Plant Markers
I know that you’ve heard about permanent plant markers before, and may have even spent considerable dollars on some only to find that they were not permanent at all.
Plastic plant markers tend to become brittle and break in a few years exposure, by which time they likely will have faded to illegibility anyway.
Well, I have developed a permanent plant marker. And, while not completely free (depending on your scrounging abilities) they are a much cheaper alternative to commercial markers, and I will guarantee they will last forever.
I thought once that I had found permanent plant markers years ago. I purchased many metal markers from Eon Co..
I have also acquired copper film markers that you can write on embossing the copper film permanently like these:
The problem with these is the wire parts corrode just like the all iron metal ones above. Plus, they are even more expensive than the ones above.
My answer is an all aluminum marker.The name plate is made from color coated aluminum sheeting, referred to as “coil” by siding companies. I acquired some when I had my house sided. You could acquire the same by asking for coil scraps from any local siding company. It comes in many different colors.
I cut the “coil” into desired sizes for the nameplates using an old paper cutter:
The posts can either be fashioned from the aluminum from old storm windows or screens or from aluminum stock purchased from Home Depot or Lowes. 1.8” x ½ “by 96” strips are available at Home Depot for $6.48 each. You can get 10 9.6 inch posts from these for a net cost of about 65 cents each.
I cut the posts with bolt cutters, flat on top and pointed at the bottom.
If you do not have a pop rivet tool, get to harbor freight for a cheap one along with aluminum pop rivets.
Simply drill the name plate and post and secure with the pop rivets. The finished marker will look like this:
The finished marker can be labeled with Dymo tape, an engraving tool, die (punch set), or even indelible markers such as a paint pen.
Because the entire marker is made from aluminum, it will not rust or deteriorate from contact between unlike metals.