Hi Paul, if you have purchased a Unimat this is also something to consider before you have it shipped to you. More damage is caused in transit to the lathe than in any other situation the factory shipped these machines disassembled. The motor, motor bracket, tailstock, and all the hand wheels and handles were all in their own wrappings. This prevented these parts from being damaged. The screws are of mild steel and are close to the box walls if the lathe shifts in transit the end of the screws could be bent if not fixed in place resulting in the wheel or handles to wobble. Please disassemble and pack parts so they cannot shift or move. I won't purchase a machine from a seller if they won't disassemble it for me. And yes I will pay a negotiated fee that is fair for both of us. Play safe from Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Hello Scott, They are really good points... One of mine had a handwheel damaged when it arrived... I will pin your comment so other can benefit from it. Thanks for watching and your support. Take care. Paul,,
I just shipped one and knew to do it carefully. While it had its original wood box, I did NOT ship it in the wood box. I left the vertical column in the wood box and put various accessories in the box. I removed the headstock and motor assembly as one piece from the lathe bed and packed it in a cardboard box. The rest of the lathe was put in a separate cardboard box with plenty of space and packing to protect all of the handwheels. The wood box, box with headstock and motor assembly, and box with lathe were all put in a large box with some packing around everything. It all arrived perfectly without the buyer having to do very much assembly (just replace the headstock onto the lathe).
Youve got the biggest collection of Unimats ever!!! I have noticed that the prices for these little beauties are creeping up. When I bought mine, I didnt know what I was buying other than a mini lathe. I am so happy its a Unimat theyre brilliant machines
Hello Johnny, I seem to have one or two now - lol. They are nice to have around for little jobs and as you say the prices are creeping up which is nice should you ever decide to sell. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Paul, excellent primer and good highlights on avoiding a potential money pit. As I tell folks the machines are reasonable. Accessorizing is the challenge. Very easy to commit and regret later. Battery powered tools is a similar scenario. Glad you found the early version and rescued it before it was lost to obscurity. Turret lathes over here are a parallel - inexpensive to purchase, but outfitting missing bits can eclipse the initial price in a blink.
Hello Dan, I am doing my best to document anything I find along my way playing with the Unimat lathes... I am really pleased to have found a 2b but was surprised to find the differences between it and the SL models. Thanks for watching. Take care, Paul,,
Amazing machines. I remember poring over all the literature I could find on them 50 years ago - couldn't afford one then and I parked my desire until I could buy something a bit bigger. Thanks for sharing!
Hello Russel, Many thanks for dropping by... I would imagine that your story about wanting some as a youngster is a familiar to lots of people... They are quite addictive - lol. Take care. Paul,,.
Hi Paul. Thank you for such an excellent and informative overview. The differences are subtle yet so important. Hopefully those contemplating a purchase of these lovely machines will now know what to look out for, especially when buying accessories from different vendors. Well done. 👏👏👍😀 Andrew
Hello Andrew, I thought recording the difference was worth it, fingers crossed it will help someone in the future. The mark 2b is surprisingly heavy. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Very informative Paul! I was asked about unimats a couple of weeks back, and had to admit I hadn't a clue about them. I have now learned a valuable lesson, they all look about the same, but they are not! Why not is anybodies guess! Keep on trucking! Phil
Hi Phil, I must admit I was not aware until last week that all are not the same... Hopefully this will help anyone from making an expensive mistake.... They were in production for around 30 years so I get in the early days there was lots of evolution. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Bill, Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. a big CONGRATULATIONS on purchasing a Unimat DB200, I feel sure you will have lots of fun with it. Take care. Paul,,
Hi Paul. Good thing you have a lathe and mill to replicate a milling column for the 2B 🙂 I saw one of those Unimats with the black crinkle finish once on eBay, the asking price was way out of my budget, almost went for it anyway. But it was so perfect I would be afraid to use it ... Good to see the shop again in this video !
Hi Rich, There was a crinkled finished one for sale here last week... it was around £800 and although I would have loved to purchase it to show you all I would have had to make one video a week for the next 16 years to pay for it - lol. Not the best business plan. Thanks for watching. Take care Paul,,
Good video Paul. That will help potential buyers a lot. Occasionaly I see a Unimat come up for sale in South Oz, but not very often. Similar situation with Sherlines. Cheers Rob
Hello Saar, Many thanks for watching... I think the SL's are mostly the same but the earlier ones (Mark 1, 2 & 2B) are quite different... Take care. Paul,,
Hello Carl, Thanks, not sure I am the authority but maybe the person who is taking the time to document what I find during my ownership of the Unimat SL's. They are very well made. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Hi Paul, that small lathes are lovely !! I like to see the dimensions of lathes near the box where you have some pencils, it give you the scale dimension of that lathes! And i have to say you that it can be nice to see that lathes under works, turning some material, to hear his sounds! Thank you Paul, very good video !! A big Ciao from Italy, Alberto.
Hello Alberto, Many thanks for dropping by...One of my earliest video I compare the size of the Unimat SL with a can of coca cola. They are very small indeed. I have a project planned for the Unimat SL to make the various replacement parts, hopefully I will find time to make the video soon. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Aaron, Thank you... I purchased a a home built (from castings) watchmakers sensitive drill press... It is in a bit of a sorry state, but looking at it I thought the Unimat would be perfect for making replacement parts. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Thanks for this information, Paul. I recently acquired an SL100 in amazing condition and very well kitted. I'm finding out that that these are quite competent little machines.
Hello joes, Many thanks for dropping by... Great news you got an SL, I am sure you'll have fun with it over the years to come... I can imagine I will ever be without one. Take care. Paul,,
eyup Paul good insight for the uninitiated !! i didn't realise this, i have seen a couple of the selecta 2 b's for sale and noticed the alignment slot and remembered it was different to your original one , but i didn't delve in to it, so thanks for the info. cheers Kev
Hello Kev, I think if you can find a complete 2b it would be quite good but being one of the earlier models I guess could have more wear... Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
nice one Paul. I tried to post a link to a persons website that has some great info on the history of our Unimats but twice it was taken down. oh well. how cool to have not one but three!!
Hello Mike, Thanks for trying to add something helpful, I did see one comment and replied but is disappeared. I am very lucky to have three Unimats, the mark 2b does not have a motor so I think I will try a modern alternative with the variable speed control. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Great explanation of the variants Paul, will be a useful reference. I am considering a very small lathe for an upcoming spin off project, all very useful. Cheers, Jon
Hello Peter, Thank you.... I did see a Mark one for sale last week but it was really expensive and I could not afford it.... Thanks for dropping by. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Del, I am doing my best to help out... I have one or two now - lol, but there is a plan which I will share soon. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
Hi Paul. Very useful information, you are very definitely the goto guy when it comes to Unimat SLs 👍👍 Is that another Emco Star I see on the floor in the corner of the workshop? Cheers, Alan.
Hello Alan, Thanks for dropping by... I am trying to get as much of what I learn into videos in the hope it will help one or two others... Yes it is a second EMCO Star, it had many of the missing bits I wanted for mine. I think I have around 80 - 90 % of all the bits for it now. Take care. Paul,,
Great Video Paul. Is the Selecta cast Iron or Zamak? I know the MK1's are Cast iron. I've always wanted one of them. I had heard of the Selecta Unimat, but this is the 1st I have seen.
Hello Jim, Thank you. My Mark 2b is cast iron and quite heavy. On eBay here last week was a Mark one but they wanted nearly £800.00 UK pounds, Sadly it was outside of my budget. Thanks for watching. Take care. Paul,,
The difference in weight is a lot, my aluminium SL weight around 4,5kg and the iron MK-2b around 7,5kg. Both standaard with chucks, but no tools. The scales a used is not very accurete, but it gifs you a feeling of the difference.
Hello Ruben, Thanks for the information on the weight difference, and taking the time to share... I am sure that will help other viewers in the future. Take care. Paul,,
I think the 2b machine is the model my grandpa left to me. I think I have most of the parts. I found this video trying to find out how long of a piece i can put on the lathe.
Hello Kyle, Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. Good to hear that you have a Unimat SL... Great little machines, which you can have lots of fun with. Take care. Paul,,
Hello Mike, I think the Emco range covers many sizes of machine to fit everyone's needs, which does cause some interchangeability issues. On the SL specific machines the slight changes is just the evolution of the product. Many thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Take care. Paul,,
@@TheKnacklersWorkshop I have an interest, owning one myself. Bought new, many years ago, it was my first machine tool. Yes, they evolved, and more accessories were available. Always been suspicious of multi-purpose tools, too much compromise- but being able to have both a lathe and a milling machine that can be used in a domestic environment has attractions. I have not used mine for years (I have 'full-size' versions now) but recently decided to 'play' with it; I have a 500w spindle with no other current use, and I have seen how cheap ER series collets are...
Why must my ears be blasted with painful noise / music at 10 times comfortable voice level every time I click on a video. Do people making videos really think they need that? They get an automatic thumbs down from me every time I have to mute sound.
Hello, Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment... I am pleased to hear that you have found a workaround the volume issue you are experiencing. Take care. Paul,,
Hi Paul, if you have purchased a Unimat this is also something to consider before you have it shipped to you. More damage is caused in transit to the lathe than in any other situation the factory shipped these machines disassembled. The motor, motor bracket, tailstock, and all the hand wheels and handles were all in their own wrappings. This prevented these parts from being damaged. The screws are of mild steel and are close to the box walls if the lathe shifts in transit the end of the screws could be bent if not fixed in place resulting in the wheel or handles to wobble. Please disassemble and pack parts so they cannot shift or move. I won't purchase a machine from a seller if they won't disassemble it for me. And yes I will pay a negotiated fee that is fair for both of us.
Play safe from Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada.
Hello Scott,
They are really good points... One of mine had a handwheel damaged when it arrived... I will pin your comment so other can benefit from it. Thanks for watching and your support.
Take care.
Paul,,
I just shipped one and knew to do it carefully. While it had its original wood box, I did NOT ship it in the wood box. I left the vertical column in the wood box and put various accessories in the box. I removed the headstock and motor assembly as one piece from the lathe bed and packed it in a cardboard box. The rest of the lathe was put in a separate cardboard box with plenty of space and packing to protect all of the handwheels. The wood box, box with headstock and motor assembly, and box with lathe were all put in a large box with some packing around everything. It all arrived perfectly without the buyer having to do very much assembly (just replace the headstock onto the lathe).
Youve got the biggest collection of Unimats ever!!!
I have noticed that the prices for these little beauties are creeping up. When I bought mine, I didnt know what I was buying other than a mini lathe. I am so happy its a Unimat theyre brilliant machines
Hello Johnny,
I seem to have one or two now - lol. They are nice to have around for little jobs and as you say the prices are creeping up which is nice should you ever decide to sell. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Paul, excellent primer and good highlights on avoiding a potential money pit. As I tell folks the machines are reasonable. Accessorizing is the challenge. Very easy to commit and regret later. Battery powered tools is a similar scenario. Glad you found the early version and rescued it before it was lost to obscurity. Turret lathes over here are a parallel - inexpensive to purchase, but outfitting missing bits can eclipse the initial price in a blink.
Hello Dan,
I am doing my best to document anything I find along my way playing with the Unimat lathes... I am really pleased to have found a 2b but was surprised to find the differences between it and the SL models. Thanks for watching.
Take care,
Paul,,
Amazing machines. I remember poring over all the literature I could find on them 50 years ago - couldn't afford one then and I parked my desire until I could buy something a bit bigger.
Thanks for sharing!
Hello Russel,
Many thanks for dropping by... I would imagine that your story about wanting some as a youngster is a familiar to lots of people... They are quite addictive - lol.
Take care.
Paul,,.
@@TheKnacklersWorkshop The addiction has been life-long, earned my living, and thrives in retirement - I feel no need for a cure 😉
Hi Paul. Thank you for such an excellent and informative overview. The differences are subtle yet so important. Hopefully those contemplating a purchase of these lovely machines will now know what to look out for, especially when buying accessories from different vendors. Well done. 👏👏👍😀
Andrew
Hello Andrew,
I thought recording the difference was worth it, fingers crossed it will help someone in the future. The mark 2b is surprisingly heavy. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Hi Paul, great stuff. It's good to see the various models side by side and have the differences explained.
Hi Olly,
Thank you... I hope it will be helpful for some future Unimat SL owners. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Very informative Paul! I was asked about unimats a couple of weeks back, and had to admit I hadn't a clue about them. I have now learned a valuable lesson, they all look about the same, but they are not! Why not is anybodies guess!
Keep on trucking!
Phil
Hi Phil,
I must admit I was not aware until last week that all are not the same... Hopefully this will help anyone from making an expensive mistake.... They were in production for around 30 years so I get in the early days there was lots of evolution. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thanks for the great information. I just picked up a Unimat DB200, can't wait to start learning!
Hello Bill,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. a big CONGRATULATIONS on purchasing a Unimat DB200, I feel sure you will have lots of fun with it.
Take care.
Paul,,
Hi Paul. Good thing you have a lathe and mill to replicate a milling column for the 2B 🙂
I saw one of those Unimats with the black crinkle finish once on eBay, the asking price was way out of my budget, almost went for it anyway. But it was so perfect I would be afraid to use it ...
Good to see the shop again in this video !
Hi Rich,
There was a crinkled finished one for sale here last week... it was around £800 and although I would have loved to purchase it to show you all I would have had to make one video a week for the next 16 years to pay for it - lol. Not the best business plan.
Thanks for watching.
Take care
Paul,,
Good video Paul. That will help potential buyers a lot. Occasionaly I see a Unimat come up for sale in South Oz, but not very often. Similar situation with Sherlines. Cheers Rob
Hello Rob,
I hope it would be useful for potential buyers... I would stick with your super nice Sherline. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Very cool Paul. I knew there were several models, but not of these differences. Very good video!!!
Hello Saar,
Many thanks for watching... I think the SL's are mostly the same but the earlier ones (Mark 1, 2 & 2B) are quite different...
Take care.
Paul,,
Very good as ever Paul. Such well built, well designed machines. You are clearly the authority on them.
Hello Carl,
Thanks, not sure I am the authority but maybe the person who is taking the time to document what I find during my ownership of the Unimat SL's. They are very well made. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
@@TheKnacklersWorkshop Pleasure watching you.
Hi Paul, that small lathes are lovely !! I like to see the dimensions of lathes near the box where you have some pencils, it give you the scale dimension of that lathes! And i have to say you that it can be nice to see that lathes under works, turning some material, to hear his sounds! Thank you Paul, very good video !! A big Ciao from Italy, Alberto.
Hello Alberto,
Many thanks for dropping by...One of my earliest video I compare the size of the Unimat SL with a can of coca cola. They are very small indeed. I have a project planned for the Unimat SL to make the various replacement parts, hopefully I will find time to make the video soon.
Take care.
Paul,,
G’day Paul. A very nice collection and very well explained mate. Keen to see you start using them and knocking out some parts mate. Cheers 🍻 Aaron
Hello Aaron,
Thank you... I purchased a a home built (from castings) watchmakers sensitive drill press... It is in a bit of a sorry state, but looking at it I thought the Unimat would be perfect for making replacement parts. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thanks for this information, Paul. I recently acquired an SL100 in amazing condition and very well kitted. I'm finding out that that these are quite competent little machines.
Hello joes,
Many thanks for dropping by... Great news you got an SL, I am sure you'll have fun with it over the years to come... I can imagine I will ever be without one.
Take care.
Paul,,
eyup Paul
good insight for the uninitiated !! i didn't realise this, i have seen a couple of the selecta 2 b's for sale and noticed the alignment slot and remembered it was different to your original one , but i didn't delve in to it, so thanks for the info.
cheers
Kev
Hello Kev,
I think if you can find a complete 2b it would be quite good but being one of the earlier models I guess could have more wear... Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
nice one Paul. I tried to post a link to a persons website that has some great info on the history of our Unimats but twice it was taken down. oh well. how cool to have not one but three!!
Hello Mike,
Thanks for trying to add something helpful, I did see one comment and replied but is disappeared. I am very lucky to have three Unimats, the mark 2b does not have a motor so I think I will try a modern alternative with the variable speed control. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Great explanation of the variants Paul, will be a useful reference. I am considering a very small lathe for an upcoming spin off project, all very useful. Cheers, Jon
Hi Jon,
Sounds interesting your spin off project... I will be watching with interest that one...
As always thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Wonderful video. Added to my unimat playlist.😁 Thanks for your videos
Hello James,
Many thanks for adding my video to your playlist, it is very kind of you. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
G'day Paul. Good pitfalls pointed out., well done. If you buy the first model you could start a small museum. Cheers Peter
Hello Peter,
Thank you.... I did see a Mark one for sale last week but it was really expensive and I could not afford it.... Thanks for dropping by.
Take care.
Paul,,
Good afternoon Paul, good heads up sir, but there cant be many left for sale, you seem to have acquired them all !
Hello Del,
I am doing my best to help out... I have one or two now - lol, but there is a plan which I will share soon. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
way back in the 70's my brother and I was gonna buy one of these but that didn't happen, I don't know which model it might have been.
Hi Vernon,
I think the Unimat 2b's were lathe 50's and the SL versions were in the 60's Thanks for dropping by.
Take care.
Paul,,
Some good info there. Thanks Paul.
Hi Tom,
Thanks for dropping by and your kind words...
Take care.
Paul,,
Hi Paul. Very useful information, you are very definitely the goto guy when it comes to Unimat SLs 👍👍 Is that another Emco Star I see on the floor in the corner of the workshop? Cheers, Alan.
Hello Alan,
Thanks for dropping by... I am trying to get as much of what I learn into videos in the hope it will help one or two others... Yes it is a second EMCO Star, it had many of the missing bits I wanted for mine. I think I have around 80 - 90 % of all the bits for it now.
Take care.
Paul,,
Thanks for the heads up great tips sir and have a good day 🙏
Hello Bill,
Pleased to hear you find the information useful... Hopefully it will help one or two others. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
Great Video Paul. Is the Selecta cast Iron or Zamak? I know the MK1's are Cast iron. I've always wanted one of them. I had heard of the Selecta Unimat, but this is the 1st I have seen.
Hello Jim,
Thank you. My Mark 2b is cast iron and quite heavy. On eBay here last week was a Mark one but they wanted nearly £800.00 UK pounds, Sadly it was outside of my budget. Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
The difference in weight is a lot, my aluminium SL weight around 4,5kg and the iron MK-2b around 7,5kg. Both standaard with chucks, but no tools. The scales a used is not very accurete, but it gifs you a feeling of the difference.
Hello Ruben,
Thanks for the information on the weight difference, and taking the time to share... I am sure that will help other viewers in the future.
Take care.
Paul,,
@@TheKnacklersWorkshop have send you a e-mail
Good info Paul
Hello Matt,
Many thanks for dropping by... I am hopeful this will help one or two potential buyer.
Take care.
Paul,,
Wow, I didn't notice how small these are till your hands are on the machines...unless you just have enormous hands..lol
Hello Craig,
Yes, they are super small... not much different than a watchmakers lathe... Thanks for watching.
Take care.
Paul,,
I think the 2b machine is the model my grandpa left to me. I think I have most of the parts. I found this video trying to find out how long of a piece i can put on the lathe.
Hello Kyle,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment. Good to hear that you have a Unimat SL... Great little machines, which you can have lots of fun with.
Take care.
Paul,,
İs it good or bad?
Hello,
For small work it is good but due to its size you are very limited on what you can do.
Thanks for watching.
Paul,,
TLDR: Parts are not interchangeable between models.
Question- why do you have so many?
Hello Mike,
I think the Emco range covers many sizes of machine to fit everyone's needs, which does cause some interchangeability issues. On the SL specific machines the slight changes is just the evolution of the product. Many thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
Take care.
Paul,,
@@TheKnacklersWorkshop I have an interest, owning one myself. Bought new, many years ago, it was my first machine tool. Yes, they evolved, and more accessories were available. Always been suspicious of multi-purpose tools, too much compromise- but being able to have both a lathe and a milling machine that can be used in a domestic environment has attractions. I have not used mine for years (I have 'full-size' versions now) but recently decided to 'play' with it; I have a 500w spindle with no other current use, and I have seen how cheap ER series collets are...
Why must my ears be blasted with painful noise / music at 10 times comfortable voice level every time I click on a video. Do people making videos really think they need that? They get an automatic thumbs down from me every time I have to mute sound.
Hello,
Many thanks for watching my video and taking the time to comment... I am pleased to hear that you have found a workaround the volume issue you are experiencing.
Take care.
Paul,,
@@TheKnacklersWorkshop The workaround is NOT watching.