Unimat SL-1000 Motor Adapter

This is a video of my making a motor adaptor for me Unimat SL-1000 mini lathe. I also do a first cut.
johnhamerprojects
www.johnhamerprojects.com
@johnhamerprojects

[@WagonLoads]

WOW! Thanks. I have this same lathe. I had it in storage for a while and it got a little surface rust like yours. I just used 3in1 oil and cranked everything back and forth until everything moved freely. The hardest part to loosen up was the 3 jaw chuck, but it works now. The worst part f the original design was that the chuck can't be opened up all of the way for larger items because the jaws hit the motor and the guide rails on the bottom. The one thing about Unimat was they used the same screws for every part including the motor mount( I believe). There are ton of accessories for it, including an auto thread cutting feed. A drill press handle that makes the head unit move, a drill chuck that can be used on either end, a threaded part that slides in the tool T channel that you can mount the 3 jaw chuck vertically and a lot of other cool add-ons. It might even have indexer for cutting gear teeth. Best wishes on your future Unimat projects.

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Hey, I'm glad you enjoyed it. They are very cool little lathes. That would be neat to do threading on it. I haven't even attempted that on my larger lathe yet though. Mine didn't have any accessories when I got it. I've had a few people contact me with parts. I think I would like to get a drill chuck. I may try to make the drill press handle.

[@WagonLoads]

@@JohnHamerProjects Do you need pictures of the drill press handle? I think there are a few examples on youtube.. Check ebay. Maybe someone doesn't know what it is. and sell it for parts.

[@razzix2]

"The worst part f the original design was that the chuck can't be opened up all of the way for larger items because the jaws hit the motor and the guide rails on the bottom." I know this was 7 months ago - but just in case - you can flip the jaws in the 3 jaw chuck for bigger stuff (just have to swap a couple of the jaws) or there was a riser plate for these lathes as well. Hope it helps!

[@michaeltsouras]

I love how quiet that motor is. Great job!

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Thank you. I was surprised when I cut it on. I thought it would be much louder.

[@shopsteam5910]

What kind of this motor ? 150w , 500w ?

[@JohnHamerProjects]

I already had it and it doesn't have any markings on it, but I believe it's a 150w brushed 12dv motor like the ones on ebay under my6812. They are sometimes listed as a 24vdc motor.

[@gangleweed]

Having used a home built micro lathe about the same size as the Unimat for quite a few years I'm tickled to see this one doing small jobs etc......in skilled hands and adjusted properly they can do very accurate work.

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Yes, It is a very nice mini lathe! I don't have those skills right now unfortunately, but hopefully some day.

[@razzix2]

I need to convert my unimat to 12-24v. Original AC motor is working well for now but direct DC has a ton of usefulness for me. Thanks for the video!

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Awesome! Glad you found it helpful.

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Nice. Just picked one up from from nearby where I live and I'm working on getting a dc motor and speed control. These little things are amazing.

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Awesome, I have been busy with other things, but I will hopefully play around with this thing soon! Have you made anything on it yet?

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

@John Repaired a pulley I had gotten for it and I have something lined up that is too big for it but doable, but we're on the road and I have limited space and tooling until I get back home. so right now I've been on the hunt and picking up hard-to-find Unimat stuff as I go. made a couple crappy vids here on the 'Tube. more to come tho.

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Awesome. I just subscribed. I'll check them out!

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Hey, thanks!

[@chandersharma617]

Fantastic incentive to get rid of my Unimat 3 motor. How come you didn’t use larger lathe to reduce the diameter of the mounting plate, instead of doing it all by hand?

[@JohnHamerProjects]

I don't actually have the skillset to do that on my lathe. I haven't really spent much time using it. My original plan was to use the lathe, but I couldn't figure out how to do it.

[@chandersharma617]

Totally understand - I wasn’t taking the mickey. The manual sequence just didn’t seem to sit right, and I assumed reversing the jaws would’ve allowed you to hold the disc internally. If not then you’d have to make a jig to hold it by the centre which is only worth it if you plan to repeat the exercise. Whatever, we’ll done - it’s turned out really well.

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Thank you. Yes, that's the same thought process I went through, but with lack of experience I didn't attempt to cut it with the jaws reversed. It's aluminum so no big deal to cut with the bandsaw. I could have cleaned the cut up with the lathe. I enjoy using some hand tools though.

[@JohnChrysostom101]

Theirs accessories that make that lathe into a mini mill / drill press :)

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Yes, it's crazy what all they made for it. I mostly use it as a drill press

[@stanburdick9708]

Bravo you did good 😎

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Thank you!

[@worthgordon9516]

Love what you’ve done to replace the motor! I have the same lathe but wish to upgrade the motor. Any chance you could share the specs/description of this motor?

[@JohnHamerProjects]

I actually don't know much about it. I had it in a box at my house. There is a motor you can google that is called an MY6812. They are on EBAY for like 30 dollars. It's a 12v 150 watt motor and seems to be about the same thing.

[@federicosartor4424]

Hello what about the power supply? How many volt and ampere are you using. To change the speed are you changing volt or ampere?

[@JohnHamerProjects]

I have not cut much more that what was in the video, but the voltage has been in the 5 to 10v range and current has been around half an amp. I was voltage controlling it. With the motor I have, I think a 10Amp 15Volt power supply would cover all normal conditions. I will cover this when I get time to make another video. I will also try to identify the motor I have since I get asked that a lot.

[@marksimone5609]

You did a great job. Maybe I can ask you or you’re community a question? I had bought for the unimat sl the collet chuck with the er16 Collets. For some reason the chuck will not work on my threads for the 3 and 4 jaw chuck. Do they sell adapters? Thank u to anyone who can help.

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Hey Mark, Thank you. I don't know about that. Maybe someone will see this and answer it.

[@paultrimble9390]

What a matter bud.

[@marksimone5609]

@@paultrimble9390 I bought online a collet chuck from eBay it says it’s for a unimat and it’s m14 thread not the m12x1. Do they make any adapters? Thank u for the reply.

[@paultrimble9390]

@@marksimone5609 ya but you could make one fairly easy

[@marksimone5609]

@@paultrimble9390 I’m not that good yet. I was told u gotta be spot on to dismiss any wobble what so ever when it comes to the chuck.

[@danedewaard8215]

Nice job!

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Thank you Dan!

[@DIYGarage_SoCal]

I just got this lathe for Xmas! What belts do you recommend?

[@JohnHamerProjects]

I just bought the regular replacement rubber ones, but everyone seems to recommend the diy urethane ones. I honestly haven't had time to mess with it other than what is in the videos.

[@DIYGarage_SoCal]

@@JohnHamerProjects I was also recommended the diy o es out of the orange rubber. Any idea on the circumference needed or a pdf user manual?

[@JoseLuis-eb1ut]

Yo tengo el Unimat 3, y hago los cinturones que compro en Aliexpress por metros, los calientas con llamita de un mechero o vela los extremos y los unes a la medida, luego cortas las rebabas, yo lo hago con un corta uñas. Valen poco no como los que venden para estos tornos que son un robo. Los venden de todos los colores, liso y arrugado, este último agarra mas,

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

@John picked up a QCTP like yours too just came in today. Love it. Did yours come with a Dremel attachment?

[@JohnHamerProjects]

No, I didn't know that was an option.

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Me neither until I saw the set

[@shopsteam5910]

What kind of motor are you using on it ? Dc 150w,350w,500w???

[@JohnHamerProjects]

I believe it is a 150w

[@shopsteam5910]

@@JohnHamerProjects thank you , it looks bigger than 150w motor

[@JohnHamerProjects]

It could be. It doesn't have any markings on it. I can give you the dimensions of the motor if that would help.

[@gejultea7014]

DC or AC bro

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Dc

[@ph.12k]

Name this motor? Collector or non-collector?

[@JohnHamerProjects]

This is a 12v brushed dc motor. I don't know the exact motor specifications, but it seems to be similar to the 150 watt ZY6812 or my6812 motors I see online.

[@atastycloud]

Can this lathe machine mild steel?

[@milanivancevic6217]

Ovo je igračka za laike i nemože ničemu služiti osim za majstore za satove ali one lišije.

[@damarcastro768]

Muito bom chou de bola amigo

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Thank you!

[@machinist_matt]

👍

[@JohnHamerProjects]

Glad you liked it!

[@panos6667]

how much did you buy this

[@JohnHamerProjects]

The chuck was like $50 on ebay My neighbor gave me the lathe. I pretty much made the rest

[@panos6667]

@@JohnHamerProjects now does not have such prices are much more expensive

[@jovanovictomo9382]

TI NEMAS VEZE SA DREJANJEM.TOMAJOTO DREJER.

[@paultrimble9390]

@@JohnHamerProjects like when that happens. Love good neighbors.

[@ndreaswolter2024]

Совершенно лишней работы сделано при креплении двигателя. Сказывается малоопытность в таких делах