Adjustable Pantograph

A pantograph is a mechanical tool that can be used to reproduce an enlargement or reduction of image. It uses a linkage armature that moves a pen or pencil and draws a copy as a stylus is traced over the original image. This is old technology that has been around forever and it’s a lot of fun to play around with.

This is a pantograph I made a number of years ago. I haven’t used it very much. I had originally intended it to help reduce and transfer sketches onto small cards for use as artist trading cards. Like many of many of my projects, once I completed the tool I moved on. Most of it was turned on a machinist lathe, then the rest was done on a mill.

In the photos I am reproducing an image of a bank vault locking mechanism. The resulting drawing is about 1/3 the size of the original. I can adjust the ratio of the transfer by moving a few of the pivot points on the 1/8″ rods. Each pivot has two knobs, one for each set of arms of the pivot point. The white disk washer on each pivot is made of Teflon to act as a bearing surface. The action of the movement is very smooth, which is important in creating a small drawing. The stylus is just a pointer and the drawing arm can hold a pen or pencil. I’ve considered trying to mount a small pneumatic pencil engraver in the place of the pencil. With an engraver in place, the pantograph could be used to carve stamps or printing blocks. The vibration and torque from the engraving bit might require a sturdier armature.

I mounted the armature on a one foot square of 1/4″ clear acrylic. That makes it possible to copy from thick or bulky original by just placing the pantograph on top of the original and tracing it through the acrylic. What I really need is a case to hold this thing in. It can be difficult to transport around without the worry of damaging it.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Advertisement