SYMTEC NEWSLETTER NO. 10

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1 SYMTEC NEWSLETTER NO. 10 c In this issue: March get together Jeff Parker s Gallery More on band sawn boxes MARCH GET TOGETHER In Newsletter No. 9 you saw this lighthouse on the lathe in Colin s workshop. At that time he had intended it to be a vase, but it transformed itself somehow into this splendid lighthouse. The open segmented construction suggests brickwork.

2 Since these pix were taken Colin entered his lighthouse in the Australian Woodturning Exhibition and received a second placing in his category. Remember his ant? Well that came third. CONGRATULATIONS COLIN. ELIPTICAL JIG Bill Labad showed us this clever jig for drawing elliptical shapes. He adapted it from an idea he found in an old Router magazine. It would be very useful for things like oval picture frames or mirrors. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

3 If you change your address and don t tell m, your Symtec Newsletter will not reach you and you wouldn t want that to happen would you? CIRCLE CUTTING JIG Peter Crook is offering his little used band saw circle cutting jig for sale for $ plus postage. Peter says I have had it about 11years: bought it from Gregory M/C]. Only used it about 4 times. You only need to move the centre and away you go; it runs in the key way of the band saw. To the best of my knowledge these jigs are not marketed any more, so the only way to get one like this is pick it up on the second hand market. MORE ON BAND SAW BOXES

4 A few more of Peter Crook s band saw boxes above. He also sent a reference to a short video by Donna Menke [Author of The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book] showing how she makes them. When you have seen the video you might like to have a look at her website for more inspiration. Just as an update - I was at Carrolls Woodcraft Supplies this week and noticed ready made band sawn box kits for sale [$35.00, I think]. All you had to do was polish them. My next book title will be, Woodworking for those without tools or skill The OTGA Off-centre bowl chuck I have often admired the skill evident in off-centre turning, but have never been able to afford the commercially made gear or had the time to experiment. I know many of you are skilled metal workers, so this one designed by Peter Crook s mate is worth a look. SYMTEC OWNER S MANUAL 1500 & 1800 I think most of the early Symtec buyers from the mid-80 s would have received a manual. Gradually age has caught up with these people, forcing many of them to downsize and get rid of their lathes. Now there is a crop

5 of new Symtec owners who bought the lathes but didn t get a manual. Thanks to the generosity of Gary Robbins [WA], who scanned his manual, it is now available for any Symtecian who would like a copy. If you would like a PDF copy [9MB] please let me know. The availability of the Manual together with a query from Peter Crook regarding replacing the drive belt seem to have generated a fair amount of interest which is heartening it shows members are willing to share their knowledge and help one another in true woody fashion. While no one has yet come forward to explain how they dismantled the headstock to replace the drive belt, Lindsay Dowley has passed on the following: To replace the belt on my symtec I have to dismantle the head, pull out the shaft and replace belt. I bought some nutlink belting to save a job. This is a link formed belt. Any good machinery shop should sell it. To look at it go to me.aspx This sounds like the easiest option. Jeff Parker from Murray Bridge, SA sent in a gallery of his work most impressive. Thanks Jeff.

6 The Vermec Texturing tool above was used to make an attractive pattern around the items above. Very quick, according to Jeff. KIWI DEMONSTRATOR IAN CLARK Ian Clark from New Zealand used to demonstrate for Symtec. He was showing us how he turned a bowl.

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