README for the Union Hill Antique Tools Database ------------------------------------------------ * This database was developed by Steve Johnson of Union Hill Antique Tools. All forms, table, reports, and code contained within this database is copyrighted to Union Hill Antique Tools. This database is provided as freeware to fellow tool collectors in the interests of promoting tool collecting. Use for any other purpose is not allowed without written permission from Union Hill Antique Tools. You may also not resell this database for your own profit. Contact Steve Johnson at tooltimer@msn.com for more information. * To use this database, you must have a copy of Microsoft Access. * Open the tools.mdb file in MS Access, and when the Database window is shown go to the Forms tab. * Use the Tool Entry form to add new tools to the database. * Use the Want List form to create a want list. * Use the Instructions for the Tool Entry Form to get help with field names on the Tool Entry Form. A copy of these intsructions is included below. * Use the Tables tab to add items to the conditions, categories, tool names, tools, or other tables. * Use the Reports tab to generate printable reports once you have entered some data using the entry forms. * This database is offered as freeware without any support, warranty, or guarantees of any kind. If you have a problem with it, you can try emailing me at tooltimer@msn.com, but I cannot promise I'll have time to answer. You might get lucky and I'll be able to answer your question, or you might wait years for a reply. If things get too frustrating, delete the tools.mdb file from your computer and go do something else. ------------------------------------- Following are instructions for entering data in the Tool Database using the Tool Entry form. Most of these boxes you can leave blank if you don't know or don't want to enter anything in them. required boxes are: Tool ID, Category, Tool Name, Cost, Condition, and Purchase Date. In some cases, when you make an entry in one box, other boxes are automatically completed with a "best-guess" value. You can overwrite these values if you desire. Tool ID: Automatically generated to uniquely define a tool. I put a sticker on each tool with a number matching this number. Category: Tool category, used for doing searches later, like "find all planes", etc. There is a large built-in list of predefined categories, or you can add new ones in the Categories table. Tool Name: More specific tool name within the category, like "Smooth Plane", "Bubble Level", etc. There is a large built-in list of predefined categories, or you can add new ones in the ToolNames table. Maker: Enter the maker of the tool here. Model: If applicable, enter the model number of the tool here. Man. Date: If known, enter the manufacture date of the tool here. Construct: Enter the materials used in the items construction here. There is a drop-down list to choose from, or you can add new materials in the Constructions table. Location: Enter where you have stored the tool here (useful for large collections spread out over an entire house), so you can find the tool again later. Description: Here you can enter any unique information about this tool. Cost: Enter what you paid for the tool here, including shipping, bidder's premiums, etc. Value: Enter an estimated value for this tool here. This can be more, less than, or the same as the purchase price. This field is useful for heirs trying to sell off a collection without knowing much about tools. Condition: Enter the FTJ condition rank of the tool here. Insured: Check if this tool is insured. Sell?: Check if you plan to sell this tool (leave unchecked if you are planning to leave this tooll in your collection for awhile). If you check this box, the following three fields appear: Sales Date: When was the tool sold? Sales Price: What price was the tool sold for? Out of State: Was state sales tax paid by the buyer? Defects: List any know defects of the tool here. Origin: List the country of origin here. There is a drop-down list to choose from, or you can add new countries in the Origins table. Type: If the tool has had a type study on it, you can enter the type number here. Finish: Enter the name of the finish used on the tool here. Pur. From: Enter the name of the vendor you bought the tool from here. Purchase Date: The date purchased is automatically filled in to today's date. If you purchased the tools before today's date, you can change it. Tax ID used for purchase: In some states, if you have a dealer's license you can avoid paying sales tax on tools purchased for resale (tax is due when you sell the tool). Check this box if you purchased the tool for resale.