Pantogragh style tracing torch project

[Frank S]

Life always finds a way of getting in my way when I want to build a special tool that will involve more than a few minutes time to construct.
then there is the Frankinizing factor which has plagued me since before I was hardly old enough to walk when I used to sit on an old blanket in my dad's garage playing with worn out engine parts as my toys to keep me occupied.
I started out just going to build this to have a simple round stylus on the top and to hold which ever torch I wanted to use IE ox-act or plasma. InitiallyI was not going to go to the trouble of making a proper drive motor for it. That was going to come later but I started thinking about a DC gear motor that I knew I had off an old satellite tracking system Sure enough it turned out to still function I counted 40 RPM on 12v Since the power requirements will be low I figure I can get away with up to 40vdc
which would probably yield upwards of 150RPM nearing the max voltage. So time to start looking around for a suitable power supply. all of te ones I could dig up out of my stock of recyclables proved to be way too large I for sure do not need a DC supply that is capable of a 50 AMP output
OK bite the bullet and buy a small 120vac to 40 VDC 5 amp power supply from Ebay and a DC motor speed controller both for under $25.00 I think. Anyway enough about that stuff for now.
Today I finally had a few minutes to do a little more work on the unit.
I found this cylinder rod clevis lurking in one of my parts bins that looked like it was begging to be used. Ok I kne wit was made of malleable iron but the stuff takes to a cutting torch well enough and welds just fine besides it meant I didn't have to cut out and drill a couple of parts just cut it up and grind the ends to fit my mounting post collar.


these are the bearings I am using they will be more than adequate for this machine and they only cost about a buck each

2 7/8" OD oilfield tubing and 3" ID pipe for the post and collar the set bolts are 1/2" gr 5 with flanged nuts welded to the collar the picture doesn't show but there are 4 of these welded to the collar



this is the motor I plan on using

All is left now is to mount the motor make the magnetic drive and the stylus plus the torch mount