Thread: Value of Hercus B lathe

Greetings,

I want to my local oddjob man for a spare wheel for the trailer, we didn't find one but we got talking, and he mentioned that he had an old Hercus model "B" lathe. We had a look, the slides and bearings are in OK condition, i.e. I couldn't detect any slop by pulling them, apart from backlash in the cross-slide, which is easy to fix, the ways were greased, so good shape. Wired for 415V.

But there are no chucks, centres, Jacob's chuck, and the change gears and the banjo casting that the idler change gear mounts on is missing. All these things are available, but at a price, and at the end of it you have a 40 y.o. lathe.

A fully equipped Hercus is about $1200, my mate who is a modelmaker just told me to buy a modern Chinese lathe. However, I happen to like old machines, and the quality of Chinese machinery is never what I would like. Beside, when overhauling something, you can spend money on it as and when you have it, rather than spending the whole lot in one go. All I want to do (at present!) is basic turning & screwcutting in a 3 jaw chuck and a faceplate.

So what should I offer him? I am thinking in the region of $300. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Is the lathe a flat belt version or a vee belt version?
Is the lathe Metric or Imperial (just curious dosent really matter at the end)?
Is it a Roller bearing headstock (oil point only on the front) or plain bearing (oil point top and front)?
Does it have a toolpost,leadscrew still attached,other gears in the train except for the banjo bracket?

Originally Posted by bloodandsawdust

A fully equipped Hercus is about $1200

A fully equipped Hercus is about $150 to $7,000 depending on model, condition, and accessories that come with it ($150 would be just about the scrap steel value). If you compare an old but mint condition Hercus with a brand new Chinese lathe of same size/ capacity and same accessories, you will find that the Hercus sell at 2 and up to to 3 times the price.

For the same price as a brand new Chinese lathe, you will only get an already 50%-70% worn out Hercus of same capacity and accessories. Unless you are very lucky, or the seller ows you a favor.

The missing parts are not too hard to find. Hercus was a licensed clone of the American South Bend, with only minor modifications. Many/most South Bend parts will fit a Hercus. South Bend lathes are a bit like a Ford model T, it is by far the lathe manufactured in greatest quantities worldwide, and hence the easiest to source spare parts for. You mention a 415V motor, I would see this as an advantage as you only need to add a VFD to make it into a variable single phase supply lathe.

As for you question, how much is it worth: it is worth as much as you are prepared to pay for it!!! The overall condition will have a far greater impact, than the cost of replacing the missing parts.

I would add this: if you feel confident at assessing condition of a lathe, and if necessary restoring and adjusting a lathe, and have the time to do it, then go ahead with an "old iron" machine. Else you are in my opinion safer and far better off with either a new Chinese lathe, or an "old iron" lathe already refurbished and aligned from a trustworthy source.

Chris

Originally Posted by pipeclay

Is the lathe a flat belt version or a vee belt version?
Is the lathe Metric or Imperial (just curious dosent really matter at the end)?
Is it a Roller bearing headstock (oil point only on the front) or plain bearing (oil point top and front)?
Does it have a toolpost,leadscrew still attached,other gears in the train except for the banjo bracket?

It's an imperial with a plain bearing headstock. I like plain bearings, easy to get hold of, and you can always machine your own (once you have a lathe of course!). Simple lantern toolpost, with leadscrew, all gears except the 80t idler and the 20t & 40t on the leadscrew. Drive is by V belts I thought that only the "A" model had flat belts, but I only started learning about Hercus lathes a week ago so I am still coming up to speed Oh yes and the tailstock matches the lathe, and it is on a nice steel cabinet.

The parts I need to get it going are all available from various sellers online. About $400 for bits and I have a spare 3/4hp 240V motor.

Originally Posted by cba_melbourne

A fully equipped Hercus is about $150 to $7,000 depending on model, condition, and accessories that come with it ($150 would be just about the scrap steel value). If you compare an old but mint condition Hercus with a brand new Chinese lathe of same size/ capacity and same accessories, you will find that the Hercus sell at 2 and up to to 3 times the price.

For the same price as a brand new Chinese lathe, you will only get an already 50%-70% worn out Hercus of same capacity and accessories. Unless you are very lucky, or the seller ows you a favor.

The missing parts are not too hard to find. Hercus was a licensed clone of the American South Bend, with only minor modifications. Many/most South Bend parts will fit a Hercus. South Bend lathes are a bit like a Ford model T, it is by far the lathe manufactured in greatest quantities worldwide, and hence the easiest to source spare parts for. You mention a 415V motor, I would see this as an advantage as you only need to add a VFD to make it into a variable single phase supply lathe.

As for you question, how much is it worth: it is worth as much as you are prepared to pay for it!!! The overall condition will have a far greater impact, than the cost of replacing the missing parts.

I would add this: if you feel confident at assessing condition of a lathe, and if necessary restoring and adjusting a lathe, and have the time to do it, then go ahead with an "old iron" machine. Else you are in my opinion safer and far better off with either a new Chinese lathe, or an "old iron" lathe already refurbished and aligned from a trustworthy source.

Chris

Tough words but true. A cheap Chinese lathe eg from Hare & Forbes ALG50A 230mm x 500mm with 3 & 4 jaw chucks, Jacobs chuck, gears for metric/imperial threads is only $1090 inc gst. Plus I get a warranty. I would love to restore the Hercus, but the economics just don't stack up, especially as I would have to break it down and clean every part, and I usually charge for my time.

Maybe I'll Ebay it for my mate, he just wants it out of his shed. Start saving the pennies for a Chinese.

Thanks for the advice mate.