atomicholiday
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Post by atomicholiday on Mar 11, 2024 8:23:54 GMT -5
Anybody here use it? I’m kicking around the idea of creating a list for my stash and it’s either create something in Excel or try out the ScaleMates stash manager. If you’re using it, what do you like/dislike about it?
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lyle
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Post by lyle on Mar 11, 2024 8:27:29 GMT -5
Anybody here use it? I’m kicking around the idea of creating a list for my stash and it’s either create something in Excel or try out the ScaleMates stash manager. If you’re using it, what do you like/dislike about it? I believe a bunch of folks here use Scalemates. There are also some that use Access databases (me and jeaton1). Being an old IT guy, I never recommended using Excel as a database or data manager. Do you have any experience using Access?
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Post by kyledehart5 on Mar 11, 2024 8:31:50 GMT -5
I use scalemates simply because I didn’t want to use excel and know nothing about access. I think scalemates is pretty easy. Just search up your kits and add them to your stash. I use it as bare minimum as possible. I just add the kits so I haven’t really explored the options.
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Post by chromdome35 on Mar 11, 2024 8:33:25 GMT -5
I use it when I remember to. My thoughts on it...It is nice to have a list of your kits with the various information that Scalemates provides. I do find the interface very clunky to use until you get really used to it.
The other challenge with it is that if you don't keep it updated, you will end up with a big data entry effort to catch up. That is not a Scalemates problem. I know this one from experience, as I'm so far behind on updating my stash that it might take me a few hours of a day to update it with my purchases.
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lyle
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Post by lyle on Mar 11, 2024 8:36:52 GMT -5
I use it when I remember to. My thoughts on it...It is nice to have a list of your kits with the various information that Scalemates provides. I do find the interface very clunky to use until you get really used to it. The other challenge with it is that if you don't keep it updated, you will end up with a big data entry effort to catch up. That is not a Scalemates problem. I know this one from experience, as I'm so far behind on updating my stash that it might take me a few hours of a day to update it with my purchases. True with any stash manager, homemade or not. It took me the better part of a week to write down all of my stuff, design and create the Access DB and then enter it. And now, I am woefully behind again.
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Post by Tojo72 on Mar 11, 2024 9:42:08 GMT -5
I don't have much of a stash,but I'm on Scalemates,I find it difficult to navigate,or is it just me.
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brandonk
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Post by brandonk on Mar 11, 2024 9:50:06 GMT -5
I have all my kits, books, resin parts, etc. on software for modellers. It's called Kitbase2. Here is a link. kitbase.com/ It took a fair minute to enter each kit, add a pic of each kit and some of its related details, but it was well worth it. I now have a complete running list, including progress, dates, etc. of every kit in the stash and I have access to it on my phone with a simple click. I can see what I have and all its details no matter where I am. Totally worth the effort. I won't go back. The issue I have with online lists is that I can't control that and it can go away at anytime losing me all my data and work. A software like Kitbase2 gives me the control. I hope that helps.
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2whl
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Post by 2whl on Mar 11, 2024 9:57:29 GMT -5
I started out with my own database in Excel. When I discovered Scalemates, I uploaded my stash to it. But now I only use it for the kits I want to sell. I found it a little difficult to navigate. And it doesn't give me all the fields i wish to have on each kit. When ever I buy a new kit, it sets next to the computer to be entered before it gets put in the stash.
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Post by chromdome35 on Mar 11, 2024 10:07:04 GMT -5
I started out with my own database in Excel. When I discovered Scalemates, I uploaded my stash to it. But now I only use it for the kits I want to sell. I found it a little difficult to navigate. And it doesn't give me all the fields i wish to have on each kit. When ever I buy a new kit, it sets next to the computer to be entered before it gets put in the stash. There are two recurring themes in these replies, Scalemates Stash Manager has an interface that can be confusing and that you have to maintain some level of rigidity in keeping it updated.
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2whl
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Post by 2whl on Mar 11, 2024 10:13:01 GMT -5
I started out with my own database in Excel. When I discovered Scalemates, I uploaded my stash to it. But now I only use it for the kits I want to sell. I found it a little difficult to navigate. And it doesn't give me all the fields i wish to have on each kit. When ever I buy a new kit, it sets next to the computer to be entered before it gets put in the stash. There are two recurring themes in these replies, Scalemates Stash Manager has an interface that can be confusing and that you have to maintain some level of rigidity in keeping it updated. You have to keep-up with any database you use. I've been selling kits as a vendor for quite a while now. I take a list of the kits I have for sale with me when I vend. That way when I get home, I can delete the kits that I've sold.
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Post by Tobi on Mar 11, 2024 10:58:40 GMT -5
If I start doing it my model building days would be over from one second to another. I just don't have that much time! :-) I'm taking photographs instead and put them on my hard drive.
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stikpusher
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Post by stikpusher on Mar 11, 2024 11:48:03 GMT -5
I use the Scalemates Stash Manager, and have for quite a few years now. I don’t find it any more difficult to navigate and being very clumsy myself with Excell, which I had to use at work during various assignments, prefer the SSM set up. An item can be tracked from your “wishlist”, moved to “on order” or”stash” then to “started”, “completed”, “gifted/sold/trashed” etc. quite easily. If you have a large stash, the initial data entry is time consuming, but once you get that completed, any addition afterwards are easy peasy. I also like that if an item is not in the database, any member can input that item into the database, for all members. I have done that on multiple occasions, most recently within the past couple of weeks. Members can also edit and correct the errors of others in the database. In short, you are not dependent upon the site admin to take care of such issues if you find them, you can fix it yourself to the benefit of everyone.
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jester75
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Post by jester75 on Mar 11, 2024 12:02:17 GMT -5
I believe a bunch of folks here use Scalemates. There are also some that use Access databases (me and jeaton1). Being an old IT guy, I never recommended using Excel as a database or data manager. Do you have any experience using Access? Why lyle, whatever do you mean? Surely Excel can efficiently handle 500mb corporate financial spreadsheets linked 3 layers deep with 5 other 500mb Excel spreadsheets? /sarcasm
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Post by dupes on Mar 11, 2024 12:08:43 GMT -5
I use Excel primarily because I know Excel pretty well. But also because I know Excel will ALWAYS be there...scalemates (or whatever site-based online thing) might not be. I've seen it happen before with other ones. And there's no way I could take the time to re-enter my stash from scratch!
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Post by chromdome35 on Mar 11, 2024 12:27:48 GMT -5
I believe a bunch of folks here use Scalemates. There are also some that use Access databases (me and jeaton1). Being an old IT guy, I never recommended using Excel as a database or data manager. Do you have any experience using Access? Why lyle, whatever do you mean? Surely Excel can efficiently handle 500mb corporate financial spreadsheets linked 3 layers deep with 5 other 500mb Excel spreadsheets? /sarcasm Those are rookie numbers. I designed and deployed a forecasting system that rolls up 600+ very detailed and large Google Workbooks into a comprehensive forecast for the business. I am not saying it's the right way to do it, but it works, and you have to use the tools you have at your disposal to get the job done. I'm a pretty advanced Excel and Google Sheets user; I like both tools and they each have strengths and weaknesses. Google is much easier to use to link and query data in a globally distributed environment.
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keavdog
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Post by keavdog on Mar 11, 2024 12:51:12 GMT -5
I use scalemates. I always have it open on a tab and reference quite frequently. I don't have a navigation issues. Like others said, getting your stash entered takes a bit but it's really easy to maintain going forward. I track wish, ordered, stash and completed. I do wish it would track the date entered. BTW you can export to CSV. I do this periodically as a backup.
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lyle
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Post by lyle on Mar 11, 2024 15:55:07 GMT -5
I believe a bunch of folks here use Scalemates. There are also some that use Access databases (me and jeaton1). Being an old IT guy, I never recommended using Excel as a database or data manager. Do you have any experience using Access? Why lyle, whatever do you mean? Surely Excel can efficiently handle 500mb corporate financial spreadsheets linked 3 layers deep with 5 other 500mb Excel spreadsheets? /sarcasm Yeah. On second thought….but, Ihave seen and worked with some Excel wizards, for real. It is a powerful tool.
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project510
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Post by project510 on Mar 11, 2024 17:22:42 GMT -5
I use it, but dont have a stash big enough to not remember what I have. I use Scalemates more for research.
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Post by 406 Silverado on Mar 12, 2024 5:28:57 GMT -5
I've used it but I rarely keep up with it on there anymore. I can see it as a viable option if I had a sizeable stash but I've only got around 50 or so kits now. Some good commentary in this thread on it though. .....and some humor. lol
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Post by tcoat on Mar 12, 2024 6:15:39 GMT -5
I use it, but dont have a stash big enough to not remember what I have. I use Scalemates more for research.
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Post by deafpanzer on Mar 12, 2024 7:58:00 GMT -5
I use ScaleMate almost everyday especially when you buy more kits or want to check what aftermarket sets are available for certain kits. I love that part when you look at a specific kit that you have then scroll down to see the aftermarket stuff list and reviews. And which retailers are selling so I can see the listed prices so I can buy without overpaying for it. And I have a wish list too to help me stay focused!
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Post by chromdome35 on Mar 12, 2024 8:07:43 GMT -5
I use ScaleMate almost everyday especially when you buy more kits or want to check what aftermarket sets are available for certain kits. I love that part when you look at a specific kit that you have then scroll down to see the aftermarket stuff list and reviews. And which retailers are selling so I can see the listed prices so I can buy without overpaying for it. And I have a wish list too to help me stay focused! This is my primary usage of Scalemates as well.
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Golikell
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Post by Golikell on Mar 12, 2024 9:08:42 GMT -5
Scalemates is my go to too... Not only as stash manager, which I find pretty easy to use. I also use it to create projects with all the items I (want to) use and connected photo album. I find it very comprehensive and helps me to track my ideas about dios I want to create/ am creating or have created... Like this one: www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=36520&p=projects&project=165128
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Post by Steve Zuleski on Mar 12, 2024 9:42:50 GMT -5
Oh my gosh, yall are kiddin, right? You guys use a program to keep track of your stash? Who'd a thunk it? I would have thought yall were kiddin till I kept reading this thread. Now, the only man I know who could actually use such a program would be TowGunner, cause he's got enough kits to fill the Smithsonian warehouse, no kiddin.
Ok, learn something new evr day, right? Amazing!
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atomicholiday
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Post by atomicholiday on Mar 13, 2024 8:13:54 GMT -5
Wow! I didn’t expect this many responses to this topic. Thanks to all of you for contributing!👍 There are some really good arguments for and against. Also a few really good alternatives. I’m thinking of giving SM a shot and see how I like it. Maybe add a dozen kits as a trial. Then exporting it out to Excel to see how it works. I’m about an average Excel user. I know enough to be dangerous and get it to do what I need with filters. What I’m curious about is if it will be faster to enter kits into SM or just manually enter them into Excel.
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Golikell
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Post by Golikell on Mar 13, 2024 10:01:22 GMT -5
Most of the times, entering a part number in SM will show the kit you are looking for... Wáááy faster than entering all info in excelll
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dukemaddog
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Post by dukemaddog on Mar 13, 2024 21:14:44 GMT -5
I use Scalemates but not for stash management. I don't even have full enough access to my stash to do such a thing. I originally signed up on it to display pics of my finished models but that is a challenge all it's own.
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TJ
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Post by TJ on Mar 16, 2024 5:32:35 GMT -5
I use it. Update my stash when I get new goodies. I don't think its very difficult to use at all, and I'm not that computer savvy. Just enough to get in trouble. My one complaint is, I would like the ability to tell myself which markings on a certain decal sheet I've used. Just a check mark. If anyone,wants to look at my stash the link to Scalemates is in my signature
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Medicman71
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Post by Medicman71 on Mar 18, 2024 16:48:16 GMT -5
I use it when I remember to. My thoughts on it...It is nice to have a list of your kits with the various information that Scalemates provides. I do find the interface very clunky to use until you get really used to it. The other challenge with it is that if you don't keep it updated, you will end up with a big data entry effort to catch up. That is not a Scalemates problem. I know this one from experience, as I'm so far behind on updating my stash that it might take me a few hours of a day to update it with my purchases.
Same here. I use it when I can remember to. I also use my iPhone "notes" to keep track of my stash. The cool thing is that because I have a MacBook, my notes on my phone transfer to the MacBook.
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moparmadness
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Post by moparmadness on Mar 19, 2024 16:29:26 GMT -5
I use it and LOVE it! I tried spreadsheets and OneNote and they were OK. The Scalemates stash and wish list are superb.
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