Customizing a Unimat

[mklotz]

Marv,
Great to see another Unimat SL user and the improvements. I too have one that I purchase in 1970 and decided to make some improvements (see Homemade Lathe Modifications ). I plan to keep mine as well because there are things it does well for its size. I found replacing the factory motors with the Unimat continuous duty U-100 motors let me run this machine for hours and have no worries about burning up the motors.
Paul Jones

Yes, Paul, it was your post that inspired me to report on my improvements. Granted, not as pretty as yours but, a few differences and the best soup is made with lots of ingredients. Hopefully, other Unimat users will expand on both your and my ideas to make the ultimate small machine.

One of the sore points of the Unimat in lathe mode was the pivoting head stock. Great for making large angle tapers but a real b...h to realign for parallel turning. Back when I was young (early Jurassic) I bought a commercial device that clamped to the ways and used a differential screw to precisely realign the headstock. Once adjusted, it could be used without further diddling to realign whenever the headstock was moved. Are you familiar with that device? If not, I'll have to get a picture and do a write-up; it's something that wouldn't be hard to duplicate in the home shop.

If any other Unimat users are reading what Paul and I have written, we encourage you to post and let us know about what you've done to augment the abilities of this Austrian gem of a tool.