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Thread: G'day.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    Adelaide
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    Default G'day.

    Hi all.

    Stumbled across this forum after looking for info on Hercus lathes. It's a great resource and one that I'm glad I found. (The woodworking bit is pretty cool too).

    My reason for being here, is that I've recently acquired a model A Lathe from my father in law, which is in need of some repair, parts and advice. The lathe was originally owned by my father-in-laws father, who was a toolmaker (he is now 85). So at current count is has passed down three generations. I figure it's worthwhile getting it back operational and maybe one day I can pass it down to my own son.

    The lathe is not complete as it is missing the back gears, lead screw, gearbox and change gears. But apart from a bit of dirt and muck, is a working and serviceable unit. It has 3 and 4 jaw chucks, face plate and also a catch plate. Speaking with the grandfather-in-law I found out that the lead screw and gearbox were removed as they were damaged, unfortunately, these appear to now be long gone.

    From the serial number the lathe appears to have been manufactured in 1948.

    My plans are to source the missing parts, and tidy it up a bit.

    I've got lots of questions, which I will get around to asking in due course, but in the mean time I will try to get some photos.

    Regards.

    Mick.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    adelaide
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    Default

    welcome mick im sure some here can help you out theres at least a couple of members here that can source most of those parts feel free to pm me and i can set you in the right direction
    john

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Heidelberg, Victoria
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    Default

    T-34,

    One of our members, allterrain50, may be able to help you out. His web site is

    Australian Metalworking Hobbyist

    I have had some dealings with Mal, and he's a decent bloke.

    Ken

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    Adelaide
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    Default

    Thanks for all of the replies.

    Here's a couple of pics





    As you can see the lead screw is completely missing. There are no covers, and a few teeth are missing on the headstock gears. I'm not 100% sure if there would have originally been a gearbox on this lathe, or if it used a set of gears instead. I guess this is probably my first question.

    The mill is interesting, as it was evidently made by the grandfather in law. I presume that he already had the table and fabricated the rest. At any rate, it looks to be a useful little machine. It has a 1/2" collet fitted in the headstock, and the head can be rotated.

    I need to source some 1/2" shank cutters, and tee bolts so will take a trip out to the local machine tool shop to see what they have in stock. I already have a few jobs to do on it.

  5. #5
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    On the Right hand rear of the bed there should be a number stamped,with this number there could also be a Letter,the letter if there will indicate the Model of the Lathe.

    As it is your lathe is by appearance not a C model,it has the same Carriage as the B and A models.

    The difference between A and B is the A has a Quick Change Gearbox,the B has no box but Power longitudinal and cross feed produce by the Star wheel at the left of the carriage.

    If you can get a shot of the Change gear end or list the Gears that are on it that possably could also help to identify the Model.

    By looking at the supplied photos it appears that the lathe could be a mix of machines.

    It has a old style Nut clamp Tailstock,and a Vee belt drive.

    I cant recall seeing a Vee belt drive with a Nut clamp tailstock as original before.

    All the Damaged gears in your drive can either be replaced with Repaired parts (ring gears fitted to your damaged Gears),second hand or remanufactured copies.

    All change gears can be sourced either remanufactured copies,new or second hand.

    The leadscrew will need to have a keyway in its length to enable the power feed to work correctly,if you choose not to source a keyed Leadscrew you could use a C model screw and achieve Longitudinal feed Via the Half nuts rather than the Star wheel.

  6. #6
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    Heidelberg, Victoria
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    T-34,

    Your Grandfather in law, must have been an interesting bloke.

    Looks like you have your work cut out for you. If you look through the Metalwork section of this forum, you will find some tips on restoration. It could be that most of your work is cosmetic.

    For example http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/de...ishing-133716/ and
    http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/sc...wheels-132648/

    Take lots of photos as you progress, we'd all like to be kept in the picture.

    If it's a 3-phase motor, reckon you'll be hooking up a VFD.

    Ken

  7. #7
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    Default

    It's been a few years since I posted here and unfortunately I have made zero progress on restoring the lathe, however It's been used fairly regularly and with satisfying results. Fortunately I've not needed to do any screw cutting but the power feeds would definitely be useful for getting a nice uniform finish.

    I've identified the model, it's definitely an A, so it would appear that the gearbox is missing.

    I now note that there are many spares available via Australian Metalworking Hobbyist and I have been pricing up the parts that I need to get the lathe back to spec. Unfortunately due to the amount of parts that are missing this looks like it will be an expensive exercise, in fact it seems to be much cheaper to get another (restored and complete) lathe. I'm prepared to have a go at making the missing gear sets and even repair the broken bullgear as I'm just in the middle of automating my dividing head and figure that this should be an easy enough exercise, but the gearbox, lead screw, and other various missing parts are not something that I can easily make.

    Not sure what to do at the moment, fix it or get something else. I would really like to keep it but I just cannot justify spending what basically amounts to the cost of a new Chinese lathe with metric / imperial screw cutting and a geared head.

    If anyone has any second hand parts that I could use, please let me know. I figure if I can keep the costs down I will keep it but i guess it all comes down to what's available and at what price.



    Anyhows. Here's some photos...

    Been doing some pretty heavy turning, it's actually amazing that it copes with this kind of stuff. Was pretty slow going though.

    IMG_7130.jpg


    Here's the same job on the mill getting some mounting holes. You might notice some slight chatter marks on the turned part, but still not too shabby for a 1948 lathe

    IMG_7137.jpg

    Nothings changed since bringing it home but at least it's getting used.

    IMG_7139.jpg

    As you can see, there's plenty of missing parts including the backgear assembly as well as missing teeth on the bullgear and cone gears

    IMG_7150.jpg


    Whilst the lathe does still have its toggle gears, there's no gearbox, no mounting plate, no lead screw, no banjo and no change gears (amongst other stuff)

    IMG_7148.jpg


    Here's the controller I'm making for my rotary table (soon to be electronic dividing head) I just need to make up a mount to attach the motor to the table. It's an arduino powered stepper motor.

    IMG_7119 (1).jpg


    And here's a shot of the interface

    IMG_7122.jpg

    The idea is to make up toothed pulleys (gilmer drive) for a few projects I'm working on but I figure I can also just as easily make up the missing change gears for the lathe


    Anyhows, if anyone has any Model A parts that I could use, please let me know.


    Thanks in advance.

    Mick.

  8. #8
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    If you don't wish to put it back to original condition you may find it cheaper to make it into a C model, seems it would be around $331.00 for the main parts plus any small parts ( pins, screws etc ).

    This figure is based on gears being made/repaired by yourself.

  9. #9
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    Looks like you have an interest in electronics Have you thought about converting to Electronic lead screw then you wouldn't need to worry about a gearbox and change gears?

  10. #10
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    Hi

    Rather than buying the parts one by one which will be expensive , you could buy another model A Hercus and make one good lathe from the two . Ebay always seems to have Hercus lathes

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by pipeclay View Post
    If you don't wish to put it back to original condition you may find it cheaper to make it into a C model, seems it would be around $331.00 for the main parts plus any small parts ( pins, screws etc ).

    This figure is based on gears being made/repaired by yourself.

    Thats not a bad idea, makes it a bit more affordable.


    Quote Originally Posted by Com_VC View Post
    Looks like you have an interest in electronics Have you thought about converting to Electronic lead screw then you wouldn't need to worry about a gearbox and change gears?

    Actually no, I hadn't considered this at all, but it sounds very interesting. I assume that there must be some kind of sync pulse and encoder on the headstock to get everything to sync up properly and then a servo / stepper on the lead screw to do the tricky stuff. This might be worth considering as it is indeed the kind of stuff I like playing with.


    However, all of that may be unnecessary as there is a possibility that I might be able to pick this up from work...


    IMG_7170.jpg

    The funny thing is that I cannot find a single thing about these on the interwebs. Are these made by another manufacturer and then rebadged by Hercus? If anyone has any info it would be appreciated.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by morrisman View Post
    Hi

    Rather than buying the parts one by one which will be expensive , you could buy another model A Hercus and make one good lathe from the two . Ebay always seems to have Hercus lathes
    I've been keeping a lookout for exactly this, however most of the run down lathes seem to be in better condition than mine

    I narrowly missed out on an A last night.

    Keeping all of my options open.

  13. #13
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    Apr 2011
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    Looks like the Large Hercus is a rebadged Acra.

    s-l1600.jpg

    Almost identical, just one or two minor differences.

    Will have to figure out how much to offer and see what happens.

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