As most of you will know, machine tools are selling for very low prices nowadays. A secondhand Colchester Student, that would have been around £3,500 a few years ago can now be had for around £1,000. And then there are the exceptions. Near me is a junk shop, and looking in there window Sunday I spotted a Unimat lathe. the 1000 /SL series, which dates from the 1955-1970 era. No threading capability and too small for much serious work. Also, one of the flimsier models, that had many motor problems. Out of curiosity, today I phoned them to see how much it was. £300. WOW. Thats expensive, said I. To which the owner replied that he had an identical one some months ago and that was what he sold that one for. Amazing! Alan MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.