FAQs

Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions!

If your question has not been answered please contact our service-team under info@thecooltool.com for help.

 

General Questions

 

  • What are the age recommendations for The cool tool products?
    • The PLAYmake 4in1 workshop kit is recommended for 5 yesrs and up.
    • UNIMAT 1 Basic starting at 8 years. If kids are advised by their parents they can start working earlier.
  • Which materials can be worked with UNIMAT?
    • Jig-saw: plywood up to 12mm and solid wood up to 5mm.
    • Wood Lathe: basically all kinds of wood are turnable, above all short grained woods as beech and fruit woods turn out beautiful. For the beginner we recommend lime wood, it is relatively soft and has short grains which results in a beautiful surface. Even soft metals can be worked freehanded.
  • How precise are the machines?
    • UNIMAT 1 Basic: Precision depends on the users skills. All machines are worked by free hand
  • How is the jig-saw child safe?
    • The lift of the saw blade and so the cut movement of the teeth is only approx. 3mm. The skin is capable to move this short distance and won't get hurt. A cut into the material happens only when the materials are rigid, like wood, plastics or metals.

 

UNIMAT 1 Basic and Classic

  • Is it possible to work with steel?
    • With our UNIMAT machines we do not recommend working with steel.
  • What is the differentation between UNIMAT 1 Basic and PLAYmake?

    • Actually PLAYmake is rather a toy with a 12V drive, whereas UNIMAT1 BASIC represents a real machine tool.

      UNIMAT1 BASIC originally was developed for model construction, but is also best suited for children. Strong 12V motor, but still child friendly. Run by a 12V power supply, already included in the kit.

      The primary structure of UNIMAT1 consists of aluminium profiles, while PLAYmake is made of plastic. Through upgrade sets UNIMAT1 is upgradeable indefinitely, while PLAYmake is limited to its 4 applications – woodturning lathe, saw, sanding and drilling machine.

      Also PLAYmake is a fully functional machine tool, however sense of achievement can only be promised when processing soft wood.

  • How can you change the jig saw blade?
    • More information can you find here. UNIMAT Anleitung Seite 10 + 11
    •  
    • The new jig saw blade can not be fixed or easily slips from the fixation? Control if the old blade was properly removed and there is no dust or wood in the jig saw fixation. UNIMAT Anleitung Seite 10 + 11
    • The jig saw blade can not be fixed with the screw or does not fit correctly? Please control if the screw works properly. If necessary please change the metal ring and the screw.
    • The motor is turning but the jig saw doesn´t move? Please control if the exzenter is completely connected with the jig-saw - UNIMAT Anleitung Seite 10 + 11
  • How to use the jig saw properly?
    • The wood vibrates with the jig saw blade and therefore can not be sawed properly -> Always press the wood on the jig saw table while sawing, this prevents the wood from vibrating and provides a clean cut. Anleitung UNIMAT 1 Basic Seite 10+11
    • The jig saw blade breaks while sawing circles or curves -> press the wood in the direction of the arrow, marked on the jig saw table, while turning the wood around the jig saw blade. The jig saw blade, for safety reasons, can only cut in one direction, if too much presssure is pushed from the side it bends and can break.
  • How to use the wood lathe?

    • The work piece stops rotating easily:

      The work piece stops spinning easily, but the motor continues turning ->

      Please check if the drive center (this part fixes the work piece onto the machines) is driven into the wood correctly. Should the wood not be driven in properly it can spin while under pressure.

      Unimat Anleitung Seite 8

      Check if the collet holder (U48) is screwed on firmly - this prevents it from spinning.

      The work piece and the motor stop spinning:

      Please check if you are holding the gauge correctly -> Do not apply to much pressure on the gauge, this can prevent the wood from spinning. The blade is sharp enough to cut the wood with little pressue applied. UNIMAT Anleitung Seite 9

       

      The work piece wobbles (does not spin in a perfect circle):

      With the center finder (enclosed in the UNIMAT kits) you can find the exact center of the work piece, but wood is a natural product so small tolerances and imbalances are normal. For precise and smooth working we recommend to take of the top wood layer of the work piece (around 1-2 mm) before starting with the actual model making.

 

PLAYmake 4in1 Workshop

  • How to change the jig saw blade?

    • More information you can find in the PLAYmake manual

      PLAYmake manual page 25

      These are some tipps for the PLAYmake jig saw:

      • The new jig saw blade can not be fixed or slips out of the fixation? - Control if the old saw blade was properly removed and there is no dust or wood in the jig saw fixation PLAYmake manual page 40
      •  The jig saw blade can not be screwed in? Please control if the screw works properly. If necessary please change the metal ring and the screw  PLAYmake manual page 25+40
      • The motor is turning but the jig saw doesn´t move? Please control if the exzenter is connected properly with the jig saw - PLAYmake manual page 27
  • How to use the jig saw?

    • The following tipps will help you to use the jig saw properly:

      • The wood vibrates with the jig saw blade and therefore can not be sawed properly -> Always press the wood on the jig saw table while sawing, this prevents the wood from vibrating and provides a clean cut.

       PLAYmake manual page 29

      • The jig saw blade breaks while sawing circles or curves -> Press the wood in the direction of the arrow, marked on the jig saw table, while turning the wood around the jig saw blade. The jig saw blade, for safety reasons, can only cut in one direction, if too much pressure is pushed from the side it bends and can break.

       

  • How do I use the wood lathe?
    • The work piece stops spinning easily, but the motor continues turning ->
      • Please check if the drive center (this part fixes the work piece onto the machine) is driven into the wood correctly. Should the wood not be driven in properly it can spin while under pressure.
    • The work piece and the motor stop spinning.PLAYmake manual page 8+17
      • Please check if you are holding the gauge correctly -> Do not apply to much pressure on the gauge, this can prevent the wood from spinning. The blade is sharp enough to cut the wood with little pressure applied.
    • The work piece wobbles (does not spin in a perfect circle)
      • With the center finder (enclosed in the UNIMAT kits) you can find the exact center of the work piece, but wood is a natural product so small tolerances and imbalances are normal. For precise and smooth working we recommend to take of the top wood layer of the work piece (around 1-2 mm) before starting with the actual model making.
  • How to fixiate the PLAYmake?

    • The PLAYmake 4in1 kit has a special designed machine bed, which enables it to be connected to commong big building plates - PLAYmake manual page 29

      If you need more fixiaton you can use building blocks to further stabilize the PLAYmake.

      Alternatively you can use the 4 screws which are included in the kit and use them to screw it onto a wooden base plate. PLAYmake manual page 6