57 year old Taylor-Hobson pantograph machine, just keeps on going…
The machine used to make every fingerpost and public right of way sign in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has once again passed its in-service inspection test. The Taylor-Hobson pantograph was bought for £1,000 in 1974 by the national park committee of North Yorkshire County Council.
Despite the advent of computer-controlled engraving machines, it has been kept in service because of its quality and ease of use when dealing with bespoke items. The pantograph’s guardian for the past 29 years has been maintenance officer Richard Pennington. He uses it to make around 500-600 finger-posts and signs a year.
He said: “The pantograph has a lot of history attached to it now. It’s doing quite well – it’ll probably go on forever.”
Source: richmondshiretoday.co.uk
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