Thread: Unimat3 Spindle Bearings

Hello Nev,

I will have a look at a Unimat book I have tomorrow and report my findings.

Bob.

I think that have should be had. It's slowly coming back to me Nev that the manual has been moved on. I offered it to Phillip "Metalman" a while back but he thought it wouldn't be of use because he had an SL not a 3.

The book contained 80 pages, 34 of them being exploded parts drawings. I've got this inkling that I posted it off to another forum member but searching through my emails hasn't provided any clues as to who. I will have another look tonight just in case my mind is playing tricks.

Bob.

I replaced my headstock bearings several years ago, and if my memory serves me correctly, the bearings were a hand press fit, at worse, a light tap fit..

I replaced mine with fully sealed bearings so should outlive me.

When you replace your bearings, and if they are a tad loose, a little drop of Loctite 660 will fix that.

Ken

Nev, this may help.

techtip

Unimat 3 spindle is dealt with halfway down the page.

Bob.

AB, you never cease to amaze me, do you have any other gems of information hidden in your library re the Emco Unimat 3 lathe/mill?

I've noticed an increase in Unimat parts on eBay over recent years. Some items still made in Austria.

Ken

Thanks Bob. Great link. I have the Unimat Manual somewhere. Just can't find it right now.

Quote from link. "Tail bearing will come out easy, it is a semi-slip fit"

Bit of an understatement I think. The rear bore of headstock is about a thou smaller than the OD of the bearing and the shaft is also about a thou smaller than inner bore of bearing. Front bearing will be ok as the bore seems to get tighter as the bearing is seated. There is the preload washers but I have doubts these will hold the rear bearing and shaft in alignment properly. Need to at least do something about the shaft fit I think.

Reason for bearing failure was probably the fact that this, although a brand new lathe when I bought it a few years ago, was also a lathe with very old grease in the bearings. New bearings have been ordered.

Nev

Going to leave bearings as they are. Any resistance in headstock or on shaft will affect the way the preload washers work, so I will assume Unimat knew what they were doing when making these and leave it alone.

Am thinking of using single row angular contact bearings though. Any thoughts on this?

Nev

Hey Nev,

Guess what? My memory's .....d. Found the book last night. There is no revelation about the spindle bearing set up. I will post a photo of the exploded headstock drawing tonight.

Bob.

Thanks Bob.Well at around $100.00 for the pair for Angular Contact bearings plus freight the Unimat is getting the normal bearings.

Nev

This may not be of any use Nev, but I said I would post a photo. Here's two.

BT

ps. Did you get the No.O sorted out?

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

ps. Did you get the No.O sorted out?

Not yet. Been on hold for a while now.

Nev