[Elecraft] K2: Is Inventory really a necessity?

[Don Wilhelm]

Stan,

I do not do a "complete inventory" for all the packages up front (but 
then I have spare parts available, and that makes me a it different).
I DO sort each package and place the components in an order so I can 
reach them quickly.  I use the "corrugated box" method advocated by 
Heathkit 'way back when' - cut a USPS Priority Mail cardboard box (the 
O-1097 size works best) in half along all the narrow edges.  The center 
serves as a tray for miscellaneous parts and the holes in the 
corrugations along the sides hold leaded components - just stick the 
leads in the holes.  I arrange the capacitors in value order with the 
lowest values toward the front.  Inductors, diodes (and resistors for 
the KX1) go on the right side =- again arranged in value order.

When building, I can quickly pluck out the correct component, check its 
value and insert it on the board.

The sorting takes a little time, but once sorted, the quick and easy 
picking of the correct component is accomplished much faster than any 
other method I have used.

I have tried muffin tins, assorted envelopes, taping components on a 
paper, and other various methods over the years, but the Heathkit style 
corrugated box has always been the one I come back to.

OK, I went a little astray in my response, but my point is - If you 
don't want to do an inventory, at least do a sort, it will save you a 
lot of time later in the process.

73,
Don W3FPR

stan levandowski wrote:
> Hello.  My name is Stan WB2LQF and I am a new lister, having just 
> received my K2 kit yesterday.
>
> My question is, "Do you folks think it is really necessary to 
> detail-inventory the Elecraft  K2 product??
>
> The packaging was impressive.  The task of a complete and detailed 
> inventory looks time consuming, downright boring, and a great 
> opportunity to lose/break/misplace/confuse or static-damage parts. 
> Seems to me that Elecraft should be able to get it "mostly correct".  My 
> thinking is that all those parts may be safer just sitting in their 
> little bags until it's time to open the bag.  if it takes me "too long" 
> to report a missing part and as a result Elecraft won't replace it for 
> free, I won't exactly go broke buying the missing part from them.  Seems 
> like a reasonable risk to offset the investment of time + the 
> aforementioned risks of inventorying.
>
> I'm a new Elecraft customer so I'm not in a position to size them up, 
> although I keep hearing they are a first class outfit and I would assume 
> their quality control extends to shipment accuracy.
>
> I'd be interested in the majority opinion from Elecraft customers who've 
> faced this same decision -  to inventory or not.
>
> Thanks!
>
>