Hi again,
Thanks to all for great feedback. I would love to see the results of those who have contacted me for more details. Just a couple of points though. The object here was to show an example of how to do it. I figured that any one who was interested, would figure out how it worked as a whole and then adapt it to their own needs. Eagle has been an inspiration to me for some time and he is of course absolutely correct when he said that you can buy one. But I could buy pens instead of make them too. I did look around for some time for one that I too could adapt, but all of them came in very colourful wrapping and came with free crayons. The pantogragh has been around for centuries and was originally used to make a copy of artwork that was larger than the original. The innovative part of mine, I think, is the wooden drum. This allows you to engrave a pattern all the way around your workpiece. The cantilever support and the use of a counter weight ( a scroll chuck on mine ) was also a brain wave as it raises the cutter off the workpiece when you move the pointer to the next letter. Using the flexi shaft does make things easier, but I stole that idea from a CNC web site.
With regards to accuracy need in making one, well,I have seen the photos in the albums and I doubt very much that the artists who made those pens could not drill a hole in the right place with the right size bit!! I have almost as much fun make things like this as I do making pens so maybe I'm biased.
Also, many thanks to all that have welcomed me to the fold. I can tell you that a lot of new members are shy to say anything, but it is easier when you are welcomed like that!!
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Skiprat
