Re: Why Unimat?

#59836

Hi Kevin,
You have
a couple of fine examples of the Unimat DB200 and produce some beautiful works of art.
What variety’s of wood do you use for your products?
Just curious.
I have quite a collection of exotic woods that was passed on to me after after my dad passed away years ago.
Dick

Casting an aluminum motor mount for DC motor upgrade

#59835

I have almost two complete Unimat SLs, yet to be installed in my new micro shop (that is waiting to be built..). The 2nd machine, which I will set up for milling, will have a dc motor installed. I've seen examples of taking the dc motor apart and drilling new holes that would line up with the original Emco mount. But I thought I'd save the $65ish Ebay cost and make my own. Especially since I won't need the dog leg where the idler pulley would go.

Too many concurrent projects of course - I still need to set up my foundry and cast some ingots, build a vacuum chamber to pull the air bubbles out of the plaster mold, and build a kiln to burnout the lost PLA that I am using as the positive for the mold. All new territory, but looking forward to it.?

I'll post updates as I go. Here is the 3D print for the mount. If anyone is interested and has their own foundry/casting setup, I'm happy to share the design/STL files.?

Fret saw drive eccentric differences?

#59834

Hey Gents and Tamra.

has Anyone got or had in their hands the eccentric drive component from the rectangular alloy fret saw and the round cast iron models??

My last fret saw was an alloy rectangular model and I’m certain the round one has a smaller eccentric.
anyone validate or invalidate that observation??

thanks,
Jeff

Re: Why Unimat?

#59833

Very well said! They would not be sufficient for any number of things I'd want or need to do all by themselves. They are, however quite sufficient for many other things I would want or need to do. And they don't take up a great deal of space. I have a working Atlas TH42, a 10x24 lathe, as it were. It's working, and good for many of the things I want to do, but not everything. Got a couple of restoration project lathes as well. One is a very much larger, like more than 1000 pounds or a bit over 500 kilograms, not counting the stand, South Bend Heavy 10L toolroom lathe. Call it a 10x30 lathe. There's also the Smithy CB-1220XL 3-in-1 machine. Think of is as sort of a Unimat on steroids. ;) About 400lbs, and it will work as a drill press and milling machine, in addition to being a 12x20 lathe. All of them are perfect for some things and some people, and not one of them is perfect for everything. ;)? Got a couple of small milling machines, and a metal shaper, as well. I'm fortunate in having more space for such things than many folks have, though that isn't always as true as I'd like.?

One real advantage of a small lathe like the Unimat, especially for someone who doesn't have room for much of anything else, is that you will get more skillful with it than I'm likely to get with any or all the machines I have. You only have to learn what one machine sounds like when it's happy, and unhappy.?

Just for one small example. I've been a maintenance mechanic on equipment from small laundry machines to high performance fighter jets. What a machine sounds like is critical information for the maintainer! And the user/operator usually knows them well. A sudden and new high-pitched noise is usually a notification that something is going radically and catastrophically wrong! LOOK at your machine. Touch it when it's not being used, and again when it's been operating for some time. Smell it! And above all else, listen to it. It's helpful to know that the machine is functioning well, that your materials you're working are consistent, and that something is, or is not, quite right. You'll be able to hear those things if you know your machine well.?

Also worked in a large industrial laundry with millions of dollars worth of many different machines, and I had to know what all of them sounded like. Both the operators and the folks who just worked near the machines got encouragement from me to know what the sounds in the area were when things were operating normally, and they helped me find and fix problems that could have damaged an expensive machine more that once! You can do that for yourself, and your machines.?

Bill in OKC

William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)

Aphorisms to live by:

Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?

SEMPER GUMBY!

Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
Physics doesn't care about your schedule.
The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.

Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.

On Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 12:03:25 PM CDT, Kevin Groenke @ PersonMakeObject via groups.io <groen004@...> wrote:

I've been using 2) DB200's for a couple of years for light production of small brass hardware (~2000 pieces to date) for the knives I make.

I've researched and considered many other lathes and equipment that might allow me to produce these parts more quickly, efficiently, safely and/or accurately, but I've concluded that the Unimat is close to ideal. Yes, a full on cnc turning center could knock them out in seconds per piece, but I'm not ever going to pay for such a machine or fit one down my basement stairs. Yes, a Hardinge, Levin, or Shaublin with collet closer and turret could be more accurate and efficient. I would greatly appreciate more rigidity and power that those machines would provide, but the Unimat's limitations also contribute to what makes it good for these parts. For example, I run the Unimat on a momentary foot pedal nearly all the time, and I grab the spinning pulley? to stop the spindle when switching out parts?(notice O-ring grip on large step). Those techniques?speed up processes significantly, but there's no way I'd do them on a bigger lather (even a 7 x X) because of the inherent risk (of course I know the Unimat is capable of hurting?me too). The compact size allows me to roll a stool under the lathe which also increases efficiency, and allows me to have separate machines for each set-up which I wouldn't have room for if bigger machines (so far I just have 1 mill and 1 lathe, but if I had 3 lathes and 2 mills I could produce parts start-to-finish instead of batching processes).

So, YMMV, but for me the answer to "Why Unimat?" is - Because I haven't found anything that would be better for doing what I need done.?

?

Best Regards,

Kevin from PersonMakeObject

?

??????

Show quoted text

On Wed, Apr 12, 2023, 9:59 AM Aaron Woods <awoods550@...> wrote:

I don't have a Unimat. I'd like one but I already have several small lathes so getting one is simply a want rather than a need.

I became interested in a lathe for model work, and ended up buying a Sherline, since they could be bought new and have a good reputation.?

The topic of small lathes often comes up in modeling circles. I can do a decent comparison between Taig, Sherline and Atlas / Craftsman 6" since I have used them, but have never been hands on with a Unimat.

For somebody in the market for a small lathe, what would you say the major perks of a Unimat are??

Obviously size goes for the SL/SB if someone wants very compact and the various attachments can make it a handy if expensive many in one tool.

With the prices Unimats can ask, I begin to wonder if they are still a good suggestion for a beginner. You can get a new Taig or Sherline for about the same money as the average asking price of a Unimat.
As I don't have experience with Unimat that is a question I can't answer.

Re: Why Unimat?

#59832

Hi Kevin,

I have a couple of post in this forum about converting one of my two DB200 to CNC. It's not that difficult to do and would probably be a good fit for your application.

Jay

On Sat, Apr 15, 2023, 1:03 PM Kevin Groenke @ PersonMakeObject via <groen004=[email protected]> wrote:

Show quoted text

I've been using 2) DB200's for a couple of years for light production of small brass hardware (~2000 pieces to date) for the knives I make.

I've researched and considered many other lathes and equipment that might allow me to produce these parts more quickly, efficiently, safely and/or accurately, but I've concluded that the Unimat is close to ideal. Yes, a full on cnc turning center could knock them out in seconds per piece, but I'm not ever going to pay for such a machine or fit one down my basement stairs. Yes, a Hardinge, Levin, or Shaublin with collet closer and turret could be more accurate and efficient. I would greatly appreciate more rigidity and power that those machines would provide, but the Unimat's limitations also contribute to what makes it good for these parts. For example, I run the Unimat on a momentary foot pedal nearly all the time, and I grab the spinning pulley? to stop the spindle when switching out parts?(notice O-ring grip on large step). Those techniques?speed up processes significantly, but there's no way I'd do them on a bigger lather (even a 7 x X) because of the inherent risk (of course I know the Unimat is capable of hurting?me too). The compact size allows me to roll a stool under the lathe which also increases efficiency, and allows me to have separate machines for each set-up which I wouldn't have room for if bigger machines (so far I just have 1 mill and 1 lathe, but if I had 3 lathes and 2 mills I could produce parts start-to-finish instead of batching processes).
So, YMMV, but for me the answer to "Why Unimat?" is - Because I haven't found anything that would be better for doing what I need done.?

?

Best Regards,
Kevin from PersonMakeObject
?
??????

On Wed, Apr 12, 2023, 9:59 AM Aaron Woods <awoods550@...> wrote:
I don't have a Unimat. I'd like one but I already have several small lathes so getting one is simply a want rather than a need.

I became interested in a lathe for model work, and ended up buying a Sherline, since they could be bought new and have a good reputation.?

The topic of small lathes often comes up in modeling circles. I can do a decent comparison between Taig, Sherline and Atlas / Craftsman 6" since I have used them, but have never been hands on with a Unimat.

For somebody in the market for a small lathe, what would you say the major perks of a Unimat are??

Obviously size goes for the SL/SB if someone wants very compact and the various attachments can make it a handy if expensive many in one tool.

With the prices Unimats can ask, I begin to wonder if they are still a good suggestion for a beginner. You can get a new Taig or Sherline for about the same money as the average asking price of a Unimat.
As I don't have experience with Unimat that is a question I can't answer.

Re: Why Unimat?

Kevin Groenke @ PersonMakeObject

#59831

I've been using 2) DB200's for a couple of years for light production of small brass hardware (~2000 pieces to date) for the knives I make.

I've researched and considered many other lathes and equipment that might allow me to produce these parts more quickly, efficiently, safely and/or accurately, but I've concluded that the Unimat is close to ideal. Yes, a full on cnc turning center could knock them out in seconds per piece, but I'm not ever going to pay for such a machine or fit one down my basement stairs. Yes, a Hardinge, Levin, or Shaublin with collet closer and turret could be more accurate and efficient. I would greatly appreciate more rigidity and power that those machines would provide, but the Unimat's limitations also contribute to what makes it good for these parts. For example, I run the Unimat on a momentary foot pedal nearly all the time, and I grab the spinning pulley? to stop the spindle when switching out parts?(notice O-ring grip on large step). Those techniques?speed up processes significantly, but there's no way I'd do them on a bigger lather (even a 7 x X) because of the inherent risk (of course I know the Unimat is capable of hurting?me too). The compact size allows me to roll a stool under the lathe which also increases efficiency, and allows me to have separate machines for each set-up which I wouldn't have room for if bigger machines (so far I just have 1 mill and 1 lathe, but if I had 3 lathes and 2 mills I could produce parts start-to-finish instead of batching processes).

So, YMMV, but for me the answer to "Why Unimat?" is - Because I haven't found anything that would be better for doing what I need done.?

?

Best Regards,

Kevin from PersonMakeObject

?

??????

Show quoted text

On Wed, Apr 12, 2023, 9:59 AM Aaron Woods <awoods550@...> wrote:

I don't have a Unimat. I'd like one but I already have several small lathes so getting one is simply a want rather than a need.

I became interested in a lathe for model work, and ended up buying a Sherline, since they could be bought new and have a good reputation.?

The topic of small lathes often comes up in modeling circles. I can do a decent comparison between Taig, Sherline and Atlas / Craftsman 6" since I have used them, but have never been hands on with a Unimat.

For somebody in the market for a small lathe, what would you say the major perks of a Unimat are??

Obviously size goes for the SL/SB if someone wants very compact and the various attachments can make it a handy if expensive many in one tool.

With the prices Unimats can ask, I begin to wonder if they are still a good suggestion for a beginner. You can get a new Taig or Sherline for about the same money as the average asking price of a Unimat.
As I don't have experience with Unimat that is a question I can't answer.

Re: Why Unimat?

#59830

Bill I too tie flies, my brother taught me when I was 12, I'm 70 ish now.? ?I have taught several to tie.? I have been buying flies in bulk now since I have 2 granddaughters to support. I buy from a Vet in Kentucky, nice quality although not barbless.? ?I catch and release, I will occasionally keep one as the wife likes trout, me not so much.? I don't fish as much as I would like.? ?Want to try ocean fly fishing primarily halibut from shore.? ?I have a saltwater rig, just the water is so dang cold.? 55 year round.? ?

pat?

Re: Quick Change Tool Post and Buddy Bar

#59829

I was unable to find the tool posts on Ebay, but was able to track Harry down and inquire about them. He is out of stock on the tool holders at the moment, in the process of making more. He'll let me know when the set is available again and I'll post an update to this thread.

Re: Why Unimat?

#59828

Interesting! I am a fly fisherman and I tie my own flies. I have built a couple of fly rods from kits, and built a fixture which was sort of a lathe to assist. ?I purchased two Sherline tail stocks to build my fixture.

Re: Why Unimat?

#59827

Thanks, Pat
Your friend is very talented. I really admire his talent!
Dick

Re: Why Unimat?

#59826

Some good looking stuff there! I, once upon at time, made my own flies, though I used a commercial fly rod and reel. Didn't actually catch much, but that was the way it worked for me bait fishing, too. ;) What I did with bait was "drowning worms" not fishing. ;) Apparently a side effect of my attention deficit disorder. Got part of one of my grandpa's old bamboo deep-sea fishing rods, which was broken when I got it, and hasn't improved in condition through 40-odd years of rough storage. Would like to restore it, but doubt I'll live long enough, and I'm nowhere near the ocean anymore.?

Bill in OKC

William R. Meyers, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)

Aphorisms to live by:

Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.?

SEMPER GUMBY!

Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
Physics doesn't care about your schedule.
The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.

Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.

On Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11:57:15 AM CDT, pat goodyear <pgoodyear@...> wrote:

?

For those so interested here is Pete's website.?
https://www.renaissanceflyrods.com

Re: Why Unimat?

#59825

?

For those so interested here is Pete's website.?
https://www.renaissanceflyrods.com

Re: Why Unimat?

#59824

Dick, my friend that builds bamboo fly rods uses a Sherline with the extended bed, larger pass-thru on the spindle.? ?He builds rods from raw cane not kits, cuts, shapes, tapers, wraps the rods.? builds the reel seats and handles from scratch, I think the only item he doesn't scratch build are the guides.? ?I have an old glass Fenwick 7weight rod that I had him duplicate the action in bamboo.

He also has done builds in glass and graphite from blanks.? ? ??

Re: Why Unimat?

#59823

开云体育

Hello Herman:

The electromechanical clocks I have seen are quite simple. The coils drive a packaged gear motor that is sealed, so not much to fix there. The motor depends on alternating waves from the coils, so the number of turns isn't critical. How do I know this? I was modifying a clock and drilled a hole through the windings. The clock wouldn't run. So I filled the hole with solder and heated it up with an iron. I must have connected a few of the winding and it was enough to allow the current to flow again. The clock ran fine.

Good luck, Carl.

On 4/14/2023 9:16 AM, Quinn Golden wrote:

Show quoted text

Hello Herman

Pleased to make your acquaintance across the pond.?

I have not yet repaired electromechanical clocks although I own a couple of them. I believe that rewinding the coils would be out of my skill set. Although I certainly believe that with proper fixturing a Unimat would assist.?

I would probably be searching for electromechanical drives and attempt replacement?

?

I’m sorry I cannot be of more help.?

Re: Why Unimat?

#59822

Hello Herman

Pleased to make your acquaintance across the pond.?

I have not yet repaired electromechanical clocks although I own a couple of them. I believe that rewinding the coils would be out of my skill set. Although I certainly believe that with proper fixturing a Unimat would assist.?

I would probably be searching for electromechanical drives and attempt replacement?

?

I’m sorry I cannot be of more help.?

Re: Why Unimat?

#59821

Hi Steve,
I thought one of the comments posted here about using the Unimat to assist in building fly rods was especially interesting. I have had a couple of bamboo fly rods over the years and they were built tapered from butt to tip in segments. I would think the little Unimat would excel in that operation.
Dick

Re: Why Unimat?

#59820

Yes, keep them coming! It's really helpful for us "new" owners who are still contemplating configurations, mods, handmade tools/accessories. It's fun hearing about what people are making.

I'm especially intrigued by clock/watch repair (as a lurker, don't see myself doing it), and would love to see some example parts that were made, and hear about how they were made.

Re: Why Unimat?

#59819

Pat,
It is quite interesting to hear how Unimat and other small lathe owners use their machines and what products they produce with them.
Dick

Re: Why Unimat?

#59818

So I have 2 Taig lathes, one mounted on the board and the other mounted on a block of aluminum, I paid $200 for each, I bought the latter to assist the local school in their Steam program.? ?I also have 2 Unimats and SL and a DB the cast iron db is a dedicated mill.? I also have a Clarke 3000 which is a 7x12 model.? ?I go to the Unimat first for small work. I have a large amount of accessories for both the Unimats and the Taigs, and have made many crossover adapters so I can cross over tooling.? ?I have a vertical mill slide for the Taig that I have used on the Unimat sl.? ? I am not a machinist I am an instrument technician by trade.? I first used a Unimat at work to machine bushings for high speed printers.? ??

A friend purchased the sherline lathe with the extended bed for making fly casting rods, he builds them from scratch.? ?

Re: Why Unimat?

#59817

Good dat, Quinn,

I am on the Unimat groups list like you and I read your comment on the Unimat and your current use for it to repair old clocks. Not sure whether you mind my asking if old electro-mechanical clocks like those made by Hammond are included there. I have one of these old Hammond Polo electrical alarm clocks and would like to redo the bushings and rewind the coils. Any advice that you might be willing to share would be highly appreciated.? ?BTW - I live in the Netherlands (Groningen city) and currently have and use 2 Unimat 3 lathes - one for metal work, the other one for sundry jobs.

Looking forward to hopefully hearing from you,

Herman de Leeuw

?

Show quoted text

Op 13-04-2023 15:39 schreef Quinn Golden <quinngolden@...>:

I am a retired machinist/mechanical engineer specialized in mechanical power transmission as in ?speed reducers (gearboxes). I learned about Unimat many decades ago when we were building huge format inkjet printers for the Billboard printing industry. This was prior to digital printing. We used the Unimats to make final tweaks and adjustments to the Jets in the print heads.

Since then I have frequently seen a Unimat in engineering labs and prototype labs.

Now that I am retired I have taken my mechanical skills and started a Clockworks business repairing antique clocks. I rebuilt a Unimat SL specifically to be geared towards manufacturing bushings to repair old clocks. Its versatility also makes it ?a great piece of equipment for repairing pinions and inserting pinion wires. From the Unimat’s versatility perspective it is probably better for this job than a watchmaker’s lathe.?