Hi Hippo,
You?ll be glad to hear that it?s fairly easy to come by everything you
need to make military-style dog tags.
First, however, you should know a little terminology. To begin with,
the truly authentic, military-style dogtags are not ?engraved,? which
would mean having letters that are cut or carved into the surface of
the metal. Rather, at least since the 1980s, military tags are
?embossed.? That is, they have raised lettering, similar to the raised
letters on a credit card. Prior to the 80s, they were ?stamped? or
?indented.? Both styles require a special machine to make, and the
machines can be quite expensive, though some sellers claim that one?s
cost can be recouped fairly easily by sales. Also, some medical ID
tags and/or pet identification tags are actually engraved, but those
also require special machines to make, though some are not quite as
costly as embossers. And then, in addition to a machine, you will
also require a source for ?tag blanks? and perhaps some chains, rubber
silencers, and other accessories.
************************************************************************
All right then, to the sources:
DOG TAG MACHINES & SUPPLIES
This company offers not only the embossing machines with a starting
price around $2,000, but service, a full line of other supplies,
including a wide selection of tag finishes and styles, and advice on
getting started making dog tags:
http://dogtagmachines.com/
ADDRESSING MACHINES & SUPPLY CO.
Offers a number of different models of dog tag machines, both
automatic and manual, at a variety of prices. Also has a ?Dog Tag
Starter Kit,? which includes an embosser that needs no electricity,
100 tags, 100 each long and short chains, and 100 black silencers.
http://www.addressingmachines.com/
THE OLD GROUCH?S MILTARY SURPLUS
He says he has dog tag machines for sale, including a refurbished old
graphotype class 6300 machine. Says he?ll even deliver it and set it
up if you?re in the southeast or mid-atlantic region of the U.S.
However, he doesn?t give a price and wants you to email or call for
more information. But he might give you a good deal, who knows? See
here:
http://www.oldgrouch.com/
RICHARDSON BUSINESS MACHINES
They offer both indenting and embossing machines and it appears they
might also offer related supplies, though the link wasn?t working when
I checked. But they also want you to contact them or a distributor
for detailed information, including price:
http://www.richardsonbus.com/products/metalmarking.html
PRACTICAL CARD SOLUTIONS
This company offers several models of embossers as well as tag blanks in bulk:
http://www.practicalcardsolutions.com/MetalPlate.htm
EBAY
There are currently a couple of machines available on Ebay, though it
might be a good idea to check periodically to see if others get
listed. I used the search terms ?dog tag,? ?dog tags,? ?dog tag
machine,? and ?dog tag emboss.?
Here?s an older-style graphotype machine:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2571410831&category=46745
This one is a brand-new automatic feed embosser:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3439929611&category=302
************************************************************************
If you would prefer to engrave rather than emboss the tags as is
sometimes done for pet identification and medical id tags, here are a
few sources for engraving machines:
IMARC PET TAG ENGRAVING SYSTEM
This company offers a complete computerized engraver, as well as tag
blanks in a host of sizes, shapes and colors.
http://www.imarcengraver.com/
THE HILLMAN GROUP
Here you can find a variety of countertop-style engraving machines.
Check out their product list at the left of the page, including ?Quick
Tag,? ?Petscribe,? etc.
http://www.hillmangroup.com/products.htm
NEW HERMES
Has a wide selection of engraving machines and supplies.
http://www.newhermes.com/Engraving%20Machines/Overview.php
EBAY
I searched using ?engraving machine? and found quite a few. Here?s
the link to the search return:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&krd=1&from=R8&MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&ht=1&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&query=engraving+machine
USED MACHINES
Here are some companies you could contact to inquire about a used
computerized engraving machine:
**The Engravers Network - Arlington TX - (817) 261-7256
http://www.engraversnetwork.com
**B.E.S. Services - San Clemente CA - (949) 366-1881
**Just-N-Time - Los Alamitos CA - (562) 431-1140
**L.T.D Sales - Oakland CA - (510) 531-3053
MY TOOL STORE
And finally, if the prices of the machines are too high, here?s a
small, inexpensive hand engraving tool you might want to have a look
at.
http://www.mytoolstore.com/ideal/ide12-27.html
************************************************************************
In addition to the companies above, here are several other sources for
obtaining just the tag blanks, chains, silencers and other accessories
and supplies:
JROTC DOG TAGS
This company specializes in providing supplies to school groups and
community organizations who make and sell dog tags as a fundraising
activity. Here?s their ?About Us? page (click on ?Parts and Supplies?
for prices and ordering information.):
http://www.jrotcpride.com/about_us/home.htm
JEWELRY SUPPLY
Here you can find blank tags, as well as ball chain, connectors, and
other ideas for dressing up dog tags:
http://www.jewelrysupply.com/EJS/dogtags.htm
CALIFORNIA ARMY/NAVY SURPLUS
You can find tag blanks, chains, and silencers here, in a variety of
colors and finishes, and also buy by the piece or as sets.
http://www.calarmy.com/novelty/accessories/dogtags/
NEW HERMES (listed above for engraving machines)
Also has a selection of tags in different colors and shapes.
http://www.newhermes.com/Engraving%20Products/Tags.php
EBAY
Here?s a set of WWII original issue tag blanks in mint condition:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2202532980&category=4726
************************************************************************
I hope this information and the links provided will give you a good
selection from which choose to find what you?re looking for. Please
use the ?Request Clarification? feature to ask if you don?t understand
something before rating and closing your question so I can be sure
you?re satisfied with the information provided.
Best wishes,
Byrd
To find additional resources, you might consider searching on your own
with the search terms I used (or similar), which were:
dog tag machines
making dog tags
dog tag blanks
dog tag suppliers
dog tag supplies
"dog tag" engraver OR "engraving supplies" OR "engraving machine"
"dog tags" supplies OR "tag blanks" OR chains
?id tag? metal engraving machines OR equipment
engraving tool OR tools |
