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[September 2018]
[Feb. 2019 - in the shop photo]
[Feb. 2020 - small update]
Below is the pantograph - finally installed in my shop.
Bought this Gorton pantograph at an online auction . . .
The auction photos, as well as numerous other photos taken after purchase, are in this album : https://photos.app.goo.gl/J9EhaiKJkvSnxzg6A
I paid $550 (Feb. 2019] for the pantograph and all of the accessories. I also had to drive to Illinois and back (from Michigan) to pick it up - a very long one day round trip.
Took a bit of searching but I finally found the serial number and model number (located on the top of the machine).
Serial number : 25927
Size number : 3-Z
Gorton Copy Sets
Gorton Copy Sets
To quote the Gorton Copy Catalog, "Copy is the name given to the masters, templates, or patterns from which the work to be engraved, profiles, or cut is reproduced."
A number of copy sets were included in my purchase. I am still in the process of identifying these, but this is what I have determined so far:
My pantograph purchase included the following copy sets:
11-1 : Gorton lower case 3/4"
12-1 : Gorton condensed 3/4"
77-1 : Gorton lower case 1-1/4"
78-1 : Gorton condensed 1-1/4"
457-1 : 3/4" - 15 fractions (1/32 to 31/32 by 32nds)
458-1 : 3/4" - 15 fractions (1/16 to 15/16 by 16ths)
496-1 :3/4" reversed - 15 fractions (1/32 to 31/32 by 32nds)
497-1 : 3/4" reversed - 15 fractions (1/16 to 15/16 by 16ths)
543-1 : Gorton 3/4"
544-1 : Gorton 1-1/4"
900-1 : Steel stamp, medium, relief - plain
901-1 : Steel stamp, medium, relief -reversed
??? : Appears to be a Gorton set; no label on case, but "New Gothic" is written in pencil.
??? : Plastic raised font (reversed) - no label or any other kind of identification on box
In addition to the above, I found some additional copy set pieces in bags. Some of these appear to be shop made.
Moving the Pantograph
Moving the Pantograph
In order to move the pantograph into my basement workshop, I had to partially dismantle it to reduce the weight.
The copy table (top table) came off easily with the removal of a single bolt.
The drive belt cover came also came off easily: Remove the grease cap (simply lifts off) and loosen the clamp bolt. I used my shop crane to help lift off the cover, although it is really not all that heavy (maybe 20 - 30 lbs.); however, because the weight s all to one side of the support post, and also because it is so high up on the machine, I was glad I used the crane as an assist.
Removing lower table
Removing lower table
Removing the lower table from the knee was also not difficult:
Loosen set screw on barrel (end opposite the height crank handle)
Remove screw end support (3 SHCS)
Unscrew and remove screw
Loosen gib adjust screws
Pull table from dovetail slide
Note: This table is quite heavy. I did not use the shop crane for support, but I should have. I used 2x4 supports to protect the table dovetails. Once the table is off the ways and more or less at "ground level" it can be moved by one person, though I would estimate the weight at 50 - 60 pounds.
Removing Cutter Head Assembly (pantograph head)
Removing Cutter Head Assembly (pantograph head)
Link arm bearing (left side of picture)
Link arm bearing diagram
Removing the pantograph head (caleed the "Cutter Head Assembly" in the Gorton company drawings) from the top of the machine was more challenging. Removing this assembly required pulling the top slide from the T-slot, and disconnecting the link arm.
I made this puller tool to help remove the link arm.
The tool was made by cutting a 1-1/2 piece from a length of heavy wall square tubing, and then cutting off one side to make a U-shape. A clearance hole was drilled in the bottom of the U for a 3/8" bolt.
To remove the link arm, the following is required:
Loosen the set screw for the top screw-in grease cap.
Loosen the set screws for the top and bottom bearing pins
Remove the bottom bearing cap using a 3/8"-16 bolt. I made a special purpose "cap and bearing puller" - basically a U-shaped piece of metal which could straddle the cap while I used a bolt and nut to pull it off (see picture).
Using the same puller tool, but with a 5/16"-20 bolt, remove the bottom pin.
Unscrew the top cap and remove the pin as in #4
Another view of the link arm. Bearing pins to be removed are in the joint in the center of the picture.
Puller tool in place, getting ready to remove bottom cap.
Puller tool with removed bottom cap.
Puller tool with removed bottom bearing pin.
Removing Motor
Removing Motor
Motor nameplate.
Century Model CSH-81-B K 4-3FA Code L
1/2 HP, 115-230V single phase, 60Hz, 1750 RPM
7.0 - 3.5 Amps
Motor cord wiring.
The motor mount is held onto the balance shaft with a single set screw. Before attempting to remove the motor, I first removed the counterweight (very heavy). The motor was then supported with a rope from the shop crane, and slid off the balance shaft.
Motor and counterweight ready to be moved.
I should have strapped these down before moving, as they slid around on the cart quite a bit.
Removing the knee
Removing the knee
In order to remove the knee, the way wiper was removed, along with the gib. The gib is held on with 3 gib adjustment bolts, and the bolt for the gib lock handle.
Initially I removed the two bolts holding the foot to the base, but this turned out not to be necessary. Instead, I supported the knee with a sling from the shop crane, and cranked the knee up until it cleared the height adjusting screw.
Way wiper.
Front of gib.
Rear of gib showing gib lock handle.
Knee suspended from shop crane.
Base with knee removed.
Lifting the Base
Lifting the Base
In reading the literature for the Gorton Pantograph, I discovered there was a threaded hole for a lifting ring at the top of the base. Rather than risk possible damage by rigging up lifting straps, I decided it was worthwhile to purchase a lifting ring; the cost was only $8.20 (2018) purchased online.
Addendum (10-20-2018) : The ring I purchased worked well on my dis-assembled pantograph. However, a longer threaded stem might have been a good idea in order to use on when the pantograph is assembled; the stem on the ring I purchased is too short to reach through the top section (called the "slider head" in the parts list). Further, there is no harm in purchasing a ring with a stem that "too long" because the base is hollow under the mounting hole so even a very long stem can be threaded in as far as necessary.
Lifting ring
7/8" X 2-1/4" Machinery Eye Bolt Forged Carbon Steel
Lifting ring installed in top of base
The lifting ring threaded easily into the provide hole. I positioned my shop crane so that I could move the trailer away later; the so crane easily lifted the base the 12 inches or so needed to clear the trailer. I pulled the trailer out from under the suspended base and then lowered it onto my equipment cart. I was able to move the base around my garage by myself without much trouble.
Before moving the base to my basement shop I will strap it to the cart and enlist some help - the load is top heavy and could easily tip without a helper or two to hold it steady.
Home at Last!
Home at Last!
Finally got the pantograph moved into my basement shop, and re-assembled. The electrical cords on the pantograph and two lights were not n good condition, so I re-wired all of them. The bulbs in the lights were replaced with LED bulbs.
Lubrication
Lubrication
Before starting up the machine, I wanted to make sure that everything was full lubricated. The old manuals for the pantograph give a good description of oils and greases to use, and a lubrication schedule. Unfortunately, the oils and greases described are obsolete, so it is necessary to find modern equivalents.
Belts
Belts
The pantograph uses a type of round fabric belt. One source for these belts is Famco :
Ron Caronti
Belco Industries
DBA; Famco Machine/Milwaukee Slide & Spindle
1001 31st street
Kenosha, WI 53140
Ph; 262-654-3516 Fx: 262-654-0803
www.famcomachine.com
RCaronti@famcomachine.com
According to the Famco catalog, the Gorton 3-Z uses three sizes of belt as follows :
Motor drive belt : [cat. no. K-602] 3/8" X 79"
Cutter spindle belts : [cat. no. K-596] 5/16" X 62" and [cat. no. K-595] 5/16" X 56
When I contacted Famco in Oct. 2022 I was given the following information :
This part number is now K20092 extended life belt, we no longer have the other belts available.
$44.34 ea (7) in stock, plus UPS shipping.
You can order by credit card(3 % service fee) over the phone.
Alternatives :
Some people are using round polyurethane belting instead of the fabric belting. But I have not tried this.
References
References
George Gorton Machine Co. Archives : http://www.gorton-machine.org/
Form index : http://www.gorton-machine.org/forms/index.html
"Every published document issued by the company has a form number."
Gorton 3-Z brochure : http://gorton-machine.org/forms/form_1321/index.html
Gorton Pantograph Instruction Book and Parts Manual (1950, Form 1385E) : https://archive.org/details/GortonForm1385E
Good quality scan.
Here's a cleaned up version of the above, compressed and made text searchable : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yrk9M-E-s9U49bev3m9RyFofdaGFuKRz/view?usp=sharing
Gorton 3-Z specifications : http://www.e-engraving.com/machines/gorton/Gorton_3-Z_Pantograph.htm
Gorton related documents : https://circuitousroot.com/artifice/letters/pantocut/gorton/index.html
Some documents nt found on the Gorton archive site above, as well as some annotated links to that site.
Videos :
"Making parts for a pedal steel guitar on the Gorton 3z pantograph." Brief video showing the 3-Z being used for light milling with a pattern.
http://www.jroadman.com/instruments/truss-rod-cover-gorton-3z-pantograph/
Another light milling job. Very brief video.
Vintage Machinery : http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=2136&tab=3
Small collection of Gorton related documents/catalogs here.
Discussion Groups
Pantograph Engravers : The old Yahoo group has moved here : https://mam.groups.io/g/Pantograph-Engravers
"This group is for owners of Pantograph Engravers. Welcome owners of Alexander,Deckel,Gravograph,Taylor Hobson, Newing-Hall, H.P.Preis, New Hermes, Engravograph, Parpas, scripta and owners of all manual 3d and 2d machines, duplicators,die-sinkers and rotary."
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