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Posted by Tim Wescott on June 19, 2008, 10:04 am
Please log in for more thread options Tom Gardner wrote:
> This situation is turning out better than I could have ever imagined! A month
> or so ago, I hired a part-time machinist after advertising on Craig's list.
He
> has 20 years experience as a tool and die maker and is currently employed as a
> CNC programmer at a company a mile away. The next production machine that
will
> hopefully go on line in a couple of months is a copy of two other machines so
I
> have drawings of all the parts to be made. I ran a Gantt chart on the whole
> project and with my new machinist Tim, we are AHEAD of schedule! (I've never
> been ahead of schedule!) He truly makes me look like a hack with his speed,
> quality and methodology.
>
> Tim has a couple of parts done during the night or a more complex part in
> process, what a nice thing to see in the morning! It's like the machine elves
> are at work! Tim has also made minor improvements to the parts and quickly
> understands the sub-systems of the machine and knows what's important and what
> isn't. The only minor mistakes have been in my drawings that haven't shown a
> hole being threaded or some other omission that we call a "Secret Squirrel".
> Ooppps! But, he figured out how to save the part if it was worth it!
>
> So, not only have I been able to reproduce some of my function but improve it.
> Also, his productivity has inspired the rest of my engineering staff to new
> heights. I imagine the day that I'm working part-time at my leisure. A bit
of
> fishing, golf, travel and other recreation would be nice and mesh well with my
> toe-tag retirement plan! I WIN!!!
>
> Now, if Gunner would get home once in a while, he could sell me some linear
> bearing stuff I need! (hint, hint, wink,wink)
I'm with Karl -- nothing says "you do good work" than a raise.
I'd give him what I could afford considering the increased productivity,
and tell him "You do better than I thought you would, let me make up
some of the difference".
Does he redline the erroneous drawings, too? There's nothing I like
better than a technician who gives me back my parts with all my drawings
redlined. I _like_ it when someone covers my ass that way.
--
Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com
Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html
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> needs or
> wants. I gave him a set of keys and alarm codes and said he can come and
> go as go pleases. I gave him access to my desk and computers but insisted
> he pet the cats when they come to visit. (the cats like him, that says it
> all) He's got a perfect situation with his real job just 5 minutes away
> and he loves to make chips!