In article ,
Greybeard wrote:
On 22 Dec 2004 07:01:58 -0800, "Bugs" wrote:
I see the Unimat Classic Lathe for sale. But it looks like a childs
toy!
You're right! Back in the 1950's when Unimat first came on the market I
wanted one so bad I could taste it. . . . but it was too expensive. I
settled for buying an old 10" Atlas lathe for a fifth of the cost and
was never sorry. Forty years later I heard from others that had bought
the Unimat that it isn't ver satisfactory for serious metal working.
I got one about 1973 or so (SL-1000) and still have it. In
addition, I now have (in order or acquisition):
1) Atlas/Craftsman 6x18"
2) Taig
3) Emco-Maier Compact-5/CNC (5" swing)
4) 12x24" Clausing (with matching serial number bed turret)
Of those, the one which is no longer used at all is the
Atlas/Craftsman. Each of the others does something better than the
others.
For what the Unimat was designed for, it's a fine little machine.
There are quite a few in model use, and they perform as well as
anything would. They weren't intended to compete with bigger
machines, just as the bigger ones won't be as convenient for the tiny
stuff that the Unimat handles easily. It's more a matter of intended
use than it is of universal adaptability.
My Unimat SL-1000 gets used most often with the alternate
spindle in place -- the WW (watchmaker's collet) spindle.
The Taig is currently set up with another watchmaker's spindle,
and a form tool to crown concertina endbox screws. (It has a nice
travel stop for the bed which makes it the best choice for this task.)
Those screws have 3/16" diameter heads, and about 0.100" diameter
shanks.
The Emco-Maier gets used for repeat operations where its CNC
programming is a benefit, and for chasing metric threads, as it converts
from inch to metric and back at the flip of a switch.
The Clausing gets used for larger work, tougher materials, and
for repeat operations where the bed turret is a serious benefit.
The Unimat also gets used for other tasks with various
accessories, including as a tiny table saw, for making support blocks
and similar things for concertina repairs. The only accessory for it
which I don't have is the flexible shaft setup.
I could not even *consider* buying a Unimat SL-1000 now. It is
*way* too expensive. I would rather spend that money on a real
watchmaker's lathe.
But -- I've done a lot of things on that machine before I got my
other machines, including cutting metric threads to mount lenses on
custom setups. The thread cutting system for the Unimat SL-1000 (and
DB-200) is a real kluge, but it did get that job done, and that machine
was all that I could run in my apartment. (I had it bolted to a 5/16"
thick aluminum plate, which was then mounted on shock absorbing mounts
onto my workbench, to keep the vibrations from upsetting the downstairs
neighbor. :-)
I no longer use the milling features of the Unimat, as I have
several alternatives for that in various sizes, but the lathe, for very
small work, is still excellent.
Enjoy,
DoN.
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