Pantograph Mill Questions

[Pittknife]

Hi All,

I've seen some makers using a pantograph mill (deckel) to do machining for compound curves for inserts etc (including metals and non-metals). I'm very interested in there is very little info on these machines. Can someone that has used one let me know how much skill is required to use one, what I should be looking for and also do any of these do 1:1 scale?

I appreciate any info.

 

[Varga Knives]

Hey Mike. They are a fascinating tool for the knife maker. My dad is a retired tool and die maker and when I mentioned my interest in one he said he used them long ago but the direction technology has being heading they are basically outdated for machinists. Could be good news for the secondary market.

The last time I spoke to Alan Elishewitz he said he was thinking of putting together a knife making DVD based solely around the pantograph mill. I don't know what's going on with it but it sounds interesting.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

A few do 1:1. My Scripta normally does 2:1 and up, but it can be reversed to do 1:2, and then that 2X pattern used at 2:1 to end back up at 1:1.

 

[Pittknife]

Thanks Varga,

Allen is the man, I have his knifemaking video lol.

Thanks Bill, I'll check out that scripta.