Anyone got a Mattel Power Shop?

[OldNYJim]

9 hours ago, Aaronw said:

 

I haven't used mine in some time, so have to figure out what "safe place" I put it up out of the way. The piece we are talking about is often missing, so mine is a replacement, made from perforated steel sheet metal. I've had mine about 15 years, and at the time I bought it there was a guy on ebay selling replacement parts and even an upgrade for using a shopvac. I haven't seen him on ebay in some time.

I left mine stock, and later bought a more modern small vacuformer. The little Mattel machine is a nice affordable tool though.

 

I found this photo online, but this is pretty much the same as on mine. 

 

Ahh, yeah, I’ve seen these upgrade kits online - they’re still available, it looks like:

https://gaugepods.com/products/mattel-vac-u-form-rebuild-kit

I should pick one of those up actually…

 

[Bugatti Fan]

The Unimat SL  is the original machine they made way back in the early 70's that Aaron put the picture in his post of. And it could be utilised for other jobs with the appropriate accessories. In its own way quite unique using round bars instead of a cast bed. The Unimat 1 also pictured is similar to the one I own.

I also have a Unimat 4 miniature lathe that is very different from the old original SL that is more like a proper engineering lathe with a machined cast iron bed to take the head and tailstock. Again adaptable with optional accessories albeit now quite expensive. The Unimat 4 was the last of the line of their miniature lathes having been discontinued some years back.

The nearest thing to the later miniature Unimats 3 and 4 is the US made Sherline that is an excellent well built machine that is adaptable with optional accessories as the Unimats were back in the day

I also have a Unimat 1 set that I bought a few years previously to the Unimat 4. It has its limitations, but is a very useful little modular unit. Plastics and wood are easily machined on it. It can turn soft grades of brass and aluminium, so quite a useful tool for those embarking on scratch building without costing an arm and a leg.

Cannot comment on the Unimat 1  'knock offs' on EBay Aaron was referring to as I have had no reason to look. It would be interesting to hear any feedback about the 'knock offs' if anyone has bought and used any of these types of machine.

 

Edited February 11 by Bugatti Fan

[OldNYJim]

Had some success with my Vacuform today - first successful pull of a part!

This is a little canopy for a resin copy of an AMT Bonneville kart - super pleased that I got something usable out of this little guy.  @Dave Van recommended somewhere on here applying a little Vaseline to the inside of the vacuum and it helped a LOT - thanks for the tip Dave!