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Anyone else keep a digital inventory of their parts? I currently use a Excel document that is not really working for me. I really hate when I decide to build something and I'm short a part or 2. I want either find a piece of software or make something VIA PHP/MYSQL that could help with keeping track of parts. Anyone else have ideas on this?

I tried. I had a nice spreadsheet with all my stuff listed. As time passed, I accumulated so many parts and failed to update enough that maintaining my spreadsheet became a hassle.

Now, I have combined excellent organization with a detailed anti-inventory. I keep track of what I don't have-- it is much easier. If I am down to my last few pieces of a part, I add it to my need list, and it gets tacked on to my next order. I check my need list before planning any builds so I can be sure the parts will arrive in time.

I did have an idea to start a parts swap site to facilitate parts swaps, and allow people to track their own inventory. I even registered a domain (and have hosting), but haven't gotten started.

Mike

not
a
fucking
chance.

When a bin gets low, it gets refilled.

I work at a place that has a pretty good MRP system and most of the time we still had to walk around with a clipboard to make sure we had stuff.
Not sure how many pedals you are building and what type of inventory you want to keep but build kits are a decent idea.

let me know what the needs are and I can show you some of the stuff we used
we had a proto shop in the US and a full facility in china that we have to maintain parts for so I might be of some help

Mike wrote:I tried. I had a nice spreadsheet with all my stuff listed. As time passed, I accumulated so many parts and failed to update enough that maintaining my spreadsheet became a hassle.

Now, I have combined excellent organization with a detailed anti-inventory. I keep track of what I don't have-- it is much easier. If I am down to my last few pieces of a part, I add it to my need list, and it gets tacked on to my next order. I check my need list before planning any builds so I can be sure the parts will arrive in time.

Mike

+1

selfdestroyer wrote:Anyone else keep a digital inventory of their parts? I currently use a Excel document that is not really working for me. I really hate when I decide to build something and I'm short a part or 2. I want either find a piece of software or make something VIA PHP/MYSQL that could help with keeping track of parts. Anyone else have ideas on this?

I had a very similar idea. a website where anyone could just make an account and fill in all the parts they have in stock. it might be good for people with ipads on the workbench or people who work from multiple locations. you could add features like tagging, search your friends parts, fill in Hfe and leakage for transistors after you test them, search by Hfe etc.. I have no time to do it but if you do, I think it would be great. you can probably support it with banner ads.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas.. Just to make it clear.. I am just 1 dude making pedals for myself or a few buddies. I have no intention to mass produce anything or make a profit on this. It is just a hobby I love to do that will keep me at home with my family and not wasting money on a golf course or a bar

I thought about it last night and I can defiantly see myself putting something in place and then letting it fall behind by not updating it regularly. I do like the idea of keeping track of what you "don't" have, since in most cases that will be a smaller list. I'm not concerned to know that I have 152 15k resistors as much as I would like to know I at the least have more than 10 of them and will reorder when I'm low. I am a bench top iPad user and keep all my documents on there and thought of using Bento or Filemaker to create a quick database or just create a PHP/MySQL page with some basic searchable fields and leave it as that. Just not sure of the direction or practicality yet. Keep the ideas coming.

I agree that resistors and caps need not be part of it. its the search by Hfe range that is helpful when you know what Hfe you want but you have one of each germanium in that range and all your transistors are organized by part numbers already.

If you can freely move about your work space then you need to buy more parts.
That's my solution.

i always order double...

stripes wrote:i always order double...

I do to but it seems like I am always short or missing caps.. Just when I think I have a good collection going, I try to build a new project and I need something I don't have. I think I just need to keep throwing money at parts to keep on hand. I would love to get to the point where I can print a PCB and finish a pedal in one night and not have to wait 4 days for parts. Local stores suck for parts here in Fresno CA.

I need to start ordering an inventory. Sucks when I want to mod or build and only have a handfull of parts laying around.

I tend to just watch the bins and throw some stuff in the next order if they're getting low, and occasionally just buy a ton of my most used stuff.

Turns out, I forgot to buy DC jacks, so I'm out of those... so maybe I should watch more closely.

if you're just building for yourself a basic inventory is a good idea. i used to keep something but i was building a lot and the inventory was constantly changing and it became too tedious to keep up with. now i keep a running list of things i run out of or i'm low on - similar to what the other dudes do - when a bin looks low i check my storage cabinet and if i'm out then i add it to the list and order when necessary.

I recommend attaching a RFID chip to each and every part in inventory. That way you'll know exactly where everything is at all times.