Mini Lathe suggestions

[Bugatti Fan]

Not heard of the Sakai machines.  Looks a nice bit of kit. 

I take it that the 3100 bucks is for the larger ML360 machine brand new. There are probably a number of similar sized new lathes on the market for a lot less.

Out of curiosity I will be having a look at the Sakai ML210 that you also mentioned Aaron. Always interested in looking at desktop machines about the size of my little Unimat 4.

[Ace-Garageguy]

15 hours ago, Aaronw said:

 

There is a Japanese Sakai ML360 lathe / mill on Ebay right now. Looks a lot like the Unimat 3 in design, but larger, 5.9x11" vs 3.6x7" for the Unimat 3. The also made a smaller ML210 which was closer in size to the Unimat.  

Probably just for amusement unless you have an overly fat wallet you want to make thinner ( they are asking $3100). 

 

That does indeed look like a very nice rig. And I like that the mill column looks like it has its own motor, so you don't have to swap stuff around like on the Unimat and some Sherlines.

Today's typical Japanese quality is very good, but though I'd love to have it, my little Unimat and Sherline will have to suffice.

Edited Thursday at 02:24 PM by Ace-Garageguy

[Bugatti Fan]

Your little Unimat and your Sherline are both quite nice quality benchtop machines Bill.

If they do what you want, that is all that matters.

[Aaronw]

10 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Not heard of the Sakai machines.  Looks a nice bit of kit. 

I take it that the 3100 bucks is for the larger ML360 machine brand new. There are probably a number of similar sized new lathes on the market for a lot less.

Out of curiosity I will be having a look at the Sakai ML210 that you also mentioned Aaron. Always interested in looking at desktop machines about the size of my little Unimat 4.

 

The $3100 is just what the seller is asking. It looks like Toyo / Sakai went out of business in 2025, but I found an archived page that had a product history. It looks like they started selling the ML210 in 1984 and the ML360 in 1986. When they moved production to South Korea they changed the name to Manix. I couldn't find anything about when that happened.

I found an old post at Practical Machinist from 2009, it looks like these were still available at that time from a US distributor under the Manix brand. The ML360 cost $2300 in 2009.

Toyo / Sakai was a camera maker and they went out of business in January 2025. 

 

Agree it looks like a nice machine, but I'll keep my money. I'm quite happy with my Sherline lathe and mill. 😉

[Bugatti Fan]

No point in buying anything different Aaron if your Sherline Lathe and Mill are adequate for what you do.

I don't have Sherline machines myself but know from reputation that they are well made. If I were looking for a new micro lathe and mill now, I would certainly be looking at  Sherline as they have a UK agent/sales outlet.