Scale Models - View Single Post - Small Metalworking Lathes

**Bunkerbarge** · 25-12-2006

Alan, funny you should mention unbranded Chinese import. I looked at modelling lathes 18 months ago at the Harrogate model engineering show and I saw 5 lathes that were identical except for the colours and stickers, obviously all of Chinese origin.

I settled on one from Chester Engineering, as they offered the best deal, and bought one. Mine is probably a bit big though if you are looking at being able to put it away. Have a look here:

http://www.chesteruk.net/

If you want a small unit that can pack away easily one of the most versatile would have to be the Unimat. I replaced my Unimat with the Chester though as it would not do enough that I wanted it to but it is small and compact and can be built into a box easily enough. I think it's biggest failing is the fact that it used belt drives that are basically 'O' rings that don't last five minutes.

This is the model I had:

http://www.emcomachinetools.co.uk/em...es/unimat4.htm

The big advantage with the Unimat is that they are very common so spares (drive belts!!), accesories and after sales service is easy to get hold of. If space is you prime concern then a Unimat is worth considering but if you can stretch to a bit of a bigger machine I would go for something like the Chester Cobra.

25-12-2006	#2 (permalink)
Bunkerbarge Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Halifax, Yorks: Nassau, Bahama's:Port Canaveral, USA: and all points in between. Real Name: Richard My Models: Robbe U-47, Deans Marine Cossack, Steam Coaster, Revell U-Boat, Motorcycles. Visit Bunkerbarge's Gallery Posts: 3,581 Images: 230	Alan, funny you should mention unbranded Chinese import. I looked at modelling lathes 18 months ago at the Harrogate model engineering show and I saw 5 lathes that were identical except for the colours and stickers, obviously all of Chinese origin. I settled on one from Chester Engineering, as they offered the best deal, and bought one. Mine is probably a bit big though if you are looking at being able to put it away. Have a look here: http://www.chesteruk.net/ If you want a small unit that can pack away easily one of the most versatile would have to be the Unimat. I replaced my Unimat with the Chester though as it would not do enough that I wanted it to but it is small and compact and can be built into a box easily enough. I think it's biggest failing is the fact that it used belt drives that are basically 'O' rings that don't last five minutes. This is the model I had: http://www.emcomachinetools.co.uk/em...es/unimat4.htm The big advantage with the Unimat is that they are very common so spares (drive belts!!), accesories and after sales service is easy to get hold of. If space is you prime concern then a Unimat is worth considering but if you can stretch to a bit of a bigger machine I would go for something like the Chester Cobra. __________________ “Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"