Unimat 1 or Sieg C0

[bigt1677]

Hello,

was wondering of anyone out there has any experience with the above machines. My problem is that I have no workshop space at all and have to work off the kitchen table, consequently have no room for a lathe.
I thought a solution may be one of these machines as they can be used then put away in a cupboard afterwards - keeps her indoors happy.

I realise the obvious restrictions re size of work that can be done and the limitations of the headstock spindle diameter etc but am curious to know if these machines, particularly the Unimat will work mild steel ok, as the Unimat seems to be of a very plastic construction.

Any pointers gratefully received.
cheers
Trev

[bambuko]

You are talking about workshop space, but don't mention the delicate subject of budget...
Given choice I would always prefer secondhand Cowells, Pultra.
I have first hand experience of sourcing products from China.
Trust me - you get what you pay for :-)
Remarkable things are possible on these small machines, but (subject to funds available) I would go for the best quality for your money.

[goldstar31]

I would go for a Pultra but it is worth having a look at 'Making the Most of the Unimat' by Rex Tingey. Maybe the Public Library could help here. Again, the more recent Unimats and the clone MJ189 are covered in YahooGroups. I have a MJ189 bought almost as new.

I have to confess that I have no experience whatever in the Sieg lathes and cannot comment or compare. Consequently, these few comments might open the subject up a little further.

I was Googling to minimise my Senior moments and thought 'Gerald Wingrove'. I found the Potts Milling thing but recall that some of his earlier work was done on a Unimat 1.

Cheers

GS31

[russell]

Hi Trev,

Yes, A second hand Pultra or a Cowells lathe would be good but I doubt that you would find a good one at anywhere near the new price of the Unimat or Sieg.

To answer your question, in my opinion the Unimat 1 is a toy whereas the Sieg C0 is a small real lathe. You don't say what you intend to make with it but I would think seriously about getting something a bit bigger if the budget and space constraints allow. Remember also that the cost of the lathe is just the start. You will need some basic tooling. Then, as you progress, various accessories although many you can make on the lathe.

Regards,
Russell.

[russell]

Trev,

Just spotted in another post that you are making a 5" gauge battery loco. I would suggest that something like this www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machines-Accessories/Lathes/Model-C3-Mini-Lathe to be about the smallest suitable lathe although ot is a bit heavy to be lifting on and off the kitchen table all the time.

Russell.

[bigt1677]

Thanks all for the input. I figured that the Unimat 1 was verging on a toy and probably not capable of turning steel but it looked good on paper with all the gadgets !! Thanks for the link Russell but at 44kgs the kitchen table would probably collapse although I agree it does look a nice peice of kit. The lathe is only really required for light machining and be capable of taper turning ( so compound slide required ) and boring. Thanks again for the info - got my eye on an old unimat sl on e bay at moment, will see how that goes.
cheers
Trev

[steam4ian]

G'day Trev

I'll second Russell's comments; the C3 in 12" and 14" versions approaches a real lathe. I am quite pleased with mine once you realise that it is not a Myford, Boxford or Southbend. You could mount the lathe on a trolley as it lends itself to being wheeled away.

Regarding the C0, it was taken up with glee until problems were experienced with the alignment of the tailstock. I understand there is now a modified tailstock which allows offset adjustment.

Look up the "C0 Lathe" group in Yahoo and/or Google for David Halfpenny.

Other options capable of serious benchtop work are Taig and Sherline; both more expensive.

Regards
Ian

[russell]

Trev wrote:

- got my eye on an old unimat sl on e bay at moment, will see how that goes.
cheers

Does that have a compound slide?

Russell.

[ajsbsa]

What about Sherline, Peatol and Taig all good small table top lathes. I have a Cowells but very pricey for occasional use and not very light either.

[bigt1677]

Dec 12, 2009 9:49:49 GMT russell said:

Trev wrote:

- got my eye on an old unimat sl on e bay at moment, will see how that goes.
cheers

Does that have a compound slide?

Russell.

Yes Russell, it does.

[pendembu]

The Peatol(made and sold in USA as the Taigh) is very good value and very accurate. Much of it is anodized ali/dural but is capable of accurate and repeatable work in mild steel,brass etc.It is modestly priced and ideal to put away in the cupboard after use.You can add tooling as you need it/can afford it.I have had one for 25 years along with many other lathes but still regard it as ideal for small work.There is no real comparison yet between this lathe and the cheap Chinese competition although the Chinese products improve all the time and are often good value for some kinds of non precision work.

[DaveW]

Dec 17, 2009 16:15:49 GMT pendembu said:

Chinese products improve all the time and are often good value for some kinds of non precision work.

Just came across this thread and noticed that comment and I was wondering what you regard as 'precision'.

I have a cheap 7 x 14 Chinese lathe made by Real Bull and after spending a few hours tidying up the general fit - e.g. lapping gibs and general alignment - find it is pretty good. With a little care it is relatively easy to produce work to within .001" consistently which I think is a reasonable performance for a machine that cost me, brand new, only £332 delivered (July '08).

Quite a few owners of this size machine have these fitted on a sturdy trolley so they can be tucked away in a corner when not in use.


Dave.

[joegib]

Dec 13, 2009 3:40:22 GMT bigt1677 said:

Dec 12, 2009 9:49:49 GMT russell said:

Trev wrote:

Does that have a compound slide?

Russell.

Yes Russell, it does.

The Unimat SL doesn't have a compound slide (topslide) as such. However, the headstock can be swivelled in the horizontal plane to provide some taper turning capability. This lathe is described in some detail here:

www.lathes.co.uk/unimat/

This was my first lathe (still have it) and while it was OK for small brass/aluminium turnings, I'd hesitate to recommend it for steel/cast iron turnings of any size, especially for parts the likely size of 5" loco components.

Joe