What labelmarker to mark wires?

[joey791]

Currently looking to buy a wire labeler, have been looking into the Brady line of products, any opinions?

[zandman]

Oh where shall I begin.

I have bought almost all the labelers out there, from store bought to mail order. They call me a label nut at work.

Started with the usual Brothers, Dymo etc. OK for small stuff but not for multiple labels, wire etc. Good for straight labeling but not for wires.

Moved up to Brady TLS200 and Brady Handimark. TLS is good for wires and the Handimark is good for outdoor vinyl labeling.

I current use the Brady ID Expert for both wire labeling and outdoor Vinyl labels. Good machine although the little gears inside are plastic and are starting to slip a little. I use the ID Pal as a small "on the spot" labeler because its easy to carry (smaller than ID Expert).

I build a lot of panels and use the self-laminating ID Expert labels a lot. I also use the 2" vinyl labels on my jobs a lot. I freakin label everything!

I use the vinyl 3/4" tape in the ID Pal. Good for both wires and labels.

My pet pevs with the Bradys....poor screen, need to press hard on flimsy rubbery buttons, and the worst that you need to be carful switching and storing label cartriges. The tape will easily slip back into the cartidge and you wont be able to get it out without destroying the cartridge. (had to basically rip apart the cartridges on the ID Expert to get the tape straight.....damn needed those labels!!!!)

Easy to get cartridges at electrical supply houses and Graingers. Put them on POs for jobs. I got the hard cases because with all my tools they will easily get banged up.

Hope this helps,
Zandman

[willf650]

I have a brother p touch. I don't know the exact model but it does so much stuff its over kill for me. Its made for cable/data work and has templates for port and jack labeling. You can hook it to a laptop and make custom labels and import bitmap pictures and such to it although I don't know how to use that feature. It does alot more than the Brady I was looking for at the same price point. The down fall is that it use a speacial label tape for wrapping around wires that is not readily available at the majority of the supply houses. Only one chain I know of carries it so I internet order it. If you need to print regular labels it uses the same laminated tape as allot of p touchs so its available at any office supply store in a variety of flavors. Two guys I work with have the brady id pal (same price point as the internet price of my p touch) and they seem to think my p touch is allot more robust than thier bradys. The brady stuff is more readily available and that has to count for some thing.

[joey791]

Thanks for the suggestions, I ordered a Brady ID Expert

[paulir]

Hey, is this ASI Joey?, if so e-mail Markk@ddc-controls.com
I have bought lablers from $75 - 600.00 for him, he can shed likes, dislikes. rp

[joey791]

Originally posted by paulir
Hey, is this ASI Joey?, if so e-mail Markk@ddc-controls.com
I have bought lablers from $75 - 600.00 for him, he can shed likes, dislikes. rp

Yep thats me Mr.Pauli :D, I ended up getting the Brady ID Expert, I will shoot you an email.