I have a real problem and I was wondering if the masses out there have ever installed either a wired or wireless intercom in your shops? My wife is constantly yelling to me if we are about to have dinner or just needs to ask me a question. We have the same problem with my daughter who always has her music on. So, I think a great solution would be to purchase an intercom. It would make my wife happy and she wouldn’t have to be constantly yelling to get my or my daughter’s attention. I would appreciate any information. This would be all inside the house and wouldn’t have to have a great range. Any models that you use would be great.
Regards,
Buzzsaw
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Gil Bailie
Replies
My dad uses a wireless intercom between the shop and the house. Inexpensive at Radio Shack.
Alan - planesaw
Thanks for the info. I may stop there on the way home. Appreciate it...Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Buzzsaw,
Coscto has cordless phone sets for cheap. Many of these sets have an intercom feature, which I use pretty extensively, with the ringer set to low.
The reason I prefer this method is that if I'm working on something critical, the last thing I want is are people tapping me on the shoulder unexpectedly, or a loud voice coming over the intercom (I'm a little jumpy--too much caffeine). This works really well, though I have to admit that on several occasions (hanging shop cabinets by myself) the ringer has gone unanswered for a while, but I'd rather be safe.
Etherfarmer,
Thanks for the info. I think I'm just looking for an intercom though. I'll have to think on it. Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Buzz -Another option that's also handy if you have a big yard and are working outdoors a lot in the summer, whatever - those inexpensive Family Service Radio (FRS) walkie-talkies. They have a pretty good line of site range for around the homestead.
I've had the Radio Shack version for about six years. Works great. One goes directly from the shop to the kitchen so I can place orders to the "staff". For some reason this leg of the system doesn't always work.
Jimma,Sounds like you are having a problem with the T.I.T.S. That is the Temperamental Information Transfer System. This is actually a fairly common problem among information transfer systems. These systems may seem fairly simple to operate, but often require a lot more face to face maintenance than most users suspect. Some people have been known to go through quite a few systems before finding one that works to their specifications. Common problems among these systems are known to include: Static - often both ways
System wide freeze-ups that seem to happen without warning
Misinterpretation or garbled information - can cause the user to make poor choices based on bad informationMost of these systems don't contain any kind of users manual so the initial setup and operation can take quite a while. Users should also beware of certain retailers of "less than quality" products. Not all features advertised for the product in the trail period may be available in the final version. Often these features can be the cause of user dissatisfaction and a regret of purchase, but as there is no warrantee period the restocking fees can be exorbitant.Good luck getting your system tuned up and working.Andy"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
Hmmmm. I thought I might have a problem with T.I.T.S. at one time, but it was actually P.H.A.R.T.S. (Plenty Horny and Really Tempted Situation). Then I substituted woodworking and now I hardly ever think of T.I.T.S. anymore, although I do occasionally have trouble with P.H.A.R.T.S.
AndyE,
LMAO....You are too funny.
I've gone through my first model. I'm working on the second now. I hope this one works much better.
ScottIf at first you don't succeed....kick it!
..the one I have is still tube driven.......
Jimma,
Could you give me the model #? I'm going to check them out today at Radio Shack.
Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
All it says on it is "FM Wireless Intercom" number "43-486", but it's about six years old. I'd guess they've upgraded it since I got it.Jim MacMahon
Buzzsaw -
I'll second the Radio Shack wireless FM intercom. Works like a charm. Really no limitation on the range since they work (somehow) through the house wiring. As long as they're plugged into wall outlets that are 'on the same transformer' as it says in the directions, they'll communicate fine. The only problem I have with mine is the 3 phase converter on my lathe causes interference such that when I'm turning it doesn't work.
We bought three sets, they come in pairs I believe, and have one in the shop, one in the upstairs bedroom and my office work space, one in the kitchen and one in the wife's library. We're never more than a push of a button away from each other.
Thanks DennisS and everyone else for your comments and suggestions. I do like the intercom route and I'm going to check Radio Shack in the next couple of days. You guys are the best!Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Hi Buzz -Only too glad to share what little information I might have. One thing we've noticed with the RS intercoms that I might point out. Occasionally for no reason known unto me, we'll start getting static system wide. (no, not a T.I.T.S. type of joke comment, I mean real entropy of some kind). We'll switch all the units to a different channel and it goes away. We have no HAM radio operators in the area that I know of, no high powered overlegal CB systems or other sources of intereference other than the lathe's 3p. converter. Other than that one little anomoly which is only a rare event, the system is really handy. Given that neither one of us enjoys chasing after the other.Another nice thing is to have one in the bedroom and one in the kitchen. Easy meal calls in the morning since I'm usually the 'late riser' and we have a fairly big house. (grin).
Dennis, No jokes this time.I think the interference you are describing is called cross talk or crossover. As I understand it, it is a problem that radio devices have when someone on a close frequency is within range. I work in NYC and we get the problem occasionally on our wireless headsets and walkie talkies from taxi cabs.If you read that label on the back about FCC regulations and "this device must accept all..." blah blah blah. I wonder if removing that label would solve the problem.<g>.Andy"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
Yeah, I'm not sure, Andy what the problem is. It's only very rarely that it occurs so it's not a bother. We just swich all the units to another channel. I doubt that it's an issue with respect to other equipment in the area since we're living in a relatively remote rural area. I only brought it up to point out what is sometimes a minor annoyance. Otherwise these things are really nice. No deditcated wiring necessary, no-brainer installation, etc.
The advantage of a cordless phone with dual headsets is that you can make and receive calls from the shop in addition to having the intercom. And there's the option of 3 way conversation if you and your wife care to talk a 3rd party. This works very clearly from the house to my shop that's approx 75 feet away. Shortly after we got this I walked down the driveway to test the range and found that after about 50 yards there was a bit of static. Modern technology!
Roy
My hubby and I picked up a set of walkie-talkies for him when he had a hunting trip scheduled with his son. We've found them to be great for when I'm in the shop and he's practicing his couch potato routine (Oh! did I say that?!) He gets kinda aggravated when he can't find something in the house, or someone calls for me and he answers the phone in the house. Great for me, because if I need help lifting something, he's just a beep away! The walkie-talkies work fine for the purpose and weren't terribly expensive (<$40). If we wanted a set for only at home, I'm sure we could've gotten them for not much more than $20.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Buzz: One way to go is to get a 2 line cordless phone and hookup the wired intercom to the second line. You will get better sound and be able to answer the intercom from your cordless handset(s) or the base unit. As one of the ads say you can answer the door even if you are up a tree in your backyard as long as you have your handset with you. One good source for prouducts and info is AbleComm. Link below. Duke
http://www.ablecomm.com/
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I would also suggest that your system have some kind of visual indication, too. When you're making noise, a flashing light may be better than hoping you hear someone calling you.
I got a wireless system, and in fact just did it last night, by a company that makes a 900 mhz system "The Reporter" You can add as many units, either plugged in, or battery driven as you want. They can be linked to a recessed unit, and outdoor unit, or freestanding. They work well.However, I decided to NOT put one in my shop. I didn't want to be distracted when in the middle of a cut.
I decided to NOT put one in my shop. I didn't want to be distracted when in the middle of a cut.
This would be a good invention -- a ringer that defers a ring if the DC is on!My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
Yeah, those distractions can be fun. Many years ago, I was making some semi-tricky cuts on my radial arm saw when my youngest daughter (she was about 6 yrs old, then) came up behind me, grabbed my leg, and said "Boo". I froze for a few seconds then turned off the saw. When I turned around all I saw were two blue eyes the size of saucers, a wide open mouth, and a lower lip in the early stages of some serious quivering.
Maintaining my cool, I calmly told her that she should never do that again, gave her a hug and sent her back in the house. I had to wait until the next day before I could finish my project - lol.
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