This may be a boring topic to most, but for those of you who enjoy woodworking this machine might intrigue you. You chuck your pattern into one of the spindles and then the tracer arms copies the pattern. These machines are very accurate, however one of the biggest misconceptions is when the job is complete there is little or no handwork required to finish your project whatever it may be.
What most folks do not realize is even though projects turned on this machine are %95 complete the last %5 of work sitting there staring consumes a boat load of your time. Within the next year it is my goal to obtain one of these machines. When I get talented enough with it I’m even thinking about starting a side business with it. However I may talk to Dave Koonce before I go out and do this. I hear going off and doing entrepreneurships tend to take away from fishing time
I've alway thought it would be neat to have a shop like the "New Yankee Workshop". If I ever win the lottery, I could see putting one together and it would have one of those machines!
But then again, me and table saws don't get along too well.....
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Farmboy1
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Just think of this machine as an overly complex router. A friend of mine who has run one for long periods of time tells me that before that you need to consume a few beers before operating as it can grow to be a bit monotonous and boring. But I love the end results
Btw, if you're a talented machinest I've known of a couple folks who actually purchased the plans for one and built it for less than $1500
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Farmboy1
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It sound then like every other tool I own. Takes a little getting used to.
But how does it work on a 3 dimensioned object. Do you have to spin both the template and the new stock all the way around? And who manufactures this? I would love to get some additional information to satisfy my lack of knowledge.
-------------------- The only thing that casts doubt on the miracles of Jesus, was that they were all witnessed by Fishermen
Here is something I found to answer your technical questions in regards to how a duplicator works:
Quote: The development of the Don Allen 5-axis copying machine represents a unique concept in manually controlled duplicating at 1:1. This development fills the need for an economical copy milling machine with exceptional capacity and accuracy and the capability of original size reproduction.
The 1:1 reproduction capacity is particularly suitable to the machining of gunstocks as it eliminates the need to make an expensive master. An existing stock , a repairable broken stock, or if greater detail is required, a pattern fashioned from an epoxy mold can serve as a model to trace from.
The particular duplicator that I pointed out is the Terrco K-Star Gunstock Duplicator. It won't have the accuracy of the one I posted above, however I don't have the cash to shell out $9500 for that one.
One thing to note that another member of the website pointed out is that these machines might be perfect for duplicating musky baits. I would have to agree, but if I was doing that I would go with a smaller and much cheaper duplicator that might work well. Here is something that might work for that endevour Smaller Wood Carvers
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Farmboy1
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I googled Terrco before you responded and found their website, but did not find any prices. Did you find anything? Just interested in making a wish list, and that looks pretty neat.
I didn't want to email them and then get hounded to buy one until I get some cash.
-------------------- The only thing that casts doubt on the miracles of Jesus, was that they were all witnessed by Fishermen
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Chris Tuckner
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Quote: I googled Terrco before you responded and found their website, but did not find any prices. Did you find anything? Just interested in making a wish list, and that looks pretty neat. <img src="http://www.in-depthangling.com/forum/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif" alt="" />
I didn't want to email them and then get hounded to buy one until I get some cash. <img src="http://www.in-depthangling.com/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
They run about $5200 new, I just found a used one in excellent condition. So after some years of dreaming I finally have a new toy!
Is this thing CNC controlled or is it some type of manual controller?
I used to run a 3 axis CNC wood router. I never had formal training on it, but I could make some really cool cabinet doors and other millwork pieces with it. I'm sure I could have been more efficient and more productive with proper training, but I got by ok for being self taught.