who makes a good wire labeler?

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jayaredee

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Location
LA County, CA
Not sure if this is the right place to post this...

Our company mostly installs energy management systems and we find that a good wire labeler is invaluable...the problem is, we've yet to find one that is reliable.

We're a little bit tired of the 'disposable' Brady IDpals. Love the functionallity but they just don't seem to last.

We need something that is fairly versatile. The more detailed we can make our labels, the better the installation.

What do you guys use...reccommend??
 
Greg Swartz

Greg Swartz

Senior Member
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
We just bought the Brady TLS2200.

It is working well right now... in a construction environment.
Rated for up to 500 labels a day.

It is pricey at $800... but if you look carefully, you can find a good deal here and there.
 
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wireman

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We're using a Panduit Panther LS-8 and it does a good job with a wide range of labels:
heat shrink tube, wire labels, terminal strip markers, etc.

I think it was only about $350 w/case and AC adapter.
 
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jzadroga

Member
Location
MA
Take a look at the Kroy Labeler. I got mine from Hanover Technical. They usually run some deal that if you buy enough labels they will throw in the printer. I use mine with shrink tube for marking the wires as they land on a breaker. (Without shrinking them) they really make for a neat look and if the wire overheats for some reason, the tube will shrink up showing you the problem.
 
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jdsmith

Senior Member
Location
Ohio
I have used the Brady IDpal and I agree that it is a disposable printer. For a multipurpose handheld printer I have a Brady IDExpert. I also have a Brady Globalmark Color & Cut desktop printer. Both are excellent products. The IDExpert is a good printer for electrical purposes because it will print on up to 1-1/2" wide tape, heat shrink tubing, and wraparound labels. We have 6-8 of the IDExperts at work and it's used for the majority of electrical labeling: heatshrink on control wiring, wraparounds on factory made Cat 5 and fiber patch cords, and all sorts of 1-1/2" wide tape labels on junction boxes, starters, and everything else. The nice thing about Brady is it is probably the longest lasting tape out there. I don't know if it matters in indoor applications, but in outdoor situations the UV light will fade the cheaper labels in 5 years or less - why waste your time even labeling it if that's the case?

The Globalmark is a neat unit - computer connected, 4" wide tape, monochrome or full color capability, quick, and high quality labels. Costs somewhere between $4000-5000.
 
Fulthrotl

Fulthrotl

~Autocorrect is My Worst Enema.~
Location
HB, CA (19 Hrs. 22 Min. from Winged Horses)
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jayaredee said:
Not sure if this is the right place to post this...

Our company mostly installs energy management systems and we find that a good wire labeler is invaluable...the problem is, we've yet to find one that is reliable.

We're a little bit tired of the 'disposable' Brady IDpals. Love the functionallity but they just don't seem to last.

We need something that is fairly versatile. The more detailed we can make our labels, the better the installation.

What do you guys use...reccommend??
Click to expand...

brady IDpro. or, if you need more functionality, the TLS 2200

the pro is $400 and the tls is $800.
i've got two of the idpro's, and am satisfied. label quality is excellent.
 
TOOL_5150

TOOL_5150

Senior Member
Location
bay area, ca
DYmo Rhino 3000 or 5000 cost you $150 and it is ready for a construction environment. I have 2 dymo lablelers and can interchange the tapes with each other, tho the rhino can print on heat shrink.

~Matt
 
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jayaredee

Inactive, Email Never Verified
Location
LA County, CA
Hey thanks guys! that helps a lot! now I have some more research to do...or maybe I'll just close my eyes and point...see what I get. :wink:
 
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Jacob S

Senior Member
I thought it would be helpful if i shared one of my own experiences with kroy. I own the 4100 series and i use it exclusively with a computer and included software. Although it does a good job, about a year ago I had a job where I installed a couple hundred self laminating wire wraps and many of them failed shortly after install. They would unroll slowly. And yes, the wire was clean and dry. After a couple phone calls, kroy sent me new cartridges, but it sure was a heck of a hassle. This was a one time fluke, but it resulted in many wasted man hours.
Jacob
 
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