This reminds me so much of my engineer DH's drafting machine from the Dark Ages before CAD was invented. His drafting table and machine occupied about a fourth of our livingroom. Sometimes when he wasn't home to see, I'd use his drafting machine and table to cut material for quilts - very quick and accurate. He sold the table, but we still have the machine in storage - maybe I should get it out and mount it on the side of my cutting table. Hmmmm.