Tool · Precision lathe

Emco Unimat SL precision lathe

Partially verified

The Emco Unimat SL is a benchtop precision lathe manufactured in Austria by Maier & Co, attributed by the source to the 1970s–1980s. Intended for micromechanics and watchmaking, the lathe is configured with dual cylindrical bedways, a headstock with red 'Modell SL' badging, a carriage with cross-slide, and a tailstock fitted with a drill chuck. The drive system utilizes stepped pulleys and rubber drive belts coupled to a motor reported as 220 volts. Accompanying accessories include a vertical milling or drilling column attachment, drive belts, cutting bits, wrenches, and a magnetic machine lamp.

Emco Unimat SL benchtop precision lathe with drill chuck, vertical column attachment, and accessory tooling — Catawiki. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.catawiki.com
Category: Tool · Precision lathe
Maker / attribution: Emco (Maier & Co)
Reference: Unimat SL
Catalogue / lot identifier: 107006757
Source-reported date: 1970s–1980s
Country: Austria

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Physical Configuration and Construction

The machine is a compact benchtop precision lathe constructed with dual cylindrical guide bars forming the bedways. Cast components, including the base, headstock, and carriage, are finished in light green hammertone enamel. The headstock is marked with a red badge reading 'Modell SL' and 'Emco Unimat', corresponding to production by Emco (Maier & Co) in Austria.

The headstock design allows swiveling for taper turning, angled drilling, or vertical conversion. Printed documentation displaying schematic diagrams in Dutch stands behind the machine.

Evidence for this section

“Lathe body, headstock, and conversion base finished in light green hammertone enamel.”
“Red badge on the headstock reads 'Modell SL' and 'Emco Unimat'.”
“Fabrikant: Emco (Maier & Co, Oostenrijk)”
“Draaibare vaste kop : Het unieke ontwerp maakt het mogelijk de vaste kop te draaien voor conisch taperdraaien, schuin boren, of het transformeren van de draaibank tot een verticale frees/booropstelling.”
“Dutch printed documentation/diagram sheet stands in the background.”

Drive Mechanism and Vertical Conversion System

Spindle rotation is driven through a stepped pulley and belt system. The listing reports an original 220-volt high-torque motor providing pulley-based speed control; however, electrical plate specifications are source-reported and not directly verified from visible markings.

The lot includes a separate vertical column designed to adapt the headstock and bed into a vertical drill or milling setup. A flexible-arm machine lamp with an integrated switch is attached above the headstock for work illumination.

Evidence for this section

“Drive: Original high-torque motor with pulley-based speed control.”
“Met originele 220 volt motor.”
“Kolom om de machine in enkele seconden om te bouwen naar een zuivere boor of frees kolom.”
“A flexible-arm machine lamp is attached above the headstock.”
“Met nieuwe magneet Machinelamp met schakelaar.”

Tooling and Included Accessories

The tailstock is fitted with a keyed drill chuck holding a drill bit. Loose tooling arranged in the foreground includes three drive belt rings, a wrench, a chuck key, a drive pulley, a lathe dog, metal turning bits, and a vertical mounting column.

Additional tooling reported in the auction manifest comprises a three-jaw chuck, replacement belts, and auxiliary hand tools. Although the seller states the slides move smoothly and the unit was cleaned and lubricated, runout tolerances, bearing condition, and motor operation have not been validated by independent testing.

Evidence for this section

“Tailstock is fitted with a keyed drill chuck holding a drill bit.”
“Foreground includes three drive belt rings, a wrench, chuck key, drive pulley, lathe dog, turning bits, and a vertical mounting column.”
“Drieklauw.”
“Nieuwe riemen , reserve riemen en setje metaalbeitels en nog wat tools.”
“Technische toestand: De mechaniek functioneert: de kruisslede en de slede bewegen soepel .”

Open research questions

What specific electrical parameters, voltage rating, and model number are stamped on the motor data plate?
Does the lathe chassis or headstock retain an original factory serial number to narrow the reported 1970s–1980s manufacture window?
What are the measured radial runout figures for the spindle nose and the included three-jaw chuck?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Emco Unimat SL precision lathe
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Model	Unimat SL	“Model: Unimat SL”
Manufacturer	Emco (Maier & Co, Austria)	“Fabrikant: Emco (Maier & Co, Oostenrijk)”
Dimensions	45 × 25 × 15 cm	“afmetingen 45 × 25 × 15 cm”
Weight	13 kg	“gewicht 13 kg”
Motor Voltage	220 V	“Met originele 220 volt motor.”
Reported Date Range	1970s–1980s	“uit de jaren 1970–1980”

Visible details

Lathe body, headstock, and conversion base finished in light green hammertone enamel.
Red badge on the headstock reads 'Modell SL' and 'Emco Unimat'.
Tailstock is fitted with a keyed drill chuck holding a drill bit.
Foreground includes three drive belt rings, a wrench, chuck key, drive pulley, lathe dog, turning bits, and a vertical mounting column.
A flexible-arm machine lamp is attached above the headstock.
Dutch printed documentation/diagram sheet stands in the background.

Research qualifications

Source-reported 220-volt motor rating and functional running condition cannot be verified visually.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Watch maker tools Industrial - Emco Unimat lathe - auction online Catawiki

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e66e10e3c0

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.