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Unimat SL - Vertical column & Headstock Adapter

 

I am a new member here and the new proud owner of a Unimat SL, it is an old machine and not complete, it has no vertical column and head stock adapter for milling . I have found a number on Ebay but none of them want to ship out of the US & UK to where I live on Borneo Island. It would be much appreciated if someone had such items they wanted to dispose of and would be willing to ship abroad or knew of someone who could help.
Looking forward to learning how to use this little machine, may need some pointers from you folks on this group, thanks in advance
 

Can't help with supplying one but do bear in mind that the column, headstock and milling bracket have two distinct versions. AFAIK you can't mix and match.

The earlier column has a tapered hole straight through the middle of the spigot into which a bolt with a tapered section screws. The later one has a groove (or is it two?) all around the circumference of the spigot.

My Uni has the earlier style... which is why I'm a bit vague on the later style.
 

Hi there,

The one I have bought is very old, I think it is the SL. Attached is a photo, maybe I must wait until it arrives before I buy one. Thanks for the tip.



Regards

David James


On Wed, 22 Mar 2023 at 20:30, Andy Carlson
<andycarlson@...> wrote:
Can't help with supplying one but do bear in mind that the column, headstock and milling bracket have two distinct versions. AFAIK you can't mix and match.

The earlier column has a tapered hole straight through the middle of the spigot into which a bolt with a tapered section screws. The later one has a groove (or is it two?) all around the circumference of the spigot.

My Uni has the earlier style... which is why I'm a bit vague on the later style.

 

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Hi Gang:

The old style have a bolt with a taper that goes through the stud on the head stock and the milling column. The stud on the head stock rotates to angle the head.

The new style the column has one blind hole to accept the locking set screw. The head stock has two grooves to allow the head to rotate with or with out the 20mm spacer. ( I have a 19mm (3/4") spacer that works fine )

I've made two bases for the milling column so I can mount it behind the machine for more flexibility. I think you could make your own base, column and head adapter. Using a shaft you could use an adapter like this:

Misumi also has shaft bases and are easy to deal with.

But if I were making a milling column I would build with a dovetail with a lead screw so I could accurately move the head up and down.

Good luck, Carl.


On 3/22/2023 8:30 AM, Andy Carlson wrote:

Can't help with supplying one but do bear in mind that the column, headstock and milling bracket have two distinct versions. AFAIK you can't mix and match.

The earlier column has a tapered hole straight through the middle of the spigot into which a bolt with a tapered section screws. The later one has a groove (or is it two?) all around the circumference of the spigot.

My Uni has the earlier style... which is why I'm a bit vague on the later style.

Kevin Groenke @ PersonMakeObject
 

David, your Unimat looks like an "mk4" which requires the "early version" cast iron, tapered bolt, mill adapter.


On Wed, Mar 22, 2023, 7:43 AM David James via <davebjames=[email protected]> wrote:
Hi there,

The one I have bought is very old, I think it is the SL. Attached is a photo, maybe I must wait until it arrives before I buy one. Thanks for the tip.



Regards

David James


On Wed, 22 Mar 2023 at 20:30, Andy Carlson
Can't help with supplying one but do bear in mind that the column, headstock and milling bracket have two distinct versions. AFAIK you can't mix and match.

The earlier column has a tapered hole straight through the middle of the spigot into which a bolt with a tapered section screws. The later one has a groove (or is it two?) all around the circumference of the spigot.

My Uni has the earlier style... which is why I'm a bit vague on the later style.

IMG-20230321-WA0023.jpg
IMG-20230321-WA0023.jpg
Collage_2023-03-22_09_26_55.jpg

 

Thank you to all who have put me on the right track, I was not aware there were different columns. I think all the ones I looked at on ebay were the wrong ones. I will try to look for a manual on the net for the Mk 4.
 

Is this the correct one for my machine, old model mk4

Screenshot_20230323_202326_eBay.jpg

 

Doesn't look like it. The cast iron one has a round flange where it meets the headstock... or where the column has been attached in the case of the photo.

On the whole if the ad doesn't make it clear then it's more likely the newer style.
Kevin Groenke @ PersonMakeObject
 

That one is NOT for your cast iron mk4 David - that is a cast aluminum one for the later zamac sl1000.
The correct one is less tapered and has a more smooth rounded shape.?

Kevin Groenke
PersonMakeObject.com


On Thu, Mar 23, 2023, 7:26 AM davebjames via <davebjames=[email protected]> wrote:
Is this the correct one for my machine, old model mk4

IMG_20230323_085328.jpg

 

Ok thank you guys, I have a better idea now. I must admit none of the advertised ones on ebay look like this.
I will keep looking, otherwise I will try to machine one myself.?
 

My Uni came to me without a column but had the bracket and second tapered bolt. I made a column (on a bigger lathe). Making the hole took several ops and a couple of specially made and hardened tools to counterbore and to finish the taper after step drilling.

The planning process and job itself are recorded on the Model Engineer forum at https://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=148495

Not sure I'd fancy making the bracket myself !

Whether you decide to buy or build... in the meantime you can still enjoy using your Uni as a lathe.

Good luck.
 

Hello David,

I'm new here and yust read your question.
There is a mill collumn online that fits your Unimat.


I'm not related to the seller, but have bought from him.

Maybe he is willing to send overseas.

Ruben
 

The original photo you posted certainly looks like a DB200. One MAJOR change made to the SL1000 was the headstock locking mechanism (which has already been alluded to).

To be absolutely sure, unscrew the locking bolt on the pulley side of the base - just a few turns should do (you might not even need to do that).


This is the DB200 bolt - note the threads are at the far end of the bolt -




This is the SL1000 bolt -






When looking for a milling column, if it's not obvious ask the seller to send you a photo of the locking bolt on the headstock adapter. This is one for a SL1000 and will NOT work on a DB200 -
 

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Hi Gang:

Does any one know of a source for the SL1000 bolt? M12x1 is a odd thread and the closest I've found are pipe/tubing fitting.

Thanks, Carl.

On 3/23/2023 2:16 PM, g steinback via groups.io wrote:


This is the SL1000 bolt -



 

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Hi Carl, you can find this at?
He sells them for $18 … he has many items for the unimats


On Mar 23, 2023, at 7:55 PM, Carl <carl.blum@...> wrote:

?

Hi Gang:

Does any one know of a source for the SL1000 bolt? M12x1 is a odd thread and the closest I've found are pipe/tubing fitting.

Thanks, Carl.

On 3/23/2023 2:16 PM, g steinback via groups.io wrote:


This is the SL1000 bolt -


<dummyfile.1.part>

dummyfile.1.part

 

Sorry, I must have missed adding the last photo.


When looking for a milling column, if it's not obvious ask the seller to send you a photo of the locking bolt on the headstock adapter. This is one for a SL1000 and will NOT work on a DB200 -
 

You can get taps & dies in M12-1 from Amazon, and make your own, if you want. Seems to me me I saw allthread in M12-1, as well. Didn't buy that, since I got the tap & die. ;)

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!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
Physics doesn't care about your schedule.
The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.



On Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 06:55:18 PM CDT, Carl <carl.blum@...> wrote:


Hi Gang:

Does any one know of a source for the SL1000 bolt? M12x1 is a odd thread and the closest I've found are pipe/tubing fitting.

Thanks, Carl.

On 3/23/2023 2:16 PM, g steinback via groups.io wrote:


This is the SL1000 bolt -



 

If you look?in Files?for Locking Screw DB501-8.pdf that is my drawing of the screw, and my version of it using a hex head instead of a socket head. I made one according to this drawing, with the hex head, and it worked fine. If you use 12 mm silver steel (drill rod) you could harden and temper it to make it a bit tougher. If you use free cutting steel or even hard brass it will probably do the job well enough.

M12 × 1 is a fairly common thread for uses other than nuts & bolts, but I haven't seen anything around that would easily replace this screw. However M12 × 1 taps and dies are not hard to find, so you could make one on your Unimat - though you might need two attempts to get it right - I did.
 

Rolling your own is easy, unless you want the internal hex, then it becomes a real challenge!

-Dave

On Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 07:24:39 PM PDT, Bill in OKC too via groups.io <wmrmeyers@...> wrote:


You can get taps & dies in M12-1 from Amazon, and make your own, if you want. Seems to me me I saw allthread in M12-1, as well. Didn't buy that, since I got the tap & die. ;)

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!
Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.
Physics doesn't care about your schedule.
The only reason I know anything is because I've done it wrong enough times to START to know better.
Expect in one hand, expectorate in the other. See which one gets full first.



On Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 06:55:18 PM CDT, Carl <carl.blum@...> wrote:


Hi Gang:

Does any one know of a source for the SL1000 bolt? M12x1 is a odd thread and the closest I've found are pipe/tubing fitting.

Thanks, Carl.

On 3/23/2023 2:16 PM, g steinback via groups.io wrote:


This is the SL1000 bolt -



 

Ruben,

Thank you very much for the link to that website. I managed to buy the vertical column. He unfortunately does not ship out of Europe so I sent it to a friend in the Netherlands for now. Will figure out later how to get it to me, it's a rare item so I grabbed it.
Thanks again

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