Inventory your kits. We had our club meeting the other night and it included a large raffle. A good friend showed up and he had all of his kits inventoried so he could cross referrence to ensure he didn't double tap something he already had. I thought it was pretty cool, so I decided to come home and do mine. Well I'm not even 1/10th of the way thru it and I'm exhausted. I was just curious if anybody else out there does or did this. Thanks. "Q"

Hey Red,
Yeah i'm one of those who inventory my kits, i'm also sure we are not alone. Mine are broke down in classes such as Aircraft, scale, kit no#. Then it's broke down again , Jets,Helicopters and Props...then the aftermarket parts,decals and so on and so on, you get the picture. That goes for all kits, aircraft, armor, cars, figures and what ever else.

Yes it's a long hard process that takes a lot of time. Each class of kits inventoried, I use the Composition Books. Good luck with your

I use a kit database I downloaded from the IPMS Huntsville's club site. It requires Microsoft Office's Access 97 or 2000.
http://www.geocities.com/hpmsdbase/

Rob, that databae looks really cool. I tried to download it, but had zero results. I'll keep trying. Thanks for the link. "Q"

I use a Works Spreadsheet.It is searchable,I just make sure I enter my info the same way very time.
The trick is to log in a new acquisition,as soon as it is brought into your home... (++) (++)

Hi all!

I'm using AppleWorks to list my models. Entering all the references can be hard the first time but then you just have to update the list periodicaly...
The minus point is you have to delete one reference each time you build a kit! Doh!

Jean-Luc

I keep a running inventory in my head. Maybe that explains why I have so many duplicates :-) :-)

Jesse

I do and I wrote my own software to do it.

I use a simple Excel sheet.
Each model has all the aftermarket items and reference that are particular to that model listed. Useful when sorting through the likes of E-bay, searching for items. Its easy to add or delete a line when needed. As Tankcarl says .."The trick is to log in a new acquisition,as soon as it is brought into your home... " Works for me anyway!
Looks like this ... the first few entries ...

Yes I do. I use Excel. Since I have no garage, or enough storage anywhere in the house, I have to keep my stash in totes in the attic. I have two spread sheets. One for the total stash, another broken down by what is in each tote. I printed out the tote contents and taped them to the outside of the totes. That way I can find what I need easier if I have to venture in the attic. I second what is said, you have to keep track of stuff when you get it.

My stash is very small so I know all 5 kits. However if there is a program that wiill automatically inventory spare parts....

I forgot the most important thing. If you put how much you paid for each kit on your list, like I do, better keep it away from prying eyes, like SWMBO.

I do, I was going to go through the pains of writing software to do it, and then Scott gave me his fantastic app.

Yes, it takes you a while to capture all the initial data, but after that you never look back...

Rudi

It'd take too long, so I rely on memory! As for spare parts, I have three 1/35 scale tank boxes and two 1/48 scale aircraft boxes. The smaller boxes are aircraft spares & small scale vehicles, the larger boxes are 1) all Sherman parts, 2) all softskin parts & 3) anything else! That way at least I narrow down the search area.


PS: If I'm really stuck for a spare part I search the carpet!! LOL

This is VERY important! :-)

Jean-Luc

yeah..i always keep a record
before this i have a database program i made using MS Access for complete inventory with item number, pricing, where did i buy this, status, photos, manufacturer name, etc,,etc
it's a complete database untl last year when my computer crashed and damaged the entire hard disk!!

now i dont keep any record...to fed-up with the disaster i think

I too use an Excel Spreadsheet. I started my list when I first got back into modeling so it was not too painful. The hard part is to remeber my print out before heading off to a show or hobby shop. I have included the purchase price. This way if my stash needs to be sold off I'll have an idea of where to set the price.

Thanks to all of you for posting. I guess I have a long hard road ahead of me to get this inventory going, but I guess that is the price to pay for having so many d@#$ kits in the frst place. Thanks again. "Q"

The hardest part about inventorying your stash is the data entry. You'd be surprised how much time it will take. I curse myself evey time I let a "few" kits come and go without adjusting the database.

I at first used an EXCEL spreadsheet, but now I just use a pad of legal size yellow paper to keep a running track. Someday when I have time I guess I will go back and put it all on computer again. Or, I just might wait and let whom ever is stuck with disposing of my stash when I pass on worry about it. Yes, that is what I'll do. Now back to modelling!
capnjock

I have two excel spreadsheets, one for model kits, one for reference books. I then put them on my Palm Pilot. The hardest part is the data entry, but I "just do it."

Chuck

Yes I do it too. I do double the work though. I keep a log book of everything and enter it once a month on my Access program. I use the same one as Sabot modified for my use.

I find its easy to deal with the log book because I don't have a computer in the shop area just yet.

When I do my new modeling room in the next house that will change. I need Armorama at arms length!

when i was making an inventory of my models 3 years ago and discover i was starting to buy duplicated some of the models then i did it the excel worksheet database and really was many time to write all the more than 400 models in zipploc bags to have the minimum space ( this storage method realy works because 400 models was in a 1 cubic yard.

when you buy a model and discover you bought two times the same is the moment to make an emergency inventory.