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  1. #121
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Sydney
    Age
    59
    Posts
    10

    Default

    I have just bought a Hercus Mill Serial # OL-47. Seems in nice order with vertical head


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  2. #122
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
    Age
    73
    Posts
    490

    Thumbs up

    total machines registered is now at 2824. Keep them coming

  3. #123
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Tasmania
    Age
    48
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Hi, I have VB675.
    I'd love to know what the letters mean!?



    Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

  4. #124
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    New South Wales
    Posts
    45

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Delux View Post
    Hi, I have VB675.
    I'd love to know what the letters mean!?

    Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
    I think V is for V shaped ways on the bed which the tailstock slides on.

    B is for Model B, as distinct from Model A (has Norton gearbox) and Model C.

  5. #125
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    64
    Posts
    221

    Default

    My understanding of the VB prefix, used on the very early machines only, was that it stood for V Bed. Prior to Hercus getting access and permission to copy the Southbend 9" design, the early (30's vintage) Hercus lathes had flat beds, like the Myfords. The new design appears to have prompted the prefix to differentiate it from previous models. Also, from the photos in your previous posts, your machine is a C type, not a B or A. So I'm not inclined to think the B in VB refers to the model type. My 1943 machine also has the VB s/n prefix, and it too is a C type machine.
    The small stamped letters below the s/n are from the bloke who checked the machine out before it left the factory. The quality control stamp.
    This is how it was explained to me when I looked into the VB s/n on my machine...but there may be someone out there who can validate or correct it. Mal from AMH has a wealth of knowledge, hopefully he can jump in here.

    Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

  6. #126
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Tasmania
    Age
    48
    Posts
    30

    Default

    Thanks for the info! That makes sense, so much to learn about these things!

  7. #127
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    33

    Default

    The checker may have been Ralph Excell

  8. #128
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    64
    Posts
    221

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by alfclp View Post
    The checker may have been Ralph Excell
    That's amazing! That's 78 years ago. How do you know this bloke; did you work there or is he a relative? Interesting back story, I'd be keen to hear. Cheers, Tony

    Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

  9. #129
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Werribee, Melbourne
    Posts
    177

    Default

    He is mentioned on the Hercus write-up on the lathes.co.uk website - there is an inspection certificate at the bottom of the page with a reference to Mr Excell:

    Hercus Lathes

  10. #130
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    64
    Posts
    221

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray-s View Post
    He is mentioned on the Hercus write-up on the lathes.co.uk website - there is an inspection certificate at the bottom of the page with a reference to Mr Excell:

    Hercus Lathes
    Ah..it's been a while since I looked over the Hercus info on that excellent web site. Missed the ref to Mr Excell. Thanks for letting me know...you had my imagination going there for a while.

    Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

  11. #131
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Tasmania
    Age
    48
    Posts
    30

    Default

    The initials are definitely RGE so that would be him! An amazing little bit of history!

    Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

  12. #132
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
    Age
    73
    Posts
    490

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Silversprings View Post
    My understanding of the VB prefix, used on the very early machines only, was that it stood for V Bed. Prior to Hercus getting access and permission to copy the Southbend 9" design, the early (30's vintage) Hercus lathes had flat beds, like the Myfords. The new design appears to have prompted the prefix to differentiate it from previous models. Also, from the photos in your previous posts, your machine is a C type, not a B or A. So I'm not inclined to think the B in VB refers to the model type. My 1943 machine also has the VB s/n prefix, and it too is a C type machine.
    The small stamped letters below the s/n are from the bloke who checked the machine out before it left the factory. The quality control stamp.
    This is how it was explained to me when I looked into the VB s/n on my machine...but there may be someone out there who can validate or correct it. Mal from AMH has a wealth of knowledge, hopefully he can jump in here.

    Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
    You got it exactly right. The VB stands for Vee Bed to differentiate it from the numbers on the 8" and 10" flat bed models they made previously, which had a different number sequence.
    Mal

  13. #133
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    239

    Default

    I have another 260 to add to the list, ATLMN 17070 and it has the high speed range, also a Craftsman AUL, but I don't have the rest of the number just yet, has been upgraded to metric, both originally owned by the Adelaide University.

  14. #134
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
    Age
    73
    Posts
    490

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tinkerer77 View Post
    I have another 260 to add to the list, ATLMN 17070 and it has the high speed range, also a Craftsman AUL, but I don't have the rest of the number just yet, has been upgraded to metric, both originally owned by the Adelaide University.
    Thanks Steve,
    That takes us to 2884 registered machines.

  15. #135
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    239

    Default

    I now have the number for the Craftsman, AUL12728, Also another number for the register is AR9777 still owned by the University in Adelaide.

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