Thanks Tamra for the replies and the detail, that's useful.

I've bought a small diamond cup wheel specifically for this (I'll try it on the U3 spindle), but also have a grinder from my woodworking days - one side has a normal wheel, the other with a larger whetstone that runs in a water trough. To be honest I hardly ever used the whetstone as it was soooo slow... I thought the 'normal' side would maybe a bit too fierce, it is quite course for small items.

I'd rather drill than bore but have a cheapo made-in-China drill press that I have had for years. It's solid enough and has served me well but the spindle has a fair amount of play in it (it's on the list for examination and 'improvement' if possible). If I was aiming for a 13mm hole (to tap M14 to fit on the U3 spindle) I wouldn't want to go larger than 11mm on the drill press, and I'd bore the rest on the U3. Which is... kinda boring... ha ha.

They do say though that a tool ground to the correct angles is better than the indexable carbide insert tools (which I guess must be more of a 'one size fits all' option), so learning to sharpen generally is a good endeavour I think.

(The carbide insert boring bar has those trapezoid shaped cutting parts that fix with a tiny bolt, I don't know if you can sharpen those? I think they are just replaceable).

>>I have a small carbide insert boring bar and I swear it is just scraping the wall sometimes!

Did you try sharpening it?

Tamra

I haven't made a boring tool, I usually buy my tool bits, with the exception of 1/12th scale turnings.
It is easier to grind the tool bit for micro turnings using a? 1/8" tool bit and stacking two of them to
get to the center height.? You are removing less material at the grinder.

I'm using an ordinary bench grinder that has the wire polishing wheel on one side and abrasive disk on the right.
I clamp a board on the left side of the rest to eliminate the gap issue and that stupid side " angled pocket" that I'm
assuming is there to?sharpen a chisel at a specific angle.??

If you want them to look pretty, it is all in the movement, or not moving, because you will create facets that are not
necessarily pretty.? You can always file anything that isn't pretty out by hand with metal file, but I would likely not file
them unless?I was trying to impress someone or specifically to disquise my lack of skill.? I grind a couple of them at
a time, dip?in tap water as they get hot, and polish them on the wire wheel if they get discolored and then test them
and fine tune?the relief depending on what I'm turning.? If they get too hot, you will lose your temper.? I don't wear gloves
so I can feel if the tool steel is getting too warm.??

There is a lot of info on relief required for different metals in your grind.? Buying a set from Sherline or other vendors
and not altering them or using them can help you see the relief for their specs for what they are selling.

I found the information on (ahem) Sherline's website to be very helpful.



These used to cost about $2 - $2.50 at MSC direct, the distribution center is pretty close.
Current cost is $3.68.??

If you find some used tool bits on facebook marketplace, you can practice grinding.


I edited one of these last weekend, will try it today, as I'm trying to learn
how to machine round 1/8" balls on my taig radius turner.

I usually drill, I've not once found a need to bore anything... it is likely I would
buy that tool bit.

Tamra

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Unimat SL1000 for sale
$700 complete
No shipping

I live in Naperville, west of Chicago, and it’s available for pickup.
Photos available at “Carl’s Unimat” as a photo album.

If interested please contact me off-list.

I was given the Unimat as a Christmas gift in 1972 and it has been used but not abused!!? I used it in conjunction with my model railroading hobby, streetcars and interurbans in HO and O scale.? I’m getting on in age and my wife tells me I must downsize!!

I have the original box, but I modified it years ago so that a mounting board would sit on top of the box, placing the lathe higher and more convenient to use.? The current mounting board is two 3/4 inch plywood sheets glued and screw together and fits inside the box.? The edges are multi-coated with varnish and the top has a grey Formica covering.

Included are:
Unimat lathe with motor and electronic speed control
tailstock with locking attachments
3-jaw chuck
4-jaw chuck
ER-16 collet chuck, NO collets
drill chuck
face plate
micrometer stop mounted on the waybars
Unimat threading chasing attachment with two thread followers, 20/inch, and 1 mm
dead centers
live center
Unimat vice
threaded adapters for mounting chucks to cross slide or milling table
grinding wheel arbor
Unimat milling table
Unimat tool post
Unimat lantern tool post
Unimat milling column with headstock mounting casting and mounting base (unfinished)
extra drive belts
headstock spindle rebuild kit.? Purchased "just in case".
"Unimat Buddy" -? aligns the head and tail stocks
11mm drill bit and 12x1mm tap
6mm tap
assorted 6mm socket screws and tee-nuts
1/4 inch tool bits
original manual and catalogs

My pics are in the photos section under Bruces Unimat.? Have fun? Stl or Fusion 360 files are available if anybody whant them....

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I think he was talking about the extended 8mm cross-slide guide rails in the picture that are used to mount the dial indicator, not the 12mm main rails.

You will want a small relief the length of the shoulder on the spindle.

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Instead of this farting around with emails, can't someone just call him?

Ha ha, that’s quite a collection :-)

Have you tried them all? (!) ? Any favourites?

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Dead and burried

Any one know what has happened to Toms tool Store??
His site had been down for a while with a under maintaince sign.
?Jeff

The hole in my spindle is mangled. I made this crude little? aluminium wrench. Next time I'll leave more material for the handle.?

I'm learning to set up my machine and would welcome pictures of how you attach dial indicators to it (both for lathe and mill structure).?
Thank you!?

Drawing below shows faceplate being screwed directly.
If so, should I leave relief or can I thread the whole length of the center hole??