I think it has already been mentioned that there may not really be a "best" as it depends on what you want to do.? Also, what if you only want to "collect" one more than using it?? Then which might be "best."? Oldest?? Newest?
One good place to start is to learn what you can about the various models.? The "lathes.uk" site has enough information to make your eyes bleed on a great many lathes (and I'm not sure if there is a better source in one place).
For the original Unimats (earliest and the more common SL1000/DB200 and even copies), they have a "Unimat" section.:
To cast a wider net including the Unimat 3 and 4 and many more you go to the "Emco Unimat" section.
There is a lot to learn if you want to take a really deep dive.? For example, just how many configurations does it have?? Their own marketing changed this number quite a bit over the years.? The following info is from perusing Model Railroader magazine advertisements.starting with the very first.
Oct 1954 "8 Precision tools in 1"? Lathe, Table Saw, Drill Press, Surface Grinder, Mill, Sander, Screw Cutter, Portable Hand Drill
Aug 1956? "10 in 1"? Lathe, Drill Press, Hand Drill, Polishing or Grinding, Tool Grinding, Milling, Jig Saw, Threading, Circular Saw, Indexing and Dividing
March 1957 They separated what the "basic" machine could do and what required attachments.? Still 10, but 6 + 4.
? ?Basic machine:? Lathe, Drill Press, Hand Drill, Polishing and Grinding, Tool Grinding, Milling
? ?With attachments:? Jig Saw, Threading, Circular Saw, Indexing and Dividing
Nov 1965? The ad focused only on the basic machine as "6 machines", Lathe, Surface Grinder, Portable Drill, Tilting Head Drill Press, Polisher/Grinder, Vertical Miller
Nov 1967? "5 in 1 Precision Machine"? (they dropped the "portable hand drill" configuration)? "5 in 1" continued to the end of the original Unimat advertising.
Oct 1978 has the first Emco-Lux Corporation ad for the Unimat 3.? It also says, "Special note to owners of the Unimat SL series who have been looking for accessories.? Emco-Lux has and will continue to have a complete line of all Unimat parts and accessories, manufactured by Maier and Company, builders of the Unimat line since the early 1950's."? There is also an ad by Caboose Hobbies that calls the Unimat 3 the "improved version of the most versatile modeling tool ever produced."? I suppose that would suggest that the SL1000/DB200 could logically no longer be "the best" at that point?
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
