Another newbie

Hi all

Have been lurking around for a bit and decided to join up so I can access the knowledge on this site.

I have no pre-conceptions on what I'm going to be building, but will be starting small and perhaps working up.

Bought a Unimat sl lathe (to start) and am busy stripping it and cleaning it up.

Unfortunately snapped the cross slide whilst trying to strip it down, so will have to see if I can repair it.

Everything else is ok.

Looking forward to annoying everyone with mundane newbie questions.

Welcome to the Forum Paul.

That was unfortunate with the cross slide, there will be someone on here with knowledge of the lathe who can advise you if you feel you need it

Regards

Brian

Welcome Paul.

Nothing at all wrong or annoying with newbie questions. Where in the world are you?, your location sometimes has a bearing on any advice offered.

Jim

Thanks for the replies Brian and Jim.

I live near Selby in North Yorks.

I may have found a repair method using low temp aluminium/cast/monkey metal welding rods. I've ordered one and there looks like there's enough metal to get a good key, so may work. Not a huge lot of stress where it is, and I can pre stress it before I do the repair. If not a new unit from the states. $15 for the unit, $45 postage (ouch)

Oh well, paid next to nothing for the lathe itself, so I've learnt a lesson, these units can be fragile. I could always split it and sell it for spares to fund a more modern unit if I have to.

Hello Paul

Unimat SL isn't too obscure, you should be able to track down a second hand slide.

Neil

Thanks Neil.

All old paint now soda blasted off.

Decades of gunk removed.

Bits in ultrasonic as I write.

Painting tonight in light green hammered.

Deciding whether to brush or airbrush.

It's tiny, so spray would probably be better so brush marks don't spoil it.

It should look good when it's done, fingers crossed.

Paul ... Selby is not very far from York Model engineers ... there are lots of model engineers dotted around various corners of yorkshire ... you may probably know already, but there is a large model engineering show coming up soon at Doncaster racecourse ... 11th. to 13th of May.

martin

Hi Martin.

Intend going to the show.

I presume there are lots of stands to buy tooling etc?

Paul ... definitely ... raid the piggy bank ... take a few heavy-duty carrier bags with you ... much easier to drag it all back to the car.

martin

Don't think the wife will be happy being called a piggy bank LOL