Pantograph plasma cutter made from 8020 aluminum extrusions

[Tmate]

This easy to build pantograph unit uses 8020 aluminum extrusions for its frame. It also has a simple, but powerful magnetic tracer. Control unit is a model railroad transformer. It uses your manual plasma torch to cut bandsaw quality shapes from steel plate.

Variable speed tracing rotor follows the contour of an overhead template. The plasma torch, directly below, duplicates the shape in steel plate.

You can get a free set of illustrated plans for building one of these units here: https://fortuneafterfifty.godaddysites. ... sma-cutter

Alum Pantograph.jpg

Pantograph plasma.jpg

[weldguy]

How it all began. Awesome!

[acourtjester]

More tool more fun thanks for posting

[adbuch]

That looks like a nice setup. I remember back in the day when Williams Low Buck Tools sold a kit for one of these. At the time it was used for tracing a metal part and cutting with an oxy/acetylene torch. I always lusted after one of the, but didn't have the funds at the time (I was in my teens). That is one of the things that led me to purchase a cnc plasma cutting table. Only now instead of tracing an existing part, I can draw any part I want and cut it. So there have been many great improvements in the last 50 years or so.
David