So I picked up a new toy a few weeks ago and just now getting time to really sit down and think through the process. I acquired (for very cheap) a Vigor EN-775 engravers panto-graph.
Here is where I am looking for advise as I am certain that I am not the first person who has looked at using one of these for inlay. Let's face it, a panto-graph by any other name is still a panto-graph. I already have my own ideas of things to do but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
1) What is going to be the easiest way to convert the engraving bit to a flex style dremmel mount? I have a sneaking suspicion that this is just going to be a matter of boring out the holder that's present on the machine now and adding some set screws.
2) As this machine doesn't really have a Z-Axis per-sey, what would I set the depth of cutter for? Again not looking for trade secrets and I know the basics of inlay...I'm just looking to see if this little project is going to be viable.
3) Inlay tends to be somewhat odd in size. It doesn't seem to fall exactly to where a 1:4 ratio will work perfectly (or 1:2, 1:3 etc etc etc.) That being said, how do you all who have used panto-mills in the past account for the template size? I am trying to find out if this machine will actually do a 1:1 because then it's just a duplicator. But I would still love to know.
Any advice, ideas etc would be more than appreciated.
P.S. - Thank you to all of those who have helped me along the way with everything from dimensions for inside diameters on delrin butt caps to Chris Hightower for making me an amazing lathe. My first 4 veneer cue is tapered and it's all because of the kindness of this community that I was able to do it.
Erich
Here is where I am looking for advise as I am certain that I am not the first person who has looked at using one of these for inlay. Let's face it, a panto-graph by any other name is still a panto-graph. I already have my own ideas of things to do but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
1) What is going to be the easiest way to convert the engraving bit to a flex style dremmel mount? I have a sneaking suspicion that this is just going to be a matter of boring out the holder that's present on the machine now and adding some set screws.
2) As this machine doesn't really have a Z-Axis per-sey, what would I set the depth of cutter for? Again not looking for trade secrets and I know the basics of inlay...I'm just looking to see if this little project is going to be viable.
3) Inlay tends to be somewhat odd in size. It doesn't seem to fall exactly to where a 1:4 ratio will work perfectly (or 1:2, 1:3 etc etc etc.) That being said, how do you all who have used panto-mills in the past account for the template size? I am trying to find out if this machine will actually do a 1:1 because then it's just a duplicator. But I would still love to know.
Any advice, ideas etc would be more than appreciated.
P.S. - Thank you to all of those who have helped me along the way with everything from dimensions for inside diameters on delrin butt caps to Chris Hightower for making me an amazing lathe. My first 4 veneer cue is tapered and it's all because of the kindness of this community that I was able to do it.
Erich
