How to use a pantograph

This video is from my website: www.EasyDrawingLessons.com
It discusses the set-up and use of a pantograph.
I realize the video is kinda long and not the best quality. I didn't have a high-def camera when I made it.
RULES: * Be nice
*No profanity (you WILL be banned for breaking this one)
*Stay on topic

[@tightmike4945]

Thanks for the refresher course, it's been 35 years since I've used one, your comments on it reminded me of my thought's when I would use it. Very helpful tool, and very helpful info, thanks!

[@Easy-drawing-lessons]

Hi, Thanks for watching my video. Yes, the pantograph has been around a while, and the method you refer to is a good way to make a 1to1 copy. However, the pantograph can be used to enlarge or reduce the size of the image.

[@artguy2133]

I had to ban a person for using profanity in the comments section. Please refrain from using such language on my channel. There are other channels you can go to where this behavior is tolerated.

[@GEK69NY]

This is called respect, not sensibility..

[@artguy2133]

@@GEK69NY Exactly!! well said.

[@lewisdrake5765]

Thanks for this video. I needed to know more about how pantographs reduce and enlarge. I want to build a pantograph for my everlast plasma cutter.

[@milkosantos3370]

Thank you for creating this nice video and useful guide for using the panthograph.

[@artguy2133]

Interesting, I'll give that a try and see if it works for me. Thanks for taking time to respond. Jeff

[@artguy2133]

Thanks for the post, I honestly have never tried to do a 1:1 copy with it. I looked at it and it didn't have any markings that would clearly help me determine whether or not that it could. I would think that it would be able to do a 1:1 copy. I might do some experimenting with it and get back to you.

[@Kavukamari]

calming and useful video

[@roberthanus207]

I did find one at a estate sale with instructions so it works ok. Thanks

[@johnheald2933]

Thanks for the information about the pentagraph .I was given one but is not complete, and now I can get it working for my art work Great information and thanks again John

[@artguy2133]

You are welcome. I'm glad you got some useful information from the video.

[@sheilasinghal2922]

Thank you for a very comprehensive overview. I inherited one of these from my engineer dad, and had no idea how to use it. :)

[@artguy2133]

I think there are some who don't appreciate the "comprehensiveness" of the video. It would be long and boring if you weren't really interested in so much detail. It's heartening to find someone who appreciates my efforts. :)

[@sheilasinghal2922]

@@artguy2133 I surely did! 😊

[@mrsdinosaur1009]

Thanks for the memory prod, been a long time since I have used one of these. But I'm pretty certain a pantograph was known by another name back in the days of yore. Anyhow this will be a very useful tool for me as I have taken up a new hobby of Glass painting and cannot draw very well. With this I can make a stencil of the image I want to paint.

[@artguy2133]

Thanks for watching my video. I'll try that out when I get my pantograph back. I'd be careful proclaiming that something like this is being used "wrong". There is more than one way to use it, and it could be discouraging to some people.

[@anilkumartanikella7471]

MR. JEFF MANY THANKS FOR EXPLAINING ABOUT PANTOGRAPH .

[@artguy2133]

@@anilkumartanikella7471 Thanks for tuning-in. Sorry about the quality and sound; hopefully you were able to get something out of it.

[@fzotbp7225]

Thank you for the video, it is very helpful.

[@fiercekrypton]

When the video is in 4:3 you know it's gonna be good. 🤘

[@artguy2133]

I'll try that, thanks for the info..

[@patriciafulton6381]

Why on earth would anyone use abusive or bad language on a site like this?

[@robertlafnear7034]

Just bought one off Ebay for enlarging some snail art to a size that can be cut out of metal with a plasma torch.......... GARDEN ART .... if it works out it should pay for itself in no time.

[@liammiller4758]

How can I make one of these for my everlast plasma cutter. I would love to be able to make copies of designs cut into sheet metal.

[@artguy2133]

The only way I can think to even begin to find something like that is to do a web-search.

[@alanmcdowell977]

Jeff Lynn Do you have to make my own Pantograph and how to put the setting on the Pantograph to enlarge or reduce the SIZE of the image

[@TrapperAaron]

To all who can't figure out how to make a 1:1 copy here are 2 very simple ways. #1 use a carbon paper behind original and trace over it. #2 use a stick w 2 holes. One hole for stylus one for lead. Keep stick level and follow original lines. For thoes who insist on using pantograph for this most units will have the pivots labeled as 1. Put stylus in one pivot and lead in the other. This should give a 1:1 ratio (no mechanical/mathematical advantage).

[@cenid2011]

Urgent questions! If the arms are wooden or some other opaque material, how can you accurately trace the original image? Isn't one doing the tracing work somewhat blindly. I'd like to buy one made of organic glass; can you recommend a manufacturer or brand, please!

[@underbaked8689]

Although nobody seems to want to let you know the leads you need for this pantograph are 2mm which you can obtain very cheaply on Amazon. Don't bother with spare leads from Jakar, not only are they expensive for just 4 little leads nobody seems to keep them in stock! And the Jaker pantograph - I am impressed it's a good piece of kit and works very well!

[@susantan8498]

hello! jeff, can we use the pantograph on t- shirt? 'cause i really want my photo to be in my shirt & color it... i dont like to use silk screen or hot press...

[@artguy2133]

That could be a challenge! The shirt would have to be really secured down somehow so that it wouldn't move around on you. Maybe you could use the pantograph to draw the image on a thin piece of paper and then use some large transfer paper to trace it onto the shirt. The transfer paper can be found at most art supply or fabric/craft stores. Blick Art has some here: www.dickblick.com/products/saral-wax-free-transfer-paper/ And here is another site: www.joann.com/easy-graphite-transfer-paper-18in-x36in-roll/7232176.html Let me know how it goes.

[@user-ct3sf2bk4j]

Very helpful. Thankd

[@michaelplant7532]

How do you want to copy same size,

[@lennym1273]

When I use one and try to copy squares in a picture I can see that it is not perfectly square and they seam to be a lean to it, is that normal for using a pantograph?

[@artguy2133]

Sorry for the late reply: I don't have my panto. anymore so I can't replicate what your tying to do. I'm guessing that it would be difficult to recreate a perfect square with the pantograph. You might have to use a straightedge of some kind. Thanks for watchig the video, it's appreciated.

[@underbaked8689]

Luckier than most I had one of these devices some 60 years ago as a child! It was a cheaply made very basic machine that wobbled all over the place. This Jakar pantograph is strong and very well made. I love it and use it mainly to enlarge photos onto art boards and canvas for painting. The drawings come out great must work harder on the painting though - oh well! If I hadn't had one of these all those years ago I might have been a bit lost in using it now!

[@grooverjamesr]

In the video, the point where the tracer is, and the pivot directly to the right of the tracer, In any size or dimension you choose to space the slats, I would wager a guess those are your 1:1 ratios. If you inserted a stylus into the one, and the lead into the other it would be at the same physical plane, therefore it wold have no mechanical size increase mathematically. I would assume this would work. Give it a try.

[@sandrofrangos1411]

how to enlarge the pantograph to the small picture and turn it into 4 times bigger picture from the small picture. please answer me sir.

[@artguy2133]

At the 1:52 mark on the video I start the explanation on how to set the ratio on the unit at 1 and 3/5 times the size of the original. Just do the same thing with any of the settings that are marked on the pantograph. Setting it on the #4 mark will enlarge the drawing at 4 times the original.

[@sandrofrangos1411]

now I got the idea, thank you for your sharing more power and God bless

[@Qais_Ahmad]

Can I get the dimensions of this device? i have to make this amazing Device!

[@artguy2133]

Sorry for the late reply: There are some instructions on the web on how to build one. Thanks for watching my video.

[@Qais_Ahmad]

Jeff Lynn Thanks

[@Qais_Ahmad]

Jeff Lynn Thanks

[@christiansatrustegui7330]

I am having trouble securing the lead bar, so it stays down and in contact with the paper.. any tips ??

[@artguy2133]

As Michael suggested, use a weight on the lead-holder portion of the tool. My website has a page that shows a picture of how I use a fishing "sinker" as a weight. www.easy-drawing-lessons.com/pantograph.html.

[@mykwilwin]

Can these scale up 10 to 1 or even more

[@jumanas4012]

i got the same type but i cant seem to figure out the sizes is there a formula for the numbers !

[@artguy2133]

If yours has the fractional markings on it, you match the fractions on top of each other as the video shows at the 1:52 mark on the video timeline. If you set the tool on the 1 1/2 (one and a-half) markings the drawing should one and a half times larger than the reference material/photo. I'm not aware of a formula to use...sorry.

[@roberthanus207]

Looks good I just bought one thanks for the demo. ( how can I adjust to make image smaller )????

[@artguy2133]

Unfortunately, I gave mine to a guy who was going to use as a reference in order to try and make me a metal version. He moved away and took my pantograph with him. Otherwise, I could play with it to determine if it was possible to reduce the image.

[@coolrunnings3]

Exchange the lid and that pointy thing😊

[@dmrutledge]

I read somewhere that if you trade places with tracer and clamp, you will get 1:1 ratio

[@balpreet271]

Nice

[@jaredlee2819]

Hi where can i buy this? I want to buy this. Is it expensive?

[@Hutch400]

Will it trace a 16 inch circle?

[@bernardquantin3022]

merci pour cette vidéo, en ce qui me concerne, c'est l'installation et centrage de la photo par rapport a la feuille, mais en fait, je pense avoir compris, lorsque que l'on prends une photo en 9x13 il faut tracer son centre, puis tracer sur la feuille en partant du centre( de la feuille) un cadre au dimension de 18x26 mm, mettre ensuite la pointe et le traceur au centre sur la photo et sur la feuille et fixer les deux pour ne plus que ça bouge comme la reproduction sera centrée et le crayon traceur ne sortira pas du cadre, voila j'espère que vous aller pouvoir traduire cela et que ça vous rendra service, mais votre vidéo est très bien. good bye

[@DashingZulfadli]

what do you use for the tracing point?

[@artguy2133]

Thanks for watching the video. It came with some short leads that you can see starting at about 1:19 in the video. I don't know what the size of the lead is. I'll need to find out what the size is if I can.

[@vistagraphsnet]

Where can one buy lead for a pantograph. I tried Michaels and Blicks and many others

[@artguy2133]

+vistagraphsnet I haven't needed to buy one yet, so I am going to try and give you some suggestions based on how I would go about trying to find the lead refills. Go here: www.alvinco.com/Shop/Products.aspx?GID=13833 There appears to be quite a number of choices. You'll need to determine what size lead the lead-holder will accommodate. You should also do a search for "drawing leads" to get more choices for places to buy the lead. Good luck with it.

[@vistagraphsnet]

+Jeff Lynn Thanks

[@patdoyle2514]

Do not search for lead. It is poison and has not been used as a marking tool for 100 and more years. Search for graphite. graph -- get it? Refills at a $ store. .

[@artguy2133]

@@patdoyle2514 The graphite is still referred to as "lead". Doing a search using the word "lead" in the search will produce decent results. You will probably not find drawing materials using lead for sale.

[@nelsonze7115]

cool

[@climacoolx]

what is the brand of this pantograph sir?

[@artguy2133]

Thanks for watching the video. The brand of the pantograph is an Alvin. I put an Amazon link on my Pantograph page where you can purchase one. Here's the address: www.easy-drawing-lessons.com/pantograph.html

[@juliajohnson9918]

Something wrong with the video volume here. My volume is turned up as high as possible. Maybe I can try later. Thanks.

[@artguy2133]

+Julia Johnson My mic only recorded on one side (mono). I have since gotten an adapter that produces a stereo sound. If you aren't already, maybe you could try earphones. I would like to re-record this, but I have lost my pantograph, and it is kinda necessary to have one for a video about pantographs.

[@artguy2133]

I've found a machinist that could make me the metal pantographs. Would this be something that would interest anybody. If so, let me know by commenting.

[@thepeoplesamaricuh]

I would buy one but only if it could copy multiple ratios to the opposite side of the pantograph (across the pivot point)

[@waltonwayaugusta]

IT'S ALL SCIENCE TO ME

[@saltyfox7056]

Is there a one to one setting?

[@artguy2133]

I get that question a lot. I lost my panto. and I can't fiddle with it to figure that question out. I wish I could answer this for you. Keep experimenting with it and you may figure-out a way to do it.

[@romakayak]

Hardly hear you!

[@mikeradvak6497]

Add a small amount of weight to the copy pencil and it will give you a better end result without having to fill in blank areas. Thanks for the video and info.

[@artguy2133]

Good call! That is exactly what I do to keep the lead down on the paper. www.easy-drawing-lessons.com/pantograph.html

[@habtuhailu3943]

I want this instrument to use can u send me by email

[@artguy2133]

I thought about having a guy make me some metal versions and maybe selling them, but he took off before I could get it worked out with him. You can find them for sale on the web. Good luck with it. Thanks for watching the video.

[@liammiller4758]

Just need to make it a bit more heavy duty and put my everlast plasma cutter on it.

[@artguy2133]

Dang, I might have to get me one those!

[@davidgreener423]

Hi how do you make it 1 -1

[@MagicBlubber]

Hi, have you found out yet the answer to your question? I need something for a similar use to transfer from a scetch on to the final surface on a wooden project.

[@MrMetalclay]

The pivot points will make a long rectangle on the drawing side (pretty close to the top pivot and the pen/pencil). Also your pantograph will have to be very long so you don't overlap images. And I'm not sure it's 100% possible to have 1-1, it will be pretty close though.

[@TrapperAaron]

Sweet Jesus, if all u want is a 1:1 transfer just use a stick w a hole at each end. No pantograph needed. In fact some rulers/straight edges have 2 holes for this reason. Put ur stylus in one hole lead in the other and have at it.

[@lawrencedavecelezii7142]

Pantographs are really not accurate when it comes for tracing from small to enlarge too much for my 1/4 size of illutration board..

[@bozomahoney]

I have no audio; this is weird.....

[@artguy2133]

The audio is kind of crappy. I was using a mono microphone, sorry. I hope you visited my website and maybe got something from it. Thanks for trying.

[@hunter00047]

Great VID just let down with poor sound volume.

[@artguy2133]

I know what you mean. I did this video, and a couple of others with a mono microphone. It took me until just recently to get an adapter for it. I also bought a new digital camera, as the one that I did this video with is a mini-tape.

[@stephenguidry7627]

i cant hear the viedo

[@artguy2133]

Yes, sorry about that. I had a mono plug instead of a dual-plug when I did this video.

[@MaheshSingh-in4no]

civilEngg pentagraph use

[@zammmo]

eh?

[@royboy3129]

This tool is outdatrd. Print out the image, cover the back with charcoal, and then trace right over the original picture. It will transfer it right on your drawing paper. Its much easier and accurate.

[@Zyugo]

But what if you want your drawing larger than the original image? Does Charcoal paper help make upscaled pictures?

[@artguy2133]

How is a tool that many thousands of people have been using since the 1600s outdated? Artists have used, and still use, paint brushes and pencils. This is true even though there are numerous computer programs that allow some artists to create virtual artwork. people use the tools that they feel the most comfortable with, and produces the outcome they desire. You should use the method that you find the most useful for your situation. Thanks for watching the video.

[@artguy2133]

Enlarging an image using a "carbon-paper" method would be a challenge to say the least.

[@jameswatson6876]

I certainly agree. I do a fair amount of sewing, and many of the patterns I find are actually in miniature out of books or magazines. This would be a lifesaver!

[@MagicBlubber]

I would like to transfer a drawing of an exact scale to the same scale does anyone know if I need to use a different tool? I'm not interested in changing the scale,

[@priscillaroger8593]

Anu b yan! Ke bagal mo naman magpaliwang manong!😆😝😛😜

[@user-zg1ns2xm9s]

Hopeless

[@ricaurandt6713]

In love with your own voice much?