Torch pattern tracer

[Firebrick43]

Years ago was looking at cnc plasma machines. I soon found a local shop that does a great job on 3/8 and lower stuff but 1/2" and 3/4 its like pulling teeth and ****** expensive. As a kid I remember the fab shops my dad frequented having eye tracers and pattern tracers for oxy fuel cutting.

Has any one used a inexpensive tracer like the Rotten Leonard’s tracer for oxyfuel? For a few parts now and then it seems like a good fit to use a current torch(instead of a machine torch) It would break down for storage easy enough to. Also making templates out of hardboard with cad drawing printed/spray adhesive on sure would be simpler than a magnetic tracer especially for one and two part runs.

https://www.hellsgatehotrods.com/product-category/plasma-tracer/

What say Ye garage?

 

[bigguns69]

Nope, but I just bought one off your link. Been wanting to build one for a while.

 

[LXCam]

I own that exact same unit based on the same thoughts you have except using wood as the template. Even bought a dedicated plasma for it too. Both are still NOS, just dusty now. But one of these days..

 

[motoretro]

I'm not sure what your looking to do although will share what I know;
I had a small production Oxy/acc flame cutter back in the 1970's, it used a Victor machine, vertical torch. had a magnetic, knurled follower tip, approximately 1/4" in diameter and was run off a toggle switch and rheostat speed controlled electric motor. The swiveling framework was aluminum on either needle bearings or rollers. Toughest thing to do was get the speed set in conjunction with the torch settings. Once desired quality cut was achieved, document all settings, speed and regulator pressures. I cut mostly 1/4"-3/8" thick items such as radius rod brackets, mounts, etc. At the time it was a good way to do small production runs. Templates were made from 12ga mild steel, easily made on a bandsaw.

 

[The Cobbler]

I've been thinking of building one like in OP's link.

 

[Firebrick43]

well I found a set of plans for a portable cnc machine that I am going to build. We will see how that turns out.

 

[steel 35]

Yep I want one of these now!

 

[californiamilleghia]

well I found a set of plans for a portable cnc machine that I am going to build. We will see how that turns out.

Do you have a link to the plans ?

Thanks

 

[lilscorpion]

I own that exact same unit based on the same thoughts you have except using wood as the template. Even bought a dedicated plasma for it too. Both are still NOS, just dusty now. But one of these days..

Wood tenplates work extremely well. Used to make all templatse out of wood and trace them with a hand torch. If you dont mind the char smell, you can use them quite a few times before they turn to ash (or lose shape as a result).

 

[BigMike782]

Wood templates work extremely well. Used to make all templates out of wood and trace them with a hand torch. If you dont mind the char smell, you can use them quite a few times before they turn to ash (or lose shape as a result).

I have done this using plasma and it also works very well.

 

[Firebrick43]

Do you have a link to the plans ?

Thanks

http://www.dacsgarage.com/

I am just using his plans a general guide. I have already modeled everything in fusion 360, made changes and sent the files to sendcutsend(might as well try them).

I will probably update as I get things built.

 

[joe49]

Anything you make that is in a quanity of 3 or more, or maybe needed again needs a tracing template. I make mine out of 1/2'' plate.

 

[lilscorpion]

Been bugging me for days and it just came to me - Pantograph is a tracing machine used to do what you’re taking about. They allow you to copy parts in 1:1 ratio or scale up or down by a ratio. Played with on at an old timers machine shop. They’re really cool.