Can inventory position be negative?

Yes. Allocated demand can exceed tools on hand plus confirmed receipts. A negative position increases the quantity needed to reach the threshold.

Should I combine every tool in the crib?

No. Run this for one interchangeable item with its own consumption, lead time and purchase price.

Why is replenishment rounded to whole tools?

Tools are indivisible purchases. Average consumption can be fractional, but the reorder point and purchase gap use complete tools.

Does the calculated gap set my order size?

It shows the quantity needed to reach the reorder threshold. Apply supplier packs, minimum orders and any separate ordering policy before placing the purchase.

Tooling, Fixtures, Dies & Mold Economics calculator

Tool Crib Inventory Calculator

Set a reorder point for one tool-crib item and price its current stock shortfall. Enter consumption, supplier lead time, safety stock, inventory position, unit price and your purchase budget.

What this calculator does

Set a tool-crib reorder point and price the stock shortfall against your purchase budget for one interchangeable item.

Formula used

Lead-time demand = average daily consumption × supplier lead time
Reorder point = ceiling(lead-time demand + safety stock)
Replenishment tools = max(0, reorder point − inventory position)
Replenishment cost = replenishment tools × quoted unit price
Budget headroom = purchase budget − replenishment cost

Inputs explained

Average Daily Tool Consumption: Average issues of this tool item per operating day.
Supplier Lead Time: Confirmed replenishment duration using the same operating-day calendar.
Safety Stock: Additional whole tools specified by your crib stocking policy.
Current Inventory Position: On-hand plus firm incoming tools, minus allocated tools.
Quoted Tool Unit Price: Current purchase price for this interchangeable tool item.
Replenishment Purchase Budget: Approved purchase allowance for this item and replenishment decision.

How to use the result

Best suited to tool crib purchase Review, perishable tool stock check.
Pack sizes, minimum orders, freight and taxes are excluded. The reorder point is a trigger, not an economic order quantity or service guarantee.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The producer price index for plastic resins and materials stands at 280.569 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 6.6% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
The U.S. has 14,378 furniture and related products establishments employing about 355,594 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

Can inventory position be negative? Yes. Allocated demand can exceed tools on hand plus confirmed receipts. A negative position increases the quantity needed to reach the threshold.
Should I combine every tool in the crib? No. Run this for one interchangeable item with its own consumption, lead time and purchase price.
Why is replenishment rounded to whole tools? Tools are indivisible purchases. Average consumption can be fractional, but the reorder point and purchase gap use complete tools.
Does the calculated gap set my order size? It shows the quantity needed to reach the reorder threshold. Apply supplier packs, minimum orders and any separate ordering policy before placing the purchase.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06.