The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

SlideValve · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:36 pm Post subject: My cute little Unimat lathe

Hi, last summer I picked up a small lathe off craigslist for making small parts etc. Orginally i was looking at Harbor Freight lathes, but they had a lot of plastic parts and lacked in the quality department. So i searched on craigslist for a few weeks and all i found huge antique metal lathes, that looked awsome but they were way to big (8+ feet long) so i found this cute little thing, and it was less than the Harbor Freight lathe of similar size.

here is picture compared to a 12 ounce soda can

This is an all original 1960 db200 Unimat metal lathe I came with original wooden box, and several manuals

It even came with the original business reply card! The perforated paper somehow didn't rip in 49 years.

I'm glad i waited for this one, it is far superior quality to a cheap Chinese made lathe IMO, and is somewhat collectible and will gain a little value

the only piece i had to buy was drilling chuck. This small lathe is the perfect size for the work im doing right now

Connor

gd9704 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:39 pm Post subject:

That looks like the perfect size for a toy steam enthusiast. Good find!!!

Michael · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject:

Perfect size. Great find

Sandman · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:47 pm Post subject:

Jeez, I could do with that myself.

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igy569 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject:

Nice!! Lucky find! *green with envy*

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SlideValve · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks, forgot to mention it came with all the original tooling; bits. I got it from an experienced machinist who had a much larger lathe, vertical mill, drill press, whole nine yards, and he didn't really have a use for it

. The only bad thing about this lathe is that the motor gets very hot, but this is an old lathe so it a couple disadvantages over a new lathe, but im very happy with it

johnreid · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:04 am Post subject:

As long as you never try to do anything that is too big for it, you should have years of satisfaction with it. Wipe it often with an oily rag as rust is your enemy
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mogogear · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:06 am Post subject:

Good job SlideV,

I had one of these myself for a while- The motor likes to be used for about 8 minutes then turned off and left to cool for 2 minutes or so. This may seem laborious but better than buying a replacement motor for about $200. There are several Unimat enthusiast websites for good tips.

Markone has a Unimat also---turn at a slower speed than you would think and take light cuts..!!

And have fun!
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SlideValve · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:09 am Post subject:

Ross · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:25 am Post subject:

I really like that! I have nowhere to put one even that small!

I think Building a workbench in the shed might help!

Ross
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Les · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:21 pm Post subject:

A friend of mine has one of these and I am sure he has an attachement to turn it into a Mill as well. I will check the next time I see him.
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Leadfoot-uk · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

Yes,
these came with a thicker solid metal bar, the motor / headstock assembly comes off the base exposing a hole for the bar. Mount the motor assembly on this and you have a small vertical miller, superb tool that I am on the lookout for. All manner of accessories are available. Motors come in two flavours, one can take continual running, one needs a rest every now and then. checkout www.lathes.co.uk for reference. Enjoy it, I think it's perfect for our hobby. They are still made but nowhere near the quality.

Dr. Rog · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

That is a proper light lathe. A real Gem.

The motor looks just right for a computer cooling fan. Does it have an air path right through? I am sure someone has thought of that before.

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SlideValve · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

Yup, it is an air-cooled 1/10 hp motor, it has a screen/mesh in the back of the motor so no large debris can get in, motor still gets very hot though

, and the lathe itself only weighs 36 pounds.

SlideValve · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 7:26 pm Post subject: