Among all the woodworking machines by Matthias Wandel, one of the simplest to build and most useful for anyone in their workshop, even with little experience in woodworking or with a router, is perhaps the 3D pantograph for a router. Although the router he uses is not the typical plunge router we usually have, Matthias also made a modification to use the wooden pantograph with a Dremel multi-tool.
Making the necessary templates for the various uses might take more work, but once you have those templates adjusted, this machine will allow you to do wood carving quickly and repetitively. Jobs like the always beautiful and eye-catching wooden signs with carved letters and other decorations that come to mind. If you have a small workshop from which you’d like to produce some products (even customizable ones) to sell on a small scale and don’t have experience making furniture, I’d say this is a good machine to start with.
Besides the bandsaw, this copying pantograph is the machine I’m most eager to build from all those found on Woodgears, but I will need to find a solution to install a plunge router, as the type of router he uses is not very affordable. (I believe Matthias has also made a modification to use a plunge router now). I think the solution will be to install some type of platform on the link where the router is attached. That way, I can screw the base of the router to this platform, and it might be enough to fully fold the columns and lock them in that position. We’ll see.
Find the link to the Spanish article about this 3D pantograph for edge trimming router from Woodgears in the woodworking projects tab of this blog, and there go to Woodgears translations (number 30).