Cutting soundholes with a 1935 Gorton 3Z pantograph mill.
The template is oversize; the panto-mill can make reductions from 1:1 to 1:12.
The stylus follows the pattern.
The mill reproduces the pattern in miniature.
The mill can also make inlays. Two patterns are made; the negative pattern shown here is used to cut the hole in the wood that the inlay will fit into. A matching positive template is used to cut the inlay. The sylus diameter must be proportional to the cutter diameter and amount of reduction. Here, a 3/64" cutter and a 1:8 reduction requires a 3/8" bearing on the stylus. This renders a perfect fit between the inlay and it's pocket in the wood.
The pocket being cut in the wood. The inlay should be a perefect fit.
Completed inlay on a dulcimer fretboard.
Dark Hollow Dulcimers 256 Durham Road, Ottsville, Pennsylvania 18942