Instrument Panel for my Ex21

[Blaughn]

Installed a "grimes meter" meter on my Ex.  Time flies while scrolling but I had no idea how true that is. Now I do.

 

Very easy install.  This one (Searon Digital Inductive Engine Hour Meter) is on Amazon for 29.99.  

[TheWoodArtist]

You can also get a digital clock that plugs up and has a battery back up and plug it into your foot-switch. I reset it when I start a project and everytime I have the switch on cutting it runs the clock and with the battery back up it won't reset on it's on. I start it at 12:00am and then just figure the time when I'm finished. I use this to help figure out time involved on a project to figure price. This idea was told by someone else and I tried it thinking if it didn't work I would then buy a meter or something but it works great and the digital clocks aren't that expensive, cheaper than the meters. Another idea for everyone, especially for ones that are on a tight budget or trying to pinch pennies.

[Scrappile]

The one Bruce shows would be good for accumulative time for scroll saw maintenance purposes,  You could also use it to track time on a project, log the hours on the meter when you start and when finished, figure the difference.  The only problem is it only is accumulating time when the saw is running, and there is other time spent.  I think is one is going to track times you need both.  I don't have either......

Edited May 27, 2017 by Scrappile

[Blaughn]

10 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

The one Bruce shows would be good for accumulative time for scroll saw maintenance purposes,  You could also use it to track time on a project, log the hours on the meter when you start and when finished, figure the difference.  The only problem is it only is accumulating time when the saw is running, and there is other time spent.  I think is one is going to track times you need both.  I don't have either......

This one has cumulative time that cannot be reset and two timers that can be reset.  It appears that both timer 1 and 2 accumulate time whether selected of not so that isn't what I expected.  Very simple set up for the meter.  Install a power cord using the connectors supplied.  install a splitter (duplex outlet) on the Ex foot switch.  Plug in you saw in one of the outlets and the timer into the other.  The timer records time when the foot control is depressed.

It also has a Preventive Maintenance setting to alert you when you reach the hourly threshold you set.

 

Bruce

[kmmcrafts]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

 The only problem is it only is accumulating time when the saw is running, and there is other time spent.  I think is one is going to track times you need both.  I don't have either......

I am betting that I am probably the only one that counts clean-up time into my pricing.. But these saws can make a mess.. and yes.. I shut down everyday and clean up.. If I worked in a factory or other type of setting.. you get paid to sweep or mop etc.. why shouldn't you get paid for your time cleaning up the shop after doing a project for someone.. I think too many people charge too little because they are only thinking about the end result piece... and not really thinking about all the little things that goes into actually making that piece.. I personally start charging the minute I walk into my shop.. whether I spend a whole day cleaning or sawing.. work is work.. and I am not working in a messy shop to make someone's piece cheaper.. 

 

[Blaughn]

13 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

I am betting that I am probably the only one that counts clean-up time into my pricing.. But these saws can make a mess.. and yes.. I shut down everyday and clean up.. If I worked in a factory or other type of setting.. you get paid to sweep or mop etc.. why shouldn't you get paid for your time cleaning up the shop after doing a project for someone.. I think too many people charge too little because they are only thinking about the end result piece... and not really thinking about all the little things that goes into actually making that piece.. I personally start charging the minute I walk into my shop.. whether I spend a whole day cleaning or sawing.. work is work.. and I am not working in a messy shop to make someone's piece cheaper.. 

 

There is an old saying particularly apropos for those in small business:  "If you don't value your time, nobody else will!"  

[Montserrat]

39 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

I am betting that I am probably the only one that counts clean-up time into my pricing.. But these saws can make a mess.. and yes.. I shut down everyday and clean up.. If I worked in a factory or other type of setting.. you get paid to sweep or mop etc.. why shouldn't you get paid for your time cleaning up the shop after doing a project for someone.. I think too many people charge too little because they are only thinking about the end result piece... and not really thinking about all the little things that goes into actually making that piece.. I personally start charging the minute I walk into my shop.. whether I spend a whole day cleaning or sawing.. work is work.. and I am not working in a messy shop to make someone's piece cheaper.. 

 

I agree wholeheartedly! 

 

23 minutes ago, Blaughn said:

There is an old saying particularly apropos for those in small business:  "If you don't value your time, nobody else will!"  

Yes indeed.  I would rather give a piece as a gift to someone who appreciates it, than sell it below what I think it is worth!    It is the same with my fiber products (I spin yarn and knit). 

[hawkeye10]

I give every thing I make away so I don't need to worry about all that stuff.    Another thing about giving things away is you don't have any trouble getting rid of it. I will say I am a little jealous of you guys that sell your projects.

[amazingkevin]

On 5/27/2017 at 5:04 PM, Blaughn said:

Installed a "grimes meter" meter on my Ex.  Time flies while scrolling but I had no idea how true that is. Now I do.

 

Very easy install.  This one (Searon Digital Inductive Engine Hour Meter) is on Amazon for 29.99.  

I had a clock on my saw that only ran when the saw did but there is so many other things involved ,pattern making cutting the pattern gluing the pattern getting the wood cutting the wood finishing the wood either sanding or staining or clear coat packaging sending etc,lots to consider

[Blaughn]

12 hours ago, amazingkevin said:

I had a clock on my saw that only ran when the saw did but there is so many other things involved ,pattern making cutting the pattern gluing the pattern getting the wood cutting the wood finishing the wood either sanding or staining or clear coat packaging sending etc,lots to consider

You are absolutely right, Kevin.  For me, I am able to stay aware of the time factor for those other activities but lose track of time while actually at the saw.  There is something about the intense attention to tracking and anticipation of up-coming transitions that causes time to fly.

 

Bruce