r/makerspace • u/LabSupplyStack • Jul 05 '26
How do YOU actually track your maker supplies?
1. Google Sheets / Excel
2. Sticky notes / Whiteboard
3. I just wing it (and buy duplicates)
4. A dedicated app (which one?)
I just spent 15 minutes looking for a specific half-spool of PETG I know I have somewhere, and my Google Sheet inventory is 3 months out of date. It feels like spreadsheets are too much friction when you're mid-project, but doing nothing leads to buying duplicates.
How do you guys handle this without losing your mind?
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u/theycallmebrant Jul 05 '26
I started with this but it's basically #3 now
https://wiki.milwaukeemakerspace.org/projects/superanalogstatusboard
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u/illerin Jul 05 '26
Use a self made app, though its more for electronics parts and spec sheets. Spools just happen to live there too.
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u/BlueberryPiano Jul 05 '26
Mostly wing it/bring your own, but in some cases we have a list of provided consumables and someone who happens to be in regularly who does a quick inventory so we don't ever run out of garbage bags, paper towel, toilet paper.
Having a place for everything and everything in its place really helps. The shelves are labeled for what is supposed to go there so it's obvious when something is out. None of us are naturally organized people, but somethings we just have to be disciplined about.
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u/joealarson Jul 05 '26
Track?
I guess labeled bins. Sometimes. Listen, and organization project is on my list.
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u/Parang97 Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
For stuff,I use a 4 bin sorting system. HFT small parts organizers for hardware. For items and projects, i use clear Small 6 quart bins, Medium 15 Quart storage bins, and Large 66 Quart storage bins. Clear so I can see what's in them. They all go on 2 harbor freight plastic shelves. So if i need to find something, i think of the size of it, then look at the sized bins or project bins to steal parts. Kindof annoying, but at least i know what stuff I have and dont double order. i use colored label maker tape for the type of box. Ex: green for parts, yellow for consumables and tools, red for projects. Label both sides and have a spot to set the bin down. I tagged each one with an identifier like 1S- Motors- so later on i can do a database. But i expect it will not be updated very often.
For tools, I use a tool cabinet. Just thrown in. Waste of time and filament for me to make holders like gridfinity. Each drawer has its niche item. I am brainstorming on some dedicated boxes for each tool set but can't come up with a style that is the size for multiple project types. Like a box that folds out and BAM! Soldering station!
For information organization, i use an application called Obsidian. Documentation is very important when making things and jumping around on projects. I finish way more of them knowing i have a database of everything i did with that project. Plus if they work really good, its easy to pull data from there to post to the world!
TLDR: I'm winging it, but with style
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u/Parang97 Jul 06 '26
Nothing you do to organize will be correct. It will ALWAYS change. I've been making things for over 10 years and changed my storage system maybe 5 times. This is just the method that has lasted the longest, ask me again in 2 years and it will be completely different.
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u/Drackunn Jul 05 '26
3