Before I start to tell you about the uses of a dog tag machine, I want to define exactly what a dog tag is. You can describe a dog tag as the common name that people use when referring to a particular type of identification tag. These are the id tags that are worn by all military personnel and is required to be worn at all times by soldiers when they are in the field. These items got their name due to the similar resemblance that they have for the tags that are actually used on dog collars to identify dogs.
Dog tags come in pairs and is a fast and easy way to provide vital information when necessary. Even though one tag is traditionally sent to a soldiers family when a person is killed in battle, for the most part, dog tags are used to act as identification for the dead or wounded on the military battlefield. In addition to identification, a pair of dog tags can also provide vital information about the person who is wearing them. This can include such basic information as blood type and medical history details. This type of info can prove very useful when one is injured and in need of medical attention. A little more personal and less vital information could include things such as religious affiliation or beliefs.
Due to the various conditions that they might be subjected to, dog tags are most often crafted out of tough metals or alloys that are resistant to corrosion. This includes aluminum, stainless-steel, or monel but, depending on availability, could easily include other types of metals during war time. In any case, it is important to make sure that the dog tags are as durable as possible so that the vigorous activities of being a soldier or even the violence of war and battle will not wear heavily upon them.
A dog tag machine can easily be something that is of genuine interest even to non military civilians. A large number of websites that are related to dog tags is clear evidence of their popularity. The fact is that people enjoy the use of personalized dog tags for a wide variety of reasons. This could range from the promotion of a new business to simply making a fashion statement or being expressive of one’s own patriotism.
If, for whatever reason, you wish to own a dog tag machine, there are various considerations that you will have to take into mind. There are few vendors that sell this type of equipment. Also, there is the expense of making a purchase for one of these machines. They come in two primary types that command dramatically different prices. You can expect to pay about $2000 for a simple, manual machine and $20,000 for a high volume production type automatic. These include the machines that make popular military style dog tags – stamped letters and numbers along with a few special characters. These machines produce either a raised (embossed) or a lowered (de-bossed) effect onto the metal tag’s surface.