A Unimat for sale - and time to take "Stock" ?

A friend of mine (former neighbour) called me earlier this week. He's a skilled (vintage) motor mechanic but not a 'machinist' as such. His Brother-in-Law passed away recently and he's helping his nieces dispose of some of his hobby equipment. Always a sad time.

Colin was a keen aero-modeller and had dabbled with making small metal parts but apparently never really got on with it. He had purchased a Unimat SL1000 with what appears to be a complete set of accessories (most of them still boxed) although they didn't get used too much it seems. Phil needed my help to identify what the various bits & pieces were. By getting him to look at Lathes.co.uk - we managed to identify quite a lot on the phone. There is a threading attachment, indexer, chucks, table saw and lots more stuff including Unimat books - Gerald Wingrove's 'Projects' for instance.

He asked what the best way to dispose of all this kit was, which to my mind is a tricky question when non-MEs are involved. I'm not a 'Unimat' expert, although I know several people who enjoy using theirs. He was nervous that he didn't know much about lathes (especially all the associated bits) and wouldn't be able to answer any questions.

I suggested that he sell them on HSW or 'Lathes' as a job lot (for a fixed price) and also suggested a value - although I have no real idea of their likely worth. In the end, he's decided to place the whole lot on e-Bay (because he felt a little intimidated by the other sites as being "used by people who know what they are doing " . I guess my logical conclusion should be that people (who use e-Bay) don't know what they are doing?

Anyway, this is a problem that many people (outside of our hobby) will face eventually, probably including our own families. I'm now thinking of taking an inventory of my main 'stuff' (which might take me a while) as much of it would not be easy to identify and trying to estimate what it might be worth - in case it needs to be disposed of in my "absence"

There is a very nice Unimat SL1000 with numerous accessories on e-Bay at the moment that might interest someone (and currently for a good deal less than I thought it was worth).

Regards,

IanT

PS I should probably add that whilst I've met the former owner of this Unimat a couple of times socially (over the years via my neighbour) other than that I have no direct connection with this sale. It has made me stop and think about an eventuality that (mostly) I successfully manage to pretend won't happen - but of course will one day.

Edited By IanT on 23/09/2015 11:54:51

The threading attachment and bits to go with it are pretty expensive Ian. There were some for sale on Ebay recently, might still be ( worldwide).

What sort of price are you thinking of ? I would have thought a deal more than the lovely or stunning one that is on ebay at the moment.

I sold mine around 15 years ago for a couple of hundred via the unimat yahoo user group with lots of bits but not the screw cutting. That was the later one with a more conventional bed but some people seem to prefer the older model.

On ebay it may well be worth adding watch and clock making to the tittle. As odd as it might sound they are well regarded for that.

John

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Hi John,

I guess this is part of the problem - as I suspect that if the "parts" were sold individually, they would likely fetch more than everything if sold as a 'job lot' - but Phil isn't doing this as a business, just to help the family out.

I thought the lathe (in good condition) should be worth about £200-250 and the accessories (there are quite a few) about the same amount. My general rule of thumb is that the other 'bits' I usually require to get a useable tool - seem to cost me about the same again as the base machine. So that's what I advised him and although he thought my estimates were a bit optimistic, I think he's pitched it on that basis.

Everything is currently on at £299 (I've just checked - with no bids as yet) and that seems very reasonable to me.

I'll mention the "Clock & Watchmaking" suggestion to him - I hadn't thought of that.

Regards,

IanT

If it has the thread followers to go with the screw cutting attachment it is VERY reasonable. I've been looking for a 2nd lathe and noticed that these were selling for rather a lot, the attachment too. If they are with the lathe it would be worth adding a photo of them.

It could tempt me with those as screw cutting with followers really is attractive but having had that size of lathe before I know I would eventually put something way too big on it if the other lathe breaks or needs something that means it's unusable while I make and fit it.

I now have 3 lathes, excuse - the Pultra is something I have wanted for a long long time and it's the only one I have come across with a decent set of bits and pieces with it.

John

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Edited By John W1 on 23/09/2015 13:51:35

There will probbly be a few bids to start. Then nothing for days until 15 seconds before the end

I would guess around 500 for the lot too, (unless a couple of serious collectors clash)

I'm not sure exactly what he's got John - and I'm not certain Phil would know (without help) either. It's part of the problem. He's put a fairly complete list of items in his eBay post but (for instance) I notice he hasn't mentioned the vice shown in the photos and there may well be other omissions.

Another little lathe? I did consider it but I know I have a weakness (e.g. being unable to say "No "  where machine tools are concerned and I'm trying to resist any such temptations these days.

I've had to tell myself that four lathes are quite enough for anybody (plus the one out on permanent loan to a friend and the Myford 4 "awaiting attention" of course) and this generally works pretty well. Of course, it didn't work when I only had three lathes and purchased number four - but I've already forgiven myself for that.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 23/09/2015 14:52:55

Ian,

Regarding the clock-making potential

It may be worth a look at this thread

MichaelG.

I didn't mention 2 maybe 3 basket cases Ian or 2 that need putting together to be sold, just the ones I intend to use.

The basket cases were intended to be small but bigger super adepts with a very big capitol S - if some wants to do that I feel it would pay to start with a better machine. One a small boxford precision lathe could have turned out really good but no tails stock has ever turned up for it. It did come for free because of that, I could make one but .......

John

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Anyone thinking about how they may dispose of a workshop in the future would do well to read this article by Roger Backhouse:

www.model-engineer.co.uk/news/article/disposing-of-a-workshop

Neil