Thread: another newbie, with some questions

My 13 year old son and I recently took the plunge and bought a lathe on eBay. we're both keen to learn how to use it properly, and I've got a couple of motorbikes in the shed that need rebuilding, so we might get to make upa few new parts.
We bought a Qualos Junior, in decent condition, with all of the plastic gears intact and a set of back gears. it was miles away from where we lived, but it seemed worth it. as luck would have it, the next week we were offered a Hercus at a very good price, so we bought that too!.
we now have a dismantled Qualos, with most of the parts pained and waiting for reassembly, and a metric ARM Hercus. anyone want to buy a Qualos Junior?
Anyway, the lathe has not been used much over the last ten years. Having rebuilt motorbikes in the past, I've got some mechanical know how. Checking the headstock last night, the oilers seemed to be full of what looked like partly solidified old oil. I assume that the tapered roller bearings are lubricated by a sump in the had stock casting? Can (and should ) this be drained to make sure it isn't full of bad oil?
Anything else we should be looking at before turning it back on? it appears all original including the 3 phase motor. I've read some of the discussion regarding VFD versus replacement single phase motors, and I assume that the VFD route is the best option?

Thanks for any help in advance. This forum has already been useful. If anyone has a manual for this era lathe, I'd love a copy. Pic below with serial number, which I think indicates a manufacturing year of 1973?

Martin
DSC_0263.jpg

hi Martin

Id go for a single phase motor as its a small lathe and 1/2 to 3/4 hp will suffice .

Í used oil on the taper roller headstock bearings in my Sheraton AR , and it stuffed the bearings , later on, I discoverd that the makers suggest using grease in the bearings .

Mike

Mike,
I saw your Sheraton on the forum. Our Hercus has oil gits rather than the zerks I see on your machine.
The Hercus turning book also recommends oil for the spindle bearings.

Martin

Suggest also check the oil reservoir in the apron. It can collect swarf, get clogged and prevent proper lubrication of the clutch.
It needs to be dismantled from the carriage to get at the area behind. It's not too big a job.
Have you seen the book on rebuilding South Bend 9 inch lathes? It's very close to the Hercus.

Jordan

There is a thread called some thing like 'You paid $2000 for what' on an English lathe site. The author rebuilt a Hercus and there are loads of pictures. I found it very helpful in fixing mine up. Mine was not as bad as the one he had but bad enough.

Originally Posted by dadrock

...it appears all original including the 3 phase motor. I've read some of the discussion regarding VFD versus replacement single phase motors, and I assume that the VFD route is the best option?..............Martin

Since you already have a 3phase motor, go for a VFD. You will not regret it.

Hi,

I converted my Hercus 260 to single phase a couple of years ago. Last year I converted a 3 phase Hercus OLM Mill to run off a VFD. If I had the chance again I'd convert my lathe to run off a VFD. It wasn't that hard to convert 3 phase motor to run the VFD. Your motor may be a bit old to convert to Delta from Star (or vice versa) though. You'd need to take it off the lathe and take it to a motor rewirer and ask if they could pull out the correct wires etc etc. If you search for VFD / Hercus OLM or Mill you should find my old post. If they quote you more than a $100 they are re-wiring the windings not pulling out wires. If you go for a single phase motor you may have to modify some of your lathe and the shaft will most likely be a different size diam than the pulley bore diam.

Ben

Thanks for all the replies. Useful stuff. I've ordered the Southbend rebuild book from Mal at AMH to hep with the refurb process. Motor will have to wait for a bit though, I've already copped it for buying the lathe...
While I'm waiting for the book to arrive, has anyone got any tips on removing the pin from the worm gear behind the apron? Is this a consumable item? Mine seems to have been peened over or punched to keep it from coming out.
Cheers, Martin

I can also vouch for the VFD, makes life so much easier. Luckily mine had one fitted web I bought it.


Thx
Jon

A VFD was the second best thing I fitted to my Hercus 260 (the best thing was a AXA quick change tool post).

Originally Posted by dadrock

Thanks for all the replies. Useful stuff. I've ordered the Southbend rebuild book from Mal at AMH to hep with the refurb process. Motor will have to wait for a bit though, I've already copped it for buying the lathe...
While I'm waiting for the book to arrive, has anyone got any tips on removing the pin from the worm gear behind the apron? Is this a consumable item? Mine seems to have been peened over or punched to keep it from coming out.
Cheers, Martin

maybe you just got to drill it out

Finally got it out...just needed a bigger hammer ;-)