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Thread: Flat bed Hercus circa 1937
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13th Mar 2021, 10:25 AM #1
Flat bed Hercus circa 1937
We are all used to the Southbend styled Hercus machines, and the later 260's. All the design cues that quickly identify the machines as a Hercus, with the early examples dating back to 1940. But Hercus were making machines before these classics, and they were quite different in design. I have seen debates on this forum and FB groups about identifying early machines "is this a Hercus, it sort of looks like one, but doesn't have any makers marks on it". Well, I finally saw an early Hercus in the flesh. It is on display at the National Steam Centre, Scoresby, Melbourne. You will see from the photos that it more resembles the early Myfords than our familiar post 1940 9inch machines. It has a flat bed and is smaller, sold in 1937. I thought you might be interested in this piece of Aussie industrial manufacturing history - so ably restored and displayed by the MSTEC (Melbourne Steam Traction Engine Club). If you get a chance to visit their facilities in Scoresby, you will find a heap of interesting stuff on display. Cheers, Tony
Hercus 1937 a.jpg
Hercus 1937 b.jpg
Hercus 1937 c.jpg
Hercus 1937 d.jpg
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13th Mar 2021, 08:50 PM #2
Hi Tony, Guys,
Thanks for the pictures !
It reminds me of the Drummond flat bed lathe. It has features that are missing on more modern lathes.Best Regards:
Baron J.
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14th Mar 2021, 08:42 AM #3Saw dust maker!
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Thanks for the heads up on that!
My lathe is almost the same with only a few cosmetic changes (also originally purchased from McPhersons many moons ago)
Looks like I'll need to take a trip down there sometime in the future and check it out... It'll be a big help when it comes to sorting out the gears.
Thanks for the post
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14th Mar 2021, 02:15 PM #4Senior Member
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On this Forum, I am sure I have seen a post of a Hercus flatbed lathe - like a Portass, with Hercus decals on it.
Also, when Mr Fred Hercus arrived in Australia afer World War I he started by making bar bed lathes (I have been led to believe). They were copies of the South Bend bar bed lathes. I am sure I saw an article by Ray Gurney on the Sydney Traditional Tool Group's website many years ago when I was a member.
I can't find either - probably because I am not much good at searching!
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18th Mar 2021, 05:44 PM #5
Some photos from the source - the Hercus history book. Note dates 1926 to 1938.
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18th Mar 2021, 08:37 PM #6China
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My Grandfather had two of them, he and Fred Hercus were good friends.
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18th Mar 2021, 09:54 PM #7Golden Member
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I posted this a while back. https://metalworkforums.com/f189/t20...e-hercus-lathe It was a deceased estate of someone who had something to do with Hercus. There were a fair few unmachined castings for various Hercus machines. Also an early Hercus milling machine which seemed to owe a lot to a #3 Tool and Cutter grinder. I got most of a vice for a #1 Tool and cutter grinder.
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