Deckel KF-2 3 D Pantograph for$900

[johnnielsen]

I have seen this machine and it is like new and will do 3d copying. I went out to buy it but I am too old to add another major machine to my shop.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1545820958

 

[kevin.decelles]

beautiful. very tempting

 

[John Conroy]

If only I had enough room.

 

[Dabbler]

If only I had enough room.

Me too. it's a sweet machine.

 

[Tom Kitta]

To see it run.

I guess one use would be to make in metal 3d printed parts.

 

[DPittman]

Oh if I had room I think I would have to find the $900 for it!

 

[cuslog]

Seems cheap for a machine like that - no room here either.

 

[johnnielsen]

Looks like Robinhood has purchased it so it will be in good hands.

 

[DavidR8]

To see it run.

I guess one use would be to make in metal 3d printed parts.

That is seriously cool!

 

[PeterT]

Looks like Robinhood has purchased it so it will be in good hands.

Happy to hear that, right up his alley. Cant wait for the report.

 

[RobinHood]

Cant wait for the report.

I see, more arm twisting.... no pressure at all.

 

[YYCHM]

I see, more arm twisting.... no pressure at all.

That will make two. Is the other one for metal tracing or something else?

 

[RobinHood]

Here are some numbers comparing the two Deckel pantographs:

GK12 (smaller)
1/2 hp motor
1600 to 20000 Max spindle rpm in 12 steps
2-D capable only
1/4” Max spindle collet
420 kg

KF2 (larger)
2 hp motor
power knee
20000 Max spindle rpm, infinitely variable from 500 to 20000
fully 3-D capable
3/4” max spindle collet or MT #2 with adapter
1400 kg

They can both be used for metal and any other material. There are a few knife makers that have a KF2 (or similar) to make their knife scales.

With the advent of CNC, the 3-D pantographs basically became obsolete. HOWEVER, if you already have a pattern (say a cracked/worn out piece like a lead screw half nut, missing chuck jaw, etc) you can copy it 1:1, make it smaller or larger without any programming! Great for one off duplicates. You could 3-D print a pattern in plastic, make a wood model, then use the KF2 to cut it out from steel.

 

[PeterT]

Can't you just visualize a quarter scale Merlin crankcase slowly emerging from a block of aluminum? LOL

 

[RobinHood]

Yes, I can. Added to my ever longer list of things to do. At the rate I am going, I’ll be 150 by the time I get through all the projects...

 

[YYCHM]

And now we know who to go to if we ever need a new half nut

 

[RobinHood]

Yup, you would have to thread it and fit it yourself.

 

[DavidR8]

@RobinHood that Deckel is sooooo much cooler than any surface grinder in the world!

 

[RobinHood]

Yes,, it is very cool machine.

What’s more, it is built like a tank. It was made in 1967. Then it was used for about 15+ years in a production setting here in Calgary. And yet all the movements, ways and spindle are still very smooth.

I am now the third owner since new; I have paperwork of it’s life history.

(As an aside: the little brother GK12 pantograph was also made in 1967. I am only the second owner of it - have some paperwork to show that, but not nearly as detailed as the documentation of KF2).

I probably will still do a tear down, clean, inspect and rebuild, just to be 100% sure all the lubrication passages and moving parts are free from any dried up gunk, etc.

 

[PeterT]

I'm always curious, what kind of industry/product was using a machine like that in our area? What did they make?