how do you catalog your inventory

[detron]

I know that making a spreadsheet that fits your collecting needs is not that hard,  I know I can easily do one.

BUT

I also know that odds are someone has made one that is better, or more refined.   I also know what one person likes, does not mean others will like it.

anyone care to share a template of their spreadhseet?  though I like databases, I personally prefer spreadsheets for many reasons, (Like the fact they are far more portable)




finally, I know a good catalog solution will motivate people to inventory things better.

thanks!

[PTRSAK]

In scared to catalogue my "not a collection".
 Then I'd know how much I've spent on sharp shiny things... 

[captain spaulding]

I have not ever cataloged my collection. I just know what I have and what I do not have. Its all in my head.

[detron]

In scared to catalogue my "not a collection".
 Then I'd know how much I've spent on sharp shiny things... 

I here you there.  but as scary as this is to even mention,  if something happened, insurance companies like inventories,  even if your "not-a-collection" is worth say $500, it would be better to have them include that in your claim than it would be for them to just say  "to bad, we do not know what you had"

[detron]

I have not ever cataloged my collection. I just know what I have and what I do not have. Its all in my head.

I know what I have and don't have too,  but one day I may not have the RAM for that.  better to start now.

[sir_mike]

I have one!  It is an Excel spreadsheet.  Pretty basic but works for me.

It has columns for:

Manufacturer, New/Used, Desc., Model #, qty., unit cost, shipping, tax, total cost, date purchased, purchased from, date received and comments.

Does the math for you!  For example:  it will take qtyXunit cost+shipping+tax=total cost.

There are seperate sheets for Leatherman, Vic, Spyderco, Misc and others.  Then in the Misc. sheet I have totals from each sheet place there with GRAND TOTAL.

Like I said, pretty basic and I add/delete rows as items arrive or leave! LOL

EDIT:  If anyone wants a copy, just let me know.

[captain spaulding]

I have not ever cataloged my collection. I just know what I have and what I do not have. Its all in my head.

I know what I have and don't have too,  but one day I may not have the RAM for that.  better to start now.

Very true.

[bdAmmo]

My spreadsheet is pretty basic at the moment. With all the variations of PSTs and Mini Tools, I was starting to forget some of the smaller details about the tools. For example, I knew that I had three JPSTs, but I wasn't sure if one was marked with Japan on the blade or not.

Here's an example of my spreadsheet as I have it at the moment, I'm sure changes will be made down the road.

[sir_mike]

Here is a screen shot of my sheets.  I did the Misc. to show the other sheets listed in to get grand total.

Hope you can see it okay!

[ducttapetech]

I don't. I just throw it all in a box or stack it all up on a shelf. I keep track of it in my mind.

That's us mobile.

[captain spaulding]

So how do I get a spread sheet like that?

[sawman]

I keep a mental inventory of what I have and that seems to work out pretty good. I don't have nearly the size collection as many so it's not so bad.

I really should make a spreadsheet sometime though and store it on the cloud, for insurance purposes.

[derekmac]

I have not ever cataloged my collection. I just know what I have and what I do not have. Its all in my head.

I know what I have and don't have too,  but one day I may not have the RAM for that.  better to start now.

Is your RAM being converted to ROM? 

[jerseydevil]

In scared to catalogue my "not a collection".
 Then I'd know how much I've spent on sharp shiny things... 

+1  I really do need to do an inventory, so that I'm less likely to have another "Where the hell did that fourth Cadet come from?" sort of moment....

[comis]

For myself, spreadsheet is used in combination of files and folder, so I could track the inventory dynamically, from the minute it was paid until it is safe in my storage.

Usually, a PDF printout of what's paid will be generated, and as it go thru postal service, arrive at my location, unboxing under camera, labelling, data entry into spreadsheet, and eventually placed in storage.  That file will be placed in different folder as it progressed thru different stages.  There are also specific folders for items currently in-hold at foreign agents or potential problem folder(missing items in package, you'd be surprised how often that may happened).  All in all, it's pretty through and does protect my downside quite well)

[dks]

I do not which is really bad, as you may end up buying things you already have.

I do the same with the tools I have..
I bought the same soldering iron twice, because I forgot that I already had one... (I have 3 to 5 now..)

On the plus side, if you have no way to keep track and thus remember your toys, everytime you go through your boxes it is like xmas as you find knives etc. you did not remember having   

[Chako]

I tried doing a photo gallery catalogue of my collection. I soon gave up after that. 

[comis]

I tried doing a photo gallery catalogue of my collection. I soon gave up after that. 

I think I am going to do that for some harder to identify models soon.  I hope the photo gallery would help if I am buying something that could potentially be mixed up with what I have now.  For example, different shades of green Alox.

[Etherealicer]

I tried doing a photo gallery catalogue of my collection. I soon gave up after that. 

Can I ask why?

Was it the work-load (taking the pictures) or the lack of a tool for collecting the data?

[sir_mike]

So how do I get a spread sheet like that?

If you want a copy of mine, just shoot me a PM or email and I will send you one!  Same goes for anyone else!!

I like them so I know where and how much I have into each item.  Of course nowadays, I dont need seperate sheets for each brand and the items I have left will fit on one page with no problem!

[Dragon Lord]

I don't 

But I think it's a good idea.

I was looking for an app.  Do you guys know useful one  ? I use android by the way

[AimlessWanderer]

I don't, and I don't see any need to (for me). I have a selection of tools, and grab what I want. Sometimes I can't find what I want, so I grab something else  I don't have enough tools to worry about getting something I already have, I only run the risk of buying something that does exactly the same as (insert tool of choice).

I'm also at the point where I don't need anything new unless I lose/break something that another tool can't cover .... though I'm sure that won't stop my buying a shiny just cos I like it 

[sir_mike]

I started mine cause I did have alot of stuff at one time so it was easier to keep track of.  Some or should I say most was for collection and some for users.  Since then, I have almost no collection and a few users but it is still nice to know where and when I got something and for what price!

I guess that is just me being in the Inventory field and quality field for soooooo many years! LOL

[eddie1115]

Working for a database company, this thread made me start working on putting my own (small) collection into a database.  Mostly for my OCD, but I'll export the list somewhere when I'm done for insurance purposes.

[sir_mike]

Working for a database company, this thread made me start working on putting my own (small) collection into a database.  Mostly for my OCD, but I'll export the list somewhere when I'm done for insurance purposes.

I love databases as inventory tools but with my personal very small collection an Excel works better.  Man, it has been years since I got to seriously play with databases. Ahh, good times! 

[eddie1115]

Working for a database company, this thread made me start working on putting my own (small) collection into a database.  Mostly for my OCD, but I'll export the list somewhere when I'm done for insurance purposes.

I love databases as inventory tools but with my personal very small collection an Excel works better.  Man, it has been years since I got to seriously play with databases. Ahh, good times! 

Oh, don't get me wrong, I think excel is the better option as well.  I'm just having more fun this way, nerdy as that is 

[Smashie]

I'm tempted to do this now, I think a mysql database should do the job 

[Etherealicer]

I'm tempted to do this now, I think a mysql database should do the job 

Any DB Programm will do, but it would be nice if you could also attach files (Pictures / Documents). Something that allows bulk adding (like Zip-File).
It would also be nice if it was online

[detron]

I'm tempted to do this now, I think a mysql database should do the job 

Any DB Programm will do, but it would be nice if you could also attach files (Pictures / Documents). Something that allows bulk adding (like Zip-File).
It would also be nice if it was online

you hit the nail on the head.  I LIKE that!!!!   

I love spreadsheets,  but attachments are not what they were intended for

[Smashie]

I'm tempted to do this now, I think a mysql database should do the job 

Any DB Programm will do, but it would be nice if you could also attach files (Pictures / Documents). Something that allows bulk adding (like Zip-File).
It would also be nice if it was online

I wasn't thinking about online, just accessible from any device in the house, I have an old PC that will happily run LAMP that is currently doing nothing.