Gunner wrote:
The basic Pantograph, is a "tracing engraver", where a stylus traces
letters (the brass fonts) and the cutting head reproduces those
letters, either bigger or smaller, on things like signs, panels etc
etc. The fonts may be in a hundred different styles, both relieved and
bia relieved. Basic pantograph stuff G

The P2s and others add a third dimension..ie the cutting head can
travel over the entire surface, tracing the entire object.. An
example would be if you wanted to make a copy of a knife handle, but
1/3 bigger or smaller (example only). You would clamp down the
original. set your arm ratios, and put a piece of material under the
cutting head, select the proper cutter, and simply start tracing the
original, in all dimensions..and the cutter will do its job. and you
will end up with the same handle..but larger or smaller. Think of the
Stuff you can copy this way G

You can even copy that dashboard Jesus but larger or smaller G

Now because the work needs to be positioned exactly..there are x and y
screws, same as a milling table. Plus the knee.

Some of the machines, such as the 3-Z, have the facility of being able
to lock the cutting head into place, just like a verticle mill. Gorton
calls this the "router" postion in some of their literature.
This is the setup that will be most used for a home shop machinist. A
small milling machine with spindle speeds up to 12,000 rpm (high speed
for those small cutters)

The usual collet was for a 3/8 shank tool, but they go down to 1/8",
and of course we all know that tiny cutters can have 3/8 shanks, so
cutters are easy to find. The cutting head is operated by a "rope
belt", which is a fabric belt, about 1/2" or so in diamter, running
across various pulleys from a motor at the base of the machine.

It all looks a bit odd at first glance..but they work quite well.

Some of the machines, such as the 3-Z, have a rack on the cutting
spindle, that allows you to raise the spindle about .5 or so above the
work, making it easy to cut, raise, move to the next position, plunge
and go back to cutting.

This is a Great tool for tracing electrical device face plates, with D
holes, etc etc, and you can change the size ratios without making a
new pattern, and you can engrave your custom logo into the face as
well G

It works very well for small milling projects. My 3-Z was getting a
pretty good workout by a couple older gents who were using it to not
just trace wing spars and other model airplane parts, but mill motor
mounts etc etc out of steel, aluminum and plastic. Think of it as a
Shirline mill on steroids with a much bigger work area.

It will turn a 3/8 milling cutter just fine, though its not for big
hogging, half diameter cuts are ok with a 4 flute in steel, if you are
careful.

Not all Gorton pantographs are as versitle..so be careful of what you
buy..some are simply engrave only for the most part and while they can
be used as a mill..are a bit more unwieldy.

Very good info, and most helpful.

So the 3-Z is the most desirable?
Followed by the P2?
Could you tell what model that was in the ebay listing?