When kit scavenging gets bad

[Jantrix]

Near seventy kits on my shelves. Almost none complete. I'll get an idea, take something out and put it with some other kit and then forget about it completely. Then open up the kit later and be like, "Where the heck are the wheels and tires?" In some cases parts get used,(actually get put on a model) and I'll forget I took them and have to look at all my builds and go, "Oh yeah, theres that engine! Now what am I gonna put in the other model?"

Anyone got a reliable method of keeping track of all the inventory? Because it's just a mess right now. I'll need a part and have to go on a treasure hunt to find it, because I took it out for some other thing, didn't use it on that thing, so I put it with another thing etc, etc. Need some help.

[The70judgeman]

Just a little note to yourself of what is missing from a particular kit right on top of everything inside the box. Same for if you added part(s) to a kit and maybe what you planned to do with it.

[Old Buckaroo]

Just a little note to yourself of what is missing from a particular kit right on top of everything inside the box. Same for if you added part(s) to a kit and maybe what you planned to do with it.

That is what I do - I like to cut the shrink wrap off the bottom and keep it on the box top. I can then slip it off and place a post it note on the box, cover it back over and no fear of missing parts note getting lost.

[dragcarz]

Post it notes!

[thatz4u]

I use plastic shoe boxes, projects & pieces go together in them. If I go looking for stuff I know I have, I check them first, usually the stuff turns up quickly..most of the time that is

[Johnny K]

The above are probably the easiest, most straight-forward, and practical methods; however, as usual, I do it a bit differently.

I use a spread sheet: List all models by Name, Manufacturer, and Number. Next, use columns to the right of each to list parts removed in Red, parts added in Black, with reference number. The real benefit this affords is that a simple search of kit number will tell you what kit parts came from or went to. Works exceptionally well when there are a large number of kits that would otherwise have to be searched for parts. Further, you don't have to worry about running out of columns and it's nearly as simple and quick as the other methods once you get used to it..

[MsDano85gt]

I rely on my brain it seems to be working fairly well still its strange i'll have photographic memory over stupid things like where my wife left something at. Its like i take a snapshot and when she can't find that item, and asks have i seen this all i do is holler back where she can find it!

it has been this way since i was a kid i always knew which matchbox/ hot wheels cars i had or what paint styles or wheels they had so i wouldn't get duplicates (unless i wanted more than 1)

[Modelbuilder Mark]

I try to keep "parted out" kits seperate from my stash, but over time, that gets harder.

I leave them in the original boxes and when I take a part/parts from a kit I use a Sharpie and simply write in big letters on the box what I took..." minus wheels" "minus motor" etc etc. Then when I think the kit as been picked apart too far to consider a kit any longer, I fully part it out. (keeps me more organized that way)

I use the reseable plastic containers for food and have them for seats, roofs, bumpers, etc etc etc.and larger boxes for bodies, frames etc.

The smaller parts like wiper blades, alternators, valve covers, headlights etc... I keep in the little parts bins that pull out similar to takle bixes. You can usually get them are tool supply places like Harbor Freight, or sears etc. I use the same kind of box for wheels, and have two of them. You can see the takle style boxes I am talking about in this older picture.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/uploads/med_gallery_8985_809_218886.jpg

[slusher]

I hardly ever kitbash or take man or take much out but wheels and tires but I write it on the box bottom of whats missing...

[Fabrux]

I have a spreadsheet for my inventory and I also have a column in which I keep track of the status of the kit: built, open, sealed, built by others (gluebomb), in progress, parts only. The last category is for kits from which I have taken so many parts it can't be built anymore; those ones are kept separate from the stash. When I take out a few parts, like optional wheels, engines, equipment, etc I write on a piece of masking tape what I've removed and stick it on the box. For instance, I have a 1:24 70 Chevelle I took the engine out for a project. It can still be built with another engine from the parts bin, so it is in the regular stash.

[stang_crazy]

I used post it notes and put them on the box or in the box.

[John Goschke]

I also try to remember to note on the bottom of the box what I pulled from a kit. I also tend to keep going back to the same few kits to rob parts from because in some cases they were purchased primarily for their parts, not because I wanted to build the kit (Revell's Orange Krate and Miss Deal Studebaker in particular).

[Shardik]

I have a two stage system: first, when I pull parts from a kit it gets moved to the "parts kit" shelf with a note inside detailing what was scavenged and where it went. Next, I periodically go through my stash and record this info in my database. The note in the box gets a notation that the info is in the database at this time.

I have about one hundred fifty kits in my stash, and the way I build I'll be lucky to end up with fifty completed builds .

Edited February 14, 2014 by Shardik

[greymack]

Hey guy here is what I do and maybe a solution to your problem Rob. Well here is my solution I have plastic shoe boxes that are labeled by years,model and brand of vehicle also what scale of the kit. The I use the bags from the kit and package all the parts and label them by what model it is and I do this with tires and wheels too.Just a easy solution.

[robertw]

Post it notesattached to the inside lid.

[Jantrix]

Thanks guys. I think I'll go with the address label idea and jot down what I remove or add.

[JTalmage]

I bury my cars in my closet to where I dont even want to get them out unless I absolutely have to. That keeps me out of them pretty good! I've probably got about 50-60 unbuilts, and at least 20 that need rebuilt.

It's tough when Styrene A.D.D. hits...

[afx]

What! your suppose to keep track of this stuff?

[Danno]

I slap a piece of masking tape on the box end with a note as to what I've scavenged. Works for me.

[Matt T.]

Post-It Note inside the box, on top of the parts, with what's been scavenged. Then a Sharpie on the box lid and both ends that reads "PARTS."

That second part helps if you ever go to sell or trade them.

[High octane]

About 60% of my unbuilt kits are still factory sealed, as it makes it easier to trade, sell, or donate them latter on. I seldom steal parts form one kit or another , but I believe I'll be doing more of this in the near future. I have bought kits for parts, which means that I'll never build the kit, but just use parts in it for other builds.

[ZTony8]

If I don't stick a note on the box I just write on the box lid with a Sharpie,listing the items I've removed from the kit.I know it gives the vapors to the box art and air box guys but I seldom retain the kit boxes when I'm done building the models.

[58 Impala]

I hate to rob parts from one kit to another, but if I really like a kit I'll buy one to build and one for parts. When I part out a kit I really try to use as many parts as I can so that the kit doesn't die in vein.