How do you keep track of your restoration projects?

OldTymeToys

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How do you keep track of your restoration projects?

I'm curious how you keep track of your ongoing projects. I've used Excel to track restorations but haven't been happy with how I'm doing it. I forget to order things I need, it's not a user-friendly interface, etc. I remember a young kid on here (endrien?) designed a simple program to log progress. I know some use paper & pencil. I know some just go from memory.

Do you have an easy way to keep track of your restoration projects? Please share.
 
I'm curious how you keep track of your ongoing projects. I've used Excel to track restorations but haven't been happy with how I'm doing it. I forget to order things I need, it's not a user-friendly interface, etc. I remember a young kid on here (endrien?) designed a simple program to log progress. I know some use paper & pencil. I know some just go from memory.

Do you have an easy way to keep track of your restoration projects? Please share.

I wish I did. I don't. I sometimes take pics as I go, sometimes draw diagrams and make to-do lists, but ultimately I lose them all and end up going from memory. Even my resto threads get so bogged down with chatter and shit that it's hard to follow them too. I need to write a book.
 
I wish I did. I don't. I sometimes take pics as I go, sometimes draw diagrams and make to-do lists, but ultimately I lose them all and end up going from memory. Even my resto threads get so bogged down with chatter and shit that it's hard to follow them too. I need to write a book.

Agreed. I just ordered from Bob from my spreadsheet, but I wrote some stuff down that I needed on a piece of paper somewhere. Couldn't find the piece of paper, thought I remembered, ordered from Bob, order came in, found the piece of paper- DAMMIT! Another order to Bob...
 
I use an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of things. Mine is more of a "preventative maintenance" list than a list for keeping track of resto's. It's definitely handy to keep track of things that you'd like to get around doing for your games.
 
I definitely need to start organizing my restorations. I have 3 projects I'm working on right now (GORF, Omega Race Cockpit, Super Zaxxon deconversion) and its all a mess! Parts are strewn about the garage, I've lost several parts, and don't really know what to do next because its so dang hot in that garage! Like Phet, I normally start restorations by taking lots of pics and making sure I know 100% how everything goes back together. But by the end, I normally run by memory - which is fine until you happen to put a GORF joystick on backwards and then realize you have to deconstruct the ENTIRE control panel again just to reorient the joystick, wasting over an hour on something trivial. :)

I've got a couple more games on the radar right now, so things could get even worse.
 
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Projects I don't keep track of, I do have an inventory list of all my electronic parts that I should have on hand. That excel list at least helps me to know what I need to get to finish other projects.
 
I just keep up with them in my head at the moment.


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"The inner machinations of my mind are that of an enigma..."
 

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I use a free web-based app called "Ta-da List": http://tadalist.com/ It doesn't keep track of % completion or anything, it's just a basic "to do" list app that lets you create multiple lists, add tasks to each list and check them off as you complete them. I have a separate list for each game I'm working on, where I add specific tasks that I need to complete for the restoration. (e.g. sand coin door, paint coin door, add cam lock, buy keychain ;)) I also use it for stuff like home renovation tasks (aka my "honey do" list) and for remembering good books or cd's I hear about that I should try to find.

For parts, I keep a text file in my Dropbox with running lists of parts I need the next time I do a Bob Roberts, Mike's, Arcadeshop, Digi-key or other order.
 
I use a free web-based app called "Ta-da List": http://tadalist.com/ It doesn't keep track of % completion or anything, it's just a basic "to do" list app that lets you create multiple lists, add tasks to each list and check them off as you complete them. I have a separate list for each game I'm working on, where I add specific tasks that I need to complete for the restoration. (e.g. sand coin door, paint coin door, add cam lock, buy keychain ;)) I also use it for stuff like home renovation tasks (aka my "honey do" list) and for remembering good books or cd's I hear about that I should try to find.

For parts, I keep a text file in my Dropbox with running lists of parts I need the next time I do a Bob Roberts, Mike's, Arcadeshop, Digi-key or other order.

This is kinda what I'm looking for- I'll check it out!
 
Its simple .. I don't do full out restorations. I just get the game running, clean it up...and then play it.
 
1. Never take on a second project until the first is done

2. Keep it simple...piece of paper or the inside cover of the manual. Make a list and keep to it.

I don't waste time typing things into a computer. That reminds me of my college room mate. He spent more time making lists and organizing than he did actually doing work. Just do it and don't let it drag out.
 
Agreed. I have a note pad near the work space in my garage to make notes on as I go along. Cross stuff off after its been completed and/or ordered.
 
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