Thread: Resurrecting Simtec mod 1500 discussion (forlorn hope?)

Its good to see you resurrecting the Symtec. A much maligned lathe but they do have a place in turning and have made our craft accessible to some who may never have been able to enjoy wood turning.

Good luck with the restoration.

Originally Posted by F Murtz

I have just acquired this much of a Symtec 1500 which I am going to attempt to resurrect.
not very good pic




I can make the copying tool holder from photos from the discussions a few years ago but I would l would like any help I can get in the form of handbook (probably impossible) motor size and speed, any info on spiral turning gizmos and anything else helpful.
I realize I am probably reaching for the impossible.

No its just takes a bit more time for lathes in this state. I have done a few reco's its usually time is the biggest component.

My main problem is not the making of parts, it is finding out what is missing and what the parts look like,
I do have a photo of a homemade tool holder which is one of the main parts and shows how the lathe worked which is different from normal lathes but I do not know what the rest of the accessories look like,or the HP and speed of the motor
These are links to stuff in discussion a few years ago
https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...1&d=1327889996
https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...2&d=1327889996

I did a search and found some things you may not have seen:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Simt...YQ_AUoAA&dpr=1

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...500+wood+lathe

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/technical-help-legendary-symtec-wood-lathe-owner-147064

Originally Posted by F Murtz

My main problem is not the making of parts, it is finding out what is missing and what the parts look like,
I do have a photo of a homemade tool holder which is one of the main parts and shows how the lathe worked which is different from normal lathes but I do not know what the rest of the accessories look like,or the HP and speed of the motor
These are links to stuff in discussion a few years ago
https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...1&d=1327889996
https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...2&d=1327889996

Thats the beauty of the internet, 30 years ago it would been a much bigger challenge.

I contemplated buying a new Symtec 1500 at the first T&WWW Show I ever attended in Brisbane many year ago.

The machine was beautifully made and did a brilliant job of turning. If remember correctly the fellow who made and demonstrated
the machine was very particular about the sharpening of the cutter. This see to be the secret to the great finish he achieved as well
as preventing kickback

Originally Posted by Paul39

I did a search and found some things you may not have seen:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Simt...YQ_AUoAA&dpr=1

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...500+wood+lathe

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/technical-help-legendary-symtec-wood-lathe-owner-147064

Thanks, but I have done all that, that is where I got the pics I have