etc.). I would like the labels to be on the large size, say 3/4" to 1- 1/2". No need for any graphics or fancy fonts.  It would be nice if the label maker was handheld and ( definitely) independent of the computer.

I looked on line and was quickly swamped with dozens of choices so I decided to ask here for a recommendation or other suggestions.

In advance of all courtesies extended, thank you!

John

Like Jay said, you can browse many.  I borrow my mom's when I need to label something in a nice way, like the subpanel and shop outlets.  See if you can get a demo so you can see the font and type clearly.  Hers prints on 1/2" tape, but it is very readable from a distance.

I have this Brother from Staples.  I think it was $49.99 on sale.  It's battery operated but they also sell one that comes with an adapter.

http://www.staples.com/Brother-P-touch-PT-2730-PC-Connectable-Simply-Professional-Labeling-System/product_890185

Supports label widths from 1/4" up to 1".  Can work stand alone or can work connected to a PC or Mac.

I like it because it stores labels in memory - so return address labels as an example.   Some label makers like this one will support more than one line on a label, so check that out as a consideration.  If you connect it to a computer and use their software, you can paste graphics into the label for things like making screw labels that show the screw profile.  Might or might not be something you are interested in in time.  But I could see it being useful on parts containers or sortainers.

I had an earlier Brother that did not print on multiple lines, nor support the 1" labels.  I find that size label to be great for seeing what is in a Systainer from across the room.

Amazon is a bit cheaper on the labels than what I have found at Staples.  You can get red or black ink in clear or white background and even some fabric labels, so plenty of options if you need them.

neil

I have a much older PTouch 3. The labels stick fine even in my non-climate controlled shop.  One tip....... clean the surface with alcohol first.

Seth

Thanks for the great suggestions. Off to Staples this morning....

+1 for the Brother P-touch .. I've got an older variant, they're really handy.

laser printer and wide clear tape.

The timing of this post is interesting. Today is a 'clean up' day in the shop and I am labelling all of my tools, boxes, systainers, etc. for quick and easy Identification. I have so far used two of my Brother P-touch printers, but right now am using my 1400. It's not necessarily my first choice, but it has so many functions built in that I almost never need anything else.

Besides that one I have my trusty old P-touch Extra with a keyboard. It's nearly an antique, but still works just fine.


I'll try to post some pictures later on...

As promised.     





Sent from my iPhone

I don't like labels all that much. I used to have a nice system of using a clear plexi name badge style holder with a rare earth magnet on the back and the opposing magnet inside the case or drawer, etc.

I could easily swap badges from drawer to systainer, etc. If I needed to recycle them, I just slipped out the paper with another and away I go.

The reason I let it go was a 3 month trip to Antarctica and South America before my first child and came back to chaos and then kids.

I have a much older PTouch 3. The labels stick fine even in my non-climate controlled shop.  One tip....... clean the surface with alcohol first.

Seth

+1 for Brother P-Touch labellers, +1 for Mr. SrSemenza's advice and now I have some advice of my own.
Although I haven't had to do so yet, my boss recommends using "hard as nails" or clear nail polish after putting on a label that isn't sticking so well. Cold environments and dirty surfaces don't work so well with these P-Touch labellers. And by cold environments I mean server rooms with lots of air conditioning. You will see labels all over the floor in them that have fallen off of equipment, so it's very evident they don't always stick well in all circumstances. Otherwise if you have a clean surface in a room temperature room, they work great!

P.S. Fritter63, I like your labels. "Things that..." Haha

Good idea on your labels.  But I have to ask...  Which drawer do you put pliers with integral cutters in?  Things that grip, or things that cut? 

Or maybe you have another drawer for Things that cut and grip!

 

He he. Yeah, they are a bit of a conundrum. However, I think I followed the lead of the biological classifications and put into the "grippers" family since the cutting is secondary (compared to say a pair of diagonals?).

I'm still tempted to put them in systainers "The Festool Way" organized by "task" rather than tool function, but that would end up with duplication of tools, and that goes against my minimalist philosophy......

Some additional...............   the temp commonly swings from 10 - 90 F over the course of the year. high and low humidity too.  Most of my labels are on smooth, clear plastic Plano cases.


Seth

I have a Dymo handheld that I paid about $15 for, which has proven pretty useful.  But now it seems so  ... inadequate.  I saw the Dymo Rhino 6000 at Amazon for $249, or in a case for $349.  Shocked at the price, since it is yellow.  For that price it would have to be Festool Green for me to seriously consider it ...