Precision Pillar Drill

[editor@glue-it.com]

I have an Emco Unimat 3 lathe that I've had for a long time:
Emco Unimat 3 – glue-it.com

However, although the pillar mill/drill attachment is really useful it is a pain to keep converting the lathe between mill/drill and lathe. This got me wondering if I could buy another pillar on ebay and make a base and table for a permanent pillar drill.



The full article is here:

Unimat 3 Pillar Drill – glue-it.com

I've got a slightly more powerful sewing machine motor for it now and this also rotates in the correct direction so that it can hang down under the pulleys. The result is a tiny pillar drill that sits perfectly on the model making bench. Overall it is around 40cm high.

[Paul Jones]

editor@glue-it.com,

You have a great idea. The conversion and adaptation of the mill/drill attachment is nicely made. Also thanks for the link to your website.

Paul

[Hemi]

NICE!!!! I have planned to do something similar, only using SL1000 & DB200 parts, to make sort-of a Unimat 3..... BUT mine will bolt to the bench when I'm done....

[DIYer]

Thanks editor@glue-it.com! We've added your Precision Drill Press to our Drilling and Drill Presses category,
as well as to your builder page: editor@glue-it.com's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Precision Drill Press by editor@glue-it.com

tags: drill press

[editor@glue-it.com]

I've updated the Unimat Pillar Drill - the bracket that holds the table was never quite right with regards to the accuracy of the hole and so the table was not quite dead upright. So I filled the hole with Durafix and then machined the hole again in place on the pillar drill.



It's now absolutely spot on in terms of accuracy

[old_toolmaker]

editor@glue-it.com,

Nice Conversion Job!!! What is the drilling capacity in terms of max drilling depth and chuck capacity?

[editor@glue-it.com]

the maximum chuck capacity is 9mm - but this can be increased if you use the 3-jaw lathe chuck
the spindle is threaded 14x1mm
Travel = ? will have to measure this along with the maximum throat

[old_toolmaker]

editor@glue-it.com,

I own a couple of Unimat DB-200 lathes so I know what they are capable of doing.
I have not had a Unimat 3 in my hands, so I am wondering what diameter the post is? I am assuming it is larger than the DB post and therefore more rigid...
Could you tell me what the diameter is?

[editor@glue-it.com]

I've just measured all of the specifications:

Motor power: 120W @ 7000rpm
Ratios: 3.7:1 and 2.5:1
Spindle speeds: 1900rpm & 2800rpm
Spindle mount: 14x1mm
Spindle travel: 25mm
Throat: 64mm
Max chuck to table: 122mm (3mm drill bit max is ~85mm)
Dividing plate: 6, 8 and 10 holes
Divisions available: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10
Table mount: 14x1mm
Column diameter: 28mm
Column length: 325mm

[editor@glue-it.com]

The column is 28mm diameter and never had a problem with rigidity of the column and have used this for gear cutting.

I have a Hobbymat lathe and I fix this column to the cross-slide and an indexing plate to the back of the hobbymat spindle:
Gear Cutting with the Hobbymat MD65 – glue-it.com