Having three models of Atlas/Sears laths as well as a Unimat SL I feel
qualified to comment on their relative merits. I have had a 12" Atlas
with most of the accessories since 1967 and it has been the workhorse of
my shop. It helped put me through graduate school and start an
engineering business and is the one that I cannot do without. At times I
wish that it had the 24" bed option as that would improve it's stiffness
significantly. The 6" Atlas was bought recently but was nearly unworn and
was very well equipped . I would rate it as second in my shop. The SL
Unimat was my second acquisition and is also well equipped and extremely
precise; probably the most precise lath in the shop. It's only failing is
it's small size. The 7x10 lath that I recently bought for $100 is my
latest acquisition. It is not that much bigger than the SL Unimat and is
still being tuned and tweaked to see what level of performance it can
provide. Finally I have a Champion lathe as sold by Sears. It has the
Vee-Flat bed and an odd planetary back gear that does not seem to be very
strong. Far and away the least desirable lathe in the shop. Just remember
that it easier by far to do small work on a big lathe than big work on a
small lathe!
Bill in Boulder "Engineering as an Art Form!"
