Thread: Technical help for legendary Symtec Wood lathe owner

Anyone who spins a laminated blank like the one shown (square or round) at “more that 3000rpm” is either ignorant of the dangers involved or if they are an experienced turner they should know better.

Edward please don’t put that up as a safe method of work because it isn’t.

I don’t care what sort of lathe you use; if that blank delaminates at “more than 3000rpm” it could cause some serious damage.

1000rpm would be the maximum speed I would use, with full face and head protection.

At 1000rpm the quality of cut, with that type of tool, in softer timbers, would be very poor.
It will require lots of sanding to get a good finish. In the photos I can see the tear marks off the tool.

Edward I’m sorry if I’ve rained on your party.

Keep plugging away mate.

Cheers

Tim

Second that!

Well, I for one am interested in the design and use of the lathe itself, and feel that should not be lost in discussion of technique. I am fortunate enough to own a Vicmarc but my technique shouldn't reflect on the lathe. It is an interesting concept for copying but there seems to be some prejudice against these machines, is there?

As one who does a bit of laminating, there is no way I would turn a laminated blank at more than 1000rpm, more like 800. I have used a Symtec lathe, and enjoyed the experience. I first saw one operated at the Wood show in Brisbane an years ago. They were being promoted then as a safe machine for visually impaired people. They do have their place in the system.
Jim

Hi Groggy

I had no intention of restarting the old Symtec argument.
Too many people got into trouble with that one.

It is important to point out a method of work that is dangerous and should not be attempted.

On a more positive note you might like to check out Woodfast as they used to make an attachment that would probably fit on your Vicmark. It worked on the same principle with a stylus.
I know where there is one for sale if you are interested.

Cheers

Tim

Originally Posted by Tim the Timber Turner

Anyone who spins a laminated blank like the one shown (square or round) at “more that 3000rpm” is either ignorant of the dangers involved or if they are an experienced turner they should know better.

Edward please don’t put that up as a safe method of work because it isn’t.

I don’t care what sort of lathe you use; if that blank delaminates at “more than 3000rpm” it could cause some serious damage.

1000rpm would be the maximum speed I would use, with full face and head protection.

At 1000rpm the quality of cut, with that type of tool, in softer timbers, would be very poor.
It will require lots of sanding to get a good finish. In the photos I can see the tear marks off the tool.
. The
Edward I’m sorry if I’ve rained on your party.

Keep plugging away mate.

Cheers

Tim

Hi Tim

Thank you for your concern and comment. Also you did not rain on my party. The usual rpm that I used is always about 1000rpm, The 3,000rpm was used as a test under laboratory condition with all safety factors taken into considersation not only with full PPE but with a safety shield for further protection.

Edward

Originally Posted by Tim the Timber Turner

Hi Groggy

I had no intention of restarting the old Symtec argument.

Cheers

Tim

Hi Tim and others who is reading this post:

For the record, I too have no intention to restart any argument on the Symtec wood lathe. My original good intention when I started this thread was to provide whatever help I can in term of technical knowledge or spares to any existing Symtec wood lathe owners who might need it. It is only when members in this forum that do not believe in the concept of the machine that got me to set out to prove the capability of the machine. Take note that I got nothing to gain from all these postings.

As for the wood blank, I must admit that it is certainly dangerous to spin at that speed but that is not the point of view that I want to convey across in the posting to the members here. My point of view, is that it proves beyond doubt that with the Symtec cutting system, it can safely handle even such extreme cutting condition without endangering anyone along the way.

And for those who still does not believe in the machine safety, allow me to post the final part of the four parts video which I have given the Title: 'Machine ultimate safety test' Again for safety reason, this test is also done under laboratory control condition. I believe many senior and older members here have somehow seen the actual demonstration of the machine perhaps by Mr. Geyer during his presentation but did he actually demonstrated this safety test for his customers?

Video Brief: In the video: A 12mm thick piece of rectangular plywood scrap is clamped between the driving spur and the live center at one of its corners. Again spinning at max speed, the cutter which is in the tool jig is push forward to cut at the thinnest part of the plywood, it is also used to cut the plywood at 90 deg and also at an angle to the plywood. Take note that the tool jig was not griped tightly in the turner hand but is actually guided in the cutting direction using 2 fingers only. In the final seconds of the video the scrap plywood stopped spining because the cutting tool was plunged too deep.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYT7zFYj5_M&context=C3abd8c0ADOEgsToPDskJrqMFfYpnl3iW1HUe1Ul-Z"]Wood lathe Machine Ultimate Safety Test - YouTube[/ame]

For conclusion, I again leave it to any members who are reading all these posting to come to their own conclusion. Also since this thread is begin to create alot of unnecessary arugment, I will from now only reply to those posting that concern the machine technically or spares. I will ignore all other posting that is of non technical issue. Hope all of you can understand.

Gday and thank you all very much for all your comment etc, I must say that I have learnt alot from all these postings.

Edward

To the gentleman who name is John and have left a text message in my mobile phone for some enquiry and request, I am sorry that I am not able to reply back via your phone because my phone OS has crashed and I have lost all the data etc. I am thus replying you in this post in hope that you are reading it.

You asked:

1 Am I manufacturing the machine and if yes you would like to purchase one:

The answer to your question is both yes and no. Yes, I was commissioned to manufactured a small batch for a training institute about a year ago. No because all the units were delivered and I have nothing left. Also the answer is no, if you are thinking of asking me whether I can sell the existing unit to you.

2 If I am not manufacturing, can I make 1 for you?

Currently my day job is filling me up to my neck thus I do not have the time to considers such request. It can only happen if I am out of job, in retirement mode or if someone else willing to take charge of the manufacturing.

As you did not specify where you come from but if you are an Australian, then I suggest that you can search the used market there and choose one that can meet your budget. I am sure there are also members in this forum that know of someone who is selling the machine.

My answer to all your questions is very brief, it is because this is certainly not the right place to talk about buying and selling, since I have no other way of communicating with you thus I have no other choice but making it an exception to reply.

Thank you

Edward

Hi allI summarize some of the technical questions asked by turners. Can the your newbuild headstock replaced the Symtec machine headstock? No, Although both machine shares the same capacity, the mounting holes for headstock in my new build machine is not the same. Besides, the driving system is also different.

Hi all:

With the upload of the 4 video clips and answering of technical questions for the machine via this post, my email or mobile phone, I would like to concluded this thread. Anyone who still need further info can visit my Facebook Edward Po which has a dedicated section for the machine.

Thank you all

Edward Po