A basic review on 3 different lathes, the enco Unimat 3 , grizz 8688,griz g4000

[Rob M]

Thought I might start a trend , where new users, and possibly vets can not only gain perspective on what theyre buying , But perhaps an airgunners perspective also.A lathe is often quite appealing for the creative airgunner, and in some cases , size matters. Ill review 3 machines, all different sizes, all of which ive owned.
1.. The Enco Unimat 3 - Austrian made,current  cost 300-800 depending on accessories (5 inch between centers)
These are very small and very popular machines.. They are by definition mini lathes, Id personally call them micro lathes. They weigh about 20 lbs , were well made and still have a very good reputation.. The basics are a variable belt drive that you can manually change for different spindle speeds,and they are great for small parts.. Theyre fairly rigid for their size, and can handle all plastics and some metals like brass , and the softer aluminums like 6061.You can get fun little milling attachments , and probably do some light work on metal given the right tooling and a good knowledge of feed rate. I DO  NOT recommend this for the beginner airgunner.. Why?? Well, as I mentioned, theres some skill involved to working with such little power..When I tried learning on one i found it very difficult.. What i found encouraging as a self teacher was fast results , and a nice finish like I saw other guys getting ..Doing this on the unimat, in my opinion would require some skill .. After some experience, its a cool lathe , and a great conversation piece after you learn the history of the machines
2.. The grizzly g8688 7" lathe .. Chinese made 450-620 depending on coupons ( same as the Harbor freights , ill get into that(10" between centers )
These machines are generally 85 to 105 lbs , and often come as a starter set.. You will get nice ad ons like a steady rest free with the machine..This is my definition of a "mini lathe".. This bed is probably the most widely distributed in the U.s markets right now.. The beds , headstocks , and numerous other parts are produced in the same China based  factory, regardless of paint or branding. There is no real history behind the machines, it seems to be a good balance of cost and capability and thats what appeals to most that are dabbling in machine work for hobby reasons.. The basics are a 90 v dc motor, variable drive via a potentiometer , and a lot of flimsy plastic gears in the drivetrain.. The machine is very capable! You can turn most metals , great great finishes on aluminum , do a wide variety of threading, and have ample torque from the Dc motor..You can do endless mods , and actually do some barrel work through the spindle bore. For the average airgunner, I CAN recommend this machine.. Its economical , the results you get will almost immediately inspire you, and the upgrade parts are pretty cheap ..Maintenance is a massive factor here, and working on the machine has to be part of your routine.. For a few hours a week , this will do the trick.Dont forget ,all the little mods and repairs add up fast, and maybe you could have gotten a better machine to begin with..
3. Grizzly G 4000 -china made 900 to 1200 dollars (19" between centers)
Theres not a huge lineage to speak of here, the model itself has been around for years.. The machine with basic tools included ships at 300 lbs.The machine alone is more like 175lbs..This machine , unlike the 8688 and much like the unimat is pure mechanical.. The amount of gear combinations, feed rates etc is insane.. I personally dont like my lathe to have more brains than my smart phone, so this is fine.. You are basically entering the " functional size lathe " category in my opinion.. A 12 by 36 engine lathe will still dwarf it , but as labeled this is a benchtop lathe , and suits the home hobbyist . Again , like the 8688 3/4 hp gets things spinning , this time with a 110v AC motor.Changing belts is much like the lil unimat , and changing gears is much like any lathe with no quick change operation.The drivetrain is mostly steel and and you are certainly now in the " dont lose a hand " category.... For those who are safety oriented ,I CAN recommend This as it will fullfill almost all airgun pursuits, with the exception of few. At this stage , you will forcibly develop a better understanding of the lathe functions ,gear changes , threading charts,  and perhaps be better prepared for the next step up.

ALL three machines have limitations , and little quirks that will certainly annoy anyone over time. Even larger machines in giant shops will have quirks , and because were human , some of these design catastrophes may bother Joe But not Bob. Hope this helps someone in the future,.