Engraving pantograph

[old_toolmaker]

mklotz,

I like the little pantograph you made. Nice work and very utilitarian. I am wondering if you adjust cutting depth by turning the stylus?

[Saltfever]

While this is an old thread, Jon recycles threads every once in a while and I see them for the first time! At least I don't remember and they seem new to me!

While I had a Dremel in my youth, and fairly unimpressed, I never used the technology since. However, Marv's high regard for the Foredom piqued my interest and I dug a bit further. I was amazed at the various hand-hold configurations available and collet systems. This is truly a professional tool and worth looking at its many permutations.

Thanks Marv for the your pantograph and your other links to a most useful tool.

[mklotz]

...
While I had a Dremel in my youth, and fairly unimpressed, I never used the technology since. However, Marv's high regard for the Foredom piqued my interest and I dug a bit further. I was amazed at the various hand-hold configurations available and collet systems. This is truly a professional tool and worth looking at its many permutations

Thanks Marv for the your pantograph and your other links to a most useful tool.

One Foredom feature I really appreciate is the switch that allows one to choose the direction of rotation of the chuck.

Reversing rotation of a wire brush will allow the bent over bristles to cut like new again.

For bits that don't have a preferred rotation direction, e.g. sanding or grinding, being able to adjust the rotation to direct swarf away from yourself is safer and makes for more comfortable working.

Also, the most common handpiece, No. 30, has a simple cylindrical shape one inch in diameter. The absence of any features or contours makes it really easy to fabricate various holders to permit bringing the work to the tool when that is appropriate.

[IntheGroove]

One of the attachments I have for my Foredoms turns the handpiece into a very small lathe...