Thread: hercus model A 1951 model

I have only recently discovered this site and are excited to hear other poeple have a passion for older well made equipment in this throw away world.
I am a watchmaker by trade and have spent most of my life (54 years) in fine optical mechanical instrumentation so this lathe to me is a large watchmakers lathe.
Although some 60 years old and owned by me for the last 18 years it is a credit to the previous owner or owners as I can easily achieve accuracy of less than 20 microns over the travel of the cariage.
I think my machine is truely amazing given it has never been refurbished and all components and paint are in beautiful original condition.
I sold a near new tiawanese machine of similar capacity when I purchased the hercus second hand from a deceased estate and I am sure it will perform well long after my workshop days are over.
When I work out how to post photos I will share them with you all.
Great site full of enthusiastic people so keep up all your good work and projects.

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

I my self am also new and have just become a Hercus model A owner also.

You are right about quallity. In a small budget range these machines far out weigh the other options I feel.

Mine how ever needs a rebuild seen a bit of work and neglect in the back of a work shop. Will be good to see photos of an original machine thats been well kept.

Cameron

Originally Posted by pjh4159

I can easily achieve accuracy of less than 20 microns over the travel of the cariage.

That's pretty good alright - less than a thousandth of an inch. I bet you are fastidious about bed levelling.
We'd like to see your photos.

Jordan

Half a thou, tha's good.

I do have some very good test equipment to make sure my equipment stays in good shape as I do use it in my work on scientific instrument repair. One of the features of the hercus that is very useful is being able to manually rotate by hand with the drive pully,this is very useful for cutting and repairing fine threads I often need to repair on microscopes when parts are no longer available.

it warms the cockles of my heart to know that some people still do such work. I would love to see the photos if you can manage them.
Bill