Re: refurbishing a Unimat?
Dick, I have a Unimat here that says it's a DB 200, but is light alloy just like my SL-1000. Both machines were used when I got them, so may be Frankenmats rather that as shipped. I've not made any measurements to compare, but to the naked eye they're identical except for the label.
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!
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 08:34:59 AM CDT, OldToolmaker via groups.io <old_toolmaker@...> wrote:
Joel,
A DB200 is made of cast iron.
An SL is made of Zamac (a form of cast aluminum). Both are good machines although I prefer the cast iron DB200 because of its weight.
Dick
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Re: refurbishing a Unimat?
?I have cast parts in Zamak before. The best source that I found were electrical cabinet flanges for rigid conduit. A mold made from plaster of Paris that has been baked to to moisture is all that is needed. I found chrome "tree with three stainless cups in it that was intended for condiments. It was the perfect height for my propane torch. Broke up the scrap Zamak, melted, a ols sall spoon with holes drill in to skim off the dross. A few large thick steel washers on the top of the plastic mold to hold it down and pour away. Be sure to drill some vent holes along with the pour hole. I used PAM spray cooking oil as a mold release. Pour 1/2 of the plaster into a container, spray PAM on part, push 1/2 way down. let dry, spray PAM again on top of Plaster, and pour top 1/2 of plaster. Separate drill pour and vent holes, simple. ?Jeff
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 10:48:46 AM EDT, Charles Kinzer <ckinzer@...> wrote:
Being pedantic again, magnesium is generally considered a sufficient percentage (although low) to be considered one of the primary alloy elements of Zamak (zinc, alumininm, copper, magnesium).? Iron is not generally considered one and is instead viewed as a trace as is silicon, lead, cadmium, tin, and nickel.
Zamak (or Zamac - both names are used but Zamak is more correct) is just a quality version of pot metal.? Pot metal being a zinc allow with often random and uncontrolled amounts of other things thrown in. Zamak alloys have consistent specifications.? This makes consistent results and if not contaminated, helps prevent "zinc pest."? Many model railroaders are aware of this where, over time, a "Zamak" casting (which might not be from the most reputable alloy source) can crack, crumble, warp, or swell with age.? I haven't heard of this problem with Unimats so they were probably careful where their alloy came from.? (Although it is possible it has happened on bases or accessory parts somewhere and I'm just not aware.)
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 07:10:27 AM PDT, Andrei <calciu1@...> wrote:
Zamak has 5 incarnations that I am aware of. They all contain roughly 3-4% aluminum, 1% Copper, traces of Iron and Magnezium and the rest is Zinc.?
If you need Zamak for playing with, find some broken down Cuisinart stand mixers. Their entire body is made of Zamak 5. It melts at about 725F so you can smelt it easily at home.?
Just to be a bit pedantic, Zamac (and similar) are zinc alloys, not aluminum although there is some.? Roughly 96% zinc, most of the rest aluminum, and a smattering of magnesium and copper.
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 06:35:01 AM PDT, OldToolmaker via groups.io <old_toolmaker@...> wrote:
Joel,
A DB200 is made of cast iron.
An SL is made of Zamac (a form of cast aluminum). Both are good machines although I prefer the cast iron DB200 because of its weight.
Dick
--
http://www.homemadetools.net/ forum/?OFF- SET-tailstock-center-65965#post105972
?SMALL TURRET TOOL POST PLANS?
?LARGE TURRET TOOL POST PLANS
?MINI- LATHE CARRIAGE LOCK PLANS
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?QUICK CHANGE LATHE TURRET
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|
Re: refurbishing a Unimat?
Being pedantic again, magnesium is generally considered a sufficient percentage (although low) to be considered one of the primary alloy elements of Zamak (zinc, alumininm, copper, magnesium).? Iron is not generally considered one and is instead viewed as a trace as is silicon, lead, cadmium, tin, and nickel.
Zamak (or Zamac - both names are used but Zamak is more correct) is just a quality version of pot metal.? Pot metal being a zinc allow with often random and uncontrolled amounts of other things thrown in. Zamak alloys have consistent specifications.? This makes consistent results and if not contaminated, helps prevent "zinc pest."? Many model railroaders are aware of this where, over time, a "Zamak" casting (which might not be from the most reputable alloy source) can crack, crumble, warp, or swell with age.? I haven't heard of this problem with Unimats so they were probably careful where their alloy came from.? (Although it is possible it has happened on bases or accessory parts somewhere and I'm just not aware.)
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 07:10:27 AM PDT, Andrei <calciu1@...> wrote:
Zamak has 5 incarnations that I am aware of. They all contain roughly 3-4% aluminum, 1% Copper, traces of Iron and Magnezium and the rest is Zinc.?
If you need Zamak for playing with, find some broken down Cuisinart stand mixers. Their entire body is made of Zamak 5. It melts at about 725F so you can smelt it easily at home.?
Just to be a bit pedantic, Zamac (and similar) are zinc alloys, not aluminum although there is some.? Roughly 96% zinc, most of the rest aluminum, and a smattering of magnesium and copper.
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 06:35:01 AM PDT, OldToolmaker via groups.io <old_toolmaker@...> wrote:
Joel,
A DB200 is made of cast iron.
An SL is made of Zamac (a form of cast aluminum). Both are good machines although I prefer the cast iron DB200 because of its weight.
Dick
--
http://www.homemadetools.net/ forum/?OFF- SET-tailstock-center-65965#post105972
?SMALL TURRET TOOL POST PLANS?
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?MINI- LATHE CARRIAGE LOCK PLANS
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?QUICK CHANGE LATHE TURRET
?MINI LATHE COMPOUND PIVOT MODIFICATION
|
Re: refurbishing a Unimat?
Zamak has 5 incarnations that I am aware of. They all contain roughly 3-4% aluminum, 1% Copper, traces of Iron and Magnezium and the rest is Zinc.?
If you need Zamak for playing with, find some broken down Cuisinart stand mixers. Their entire body is made of Zamak 5. It melts at about 725F so you can smelt it easily at home.?
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Show quoted text
Just to be a bit pedantic, Zamac (and similar) are zinc alloys, not aluminum although there is some.? Roughly 96% zinc, most of the rest aluminum, and a smattering of magnesium and copper.
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 06:35:01 AM PDT, OldToolmaker via groups.io <old_toolmaker@...> wrote:
Joel,
A DB200 is made of cast iron.
An SL is made of Zamac (a form of cast aluminum). Both are good machines although I prefer the cast iron DB200 because of its weight.
Dick
--
http://www.homemadetools.net/ forum/?OFF- SET-tailstock-center-65965#post105972
?SMALL TURRET TOOL POST PLANS?
?LARGE TURRET TOOL POST PLANS
?MINI- LATHE CARRIAGE LOCK PLANS
?SMALL QC TOOL POST PLANS?
?QUICK CHANGE LATHE TURRET
?MINI LATHE COMPOUND PIVOT MODIFICATION
|
Re: refurbishing a Unimat?
Just to be a bit pedantic, Zamac (and similar) are zinc alloys, not aluminum although there is some.? Roughly 96% zinc, most of the rest aluminum, and a smattering of magnesium and copper.
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
On Friday, May 24, 2024 at 06:35:01 AM PDT, OldToolmaker via groups.io <old_toolmaker@...> wrote:
Joel,
A DB200 is made of cast iron.
An SL is made of Zamac (a form of cast aluminum). Both are good machines although I prefer the cast iron DB200 because of its weight.
Dick
--
http://www.homemadetools.net/ forum/?OFF- SET-tailstock-center-65965#post105972
?SMALL TURRET TOOL POST PLANS?
?LARGE TURRET TOOL POST PLANS
?MINI- LATHE CARRIAGE LOCK PLANS
?SMALL QC TOOL POST PLANS?
?QUICK CHANGE LATHE TURRET
?MINI LATHE COMPOUND PIVOT MODIFICATION
|
Re: refurbishing a Unimat?
Joel,
A DB200 is made of cast iron.
An SL is made of Zamac (a form of cast aluminum). Both are good machines although I prefer the cast iron DB200 because of its weight.
Dick
--
http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/?OFF-SET-tailstock-center-65965#post105972
?SMALL TURRET TOOL POST PLANS?
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Re: Chuck coming unscrewed
I thought about that too, but then you'd need to run the spindle in the other direction.? Do any of the the stock motors have that capability?? (I realize it's trivial for folks with DC drives to do this)
-Dave
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 08:14:15 PM PDT, Keith S. Angus <keithsangus@...> wrote:
You need a left handed milling cutter. I didn't know they existed, but I found this fairly quickly:
I don't know how easy it would be for you to get them, or how suitable they might be. They all look a bit long and skinny to me. And would you then have the problem of the cutter/holder unscrewing?
If you are cutting brass you could make your own cutter from silver steel (drill rod), but that depends on the sort of cutter you need.
An alternative would be to add an extra locking device to the chuck, perhaps locating in one of the tommy bar holes - if there is some where convenient to anchor to on the rotary table.
Without knowing just what you are trying to do it's difficult to know what to suggest. Can you post pictures or drawings?
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Re: Chuck coming unscrewed
You need a left handed milling cutter. I didn't know they existed, but I found this fairly quickly:
I don't know how easy it would be for you to get them, or how suitable they might be. They all look a bit long and skinny to me. And would you then have the problem of the cutter/holder unscrewing?
If you are cutting brass you could make your own cutter from silver steel (drill rod), but that depends on the sort of cutter you need.
An alternative would be to add an extra locking device to the chuck, perhaps locating in one of the tommy bar holes - if there is some where convenient to anchor to on the rotary table.
Without knowing just what you are trying to do it's difficult to know what to suggest. Can you post pictures or drawings?
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Re: Chuck coming unscrewed
Dave, I had similar issues with my screw on chucks. One thing I did to counter that was to eliminate the threaded mount. I then converted to using 8mm watchmaker mounts. Watch maker collets utilize a keyway that prevents rotation. This is not difficult to implement but requires careful machining. Now I make all my own.
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 8:21 PM, David James via groups.io <davebjames@...> wrote: I want to leave the work piece mounted in the chuck then mount the chuck on the milling table/ rotary table to do some milling on the work before returning it to the lathe.?
Unfortunately the work will unscrew due to the rotation direction/force of the cutter. Has anyone come up with a solution for this. I want to leave the work mounted in the chuck. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Dave
Borneo
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I want to leave the work piece mounted in the chuck then mount the chuck on the milling table/ rotary table to do some milling on the work before returning it to the lathe.?
Unfortunately the work will unscrew due to the rotation direction/force of the cutter. Has anyone come up with a solution for this. I want to leave the work mounted in the chuck. Any suggestions would be appreciated
Dave
Borneo
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Re: Very Quiet on Unimat Group
Cutting grass, pulling weeds¡
?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
paul b via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 12:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unimat] Very Quiet on Unimat Group
?
Busy here! Making small parts for small locos. Maybe others are making stuff rather than posting.
On Wednesday, 22 May 2024 at 13:06:07 BST, OldToolmaker via groups.io <old_toolmaker@...>
wrote:
Not much interest on the Unimat Users group I have noticed. Must be the time of year!
--
forum/?OFF- SET-tailstock-center-65965#post105972
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Re: Very Quiet on Unimat Group
Busy here! Making small parts for small locos. Maybe others are making stuff rather than posting.
Paul B.
On Wednesday, 22 May 2024 at 13:06:07 BST, OldToolmaker via groups.io <old_toolmaker@...> wrote:
Not much interest on the Unimat Users group I have noticed. Must be the time of year!
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Re: Very Quiet on Unimat Group
I've been getting ready for the Memorial Day outage at work.? The holidays when the plant is shut down are my busiest times of the year at work.
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Very Quiet on Unimat Group
Not much interest on the Unimat Users group I have noticed. Must be the time of year!
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Re: Soft Face Hammers and Replacement Face Pads + Other Machinist' Parts/Tools
This website does not appear to have a way to sell anything.?
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Here is another good source for tools,
Jeff
On Friday, May 17, 2024 at 02:33:00 AM EDT, Jim Reese via groups.io <nfeinc@...> wrote:
Hello to all,
I was looking on the web for replacement pads for my vintage Craftsman 6oz soft face mallet/hammer, and found a supplier KBC Tool.?
I also found out the Craftsman hammer was/is made by Vaughan Tool, model SF6. There is also a 12 ounce hammer SF12.
They have the parts dirt cheap!. $2.36 each for the 1" diameter pads for the SF6.. These are typically hard to find at a good price.
They also offer a mini-soft face hammer P/N 1-397-655 (7-1/4" long) w/6 different face pads included. for $5.77.
Other machinist' tools and parts also seem to be at some of the best prices on the web.
Just an FYI for everyone. Not affiliated with them.
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Re: Recommendations for learning the basics
Ageee Blondiehacks and Mrpete222 have some of the best intro to machining videos on YouTube.
?I'd also recommend finding a copy of either South Bend's How to run a lathe or Atlas / Craftsman Manual of Lathe Operations. These are for bigger lathes, but the info transfers to smaller lathes. These cover a large variety of lathe operations. They are old books past copyright so can be found cheap or even free.
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Re: Soft Face Hammers and Replacement Face Pads + Other Machinist' Parts/Tools
I have made my own soft face hammer faces to fit my ¡°Dead Blow¡± hammers and they work great. When I was in Trade School back in the sixties I built an injection mold to produce these soft face hammer tips. Food for thought!
Dick
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Re: Soft Face Hammers and Replacement Face Pads + Other Machinist' Parts/Tools
Here is another good source for tools,
Jeff
On Friday, May 17, 2024 at 02:33:00 AM EDT, Jim Reese via groups.io <nfeinc@...> wrote:
Hello to all, I was looking on the web for replacement pads for my vintage Craftsman 6oz soft face mallet/hammer, and found a supplier KBC Tool.?
I also found out the Craftsman hammer was/is made by Vaughan Tool, model SF6. There is also a 12 ounce hammer SF12.
They have the parts dirt cheap!. $2.36 each for the 1" diameter pads for the SF6.. These are typically hard to find at a good price. They also offer a mini-soft face hammer P/N 1-397-655 (7-1/4" long) w/6 different face pads included. for $5.77. Other machinist' tools and parts also seem to be at some of the best prices on the web. Just an FYI for everyone. Not affiliated with them.
|
Soft Face Hammers and Replacement Face Pads + Other Machinist' Parts/Tools
Hello to all, I was looking on the web for replacement pads for my vintage Craftsman 6oz soft face mallet/hammer, and found a supplier KBC Tool.?
I also found out the Craftsman hammer was/is made by Vaughan Tool, model SF6. There is also a 12 ounce hammer SF12.
They have the parts dirt cheap!. $2.36 each for the 1" diameter pads for the SF6.. These are typically hard to find at a good price. They also offer a mini-soft face hammer P/N 1-397-655 (7-1/4" long) w/6 different face pads included. for $5.77. Other machinist' tools and parts also seem to be at some of the best prices on the web. Just an FYI for everyone. Not affiliated with them.
|
Re: Unimat SL1000 for sale
I think Fed ex is the worse of the carriers in the US.? They will never pay a claim, they will always blame the seller.
They busted some really expensive marble veneer that I ordered for a miniature roombox, and it was actually crated and in my opinion, shipped appropriately with the 2" around the box and the item.... but your customer will never collect if there is damage with Fed - ex.
Within the last 2 weeks, they also left a $400 package on a door step that is marked deliver to west side of building and I was sitting in the building.? ??
I call them FED UP.
Tamra
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Bill in OKC too
OldToolmaker
David James
Tamra