[Bleriot]

Hi All Looking for one of these used, since I'm gonna make us a drive system, Or perhaps you have links to Chinese copies of these? Very slow computer and dial up modem here. would really appreciate any info from high speed users. Thanks. Best Regards

[Ron Cichowski]

The Taig stuff is cheap enough that I don't think you'd be able to beat the price. I just ordered up their lathe and miller.

http://www.cartertools.com/

This fellow is nice to deal with. He is a consistent 15% off list and will ship for free. The lathes are in stock and ship immediately. There currently is a month or more wait for the millers. Check out his package deals.

Good Luck, Ron

[Mighty Mik]

and if that won't do ya...try www.harborfreight.com .

[Airnut 2]

Don't buy the "all in one" Chinese Lathe/ mill, from my experience using one (from brand new) it is very inaccurate. Get a Taig or Unimat.

[planeman]

Having been an amateur machinist for more than 40 years I can pass along some advice. For general info see http://www.chaski.com/cgi-bin/machine_index.cgi

Unimats:

The unimat lathes are no longer being made in the 3" size. I believe the larger versions called Maximats are still made in 7" and 11 " swings. These are the "Rolls Royces" of small lathes and are available used, mostly through eBay and Blue Ridge Machine Tools www.blueridgemachinery.com. I have both the Unimat 3" SL and the Maximat 7", both with all attachments and milling heads.

The Unimat SL - can be often found on eBay for $300 - $400 with no tooling. With all tooling and attachments, which are numerous, these can run to $1,300. Unimat SL's are excellent for model making as they are so versitile and have so many attachments. It does take a few minutes to swap over from one setup to another, however. There is one drawback to the SL and this is the round steel bedways that will flex under too deep of a cut. For this reason light cuts must me made.

The Unimat 3 - this is a later version with a cast iron bed that solved the flex problem. They are not as numerous as the SL and I'm not sure about the milling arrangement. It is a good machine, however make sure you can find the milling attachment - if it had one. Also, there were relative few attachments available compared to the SL. These machines and attachments will be harder to locate. For more info:

http://home1.gte.net/jaynes/lathes/my%20unimats.htm

http://www.homeshopmachinist.net/

http://www.lathes.co.uk/


Taig - I have never seen one, however I have heard nice things about them. I hear they are machined very nicely. Its a simple machine but should do well. http://www.taigtools.com/

Sherline - This has taken over the position of the Unimat in today's market. Its swing over center is 3" and it is beautifully put together. Both lathe and mill are available and there are numerous attachments. As I recall, the basic lathe is available for around $600-$700 and the one with all the attachments could add another $300 - $400. The mill is about the same. Thus the mill and lathe together could set you back around $1,500 with appropriate tooling. For model making purposes you can't go wrong with Sherline. For more info go to http://www.sherline.com.

As to the Chinese / Taiwan lathes. There are some very good ones and some not so good ones. One place that stands by their merchandise is Grizzly tools http://www.grizzley.com. They have a lathe and mill that would be excellent for the hobbyist. Be aware these are larger than the Unimat/Taig/Sherline which are all 3" swing over the bed. The Grizzley lathe is 7" swing over the bed, more than double the size. If you are into tiny airplanes and small stuff, the Unimat/Taig/Sherlines would be better. If you are into Speed 400 stuff and up the Grizzley might be better. Here are the pages for the lathe and mills:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item...960074&DS_ID=1

http://www.grizzly.com/products/item...960074&DS_ID=1

The nice thing about these units are their price: $499.00 each with a reasonable amount of tooling.

And in regard to tooling. It is often said about lathes that the tooling can run almost as much as the basic lathe. This is true as you add things like rotary tables, milling vices, etc.

If I can answer any more questions just let me know.

Planeman

[rparigoris]

Hey Bleriot

I have a Unimat, on a beautiful hand made base stand with cabinet, a mil attachment, table saw attachment, 3 and 4 jaw and back plate, steadyrest, and plenty more attachments and tooling. Have the factory manual, and names of places that have any and all parts and attachments.

I have a pretty good assortment of machines, including a 5HP Monarch EE and a Southbend Turret Lathe, and a 2HP Bridgeport and a Clausing Mill.

I really have not used the Unimat much, I just fire up the other stuff I have. I bought it to do a few jobs, it is like new with not much time on it.

Anyway I may be willing to part with it.

Do you have any stuff you have to perhaps make a trade?

If you are interested I can get you all the peticulars.

Hobbiest dream of a machine come true. I forget now the model, but it is the new style more rigid base. Real jewel of a machine, and the Custom Aluminium Cabinet Base makes it more of a jewel.

I ran a few hundred instrument part operations on it, that I had to keep within tenths. Instrument was for a heads up display instrument for some fighter.

Ron Parigoris

rparigor@suffolk.lib.ny.us
Hm 631-979-7675
Fax 631-361-4994
Wk 631-752-0184

Live on Long island NY

I make it to Post mills VT (Not too far from Lebenon NH) a few times a year