Haven’t done this for a looooong time!

hi all,

I’ve just registered here as a newbie as it’s been decades since I last done any lathe work.

my hobby interest is in aircraft, models, paragliding, that sort of thing. Well I’ve bought my self a Emco Unimat SL, as I don’t want to get too involved, size matters!

So my first question will be Unimat related, and that is where can I get spares from?

Please don’t mention EBay, I’ve scoured the whole world with them.

There are particular parts that I do need as I’m refurbishing the lathe and a few parts are missing, the main one being the tool post t nut and bolt.

The other must have is a M12 x 1mm nut to go on the end of the pulley.

If anyone can give me a pointer as where I can obtain these I will be truly grateful.

chaz

Not able to help with Unimat information but most industrial fastener suppliers should supply the nut.

I think the SL takes the same size tee nuts as the Unimat 3 & 4 which are not too hard to find, either genuine Emco or imported for the bolt just get an M6 socket head screw of the right length.

The M12 x 1 nut is not the usual coarse thread but they are quite common so should not be difficult to get assuming it id a right hand thread on that end of the spindle

Edited By JasonB on 27/09/2019 07:39:09

Bearing locknut is M12x1, if that helps.

I’m not familiar with the other models so I’ll look those up, cheers Jason.

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Morning Bill, I have all the dimensions, I’ve found a suitable t nut with a 6mm thread for the tool post, just a case of finding the spindle end nut, then I can start to learn how to use the SL, neat little machine...first steps.

my first mistake, I bought five carbide tip cutting tools, and they are 2mm too high for dead center, will now purchase the 6mm square tool, I can add shims if necessary but cannot remove the 2mm as 4mm will become too weak imho.

chaz

Nuts and nuts but do check it is a RH before ordering.

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The last time I used a lathe was back in school over 45 years ago....wow! That long.

what I need now is a good book to read, can anyone suggest something ? Preferably mini lathe orientated, there are parts of the lathe process that were not covered at school, oh how I miss those days.

chaz

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Thanks Bill.

chaz

Look for the "workshop practice series" books, there is loads of them, about 50! Not expensive either.

Have you joined the Unimat SL group on Yahoo yet Charles? It is a friendly and active group and there is lots of handy stuff (including books, manuals and parts lists) in the files section. You can find it here. As far as spares are concerned, you can get everything at Toms Tool Store, although to be honest I haven't used them myself as I'm too tight to pay shipping from the US.

Brian

IMHO you cannot better - "The Amateurs’ Lathe" by L H Sparey, admittedly written around the Myford Series 7 but none the less an excellent all round guide to the use of the lathe.

My admittedly limited experience with a Unimat SL taught me that one of the most important things was to use really sharp HSS tools. I never tried carbide but my subsequent experience would suggest it is not really rigid or powerful enough to make good use of them, although someone will probably come along who uses them all the time.

It was a sweet little lathe and I still have some regrets about selling mine a few years ago but it was far too small for some of the jobs I wanted to do.

That's false economy. Small lathes, and the inexperienced, need all the help they can get. Using cheap cutting tools often just leads to frustration. As does the use of scrap material of unknown composition. It's not uncommon for threads to appear on the forum along the lines of difficulties with cutting and getting a good finish. Many of the probems are solved by changing to known material and quality cutting tools.

Andrew