If you have the switch on the motor you could switch that off while setting up the lathe and only switch it back on when you're ready to start turning. Of course you might forget . . .
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Me too, never looked back.
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I like foot switches for other devices but for the lathe I found that I had a tendency to tap the switch when I shouldn’t.? This would be when I stopped working for a bit to change my setups.? I guess I have
a nervous leg, but knowing that, it’s best to look for a safer solution.? My switches are also TEMCo and momentary.? I agree that a latching switch could be dangerous.
?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
Kevin Groenke @ PersonMakeObject
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 6:55 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unimat] Foot Controls
?
I agree with Carl, a foot switch can be a option for a Unimat.
I've been using momentary foot switches almost exclusively on my Unimats and several other tools that benefit from "hands-off" power control. I wouldn't suggest anything but "momentary" operation as these supply power only when depressed (like the accelerator
pedal in your car). I think a "latching" or on/off footswitch could be dangerous in some situations.?
I haven't upgraded to DC motors yet, but when I do, there will be a foot control option built into the power distribution.?
I have a couple TEMCo branded switches pictured below which have been working flawlessly for hundreds of hours. The $12 Wen in the link looks similar and a good value.?
WEN WA0392 120V 15-Amp Momentary Power Foot Pedal Switch for Woodworking
--
Kevin from PersonMakeObject
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I use the same thing.
Peter B.
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On 4/4/2024 10:39 PM, Carl wrote:
Hi Gang:
I used a
foot control from a sewing machine for a while. It was great
for polishing.
Carl.
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Thank you for adding me to the group?
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I agree with Carl, a foot switch can be a option for a Unimat. I've been using momentary foot switches almost exclusively on my Unimats and several other tools that benefit from "hands-off" power control. I wouldn't suggest anything but "momentary" operation as these supply power only when depressed (like the accelerator pedal in your car). I think a "latching" or on/off footswitch could be dangerous in some situations.? I haven't upgraded to DC motors yet, but when I do, there will be a foot control option built into the power distribution.? I have a couple TEMCo branded switches pictured below which have been working flawlessly for hundreds of hours. The $12 Wen in the link looks similar and a good value.? WEN WA0392 120V 15-Amp Momentary Power Foot Pedal Switch for Woodworking  --
Kevin from PersonMakeObject
?????
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Hi Gang:
I used a foot
control from a sewing machine for a while. It was great for
polishing.
Carl.
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
I was surprised at him using that switch. It really is no different from using one on a full size lathe, IMO. I do enjoy watching him, he makes me smile. But, I’ll use a regular switch.?
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
I enjoyed watching that video.? I’ve watched others of his before.? Always fun.
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Mr. Pete mentioned that he attached a foot switch to the Unimat.? I agree with him that reaching over the lathe for the switch is not a great idea, so I had also tried using a foot switch.? I use one on my
air compressor and it’s super.?
?
I found that sometimes I’d inadvertently tap the foot switch and turn on the lathe.? Fortunately it never happened when my hands were in the wrong place.? ?This happened often enough that I replaced the foot
switch with a household paddle, or rocker switch that’s mounted off to the side.? Works great and now I can safely tap my feet to the music.
?
Scott
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of
Kit Maira
Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 6:21 PM
To: Kit Maira <kit.maira@...>; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Unimat] Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
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Not sure why that comes up. It’s called “Making tiny screws on a Unimat lathe #942 tubalcain”
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
My friend, the late Lee Snover, operated a model train business for years.? He had an idea to make very small brass hex head screws(0.8mm x1mm hex, 4mm long and 1mm x1.4mm hex, 4mm long).? He could not find any shop here in the US that would do them at any sort of reasonable cost, so he had them manufactured in Japan.? The net result was that they sold very poorly and were an economic flop.? I still have some of his inventory of these.
So if you like to machine things or have some idea of a screw that you really need, then please enjoy your yourself.? But any very small screws are probably market-wise essentially worthless, which is very disappointing.? There is no need to say that we are all doing this for our enjoyment.
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
I have a die holder for the Unimat, goes on the tailstock instead of a chuck.?
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
I've always used the tailstock ram against the die when threading, even on a Unimat, never thought of using the toolpost to keep the die square.
On a full sized lathe (when I wasn't screwcutting) I used to use the tailstock ram against the die with the end of the diestock handle running in an empty toolholder, select a low speed, start the chuck and off you go. Can't do that in a Unimat!
Paul B.
On Thursday, 4 April 2024 at 04:41:28 BST, Tamra <tamrabrogdon@...> wrote:
That making screw videos was helpful... I do want to make my 1/12th miniature Jorgensen screws for wood working - just because.? I liked the stationary position of the die and moving the headstock to thread.? That was definitely worth the time; it is likely I would not have figured that out until after I made 100 screws or so, on my own.? I bought drill rod and left hand and right hand dies...?
Of all things that I have made on a lathe at this point in the journey, screw threads were on the top of the cool things to make and you do it essentially by hand... but it is so fun, I will attempt to make 4 tiny screws later this month.??
Must buy some brass hex stock; I just got a McMaster Carr order this past Monday.
I think I've watched the Mr. Pete YouTube videos on the subject matter.? I cannot for any reason understand why he wants a 3d print for a tailstock raiser, when he owns a bridgeport mill???
Tamra
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
That making screw videos was helpful... I do want to make my 1/12th miniature Jorgensen screws for wood working - just because.? I liked the stationary position of the die and moving the headstock to thread.? That was definitely worth the time; it is likely I would not have figured that out until after I made 100 screws or so, on my own.? I bought drill rod and left hand and right hand dies...?
Of all things that I have made on a lathe at this point in the journey, screw threads were on the top of the cool things to make and you do it essentially by hand... but it is so fun, I will attempt to make 4 tiny screws later this month.??
Must buy some brass hex stock; I just got a McMaster Carr order this past Monday.
I think I've watched the Mr. Pete YouTube videos on the subject matter.? I cannot for any reason understand why he wants a 3d print for a tailstock raiser, when he owns a bridgeport mill???
Tamra
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Vintage EMCO UNIMAT SL Lathe 500 $ CDN
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
Not sure why that comes up. It’s called “Making tiny screws on a Unimat lathe #942 tubalcain”
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
I only have 2 (or 3?) visors.?
Thanks for the reminders of the books. This triggered searches and finding… the Stuart S50 engine series. Hmmm, I think I have an S50 kit with boiler(?) out in storage. Hmmm…
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Good afternoon,
I bought them from "gadgetskingdom", reference 201177. This is on UK Ebay.
The parts have a UPC reference of 746453424412.
They work perfectly for me but I take no responsibility for anyone else being disappointed. Like me, "You takes your chance".
I also worked on the principle that has already been mentioned in that there is very little room for error when running an M14 thread onto a tube with M12 inside it.
It has to be reasonably accurate to even survive the machining process.
regards,
David?
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
Three Optivisors in the house; one in the basement workshop, one in the basement spin-casting area, and one at my office desk for when I'm fiddling with stuff there.? Occasionally I walk around the house wearing one all day long ...
Jeff
On Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 10:06:16 AM CDT, paul b via groups.io <pointfivebsw@...> wrote:
I know where mine is, on the dining table! Its milling .6mm slots in the end of brass bar where things get a touch tricky.
Paul B.
On Wednesday, 3 April 2024 at 16:01:17 BST, Andrei <calciu1@...> wrote:
Everybody needs to use an optivisor in order to find the lathe ???
Nice to note that I'm not the only Unimat user who wears an Optivisor whilst machining!
Paul B.
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
I know where mine is, on the dining table! Its milling .6mm slots in the end of brass bar where things get a touch tricky.
Paul B.
On Wednesday, 3 April 2024 at 16:01:17 BST, Andrei <calciu1@...> wrote:
Everybody needs to use an optivisor in order to find the lathe ???
Nice to note that I'm not the only Unimat user who wears an Optivisor whilst machining!
Paul B.
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Re: Mr. Pete just started a series on the Unimat SL/DB on YouTube
Everybody needs to use an optivisor in order to find the lathe ???
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Nice to note that I'm not the only Unimat user who wears an Optivisor whilst machining!
Paul B.
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Kevin Groenke @ PersonMakeObject
Carl
Tamra
Dave W
Kit Maira