GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => Machine Shop Talk & AG Parts Machining => Topic started by: msurf on January 09, 2019, 11:43:40 PM
-
My Dad gave me a small Unimat SL 1000 lathe and I took it apart, cleaned and lubed, and have been playing around with it since. I know it is small and will not suit some of my needs, but I have it and I would like to know if others have used this lathe and what projects you were able to accomplish with it?
I am almost a newby...used to turn fishing lures on a large lathe, but not much metal experience. Main thing is to learn and graduate to a larger lathe later (my Dad has a meduim size benchtop Chinese lathe, AND a 8x36 Clausing)
I have so far played around with facing etc, straightened a piece for my compressor, and drilled out a transfer port. I have some delrin coming soon, and intend on making some washers. Any secrets to making delrin washers? Having fun so far!
-
I also have a UNIMAT of a slightly different era ... tho still only an @ 10" bed length.
There commonly called JEWELERS lathes for there ability to make small turned parts quite accurately.
* mine sits in a box unused for at least 20 years simply because of having a much larger lathe to use.
One could make custom PCP poppets, likely hammers too with some fixtures, small parts and pieces.
good place to learn in how to "Turn" keeping stuff small and manageable.
washers require a "PARTING" tool which is a plunge cutter that parts off a section of a turned diameter
-
The little Umimat is fine little, very little, machine. Enjoy the learning process. The Clausing will of course do much more. Does it say Atlas Clausing on the tag?
-
I also have a UNIMAT of a slightly different era ... tho still only an @ 10" bed length.There commonly called JEWELERS lathes for there ability to make small turned parts quite accurately.* mine sits in a box unused for at least 20 years simply because of having a much larger lathe to use.One could make custom PCP poppets, likely hammers too with some fixtures, small parts and pieces.good place to learn in how to "Turn" keeping stuff small and manageable. washers require a "PARTING" tool which is a plunge cutter that parts off a section of a turned diameter
Thanks Scott. Yes, I have the parting tool coming in the mail. Need some washers for various things, seems like a good place to learn.
The little Umimat is fine little, very little, machine. Enjoy the learning process. The Clausing will of course do much more. Does it say Atlas Clausing on the tag?
I am not sure if it has Atlas or not...will ask my Dad to see what model it is and get back to you.
Thanks guys!
-
You could go high tech with a CNC conversion.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnrlLQTxwI4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnrlLQTxwI4)....
-
Thats pretty cool! Looks like you import a file with xy and z coordinates set up software params and machine? Know nothing about it, but it looks intriguing. Actually, I mentioned to my Dad at Christmas that I saw a CNC attachment on Ebay...he said "I might have one of those upstairs". Will check when I go back to visit next...
-
Nice one Mike, a lathe is good tool to have even a small one.
Makes building stuff a lot more easier!
Just treat it as the small machine it is and don't go silly on the feeds and depth of cut.
Marko
-
Nice one Mike, a lathe is good tool to have even a small one.
Makes building stuff a lot more easier!
Just treat it as the small machine it is and don't go silly on the feeds and depth of cut.
Marko
Thanks Marko! Yes it is a fun little tool. I have made some delrin washers for my china compressor which worked, and have been playing around/learning with aluminum and other hard plastics. Fun stuff!
Craig: talked to my Dad and it is an original Clausing.
-
Bolt it to something *very* heavy and then level the ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THkb-x35fwc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THkb-x35fwc)
Once you have it firm and level, then the fun can start.
-
Great video (as are all of This Old Tony videos).
For small lathes like this (or the mini lathe that I have), bolting it to something stout is tricky. You can twist the lathe to the shape that all the combined supports generate. I would test it first as the video shows.
-
Interesting...will have to check that, makes total sense.