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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
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    Default What should I do with my Dad's Hercus Lathe + Parts ?

    Hi Guys,

    I don't have any experience with metal lathes, apart from using them in high school 30 years ago.
    Was always more into woodworking myself.
    Anyway, my Dad is in a nursing home and my Mum recently moved to a home unit, so I have the pleasure of clearing out a houseful of hoarded materials and lots of useless junk.
    However, I found this lathe which I understand my Dad bought form his old workplace about 20 years ago.

    It would be great if I can get some advice about it from those more experienced.
    If it's useful, I'd like it to go to a good home and if I can recover some funds to cover some of my costs of cleaning out a houseful of junk that would be great.

    Is this lathe worth anything to anybody and how would I sell it?


    Thanks for any advice.
    IMG_0451.jpgIMG_0452.jpgIMG_0453.jpgIMG_0454.jpgIMG_0455.jpgIMG_0456.jpgIMG_0457.jpgIMG_0458.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    6,446

    Default

    Welcome to the Forums,

    You have posted in the forum where Hercus enthusiasts will be able to give you and idea of the potential value of the lathe.
    However ,should you wish to sell it it ,the ad must be posted into the METALWORK - Machinery, Equipment, MARKET.
    As member you are entitled to offer it for sale there. Please carefully read the rules pertaining for items for sale in the box just above the Forum.

    To navigate there goto the FORUM box in the top LH corner click the down arrow and the drop down list with Forum Home as the first entry appears.
    Click Forum Home and you shall be taken to a scroll down page.

    Scroll right down to the 3rd entry from the bottom and you are there. You will see there is already a recent ad for a Hercus which will give you an idea of what price an assembled and running Hercus lathe.
    Also take the time to look at all the various sub forums and areas of interest that are there including our TERMS OF USE right at the top of the scrolled page.

    Welcome to the Metalwork Forums.

    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    sydney ( st marys )
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    4,887

    Default

    If the lathe was together it maybe worth $1200/$1800 depending on inspection before purchase, it appears to have all the major parts .
    As it is sitting now it maybe worth $500/$1000, once again depending on condition.
    It would probably in its current state be more valuable as spare parts, especially if it has more than pictured else where.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Tennant Creek, Aust
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    596

    Default

    I am very interested, what the best way to constant you.

    Ratty 05/2004 -05/07/2010 COOPER 01/08/1998-31/01/2012

  5. #5
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Perth
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    Default

    One problem you will have in selling it is that it is in pieces which means it cannot be tested by a buyer. So my suggestion is “as is” it’s worth ~$500 - $700. Depending on the wear and tear, in an assembled state you might be able to get $1000 - $1200 for it. It’s worth more than $500 in parts but of course you will have to completely dismantle it, learn something about each part, and wear the high annoyance of dealing with dozens of prospective buyers plus postage and packaging. If that’s your thing then have a look around on the web for potential prices.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    Just a few thoughts that come to mind.
    One thing I noticed straight away was the motor. It is a 240 volt model which is desirable among the Hercus guys. It would be good to find out does it work or was it pulled off to be replaced- hence the missing pulley?
    If the lathe was cleaned up and assembled , would it go for a better price than just a a pile of parts.?

    Was there a pulley with the lathe parts ?. The pulley should fit the diameter of the motor shaft.

    Anyway the Hercus blokes should be along soon and will be able to inform better than I am able to.

    Grahame

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    Despite being in pieces, that looks like a fairly desirable lathe.
    It's a long bed model which are far less common than the standard bed length version.
    All the main parts seem to be present along with a few nice bits of tooling.
    A particularly desirable item is the original Hercus milling slide and vice.
    I wouldn't bother putting it together, the new owner will more than likely strip it down for cleaning anyway.
    Offer it up for sale as is but take photos with all the parts visible, not jammed in boxes.
    I wouldn't clean it beyond a wipe down to remove the dust, leave that to the new owner.
    I certainly wouldn't part it out, that would just be a shame.
    Given it's a long bed with the milling slide, if the imperial to metric gears are present along with most of the basic parts I reckon on a good day anywhere between $1500 and $1800 would be more than reasonable, add another $100 if you've got the cabinet.
    Cheers,
    Greg.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Sydney
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    3

    Default

    Thanks a lot for all the advice guys, the estimates on what it's worth is very useful.
    I guess I will have to spend a bit more time laying out all the parts and take more photos of everything there.
    Definitely want to get rid of it all in one lot to make is as simple a transaction as possible.
    I have no intention of assembling it as I have no idea what to do, so if that drops the value that's perfectly fine.
    Thanks again, I'll post some updated photos soon.

  9. #9
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    I didn’t realize it was a long bed model and there was a milling slide amongst the extras , in that case I’d add $300-500 to my suggested prices. Of course you can alway advertise it for more 😀

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
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    Default

    I really appreciate the advice provided.
    Thanks a lot, you guys have a great forum here.

    To give a much better idea of what I have, I took many more photos.
    My dad actually never used the lathe at home, did I mention he was a hoarder?
    He had so many tools he liked to collect and hardly used any of them.
    I'm quite sure this was a functional lathe from his old workplace, where he bought it from.
    He used to work at Kodak fixing parts of the film and photo printing machinery.

    I really do want to sell this as a single package and hope someone can make good use out of it, as it's been in storage for the past 20 years.
    Do all the extra bits make it worth any more than the original estimates?
    Would the best place to try and sell this be on the buy and sell section of this forum?

    Thanks again.

    IMG_0465.jpgIMG_0469.jpgIMG_0466.jpgIMG_0467.jpgIMG_0470.jpgIMG_0471.jpgIMG_0475.jpgIMG_0474.jpgIMG_0473.jpgIMG_0472.jpgIMG_0476.jpgIMG_0478.jpgIMG_0479.jpgIMG_0480.jpgIMG_0481.jpgIMG_0482.jpgIMG_0483.jpgIMG_0484.jpgIMG_0485.jpgIMG_0487.jpgIMG_0488.jpgIMG_0489.jpgIMG_0490.jpgIMG_0492.jpgIMG_0493.jpgIMG_0494.jpgIMG_0491.jpgIMG_0468.jpg

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    If it were in the UK it would be in my workshop by now
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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