Cataloguing Machinery.

[Sturdee]

Quote :

A searchable database would be ideal .... Yesterday I purchased a $20 masonry drill bit to drill two holes, thinking it would be something that I wouldn't have in the garage, today after drilling the two holes I found one in a drawer in the garage. If I had of know that I had one I would have spent the 20 minutes to find it.



Wouldn't it be simpler to organise it so that drill bits are with the other drill bits, same as nails with other nails, screws with other screws and pancakes with other pancakes rather then have them all over the place.

Peter.

[Sir Stinkalot]

All tools together in a mass organisation ..... Oh I can only dream.

[Sturdee]

No need for me to dream Stinky. I see that whenever I walk into my workshop.

Seriously, it should not be too hard to keep the disposables like nails, screws, nuts and bolts, drillbits, glues and putties together on some shelves.


Peter.

[Simmering]

Personally, I think it would be best to use a easy relational database. Access is good enough. I have had a quick go at it and created the following database which might meet your needs.

I find it easiest to enter data in directly into the table but others like using a form (I've made an example of each) It is pretty easy to generate reports customised to your needs -- I made up a quick one as an example.

I only spent 15 mins on this so it may be rough. Have a look, I can always edit it to improve it before serious usage

Now, as a new user of this forum I just have to find how to attach the file.... Looks like it'll have to be zipped.

[barnsey]

Well done Simmering - you did it before I got the chance.

Probably need to think about how you might want to treat reports and work out the complex ones that some might have trouble with.

On locations I have twist drills stored separately from brad point drills, masonary bits, forstner bits, brace bits - hard & soft wood, Then i have other bits stored with the pop riveter, the pocket hole jointing jig, Sachy Robertson screw bits.

Bloody annoying to go out and buy another one coz I forgot there was an option somewhere else. Still they are now in another box where I keep all those that I've bought and didn't really need too :eek:

Now I'm not suggesting that cataloguing everything is the answer but there may be some benefits as described. Cant tell you how many times I've bought something coz I couldn't find it. Most times it's on the way home from the tool store that I actually manage to work out what I was doing the last time I used it and sure enough there it is when I get home in the box with scroll saw accesories because I was using it on a production job I was doing there

Guess we've all had that happen

Enough rambling I'm off again

Jamie