The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Restoration Project Software

Does anyone use any of the restoration projct management software packages that are available. Any comments, concerns, criticisms or pluses. While reading vehicle restoration for dummies he recommends a couple of options and a web search showed up some more. I was thinking it might help with organization and discipline. Or maybe someone has built a really nice spreadsheet they can share ;>).
Enjoy the weekend - go Pat's!
Mike

Good idea Mike. I would be interested also.

Please????

I have tried to do this before but lack organizational skills. In fact I think I have some sort of ADD.

I have done spreadsheets with sections such as frame, engine, transmission, body, interior, etc.

However I have also considered a different approach that would entail start to finish components such as tear down, inspection, matrixes for parts comparisons, etc.

Let me know if you have something.

Thanks,

Tim

I've done a spreadsheet estimating the cost of a project and I've done some matrix documents to articulate for my own understanding various pieces of my projects, but I haven't thought about putting one into project management software.

I used to use Microsoft Project to identify the critical paths and required resources for projects, but only on the job, not on personal stuff. That software is installed on the computer I'm using right now, but I only use it to look at projects others are managing.

And since I'm more of a customizer/hot rodder than restoration guy I've also used graphics programs to 'photochop' some ideas. I'm not very good at that.

But restoration oriented project management software isn't something I've seen. Can you post the names or links to some of the examples? I'd like to learn more.

Hey....these are great ideas....Ive been using pens and notebooks!

To this point I have used an excel spread sheet to track costs and parts sold. In addition, I have indexed photos on my computer and tracked progress on my web page. I would love to look at some sort of program that helps with this.

To this point I have been using an organic interface unit, (running very outdated software) coupled with individual storage capacity and outside technical support, as to expenses I use various encryption devises. In other words, my memory, ziplock baggies, and service manuals, while trying everything I can to hide expenses from my wife.

No time to mess with more software. Someday, I may set up a speadsheet to track costs, but for everthing else, hard copies and a few manilla file folders will work just fine for me. I may even go all out, and get my own "Bolt" file cabinet.

This is my hobby, no software needed. I'd rather spend my time tinkering, instead of figuring out software.

John

If I was doing this as a business, then software would be great. I LOVE tinkering and tearing apart and putting back together too much to make it feel like "work". I'll leave the software to those who have the time and inclination to sit and punch keyboard. If you need me, I'll be under the truck..........

Carl

If I had something like that I'd have to password protect it. If "the warden" ever found out how much money I have in that '54 she'd.......well, ur, uh...let's just say she wouldn't need a laxitive.

RodPlan available as a download from http://www.xunperformance.com/. Like any software that tries to be all things to all people, it has it's pluses and minuses. I've used it, but the novelty wore off pretty quickly.

Maybe I'm too old school, but there's nothing like paper, pencil and manila folders, so long as they're somewhat organized.

I never kept any writen records on my 53 3100 all orgional truck. If my wife knew, I would be living with one of you guys.

I dont need another excuse to spend more time in front of the puter... :hammering: .

I might dream up something after i retire tho.. and dont have to go to work every day.

Hey Mike

Where in CT are you? looking for others nearby who share the hobby
Ed

FUNNY....my excel sheet IS password protected.....I told her it is for her protection so she does not fall out of the chair when she sees the bottom line

"I was thinking it might help with organization and discipline."

the only thing that'll help with organization and discipline is your own determination to get the job done, all a computer will do is waste the time you should discipline yourself to do organizing the completion of the project

the usefulness of a computer is to store the hundreds of digital pics you took of the teardown, but won't be able to find again until after you've finished the re-assembly you did by visiting the forums and getting the answers from someone else who's done it already!!

but if ya wanna waste yer hobby time computing, spend it dreamin on ebay :hammering:

Bill

When I get home I will post the ones that were in the "Dummies" book, I have not had time to download them to look at.
It was mighty cold trying to work in the barn yesterday, got me thinking about organizing spare parts in a warmer place.
Mike

For those who are versed in Visual Basic, you could write a program that would interface with Microsoft Project to create the proper format for a truck resoration to track it all: order of disassembly, part numbers, places to find replacement parts, hours spent, $$$ spent, and then the reassembly.

An interesting proposistion if someone really wanted to do the job. You could probably turn it into a business prospect.

However, I doubt any of us are serious programmers willing to take up that task. I've been using Project for 8 years and I still only know how to do time schedules and resource allocation.

What is resource allocation? I have been working on these rigs for quite awhile and am wondering if this is something that would help me in my endeavour. :confused:


Stuart

I work on a computer all day. I will use paper and pencil for my hobby.

Resource allocation simply allows you try to predict and track both man hours and $$$. To be honest, it takes pretty good management skills to make it work out and it's easier when you have a contract amount to divide by your hourly fee to determine an estimated number of hours you have to complete the task.

Like I said, easier to do in business than it is with something that is a hobby. I usually look at like resources, what resources? Budget, what budget? Of course I am happy to have a better half who can bring me back to reality so I don't end up in some debtors prison with an awesome truck to show for it.

I am chained to a computer all day and I do agree with the merits of paper and pencil. Just wish I had more time for that in my business as well!

I recommend keeping all records at work, less chance of the better half sharing your experience or (discovering the cost).

Your soooo right Dennis!
The scales gotta balance you know. New tires/new shoes, new seat covers/new suit, new exaust/new underwear, so on, so forth!
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

p.s. Where's New Boston at???

Dennis forgot to mention, If you know someone with a big yard, it can help your wife not find out, just how many trucks you really have.

There aren’t any yards left around here that are that large. Chicago has spread out all the way to us sixty miles west of the city. We are blessed with stoplights, four lane highways, turning lanes and they are building subdivisions everywhere on what, a couple of years ago, was the best farm land in the country. There are so many water towers popping up that it looks like a mushroom farm now. Owning a place with a couple of acres around here now days is reserved for the privileged class.

Rod-Plan software! Unfortunately that is one of those sites that you have to spend a half hour to find out how much they want for their product. I was there for 10 or 15 minuets and all I found was build up and offers for free trials, with that much build up you know they’re going to whiz ya when it comes time to buy it.
Computers and their associated software are supposed to make life easier. You want me to buy your product, make it simple, direct. The very first thing I want to know when I look at any product is what does it cost? Then I know if I can afford it or want it. The second thing I want is a simple explanation of what it is. The third thing I want to know is where and how I can buy it. After all that then give me the sales hype.
I’ll stick with the note pad and pencil.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Hello!

I have kept a log as to progress and part purchases in a word processing program, but pen and paper works too!

I've been keeping a log on my main progress since 1988, and I wished I had started earlier! Now it getting to the point where I need to replace some of these parts and I now have the part numbers I need!

I also keep reciepts, and information off the packages (a scanner is really handy for this).

Randy B.

I do think, looking back, that there would be value in something (software or otherwise) that would help me plan a ground-up restoration (or in my case a buildup). I made the same mistake that many noobs do in tearing everything apart and then attempting to attack it piece-meal. The end result was a scattering of stuff from hell~to~breakfast and a project that has taken years!

I'm not an engineer, so I have relied on the illustrations gleaned from the Internet (thank you 'Bolters!) to give me a sense as to how (for example) a bracket should be located or the best routing for a fuel line.

I do use Excel for spreadsheets - I built one to compare the offerings of different manufacturers of aftermarket front suspensions. I was finding myself stymied by the apples vs. oranges advertisements of these guys, so I created a matrix to give me a clearer picture. I'm working on a similar one for wiring kits right now (I'm still in the planning stages so haven't ventured into that jungle yet!).

My brother is a machinist and is very anal about record keeping. He advised me to start a "diary" to keep track of my time. I did so, but only use it to mark significant benchmarks. I'm not so caught up in marking every hour I spend on my hobby.

I punch all my receipts and keep them in a 3 ring notebook. Notebook getting pretty thick. I'm afraid to start adding it up. When the sub is finished I'm not sure I want to know what it all cost. Like a couple of guys have already said my time is better spent on the truck instead of the computer. Weeds

Here are the two sites I spoke about early in the post. They are listed in "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Restoring Collector Cars" The first is Vehicle Project Planner and is at the following website http://www.peedle.com/384/index.html, he lists the price in the article as $9.95. The other software noted in the book is CarRestore 2.5 at the website www.woodyg.com, the site lists the price at $19.95. I have no financial interest in either product. Both were rated well by the author.
Thanks,
Mike