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Wood carvings & sculptures by Paul Aydelott

3D Pantograph

Before there were copy machines and cameras, people made pantographs to copy their tracings of objects onto a flat surface.  I keep one in my shop to enlarge outline drawings.  It's pretty simple.

It turns out that people have been making 3D copiers or duplicators using routers for a long time.  But, they are expensive.  Some people have made their own designs, e.g. Copy Carver.  They are good, but I had my own requirements.

Tip:  Use good hinges and strong hooks for the springs.  If you don't, the hinges will bend if a spring comes off.  (I'll probably replace the screw hooks with eye bolts.

(Note the cut-out in the frame of the bench.  I needed a little more travel with the swing arm.)

Making a Copy of a Carving

In wood, most carvings are truly one-of-a-kind.  It's hard to make a duplicate.  Why? 

My Requirements

• I wanted something simple that I could build with scrap lumber and minimum expenses. 
• I wanted to retain bench space in a small shop. 
• I didn't want a free-standing model competing with my table saw for room.
• It had to be balanced and easy to use.

So I made my own.  It

• It puts the main mechanism under my bench and out of my way?
• It folds the router and swing box mostly under the bench when it's not in use.
• It's made from scrap 2x4, drawer fronts from an old waterbed, a rotary saw, an old drill, miscellaneous hardware, and one temporary concrete block.  (I'll replace the block with smaller iron weights soon.)