Project carving time test

[myshop1044]

I have a problem in relation to checking the carving times to be able to give a price for a project.
I have worked up 3 different projects with a "try" pattern on them and I can not get a carving time since I did not buy them.
My question and believe Doug F brought this up before, is to be able to do a "test carving time" when you try to up load
the project to the flash card.

Perry
Myshop1044

[mtylerfl]

I have a problem in relation to checking the carving times to be able to give a price for a project.
I have worked up 3 different projects with a "try" pattern on them and I can not get a carving time since I did not buy them.
My question and believe Doug F brought this up before, is to be able to do a "test carving time" when you try to up load
the project to the flash card.

Perry
Myshop1044

Good point, Perry. I've never thought about that aspect of it...being able to bid a job before actually owning the patterns. I can see how if you want to present a design, or even an assortment of designs for a customer to choose from, you wouldn't want to buy a bunch of patterns you may not use. Yes, I agree it would be handy to have some kind of time estimate aside from uploading to the memory card. Don't know how difficult that could be for the programmers at this point with the current flavor of Designer.

Perhaps you could make an in-house "mock up" of a design using patterns that have similar detail to get a fairly close approximation of carving time. Won't be exact and is a bit of guesswork, but it might be close enough for bidding purposes. Add on an hour's worth of time to cover yourself - I don't know about you, but things always seem to take longer than I planned anyway.

[brdad]

I'm not sure how the estimate works for everyone else, but for me it's generally about 10 minutes longer per hour of estimated carving?

[mtylerfl]

I'm not sure how the estimate works for everyone else, but for me it's generally about 10 minutes longer per hour of estimated carving?

The time estimates for me are usually right on or a tad shorter.

[Capt Bruce]

After some two years of carvings I'd say the time estimates I've been given are within one or two minutes of the actual time unless I'm removing a two sided project to flip to the front face.

[dcalvin4]

Try rotating your project .
OK so lets saY you want to run a 7in wide by 14in long project.
In designer make your board size 14in wide and 7in long and rotate your design to that board .
Your machine will make less long cuts vers. making a lot of short back and forth cuts .
The advantage is a lot smoother cut [cutting length ways] .... way easier on the machine [less back and forth motion] ......and you will cut your cut time approx 10min per hour....hard to believe you say , well do a test , design 1 projects verticile , load on card , and 1 horizontal load on card and compare the time..
This info was given to me by askBud
Have a Merry Christmass
denny

[cestout]

I have found that the complexity - or non-complexity - of a pattern makes little difference to a project carve time. Depth does make a difference. But I find a ballpark figure is about 1 hr. per sq ft.
Clint

[jaroot]

I just curious but are you saying that you charge by machine hour? Most, I thought were just going on board feet.

[cestout]

I had the same question as Jarot. The cost of wood and woodworking time costs you, but carving time can be used for other important stuff lime sanding other parts or watching football. It does cost some ware, but not that much.
Clint

[lawrence]

I've found my times to be waaaaaay off sometimes. The estimate will be 39 minutes and the carve will actually take 49 or 59... but the clock on the CW when it is done will say "carve time 42 minutes" or something similar. I've learned to ignore it and just smile when LOML complains because I said "it would only take 39 minutes".... I tell her she should be happy that at least one thing in our lives lasts longer than advertised....

at least it is consistently inconsistent so I've learned to adjust my expectations.

Lawrence

[LittleRedWoodshop]

Charge by the minute of carve time on custom work, $35 per hour on design time plus materials.