Re: How to contact Group Owner?
I'd like to have a Unimat partially because it takes a great deal of skill to get good work out of one. If I can do good work on it, it will prove to me that I'm a better machinist than I was when I got the first lathe, which gave me a great deal of trouble. Only the 2nd class showed it wasn't the lathe that was at fault. When I got the Atlas TH42, I kept the HF 7x10 because it's a PITA to tear down from one project to do another one that you need right freaking now! It's a great size for pins and screws, and such, bushing and bearings, and the like. The Atlas is vintage 1946, and still in better shape than I am, and nearly a decade older. It also uses much of the tooling I have for the HF, and will handle longer and wider material. The SB I got for several reasons: South Bend lathes and shapers were what I first learned on in that high school class. I loved them, and wanted one of each! I'd commented on that on another board, and my friend Bill Hinkle though he could make part of my dream come true. I'd already bought a Lewis shaper from him for a really good price, and he had this Heavy 10L in his barn, and had realized he wasn't going to live long enough to fix it. The modern version of the Heavy 10 goes for about $10K these days, and a decent running 10L on Ebay is usually $3K or more. I got it for less than $1K. It does need quite a bit of restoration, but the bed looks unworn, and it included the taper attachment, two 5C collet closers, and both normal and turret tailstocks. The taper attachment and turret tailstocks both go for upwards of $400 on Ebay. I've had it for about 2 years, now, and about 1/3 of the pieces have been de-rusted. It's probably going to take a few more years. My brother bought the Smithy for me, I think it's his subtle hint he wants me to make some stuff for him. ;) And if I ever win the lottery, I will buy a brand spanking new Monarch 10EE. Just because. And a better shop to put it in. :) In my dreams!?
Beyond that, I can probably live without more lathes. Though I've known a couple of folks who had dozens...
And envied them, too!
Bill in OKC
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
Tamra, my favorite beginners projects are a small riveting hammer and a tap handle. Those are what I made in my machine shop class in high school, in 1973. I gave them to my grandpa, and got them back after he passed on in 1977. Unless my kids lost or destroyed them, they should still be here somewhere.?
The hammer head and tap handles are made from square stock. 3/8" IIRC. Handles are turned between centers. The hammer handle is knurled, and the end threaded to fit a threaded hole in the hammer head. Most of the length of the tap handles are turned round, the still square ends have a cross-ways groove filed so shaper cut, two clearance holes in one, and two threaded holes in the other. They're simple to make, and use most of the operations that can be done on a lathe.?
It took me several decades to find an affordable copy of the project book my first class used, but I have copies on my computer of those blueprints. The book is Machine Shop Projects by Roy E. Knight, though there are similar plans in the South Bend book, too.
My computer room is being reorganized right now, or I'd attach them. Gotta track down the power & network connections. Probably need to get a longer network cable, too.?
Bill in OKC
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
I forgot to mention in my previous post that for a first project it is more about learning than perfection. Do one type of operation until it is mastered (even if that means you start over again).
The very first thing is learn how to set up a cutting tool ¡°on center¡± of spindle rotation to eliminate the annoying little center pip left after facing the end of a piece of round stock.
Dick
Eventually all this will become clear and second nature.
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
I think a good beginning project for the Unimat would be to make a center punch.
The skills learned would involve:
(1) straight parallel turning.
(2) taper turning.
(3) turning to a shoulder.
(4) knurling (if you have a scissor knurling tool.
(5) facing.
These are all basic operations and when taken in small steps are easier to master.
Dick
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
The first time I used a tap & die on a lathe and made a brass screw, the memory still makes me smile.
It is a confidence and skill building exercise...
Perhaps the aluminum pen that was a Home Shop Machinist project might be a good place to start.
Tamra
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
<sorry, let me ask this question differently...>
So, for all of our very experienced unimat users, what is the beginners project you would recommend to start learning to use the Unimat?
I think one should test that the head stock and tail stock are in alignment as the first thing to learn.
Then I think the new user needs to understand how to measure and use the dials on the cross slide for depth of cut.
What skills can we come up with to help new users get started with their unimat?
Tamra
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
There are so many wonderful beginners projects...?
I still haven't made my 1/12th scale oil can from brass... but I want the top to unscrew and I want to hollow it out inside and the tip..... so you know why it isn't done.? All these years later, it can be intimidating to just try things... I like to work in 360 brass - reasonably inexpensive...
But I remember Coach / Mert Baker telling me that I need to learn to sharpen my tool bits and I think that was wise advice.? I'm ok with sharpening my tool bits now, and still haven't made a leather apron yet.... I've got holes in shirts from sparks from my bench grinder... so I've learned and retained a few bits of experience.
So, for all of our very experienced unimat users, what is the beginners project you would like to start.
I still like the make your own miniature cannon project as a beginner's project - was that popular mechanics?? I will have to search the emails.
John, I started to convert a sherline to 2 axis CNC - but got stuck....I should try and work through that again.? I'm to the point of calibrating the steppers in Mach 3 and stopped... got cold feet and then Covid 19 arrived with a multiple miniature chair project and real life got in the way and I haven't returned to the project... Your post is a good reminder, although I walk past that lathe 5 of 7 days a week.? I wish I had a makers space that had some people interested in DIY CNC conversions on lathes... I found that a lathe was the least in demand of CNC Conversions... Wood Router #1, Lasers, Mills, etc, and lathes were at the bottom of the list... To me that is the place to begin with only 2 axis to cut your teeth.? You may want to consider an ELS conversion - and I was considering this for a taig lathe, if I can't finish the Sherline -?
Tamra
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, 08:16:46 PM CDT, Jkle379184 via groups.io <jkle379184@...> wrote:
Martin
?I hope I started the money flowing, donation sent via Paypal.
?Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Martin P. via groups.io <mdupreno1@...>
To: Emgee Radian <xpylonracer@...>; [email protected]
Sent: Sat, Nov 6, 2021 7:11 pm
Subject: Re: [Unimat] Annual $220 Group fee.
I will certainly not turn down donations. Last year there was about $35 left over. If anyone wants to contribute, send to my PayPal account at mdupreno1@...Thanks everyone!
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
John/Tamra
I believe the German u-boats might have carried the Hommel UWG
lathe, seen here:
These were very interesting machine tools.
Peter
On 11/6/2021 10:04 PM, John Pratchios
wrote:
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Tamra;
It has been said that German U-Boats carried a small metal lathe
similar to Unimats.
I remember seeing the American Edelstaal Unimat advertised in the
ads in the back of Popular Mechanics and Mechanix Illustrated
magazines in the very early ¡®60s.when I was a teenager (I¡¯m now
73). The price was $99 at the time. I wanted one very badly back
then but $99 was a lot back then.
I did get one in 1971 when my newly wed wife¡¯s Uncle who worked at
Sears could get a great discount at Sears who was selling them at
that time. I still only ended up with a very basic SL-1000 with a
couple of accessories. Since around 2000 I added accessories
obtained on eBay and now have most of what I ever wanted, but now
I want to convert one to CNC.
Best regards,
John
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
Martin
?I hope I started the money flowing, donation sent via Paypal.
?Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Martin P. via groups.io <mdupreno1@...>
To: Emgee Radian <xpylonracer@...>; [email protected]
Sent: Sat, Nov 6, 2021 7:11 pm
Subject: Re: [Unimat] Annual $220 Group fee.
I will certainly not turn down donations. Last year there was about $35 left over. If anyone wants to contribute, send to my PayPal account at mdupreno1@...Thanks everyone!
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
Tamra;
It has been said that German U-Boats carried a small metal lathe similar to Unimats.
I remember seeing the American Edelstaal Unimat advertised in the ads in the back of Popular Mechanics and Mechanix Illustrated magazines in the very early ¡®60s.when I was a teenager (I¡¯m now 73). The price was $99 at the time. I wanted one very badly back then but $99 was a lot back then.
I did get one in 1971 when my newly wed wife¡¯s Uncle who worked at Sears could get a great discount at Sears who was selling them at that time. I still only ended up with a very basic SL-1000 with a couple of accessories. Since around 2000 I added accessories obtained on eBay and now have most of what I ever wanted, but now I want to convert one to CNC.
Best regards,
John
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
I will be happy to pick up the tab. ?Please allow me to do that. Is there any special mechanism involved - like payment to family or something like that?
Thank you,
Eugene V. Lenarz
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, 06:11:55 PM CDT, Martin P. via groups.io <mdupreno1@...> wrote:
I will certainly not turn down donations. Last year there was about $35 left over. If anyone wants to contribute, send to my PayPal account at mdupreno1@...Thanks everyone!
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Re: Helping Beginners start....
I would suggest looking at some basic Unimat literature, and maybe a basic book like "How to run a Lathe" (much of the info won't be applicable, but a lot of the general techniques still apply).? I never had the luxury of any instruction, having only watched my father use it a few times.? When I "borrowed" it the first time when I was about 11 or so, I was just flying by the seat of my pants.? I actually thought I invented the technique of holding a drill bit stationary in the tail stock and rotating the work!? Kids...
Before starting a project, just play with it so you understand it better.? It's better to learn (and fail) on random scrap than on something you care about.? I say fail because it will happen; personally, I like learning by just doing things.? I usually only resort to books, etc when I have a specific problem I want to solve.??
They are fun little machines!
-Dave
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, 01:17:26 PM PDT, Tamra <tamrabrogdon@...> wrote:
From Eugene,? <I'm superannuated and have never used my SL/DB (being too ignorant of its operation), but I've thoroughly enjoyed the commentaries from those of you who have mastered the little lathe.>
Hi Eugene, I was a beginner not so long ago... my unimat was my 2nd lathe in 2014? after my husband purchased a Variable Speed Jet Mini woodworking lathe for me in 2010. and... with humor, I had to go look superannuated... our unimats? are not new technology... I think these lathes were sold long before I was hatched on planet earth and I do have 2 grandsons... so I'm not that young!?
What do you want to make with your Unimat?? It is a super fun piece of equipment.??
Tamra
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
Hi Martin
It's good you are back on-line and thanks for making the payment of the annual fee, I'm sure a number of members will be making donations to cover the cost,
just advise when enough has been donated and keep any over payment towards next year.
The email address is at aol,com
Marcus
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Re: Martin Pinckney alive and well
Glad to see you here!? Thanks for wrangling the group.
John
My apologies to everyone for being MIA since March. Nothing wrong, I just got involved with a lot of other things and neglected this Group.
New truck (first in 16 years, first ever Jeep), old boat restoration, busy work schedule, etc., etc.
Thanks to Bill in OKC for tracking me down!
Hopefully, you will see me posting again in a few days.
Martin
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
I will certainly not turn down donations. Last year there was about $35 left over. If anyone wants to contribute, send to my PayPal account at mdupreno1@...Thanks everyone!
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Martin Pinckney alive and well
My apologies to everyone for being MIA since March. Nothing wrong, I just got involved with a lot of other things and neglected this Group.
New truck (first in 16 years, first ever Jeep), old boat restoration, busy work schedule, etc., etc.
Thanks to Bill in OKC for tracking me down!
Hopefully, you will see me posting again in a few days.
Martin
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
Similar to the situation on the EMCO lathes group re. moderation.
We done a funding round again this year and had raised the $110 within 7
hours.
You will easily raise the funds if you go down that route.
B.
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On 06/11/2021 20:54, Emgee Radian wrote: Hi Barrie
Joint Owner with Martin and 1 other owner so the group doesn't become
orphoned.
I originally opened an account with iO for a Unimat Group and Emco 5
cnc lathe Group whilst Yahoo Groups was still running, when Yahoo
closed shop I offered the Group to the present and appointed Martin as
Joint Owner because he had been moderating the Unimat SL site on Yahoo
for many years.
Martin paid for with contributions from members and arranged the
transfer of members, files and photos from Yahoo to iO
After that I agreed to step down from site duties and left all
moderation etc to Martin which he has continued to carry out, it's
only over the last week that things have taken another course but
during that time Martin has paid the annual fee so I believe he is
still active and we await his update regarding funding the fee he has
paid.
Marcus
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
Hi Barrie
Joint Owner with Martin and 1 other owner so the group doesn't become orphoned.
I originally opened an account with iO for a Unimat Group and Emco 5 cnc lathe Group whilst Yahoo Groups was still running, when Yahoo closed shop I offered the Group to the present and appointed Martin as Joint Owner because he had been moderating the Unimat SL site on Yahoo for many years.
Martin paid for with contributions from members and arranged the transfer of members, files and photos from Yahoo to iO
After that I agreed to step down from site duties and left all moderation etc to Martin which he has continued to carry out, it's only over the last week that things have taken another course but
during that time Martin has paid the annual fee so I believe he is still active and we await his update regarding funding the fee he has paid.
Marcus
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Re: Annual $220 Group fee.
Marcus
Maybe it is the numbers of members or as Tamara says about getting off
Yahoo that bit earlier.
Do you own the Unimat group?
B.
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On 06/11/2021 20:24, Emgee Radian wrote: Hi Barrie
If that is the V10 Group then it could be due to the number of members
listed, less than 1000 v 3000, or size of file/photo storage also has
a bearing on cost.
If it is due to numbers and we need to reduce numbers then it will
mean going through the members list to delete those bouncing accounts
and others who have
not posted since joining if we are on a budget,?fortunately that does
not seem to be the case.
The other groups I own are presently hosted without charge as they
were not transferred from Yahoo also because the membership numbers
are low and the
File/Photo storage is well within limits set by iO.
Marcus
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Bill in OKC too
OldToolmaker
Tamra