Which NFC tags to buy for tool tracking

Tags are a commodity — a 25-cent disc from Amazon works exactly as well as anything sold at a markup. This is the exact spec that works on power tools, what to avoid, and how to mount tags so they survive site life. Bring your own tags; the software does the rest.

The spec (copy this into the search box)

Format: 25mm round PVC coin tag — a rigid disc, tougher than a paper-thin sticker. Adhesive-backed versions exist; plain ones glue on.
Chip: NTAG213 or NTAG215. A tool-tracking URL uses under 50 of NTAG213's 144 bytes — don't pay extra for memory you'll never use.
Quantity & price: 50-packs, roughly 20–50 cents per tag. A 200-tool fleet is tagged for under $100.
Rating: pick listings at 4.4★ or better — cheap NFC batches with bad reviews usually mean dead chips.

Search Amazon AU: NFC coin tags 25mm → Adhesive-backed version →

What to avoid

Standard tags stuck on bare metal — the metal absorbs the phone's signal; the tag won't read. Stick to the plastic housing, or buy "anti-metal" tags if a tool has nowhere plastic.
Keyrings and fobs — a dangler near spinning parts is a snag hazard, and they get ripped off in tool bags.
UHF RFID tags — different technology; phones can't read them at all, no matter what the listing implies.
Credit-card format — too big and too flat-dependent for tool bodies.
Drilling or zip-tying a coin tag — the antenna runs around the rim; a hole kills it.

Mounting that survives site life

Pick the spot: thickest, flattest plastic section — not the battery pack, not over the gearbox, not a tight curve. Somewhere a gloved thumb naturally lands.
Prep it: wipe with isopropyl or metho, scuff lightly with sandpaper. Unprepped, oily plastic defeats every adhesive.
Glue it: two-part epoxy (Araldite) or E6000 for rough-use tools — both stay put under vibration where superglue cures brittle and cracks off. Factory peel-and-stick is fine for indoor gear.
Test the tap before gluing the whole fleet: one tag, one grinder, one week in the ute.

Epoxy on Amazon AU →

Writing the tags takes seconds, not skills

Each tag stores one thing: the tool's own web address. Any free NFC-writer phone app does it (search "NFC Tools") — choose "write URL", hold the tag to the back of your phone, done in about a second per tag.

SiteWarden gives you the write list ready-made: every tool's URL in one printable sheet, plus a QR code and typed short code as fallbacks so a damaged tag never strands a tool. Tag your first 25 tools in an evening.

Frequently asked questions

What NFC tag type do I need for tool tracking?

A 25mm round PVC "coin" NFC tag with an NTAG213 or NTAG215 chip. NTAG213 (144 bytes) is plenty — a tool-tracking URL uses under 50 bytes. They cost roughly 20–50 cents each in 50-packs from Amazon or eBay Australia. Avoid UHF RFID tags entirely: phones cannot read them.

Do NFC tags work on metal tools?

Standard NFC tags do not work stuck directly on metal — the metal absorbs the phone’s signal and the tag simply won’t read. Two options: stick the tag on the PLASTIC part of the tool (the motor housing on most power tools), or pay extra for "anti-metal" / "on-metal" tags, which have a shielding layer and work anywhere. For most power tool fleets, plastic placement with standard tags is the practical answer.

Where should the tag go on the tool?

On the thickest, flattest plastic section of the housing — away from the battery pack (metal cells sit right under the surface), not wrapped around a tight curve, and somewhere a gloved thumb can naturally tap. Wipe the spot with isopropyl alcohol or metho first: adhesive on a dusty, oily surface fails no matter how good the glue is.

What glue actually holds a tag on a vibrating power tool?

Two-part epoxy (Araldite or similar) or a flexible adhesive like E6000 are the reliable choices — they survive vibration where superglue cures brittle and cracks off within weeks. Factory peel-and-stick adhesive is fine for indoor or light-duty gear. Never drill a coin tag to screw or zip-tie it: the antenna coil runs around the rim and a hole kills it.

How do I write an NFC tag with my phone?

With any free NFC-writer app (search "NFC Tools" in your app store). You copy the tool’s URL from your tracking system, choose "write URL", and hold the tag to the back of your phone for about a second. SiteWarden gives you a ready-made write list — one URL per tag — so a 50-tool fleet is an afternoon’s work with a cuppa.

What if a tag gets damaged on site?

A good system never depends on the tag alone. In SiteWarden every tool also has a printable QR code and a typed short code as fallbacks, and a damaged tag can be replaced in the app without losing any history — the replacement keeps the same printed code.

Are keyring or fob-style NFC tags any good for tools?

Skip them for power tools. A dangling fob near spinning parts is a snag hazard, and fobs get ripped off in tool bags. Flat coin tags glued to the housing survive; danglers don’t.

More free resources

What Is Test and Tag? A Complete AU/NZ GuideWhat test and tag means, who has to do it, and what the WHS Regulations actually require.
AS/NZS 3760 Test and Tag Register Template (CSV)A free, ready-to-use spreadsheet with the exact fields an inspector expects to see.
Test and Tag Intervals by Environment (AU/NZ)How often tools need retesting on a construction site vs a factory vs an office.
Free Tool Register & Sign-Out Sheet Template (CSV)Track who has every tool, on which site, without electrical test dates in the way.

Tags are the cheap part — the register is the point

Any 25-cent disc can hold a URL. What matters is what taps into: a live register that shows who has every tool, at which site, with the AS/NZS 3760 test-and-tag record writing itself. Bring your own tags — SiteWarden does everything after the tap. Prefer not to DIY at all? We also sell pre-programmed tags, posted ready to stick.