The basic Pantograph, is a "tracing engraver", where a stylus traces letters (the brass fonts) and the cutting head reproduces those letters, either bigger or smaller, on things like signs, panels etc etc. The fonts may be in a hundred different styles, both relieved and bia relieved. Basic pantograph stuff
The P2s and others add a third dimension..ie the cutting head can travel over the entire surface, tracing the entire object.. An example would be if you wanted to make a copy of a knife handle, but
1/3 bigger or smaller (example only). You would clamp down the original. set your arm ratios, and put a piece of material under the cutting head, select the proper cutter, and simply start tracing the original, in all dimensions..and the cutter will do its job. and you will end up with the same handle..but larger or smaller. Think of the Stuff you can copy this wayYou can even copy that dashboard Jesus but larger or smaller
Now because the work needs to be positioned exactly..there are x and y screws, same as a milling table. Plus the knee.
Some of the machines, such as the 3-Z, have the facility of being able to lock the cutting head into place, just like a verticle mill. Gorton calls this the "router" postion in some of their literature. This is the setup that will be most used for a home shop machinist. A small milling machine with spindle speeds up to 12,000 rpm (high speed for those small cutters)
The usual collet was for a 3/8 shank tool, but they go down to 1/8", and of course we all know that tiny cutters can have 3/8 shanks, so cutters are easy to find. The cutting head is operated by a "rope belt", which is a fabric belt, about 1/2" or so in diamter, running across various pulleys from a motor at the base of the machine.
It all looks a bit odd at first glance..but they work quite well.
Some of the machines, such as the 3-Z, have a rack on the cutting spindle, that allows you to raise the spindle about .5 or so above the work, making it easy to cut, raise, move to the next position, plunge and go back to cutting.
This is a Great tool for tracing electrical device face plates, with D holes, etc etc, and you can change the size ratios without making a new pattern, and you can engrave your custom logo into the face as well
It works very well for small milling projects. My 3-Z was getting a pretty good workout by a couple older gents who were using it to not just trace wing spars and other model airplane parts, but mill motor mounts etc etc out of steel, aluminum and plastic. Think of it as a Shirline mill on steroids with a much bigger work area.
It will turn a 3/8 milling cutter just fine, though its not for big hogging, half diameter cuts are ok with a 4 flute in steel, if you are careful.
Not all Gorton pantographs are as versitle..so be careful of what you buy..some are simply engrave only for the most part and while they can be used as a mill..are a bit more unwieldy.
Ill try to scan the book over the holidays and post it on the web.
Gunner
Gunner
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