Restoring a Gorton 3U Pantograph - Part 3

Fonts for the 3U continued...

I hit the font treasure trove! Below are master font strips. Since my 3U can do 1:1 ratios, I can make additional font sets from these master strips.

I also picked up a number of profile guides for engraving on other than flat surfaces. The spindle can be set to follow custom curved surfaces using such guides.

I received them in this type of condition.

Cleaned up, they look just fine.

There is no use having a pantograph without being able to grind the single lip cutters. I bought a Gorton single lip grinder for a song on ebay. It was a pick it up special and was near my younger son's place. I'll get it from him next month.

I finally picked up and cleaned the Gorton 265-6 tool and cutter grinder. The Gorton is extremely heavy duty!

Here are a few images of the Gorton grinder.

Now all I need is a diamond wheel for the Gorton for grinding carbide.

Things are now finished with the Gorton Grinder. Here is the final setup...

I have decided not to repaint this grinder since grinding messes everything up any way.

Note the magnifying lamp and collet rack.

I have located an assortment of grinding wheels besides the worn white wheel that came with the old Gorton grinder.

Two types of pink wheels for HSS grinding

Green and diamond wheels for grinding carbide

I just waltzed into a few more wheels for the grinder at a used equipment dealer's.

Norton and ATVB wheels

I am now ready to engrave!

Here is a sample of a cone shaped single lip cutter.

And this is a sample engraving on nickel silver done with the above cutter.

Here is the final quick-to-use work holding set up for most small items that I will be engraving...

I picked up the small vise on the left in Pigeon Forge at a tool place and the vise on the right I picked up at Grizzly in Springfield.

The Grizzly vise has a small lip just inside of the jaws making it perfect for shallow holding of items to be engraved. This eliminates needing to use parallels for work holding.

In addition, I use this Hardinge indexing fixture for a number of items that I manufacture requiring engravings to be accurately spaced around the items. This allows for placing engravings in 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 ,12, or 24 equally spaced positions. It is used with 5C pot or step collets; but can handle a faceplate or chuck, if the job needs this feature.

Here it is with a small 5C collet for engraving things like letter stamps...

and with a pot chuck empty and with metal to be engraved...

A close up of the vise in action...

I was able to locate a few end stops so I did not need to make my own. Here are a couple end stops in action when engraving the above sample plate...

Conclusions:

This old Gorton 3U pantograph machine willl definitely meet my engraving needs. I am pleased with the looks of the machine and the fact that it still works quite well. Big job...whew!

Click here to see the dial engraving accessory.

Click here to go to my Gorton 265 grinder page.