I'm thinking about getting a Unimat. Any thoughts?

UNIMAT

Matt

If you want a unimat don't get the one in the link. I have found that if you want a lathe get a lathe, if you want a drill press get one. The conceness on some other boards is that multi function tools do not work as well as a dedicated machine. Sooner or later you'll want to get something better, so buy the best you can get. I've also heard that the unimate 1 is only good for soft materials. I have a unimat 3 and have worked plastics to soft steels without problems.

Check out micro mark.

http://www.dxmarket.com/micromark/products/82500.html


or Sherline


http://www.sherline.com/tools.htm

Harbor Frieght


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=33684
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44859


Do a goggle search for lathe.

What is the learning curve on this lathe Salt6 ? I can run a wood one to make legs and stuff and pens but have not tried a bowl yet. I want to get one but at $500.00 don't know if the old lady will buy me that an expensive of a xmas present well maybe as she bought me a 17" LCD flat screen last year :-)

Several years ago, I bought one Unimat 1.....Nice boxe, nice tool !
I never used it...... !
If you bother to spend $ 400....It' s your ! ( Post paid ! )
That ' s all I could say........!
Have a nice day...

I fully agree with this.
The same applies to all tools : the quality of the result can only be as good as the quality of your tools. If you need a lathe, don't buy it in a rush. Look around, compare prices. First you need to know what you need the lathe for, then find out what the cost would be for such tool and think it over for a few days.
I also suggest you try to use someone else's lathe before you dive in the deep end. There's two possibilities : 1) you'll discover that using such machinery is not for you ... or 2) you'll be hooked. Most users of this site belong to the second cathegory, though
good luck,
Jan

I saw the Canadian rights owners with their Unimats at a local Toronto show a little while back. The thing that most interested me was the turned barrels it could make...but I wasn't about to buy it just for that...

When buying any sort of tool, the more it can do for me, the better chance it will become part of my collection...also price (unfortunately) plays a part in my purchases since I am not rich...

MSW