router duplicator question

[bassndboat]

Hey guys, I have been thinking about buying a sign maker kit from rockler, but the more research I do, the more options I have. I'm really confused on what to get. From rockler I can get the interlocking lettering kit. Then I saw the Milescraft pantograph. It seems like I could do more with the Milescraft but I am not sure how hard it would be to follow the lines, for instance tracing patterns from paper like they advertise. Then today I found another option which was a router duplicator. I haven't seen it yet, but the price was $200.00. It will be next week before I can look at it. If any of you have used any of these type setups, I would love to hear how you like them. Maybe I can figure out which one I want to buy.:help::dontknow:. At first I was just going to make signs, but if another machine will do a lot more than just make signs, I think I would go with that one.

Thanks for your help,

Mark

 

[Joe Scharle]

Don't know about the router duplicator, but I've had a pantograph for 30` years and though I haven't used it much, it's simple to setup and rout letters and shallow carving work. I bought it solely to 'carve' pineapples for cabinet appliqués. (38 of them). Just last week, I picked up a Milescraft sign pro, (Amazon made me an offer!) and having a lot of useless fun with that.
Now most of my scrap is Wordart. :rotflm:
There are a few videos on the Milescraft pantograph and sign kit on YouTube. And no doubt, some on router duplicators.

 

[bassndboat]

Thanks Joe. I also found a similar thread here on NCWW. It had alot of information on it. Now I just have to make up my mind.

 

[Joe Scharle]

Here's some I made on Sat. The actual router work is only 2-3 minutes each. Paint, planning, sanding and finish take a lot longer as expected. Good luck on what you decide and let us know with pics.

View image in gallery​