Thanks KK. Have missed you. Things have been pretty difficult, but feels like I'm coming out the other side of a bad dream right now. Hope life's treating you well.
Joined: 13 May 2019 Gender: Male Posts: 14,845 Location: .
21 Sep 2020, 8:30 am
Here is a half decent Unimat Metalline copy from China. It has the equivalent to the more powerful Powerline motor, is about half the price and is impressive.
The Unimat 1 Classic has the little jigsaw as the Metalline does not have it in the kit, but a better version again is available as an optional extra where one needs the metalline jigsaw, and the metalline saw table. It can be powered on thw standard metalline 2 amp motor, but the powerline motor is better as 2 amp is a bit weak for cutting with the larger jigsaw blade (His kit has the small table and the small precision blade). The metalline optional extras make a larger heavier table. His kit.. The small table looks like it might be metal. The cheaper Unimat 1 Classic jigsaw (Comes with the Unimat 1 Classic kit) has a little plastic sawtable.
All in all that kit he has which is the Chinese copy version looks excellent. Careful of price though. I have seen them for double the standard Unimat kits which is silly money! I have also seen them half the price or less so shop around and be aware of this. Many components do not need to be metal so the cheaper kits equivalent to the Unimat 1 Classic (6 in 1) are good as they are half metal and are only plastic where they need to be, but to me the metal slides are MUCH nicer to use then plastic slides. They both do the same job but the metal slides are smoother. The Chinese versions do offer great value (If one has checked that the prices are cheaper... Otherwize but an Unimat version), and as far as I am aware, One can upgrade using standard Unimat parts and accessories.
Unimat do these kits.
Unimat Playmat. (For children. Is a 4 in 1 system that is safer for younger children). Unimat 1 (4 in 1). Unimat 1 Classic (6 in 1). Unimat Metalline.
The last three are fully compatible with each other and one can further upgrade to use Powerline 5amp motors etc. (For adult use).
The Chinese versions vary considerably and can be purchased as lathe only or jigsaw only or complete kits etc., in both metal and the plastic/metal versions.
Joined: 13 May 2019 Gender: Male Posts: 14,845 Location: .
02 Oct 2020, 7:34 pm
I ordered a Chinese version which was very cheap, hence why I decided to try it. Unfortunately after a few weeks of waiting there was a technical issue and it was returned to them? They asked if I wanted my money back or the lathe? I said the lathe so they tried again... Or so I thought, but now it seems they are going to refund my money instead. I thought the price seemed too good to be true! The problem I think is that they do not update their pricss as time passes as maybe they don't sell many? So when one orders one, they may not have it and have to order one themselves, and find it cost more? I am guessing! Who knows! The one I ordered was much cheaper then the ones in the link above but was a more plasticky one.
16 Sep 2020, 5:02 pm
