newbie

**Mr.Pete** · Nov 1, 2015, 08:12 PM

Hi every one,
I'm from Quebec Canada. Just found this forum... I like to make home-made tools. I was surfing the web looking for restoring, modifications and improvement ideas on my newly found unimat sb200 and mill-route router sign maker... Looking forward in browsing and finding great people and great ideas.

Cheers,
Pete

**Jon** · Nov 1, 2015, 08:16 PM

Hi Pete - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

Sounds like you'll fit in well here.

What's next up on your projects list?

**kbalch** · Nov 2, 2015, 12:15 PM

Hi Pete,

Welcome!

Lots of Unimat users and modifiers around here. If you have any specific questions, post a note in our Help Me Build subforum and you're likely to get some good ideas/input.

What are you working on currently?

Ken

**Paul Jones** · Nov 2, 2015, 12:36 PM

Hi Pete,

Welcome and good to know you are interested in the Unimat SB 200 and SL 1000 types of lathes. I too have a Unimat and have published several articles about the improvements (for example Homemade Lathe Modifications ). I am looking forward to seeing your Unimat improvements.

Regards, Paul Jones

**DIYer** · Nov 3, 2015, 08:20 PM

Welcome to the forums, Pete!

Looking forward to your posts on your homemade tools.

**Mr.Pete** · Nov 10, 2015, 08:22 PM

thanks for to warm welcome I liked Paul Jones unimat with his dial indicators ... My first modification will be dro (digital read outs )here in Canada we use metric most of the time but I want to have the option to use both metric and SAE without constantly converting back and forth... I just bought a few calipers and while I'm waiting for the shipment I'M looking for the best place to install them...

**Paul Jones** · Nov 11, 2015, 08:54 PM

Hi Pete,
I think using DRO would be the best way to improve the longitudinal and cross slide measurements. My design, other than being limited to Imperial measurements is also limited by the 1" and 2" maximum movement of the DI. I add 1" or 2" extensions to the DI shafts but then have to keep track of the extended measurements. The DRO setup would make this much easier. I am looking forward to seeing your DRO additions. Look at Randy Richard's DRO setup where he was able to have the digital display separate from the DRO sensor ( Homemade Drill Press Quill DRO ). This would provide more room on the Unimat.
Regards, Paul Jones