Re: Maximum endmill size for U3 / PC Vertical Mill?
Thank you all!?
This makes sense. I am not in a rush for time, so the idea of larger tools and lighter cuts will work well for me!
I'll start off with an ER16 and add a 25 or 32 as needed.
You have a PC Basic.? The motors are small.? 3/8 mill should be OK.? For this an ER16 will work.? I have an ER25 set.? The benefit is for holding larger items in the lathe such as tubing.
|
Re: Maximum endmill size for U3 / PC Vertical Mill?
You have a PC Basic.? The motors are small.? 3/8 mill should be OK.? For this an ER16 will work.? I have an ER25 set.? The benefit is for holding larger items in the lathe such as tubing.
|
Re: Maximum endmill size for U3 / PC Vertical Mill?
Hi JP:
There
isn't any relationship between collet size and accuracy.
The
limit isn't the size of the cutter, but more the depth of the
cut. I would go larger so more tools will fit. I'm in favor of
light cuts and more of them.
I have
an ER32 chuck for my Unimat SL and have used it often.
Carl.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi all, I'm considering? ER16 / ER20 / ER25 collet holder for
my PC/Basic vertical mill.
Couple of questions:
- Is a larger collet holder better for accuracy (eg. larger =
less runout?)
- Is there a endmill size that is "too large" for a stock U3
(and / or PC/Basic) given the smallish motor??
If 12mm is unfeasible, then ER25 doesn't make as much sense as
an ER25.
?
Thanks!
JP
|
Maximum endmill size for U3 / PC Vertical Mill?
Hi all, I'm considering? ER16 / ER20 / ER25 collet holder for my PC/Basic vertical mill.
Couple of questions:
- Is a larger collet holder better for accuracy (eg. larger = less runout?)
- Is there a endmill size that is "too large" for a stock U3 (and / or PC/Basic) given the smallish motor??
If 12mm is unfeasible, then ER25 doesn't make as much sense as an ER25.
?
Thanks!
JP
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
Hi
Gang:
Be sure
to seal the surfaces, cutting oil will really sink in plywood
or MDF. Steel needs oil not to rust, Formica is my second
choice. I like to add a pencil groove to the front edge, I use
a table saw on a diagonal to cut the radius.
I know
weight makes the tool heavier to lift, but it really helps
with the noise and vibration.
Carl.
On 3/20/2023 12:25 AM, Keith S. Angus
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I did something like this a while back, when I built a bench
specifically for making miniature parts for an F1 team. I was
aiming to use my SL & U3 lathes, plus the little Proxxon mill.
I made a cubby hole under the bench with wooden rails both sides
to act as drawer runners. I made some wooden bases to fit on these
runners, and bolted my machines to them. I added steel equipment
handles which bolted right through the bases, so were unlikely to
come unstuck. I made the bases of ?" MDF, because I had lots of it
lying around, left over from constructing kitchen cabinets (or
something like that). I also used them to build the bench, with a
bit of kitchen worktop - on top. I could then put away all three
machines under the bench leaving the top clear for hand work. I
did find I had just enough room to get two machines running side
by side.
Lessons to learn. The boards were based on the size of the SL,
which has now gone off to Australia. This was big enough for the
Proxxon mill, but for the U3 it was a tight fit. As for my
PC/Basic, that came later and is definitely not going to fit. One
day, when I am feeling strong I will modify the bench and make
bigger machine bases. I will also add small racks, maybe just
blocks with useful sized holes in them, to keep things like tommy
bars, hex & chuck keys close by. For machines with 24 V motors
and speed controls I might put the controllers on the boards so
they are convenient to reach, but leave the 24 V power supply
elsewhere so there is no high voltage on the board.
One day when I can dig my way back into the garage I will take
some pictures so folks can see what I mean, and decide whether it
is the sort of thing they need.
As for the base, use good quality wood. I would look for good
quality ply, with a nice smooth surface. Round off the corners,
sand the edges and maybe seal with. Consider adding a lip round
the edge paint or varnish so small parts will not fall off. If the
boards slide around on your bench get some large rubber feet or
add some pads of sheet rubber to provide grip. For suitable
handles go to a local hardware shop and look at some of the bigger
door and drawer handles. Get something chunky, but remember, not
so big it blocks access to the lathe.
Think ahead, and plan it out on a big sheet of paper on the bench.
Then you will find the things you forgot about are not so
important.
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
What does your machine weigh in pounds?
|
Re: Are we the world's smallest group?
We were lucky, I was also a member of a couple of other Yahoo groups that did not survive the Yahoo groups shut down, Monarch Metal lathes, Weedhopper Ultralight aircraft, VW Vanagon and a couple of aluminum metal casting sites.
?Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith S. Angus <keithsangus@...>
To: OldToolmaker <old_toolmaker@...>; [email protected]
Sent: Mon, Mar 20, 2023 1:00 am
Subject: Re: [Unimat] Are we the world's smallest group?
It looks like this Group started out on Yahoo Clubs, which opened in 1998, or maybe from eGroups.com, which Yahoo acquired in 2001. As many will know around the end of 2019 Yahoo decided to increase their popularity by effectively shutting down the Groups, and reducing them to minimal functions. Following the success of this marketing tactic they then shut down all groups later on in 2020. Yahoo's clear grasp of the market they served had already been shown when they introduced a major upgrade?in September 2010. Such was the success of this improved version that it was formally abandoned in January 2011. Many here will remember this event. At the end of 2019 the whole forum was transferred over to Groups.io successfully incorporating almost all of the previous Yahoo data, although in a somewhat different structure which did cause some confusion for a while. Since then all has been calm. At least, I have been calm.
The heading "Are we the worlds smallest group?" is from the first message, dated 2000-04-30, so that's when the group started - I would not expect to see anything dated earlier. Just click on the Home button to see the monthly activity figures from the beginning.
But note: I have occasionally received small batches of empty emails dated 1970-01-01. At that time there were a small bunch of interconnected computers in the USA, linked to about six here in the UK, and to a few sonar sensors under the North Atlantic that were monitoring subsea geology - or was it submarine movements? Anyway, how they predicted my email address back then, and why it took so long for the messages to reach me remains a mystery. And why send blank messages? I lie awake at night worrying about this.
|
Re: Are we the world's smallest group?
1970-01-01 is "time 0" for all unix and unix derived systems,
including Linux and probably MAC OS X. Times are recorded as
seconds since the beginning of 1970. That date was chosen because
there would be little need to deal with events before then. In
effect this means the dates on the emails you describe are as
empty as the rest of the emails.
On 3/20/23 01:00, Keith S. Angus wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
It looks like this Group started out on Yahoo Clubs, which opened
in 1998, or maybe from eGroups.com, which Yahoo acquired in 2001.
As many will know around the end of 2019 Yahoo decided to increase
their popularity by effectively shutting down the Groups, and
reducing them to minimal functions. Following the success of this
marketing tactic they then shut down all groups later on in 2020.
Yahoo's clear grasp of the market they served had already been
shown when they introduced a major upgrade?in September 2010. Such
was the success of this improved version that it was formally
abandoned in January 2011. Many here will remember this event. At
the end of 2019 the whole forum was transferred over to Groups.io
successfully incorporating almost all of the previous Yahoo data,
although in a somewhat different structure which did cause some
confusion for a while. Since then all has been calm. At least, I
have been calm.
The heading "Are we the worlds smallest group?" is from the first
message, dated 2000-04-30, so that's when the group started - I
would not expect to see anything dated earlier. Just click on the
Home button to see the monthly activity figures from the
beginning.
But note: I have occasionally received small batches of empty
emails dated 1970-01-01. At that time there were a small bunch of
interconnected computers in the USA, linked to about six here in
the UK, and to a few sonar sensors under the North Atlantic that
were monitoring subsea geology - or was it submarine movements?
Anyway, how they predicted my email address back then, and why it
took so long for the messages to reach me remains a mystery. And
why send blank messages? I lie awake at night worrying about this.
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
How about an extruded aluminium base? I built this for my Sherline (I also did the same for my Cowells). Extremely strong yet still relatively lightweight.  YouTube Links:Part 1:???Part 2:???Part 3:??Part 4:?
|
Re: Are we the world's smallest group?
Hello Keith, There are at least two of us (I'm in southern California) but you and I must be a sturdy group. My Unimat work has slowed somewhat for the past year due to the health of the entire world - but hoping to get back to learning more from this dwindling group. Wishing you a good night's sleep, Warm regards and stay safe & healthy, Al Canales Temecula, CA, USA
It looks like this Group started out on Yahoo Clubs, which opened in 1998, or maybe from eGroups.com, which Yahoo acquired in 2001. As many will know around the end of 2019 Yahoo decided to increase their popularity by effectively shutting down the Groups, and reducing them to minimal functions. Following the success of this marketing tactic they then shut down all groups later on in 2020. Yahoo's clear grasp of the market they served had already been shown when they introduced a major upgrade?in September 2010. Such was the success of this improved version that it was formally abandoned in January 2011. Many here will remember this event. At the end of 2019 the whole forum was transferred over to Groups.io successfully incorporating almost all of the previous Yahoo data, although in a somewhat different structure which did cause some confusion for a while. Since then all has been calm. At least, I have been calm.
The heading "Are we the worlds smallest group?" is from the first message, dated 2000-04-30, so that's when the group started - I would not expect to see anything dated earlier. Just click on the Home button to see the monthly activity figures from the beginning.
But note: I have occasionally received small batches of empty emails dated 1970-01-01. At that time there were a small bunch of interconnected computers in the USA, linked to about six here in the UK, and to a few sonar sensors under the North Atlantic that were monitoring subsea geology - or was it submarine movements? Anyway, how they predicted my email address back then, and why it took so long for the messages to reach me remains a mystery. And why send blank messages? I lie awake at night worrying about this.
|
Re: Are we the world's smallest group?
It looks like this Group started out on Yahoo Clubs, which opened in 1998, or maybe from eGroups.com, which Yahoo acquired in 2001. As many will know around the end of 2019 Yahoo decided to increase their popularity by effectively shutting down the Groups, and reducing them to minimal functions. Following the success of this marketing tactic they then shut down all groups later on in 2020. Yahoo's clear grasp of the market they served had already been shown when they introduced a major upgrade?in September 2010. Such was the success of this improved version that it was formally abandoned in January 2011. Many here will remember this event. At the end of 2019 the whole forum was transferred over to Groups.io successfully incorporating almost all of the previous Yahoo data, although in a somewhat different structure which did cause some confusion for a while. Since then all has been calm. At least, I have been calm.
The heading "Are we the worlds smallest group?" is from the first message, dated 2000-04-30, so that's when the group started - I would not expect to see anything dated earlier. Just click on the Home button to see the monthly activity figures from the beginning.
But note: I have occasionally received small batches of empty emails dated 1970-01-01. At that time there were a small bunch of interconnected computers in the USA, linked to about six here in the UK, and to a few sonar sensors under the North Atlantic that were monitoring subsea geology - or was it submarine movements? Anyway, how they predicted my email address back then, and why it took so long for the messages to reach me remains a mystery. And why send blank messages? I lie awake at night worrying about this.
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
I did something like this a while back, when I built a bench specifically for making miniature parts for an F1 team. I was aiming to use my SL & U3 lathes, plus the little Proxxon mill. I made a cubby hole under the bench with wooden rails both sides to act as drawer runners. I made some wooden bases to fit on these runners, and bolted my machines to them. I added steel equipment handles which bolted right through the bases, so were unlikely to come unstuck. I made the bases of ?" MDF, because I had lots of it lying around, left over from constructing kitchen cabinets (or something like that). I also used them to build the bench, with a bit of kitchen worktop - on top. I could then put away all three machines under the bench leaving the top clear for hand work. I did find I had just enough room to get two machines running side by side.
Lessons to learn. The boards were based on the size of the SL, which has now gone off to Australia. This was big enough for the Proxxon mill, but for the U3 it was a tight fit. As for my PC/Basic, that came later and is definitely not going to fit. One day, when I am feeling strong I will modify the bench and make bigger machine bases. I will also add small racks, maybe just blocks with useful sized holes in them, to keep things like tommy bars, hex & chuck keys close by. For machines with 24 V motors and speed controls I might put the controllers on the boards so they are convenient to reach, but leave the 24 V power supply elsewhere so there is no high voltage on the board.
One day when I can dig my way back into the garage I will take some pictures so folks can see what I mean, and decide whether it is the sort of thing they need.
As for the base, use good quality wood. I would look for good quality ply, with a nice smooth surface. Round off the corners, sand the edges and maybe seal with. Consider adding a lip round the edge paint or varnish so small parts will not fall off. If the boards slide around on your bench get some large rubber feet or add some pads of sheet rubber to provide grip. For suitable handles go to a local hardware shop and look at some of the bigger door and drawer handles. Get something chunky, but remember, not so big it blocks access to the lathe.
Think ahead, and plan it out on a big sheet of paper on the bench. Then you will find the things you forgot about are not so important.
|
Re: Unimat 4 cross slide screw
If you don't have a person or machine available to modify this, let me know - I know a man who can.
|
Re: What is the Best Unimat ? and WHY !
The best Unimat is the DB200.
Why? Because it is ¡°Cast Iron¡± and the one and only Unimat I have at present. I also have all the tooling and accessories to go with it and all kept in an oak tool chest. I also have (2) 24volt DC variable speed motors to power the lathe as well as the vertical attachments.
I couldn¡¯t be happier!
Dick
|
Re: Are we the world's smallest group?
Huh? There are 59498 messages. This is a fairly busy group for a niche item.?
Did I misinterpret the message?
Neil Morrison
|
Re: Are we the world's smallest group?
I just noticed all the messages that I now have are from the year 2000.
Anyone here having similar issues? Is something amiss in my settings perhaps?
Dick
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
This as I understand it, this is a Unimat PC, not a regular Unimat DB/SL.? The PC has bed bars of a larger diameter, and should be more rigid and require less support.? Has anyone here used PC Unimats?
The request was for something that could be picked up and stored away.? It is interesting to look at our favorite work benches and cabinets, but they do not address the issue.? For anyone wanting something light, I suggest doing a search for Nordic Ware aluminum griddles.? Some are smooth on one side and ribbed on the other.? They only weigh a few pounds, and you can inspect them at your local Walmart.? Made in USA, not China.
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
Anybody remember the Sears Craftsman "Rotary Tool Bench"?? I always thought it was sort of bad idea and likely annoying to use.? But I do wonder if, for a small machine, a scheme where it stayed mounted, but swung out of sight, might have merit.? Perhaps even something where it simply lowered, and a removable flat piece would then fill the hole to make a flat work surface.? Or was on something hinged so that it swung down and to the rear or to the side and just hung there and a piece then used to fill the hole.
Here are a couple photos of the Sears contraption.? The side pieces slide out of the way to allow more clearance when swinging it around with machines mounted.
Charles E. "Chuck" Kinzer
On Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 10:27:10 AM PDT, Carl <carl.blum@...> wrote:
Hello
Powster:
I've
built several lathe bases and the heavier the better. My first
base was a whole cabinet, four drawers for parts, 3/4" steel
slap with tapped holes and a cover, all made from 3/4"
plywood.
I've
since returned the cover to stock, but the rest is fine.
The
second base is more like a sewing machine cabinet. The machine
can fold down inside when not in use. 3/4" steel again.
The
last is just a nice piece of plywood and doesn't have a
milling column. Sorry, no photo.
While
the steel bases are nice since you can use magnetic holders on
it, a marble counter top cut out would be nice and flat.
The
mass really make the machine run nicer.
Good
luck. Carl.
Greetings everyone, I'm new to lathes and after a few months of
yearning, I finally came across a PC/Basic in great condition.
I don't have much work space and thus need a semi mobile setup
(I.e. Lathe will be stored away when not in use)
Are there any good strategies / ideas for building base for the PC
basic model?
Some notes:
1. With the vertical attachment it's abt 15-20kgs
2. I'd like to build a couple of handles on the left and right
side of the base for easy lifting?
Would plywood suffice? My main worry is lifting the entire base +
machine by its handles (to be built on left / right side) would
not be strong enough.
Thanks in advance!?
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
Hello
Powster:
I've
built several lathe bases and the heavier the better. My first
base was a whole cabinet, four drawers for parts, 3/4" steel
slap with tapped holes and a cover, all made from 3/4"
plywood.
I've
since returned the cover to stock, but the rest is fine.
The
second base is more like a sewing machine cabinet. The machine
can fold down inside when not in use. 3/4" steel again.
The
last is just a nice piece of plywood and doesn't have a
milling column. Sorry, no photo.
While
the steel bases are nice since you can use magnetic holders on
it, a marble counter top cut out would be nice and flat.
The
mass really make the machine run nicer.
Good
luck. Carl.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Greetings everyone, I'm new to lathes and after a few months of
yearning, I finally came across a PC/Basic in great condition.
I don't have much work space and thus need a semi mobile setup
(I.e. Lathe will be stored away when not in use)
Are there any good strategies / ideas for building base for the PC
basic model?
Some notes:
1. With the vertical attachment it's abt 15-20kgs
2. I'd like to build a couple of handles on the left and right
side of the base for easy lifting?
Would plywood suffice? My main worry is lifting the entire base +
machine by its handles (to be built on left / right side) would
not be strong enough.
Thanks in advance!?
|
Re: Case / base for newly acquired PC/basic
Mert Baker used a cast iron griddle for that purpose, on one of his DB or SL units. I'd imagine it should be in the photos section, but haven't seen it in quite some time. I tend to use Mert's feats as a benchmark for things that I should be able to do when I have as much experience as he had. Well heck. It's not there. Dave W did something a little more ambitious, here:? /g/Unimat/album?id=195694?
?A larger enough plate of 1/2"/13mm aluminum would work, but be be pretty pricey.?
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 Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 12:03:02 PM CDT, clankennedy2004 via groups.io <clankennedy2004@...> wrote:
:/ Meh i would not use plywood but bolt it to a trolley or perhaps if you really want to lift it add yet more weight and use a steel frame but you don't want to add twist to the frame and then to the bed of your lathe so you have to be cautious on your approach. Even larger lathes can twist :/ So a steel plate perhaps with handles welded to that or perhaps bolted on might do the trick.
On Sunday, 19 March 2023 at 16:46:19 GMT, powster@... <powster@...> wrote:
Greetings everyone, I'm new to lathes and after a few months of yearning, I finally came across a PC/Basic in great condition.
I don't have much work space and thus need a semi mobile setup (I.e. Lathe will be stored away when not in use)
Are there any good strategies / ideas for building base for the PC basic model?
Some notes:
1. With the vertical attachment it's abt 15-20kgs
2. I'd like to build a couple of handles on the left and right side of the base for easy lifting?
Would plywood suffice? My main worry is lifting the entire base + machine by its handles (to be built on left / right side) would not be strong enough.
Thanks in advance!?
|
Carl
OldToolmaker
Unimat Matt
Bill in OKC too