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

I would like to start using a restoration software to help me keep my project organized and on track. Any suggestions?

I suggest you're taking it too serious if you want to run it like a business. You'll enjoy it a lot more if you make it a hobby.

If you are thinking about tracking every hour and dollar you put into it with a goal to make a profit you are going to be sadly disappointed. The best way to get your money and time out of one is drive it out.

Welcome to the site Danish Trucker! I can see by your profile that in your profession, organization and computers are very important. I certainly don't know if there is restoration software out there but I bet it would be very helpful in keeping thigs orderly. When I started my truck I bought a couple of composition books and would keep notes, contacts, business cards, drawings etc in them. It has made it nice to go back and look up info when needed sepecially during reassembly. Even though my truck has back on the road for a few years(I'm still not done!) I still go back from time to time to look up where I got something or find a part number for a fellow Bolter.
As far as keeping track of cost, I have the majority of my receipts but don't ever want to total them up. That would be scary and depressing!
Let us know if you find software that could help.
Bill

I've not seen anything I would call restoration software out there. Some guys use spreadsheets to keep track of parts and purchases.

I've got several projects going at the same time and sometimes wish I had software that would keep track of what parts are associated with what project so I could quickly determine if that piece in the corner can be used on the project I'm doing today.

I suspect some of the pro restoration shops use something. It might be as simple as Microsoft Project thought. That way you can track actions and dependencies and resources. That's the only general software type (project management) that I know of on the market that might be more useful than a spreadsheet.

I keep telling myself I stare at a computer all day at work why would I spend my free time using one. Then instead of working in my shop I hang out here....

I don't know of any software specifically for restoration but there are several project management programs available. The one I'm most familiar with is Microsoft Project. I have to use it sometimes at work but I don't like to. The maintenance of the project on the computer will take on a life of its own and eat up too much time. All I do for my personal projects is keep up with costs on an excel spreadsheet. I list everything I know I will have to buy and expected costs up front and then keep up with actual costs. I really don't even like to do that but I'm trying to get a feel for how much money I have tied up. I don't worry about the time because it's a hobby and it's supposed to eat up time.

I'm not so much interested in the software as business application. I'm excited about getting a truck that has been in my family for 3 generations and thought it might be important to historically keep records of the truck and project. I thought it might keep me on track, encouraged, organized, or just something to "work on" when it's too cold or too hot to be in the shop actually working on the truck. I have seen "AutoRestore" and another program and was wondering if anyone has used these types of "tools". Thank you for your thoughts. I'm pleasantly surprised by the quick responses.

I use online build threads like the one offered on stovebolt for historical reference. They become sort of a real-time testimonial to work done and work yet to be completed. I make notes (like engine numbers, parts numebrs, etc.) that help me when ordering parts or considering stuff on ebay.

Digital pictures with the date stamp are good for memory lapses.

I tried once to keep track of my time and money on a spreadsheet for my first car project but that just made me feel behind schedule and over budget.

I never thought of microsoft project for a car project - i'd be so far off "critical path"

Here is restoration project software recently listed in Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine.

www.collectorcarcompanion.com

I've not tried it but it sounds good in the article.

.... to each his own. For me I simply keep the receipts in a folder and when time is available I quickly list them in my excel spreadsheet. This keeps is by date and where it came from with the part # and cost. I DO refer back to it often and its easier than digging through a pile of receipts which, I might add, I usually punch a holes in them and place them in a big notebook. I'm driving a restoration/modification I did 10 years ago and it helps immensely.
I might also add that if one sells a vehicle the new owner will more than appreciate the list of part #'s and where stuff came from. It just makes good sense.
Elaborate, heck NO, just a few minutes here and there. The KEY is to not let it pile up and get discouraged. It usually only takes less than 10 minutes for me to put the receipts in a book and list on the excel spread sheet. Plain, simple and cost effective.

I started a list of items on a spread sheet. I list each item that I need along with approximate time it will take and price it will cost. I do not want to keep track of receipts again. I did that when I built my S-10 daily driver. I kept track of every nut, bolt, primer, paint, screw, light-bulb, etc. I had discovered that any budget is off by a factor of 3-4.

I now use the spread sheet for cool things like figuring out vehicle balance, steering geometry, suspension geometry and vehicle mass. I no longer want to know how much I spent, or it would ruin the hobby.

Your exactly right, Scott.

I keep most of my receipts in a folder, and use Quick-Books to keep track of my money (or lack of) It has a place for each of my projects and could total them if I ever wanted to know (haven't yet).

What I'd really like to find is something to keep track of part numbers and components I use on the truck. Because very little is stock it could be difficult getting replacement parts at the auto parts store. Not that they won't have it, just I have to remember what to ask for from what year and vehicle.
A blank parts manual would be good, it would have all the common listings for parts and a place to fill in the part number and alternate part numbers if any. then as I buy kingpin sets, wheel bearings, rotors, master cylinder, spring pins, U-joints, lug nuts, calipers, pads, tie rod ends... all that stuff would be easy to look up and order again when needed.

Grigg

Microsoft Office Access...

It is a part of MS Office(so you probably already have it).

It is very weird to figure out, but it is used for inventory, among other things. It is a big customizable database program.


OpenOffice.org also has a database program that is part of their office suite and it is free to download, install and use.


-W

I'm using Collector Car Companion for a father/son project we're doing. We've found it easy to use and has lots of nice features, like being able to catalog all our parts and tag our digital photos. Lots of reporting capabilities too. It has a free trial if you want to kick the tires before buying.

I had not thought of tracking the work by the computer outside of a spread sheet. I have taken photo's but I am unorganized when it comes to the computer. I like the idea of a software that helps you organize your photo's, your project and your time.

I am not interested in how much it is costing me anymore, I knew from the git-go that I will have more money in it than I thought.

I started out by using baggies to keep things organized. That helps, but as time goes by, the memory slips.

I might try the trial download of this product. I have wasted money on stupider things!

While I agree with everyone saying that they don't want to loose sight of the hobby aspect of it or have restoring/repairing a truck become more work then fun, personally I would love a piece of software to keep track of the project. I have tried the spreadsheet way to keep track of what projects I need to finish on the truck but find there are too many subcategories to keep track of that way (body>cab>patch panels>floor...). I find it much more rewarding to have longer list of small things that I can cross off than having a short list of big projects that only get crossed off every month or so. I would also like to keep track of part numbers and cost of parts not of what I've already bought (I know I would cry), but what I need to buy. That way I can budget or pick a specific part of the truck I want to tackle. Also, if I find parts or good deals ahead of time I can write it down and not forget it a month later when I finally have the funds. Again, to each their own.

I think I'm going to give that software a try and see how it goes. Thanks for the link!

Get back to us on that Neil, I'd like to have a little better way of keeping track of bearing number, and casting numbers and vendors and sources and on and on. My method right now is a few shoe boxes and it take me half the day to find something when I need it. fifty bucks really isn't all that much if the program does what it claims.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I think that the issue boils down to the question, "So what?" If you want to restore your vehicle, and can afford the cost inch by inch, then go for it. The best thing a spreadsheet or software package can do is demonstrate for insurance reasons what you have invested. Of course, most projects far exceed the insurance value. Take time to push that value to the limit each year!!!
The real reason for restoration is to return a vehicle to new condition, and often, that cost is way beyond what one could sell it for--as if you wanted to sell your family member.
Point of post: Yes, it is good to track it, but it may not be good to know how many bux it took to do the job! Just be happy that you were able to do it!

heck, the practical aspect of parts, suppliers, numbers, easily forgettable/lost details, and cost for whatever reason, can be fun and makes good sense. and if you ever sell the vehicle, the new owner would be impressed, and be able to get a copy