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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Got tired of buying expensive tags so started experimenting.  Tried using soda cans but the metal is way too thin.  Tried folding the soda can metal so it was 4 layers thick so basically you got 2 tags from each can.....worked but labor intensive.  
 
I settled on aluminum flashing.  The stuff is thick enough that you can't tear the holes out.  Like $25 at lowes though they also sell a smaller roll for $10.  
 
 
 
 
Tried cutting it as is which did not work well so decided to try wrapping the flashing tightly around schedule 40 3" pvc scraps I had and that worked great.



It gave it the rigidity to cut slices with the metal bandsaw.  Covered the outside in tape before I cut the slices so it would not unroll when cutting. 
 
This is what you end up with.
 
 
You drill 4 holes throught the entire thing, North south east and west.  When you unroll it you get this. 
 
 
They are easily cut with ordinary scissors and the tags are strong, you can't tear tear the hole out yet easily indented with a ballpoint pen for permanent marking.  Thin tie wire to attach and you are set. 
 
Cut 1/2 wide you will get 6000 tags from the roll which is what like 40 cents per 100?  The entire project start to finish took about 30 minutes and a lifetime of tags.  
 
I realize not everyone has a metal bandsaw though I am sure there are other ways to cut the slices, all the other tools needed are common ones.  
javajunkie

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Very innovative, nicely done!

Do you have any secrets for stand up markers in the pots that won't rot? I want something that my old eyes can read at a glance and from farther than 1 foot :) I was thinking about that plastic wood they have out for decks now. Slice it and use a paint pen. Anybody think that will work?
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Tami
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greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Tami,
I use window blinds stripes cut into about 7" long pieces. I believe they come in plastic and aluminum painted in white. Mine are aluminum, I use an acrylic marker, it doesn't fade under the sun.
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javajunkie

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Igor,
I bought some of those at the second hand shop and apparently I'm too dumb to use them. First thing I did was cut myself reaching into one of the pots and my hubby yanked them out and threw them away. (Yes, the pots were marked with another tag)
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Tami
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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I have a couple industrial strength sharpies I use for plant tags, it doesn't fade and its water proof. Yet I don't know where I got them or where to find them. Looks good will, I've been cutting up old beer cans and making tags out of them, I might look into this though.
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sammy

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I use aluminum fascia scraps, but I like your idea of cutting them off of the roll like that.
To mark them permanently I use an alphabetical metal punch set I bought for $20 at ToolTown.
It might be slow going at punching them out but it lasts a lifetime.
.PIC_0001.JPG 
PIC_0002.JPG

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Very Nice Wills. I love seeing an innovative home made solution
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
For my homemade ones, I tracked down and ordered some thick aluminum sheeting used for embossing for art projects. Like soda cans (which are far too thin and tear easily), you can press and 'write' on these w/ an old ball point pen and leave indentations easily. I cut them with an old guillotine-type paper cutter.

It's strong stuff - softer and not as strong as flashing. For extra safety, I fold the end double and punch a hole with something sharp for the attaching wire. An awl or nail works well.

The downside is that the edges can be sharp. But they should remain readable forever.
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DesertDance

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
I have no problem with the beer/soda can tags.  Aluminum is forever!  You just need to find a way to attach the tags so they don't blow away!  One soda can makes a lot of tags... free!  I use that chain for ceiling fans you can get at the big box stores.  Easy and permanant... OH, cheap!!

Suzi
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
I think this is where I ordered my heavy aluminum sheets. It comes in colors. http://www.whimsie.com/aluminum%20foil.html 

For tags to stick in pots, I also like old white aluminum mini blinds. I use a plain old pencil for the marker. But I would not trust that to last more than 2-3 years in the elements.
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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
The single thickness soda can tags are useless.....the metal is so thin if the tag catches on anything the aluminum tears and the tag falls off.  Tried that....simple but by no means permanent.  


Gina,

I like the different colors:)  


Sammy,

I like your idea as well but that would take quite awhile.  


Tami,

I'm not sure, I don't use stand up tags.  I would think the white window blinds and big letters with a sharpie would work as long as you renewed the sharpie now and then.  I would not use it as the only means of ID but as a second one it would be fine.  
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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
I also like to use soda cans. I'm not sure if they make them thicker in Canada or what but they seem pretty strong to me. I make the pieces bigger and then fold over 3 of the 4 sides about 1/4 inch so i don't cut myself. On the fourth side where i make the hole i fold it about 3/4 of an inch. I use a paper hole puncher to make the holes. It takes a little effort but easily done. After the hole is made i flatten the piece using a dough roller or anything i have handy that's round and smooth. They come out pretty good.

I am going to try your idea Wills i think it's alot cleaner than working with soda cans.
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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
I've been using that flashing for years to mark my iris. I just cut it with scissors like the ones in your photo. I cut them wider, point one end, and bend them up the middle to make them ridged, like angle iron, for poking in the ground. You need to put the writing on them before you crease them though. And, I have a sheet-metal break that makes bending easy.

On the down side, I don't find them all that easy to write on (or read later). You have to have something soft like pasteboard under them to make an impression at all and still have to press hard. I've broken a few ballpoint pens on them.

For the cups with my fig cuttings I cut up aluminum pie plates. They're much softer and easier to write on, and I'm using much smaller tags there too. I prefer to wire the tag to the pot and not the plant. But, if you're planting in ground...

There's an aluminum electric fence wire that's good for tying them on with that you can pick up at any feed and seed, or Harbor Freight has a stainless steel wire. Those are both expensive, though, but a roll will go a long way. plastic zip ties are cheap and last pretty well.
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
I've also had bad luck using soda cans. About 7 years ago I labeled some blueberries with them and in that time most of the labels have disappeared. With the blueberries it doesn't matter that much since I now recognize the varieties by sight - and I'm not sending anyone cuttings. But figs? There's enough trouble with mis-identification. 

The soda cans I've used here are very flimsy - I can tear them with my hands. Perhaps the Canadian ones are stronger.



edit: The foil I got was their thickest grade. (24 gauge, 20 mil) It was a couple years ago, and the prices seems rather high now. Not sure I'd buy it again, but very glad I have it.

above
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JD

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Excellent solution Will.
My $0.80 is in the mail.
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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
JD,

:)
nycfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Very nice Wills.

I use the white mini-blinds and a Sharpie. Works pretty good.
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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Danny,

Here in Florida with the heat, sun and humidity the sharpie would be unreadable in less than a year.  Last thing I want to do is add to the fig naming confusion.  
jake

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
I use the same flashing as WillsC but cut it with a metal straight edge and single edge razor blade. Make two or three scores with the blade and then fold on score line. When fold is straightened out the strip breaks off perfectly. A box cutter also will work. You would think the razor would dull quickly but I find them to last for many cuts. I then cut the stips with scissors to the desired lenght. I then use the punch below for the hole. 

http://www.swingline.com/swingline/us/us/p/2297/A7074017/swingline%C2%AE-low-force-1-hole-punch-20-sheets.aspx




Swingline® Low Force 1-Hole Punch, 20 Sheets


Then this engraver to put the name on with

http://www.harborfreight.com/electric-engraver-46099.html


46099 Electric Engraver
Harborfreight also has the razor blades 100 for $4

 

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mgginva

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Nice Willis.
Do you have any problems with sharp edges using your method?
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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Michael,

W I L L S  Every time someone calls me W I L L I S I think about the show different strokes....."Whatcha talkin about Willis"

They  are a bit sharp as the slices come off the horizontal bandsaw, you can see the burrs in the unrolled picture above but after the pictures were done I took each roll and ran each side against a stationary belt sander to knock off the burs and now are not sharp at all.  I did try Jakes way after he mentioned it and it does work.  Those edges are a bit sharp but still for the person who does not have a metal bandsaw and just needs a few tags that is a good way to do it.  For me I will never need tags again:)
mgginva

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
WILLS,
It's odd but even though I know it's Wills my eyes say it's Willis and I've been calling you Willis for a long time -- sorry.

Flashing sure makes a nasty cut. I really like your method of rolling it up to drill - very creative.

I was looking into making my own tags and punching in the names but I got sidetracked as usual. That and my metal punches have found a hiding place I have not.
Anyway -- nice job and thx for the ideas.

mgg
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Michael in Virginia (zone 7a) Wish list:   Perretta, 
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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
Don't ever apologize to the short, dark, back-from-the-grave Floridian, Michael. I never did. He will always be Willis to me.

As for his tag idea, nice. I was thinking of going the metal stamp route, but the engraver is purty cheep and much faster than whacking a piece of metal repetitively. Think I'll also go with Jake's straight edge and utility blade recommendation, as Willis won't ship his band saw and grinder out this-a-way like any real friend would. Now I'll just need to find a few dozen people with large fruit orchards to share the zillion tags with, unless you can buy that flashing in a smaller role.
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Neil
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musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Some put a tag on the tree and one in the pot (or under the pot), or if in-ground -- well, you get the idea. In this case redundancy can be a good thing. I like all the ideas, each with its benefits and detractions.
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rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
Do they come in different colors?
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Posted Reply with quote  #26 
I like this idea, thanks Wills. Your warning about permanent maker fading is an important one, I learned the hard way.
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Joe_Athens1945

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Posted Reply with quote  #27 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillsC
Michael,

W I L L S  Every time someone calls me W I L L I S I think about the show different strokes....."Whatcha talkin about Willis"

They  are a bit sharp as the slices come off the horizontal bandsaw, you can see the burrs in the unrolled picture above but after the pictures were done I took each roll and ran each side against a stationary belt sander to knock off the burs and now are not sharp at all.  I did try Jakes way after he mentioned it and it does work.  Those edges are a bit sharp but still for the person who does not have a metal bandsaw and just needs a few tags that is a good way to do it.  For me I will never need tags again:)


:-)

As in "What will Wills' will leave for his sons Willfred, Willis and William?"

Joe
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WillsC

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Posted Reply with quote  #28 
Neil,

Don't start with me or I will tell everyone you pushed your wife off her bike.

Rafed,

Welcome back.  I don't think flashing comes in colors other than silver lol....though it could.

Joe,

In this case William....called Bill until the age of 4 or so.......one day my Dad asked what the pile of letters on the table were and my mom said "They are bills" so I took them all and opened them..mostly by tearing the envelopes in half and of course tearing the statements inside in half as well as the checks my mother had filled out already to pay the "bills".  When I got yelled at I said "you said they were mine!"  From that day on they started calling me Wills.   Now they could have just called me Will.....I think the added S was out of spite.  
javajunkie

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Posted Reply with quote  #29 
LMAO Wills!
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Joe_Athens1945

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Posted Reply with quote  #30 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillsC
Neil,

Don't start with me or I will tell everyone you pushed your wife off her bike.

Rafed,

Welcome back.  I don't think flashing comes in colors other than silver lol....though it could.

Joe,

In this case William....called Bill until the age of 4 or so.......one day my Dad asked what the pile of letters on the table were and my mom said "They are bills" so I took them all and opened them..mostly by tearing the envelopes in half and of course tearing the statements inside in half as well as the checks my mother had filled out already to pay the "bills".  When I got yelled at I said "you said they were mine!"  From that day on they started calling me Wills.   Now they could have just called me Will.....I think the added S was out of spite.  


Well said, Wills...a great story!
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Posturedoc

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Posted Reply with quote  #31 
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillsC
Neil,

Don't start with me or I will tell everyone you pushed your wife off her bike.



Just trying to collect the insurance money so I can buy more figs with it...and without the "crazy fig freak" label attached to every new acquisition. Turns out that reparable injuries are money suckers rather than handy fig slush funds.

In the future, a well-placed trailside cliff would probably work out a whole lot better than a patch of sand surrounded by a hard stretch of dirt for that sort of work. I'll know better next time, though I doubt I'll get her on an aggressive mtn. bike trail again and I'm not taking flight with her while hauling around on the tandem. (And no, she does not read this forum, so my dastardly plan will remain a secret).
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