Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    australia
    Posts
    50

    Default Back gears, a little guidance please.

    Hello everyone. Well i'm new to all this and i heard/saw a video or two that said there was some back gears that let me run the lathe really slow if needed, for example when i'm doing some thread cutting with a tap ?

    any ways i have a hercus or similair lathe model C i think.

    Here's a picture or four.

    183137958_490970938916827_1300700340532443261_n.jpg182187296_2570648806570839_1145661024345405813_n.jpg182489238_1947325765405524_3950647937140537045_n.jpg182956545_550060879310973_1668729794378849342_n.jpg

    Any chance of a video or some pictures on how i would use the back gears ?


    thank you

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    102

    Default

    Hi @mathuisella

    Unfortunately to me it looks like your lathe has been modified and the back gears are gone. As evidenced by the whole pulley arrangement.

    Typically you throw a little lever on the left of the headstock and engage a locking pin on the bull gear and yes it does gear the lathe right down.

    Cheers,
    ratters

    Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    102

    Default

    On closer inspection in your second photo the bolt that goes through the square tube is where your back gear lever used to be.

    If you are keen to have it you can get all the parts you need to return your machine to a more original state from Australian metalworking hobbyist website.

    Cheers,
    ratters

    Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Mathuisella,

    I personally would just make a lathe handle for threading use, its much more controllable as well !

    21022015-01.JPG 21022015-00.JPG

    This is a couple of pictures of mine. It is made from an old washing machine plastic pulley mounted on a hollow shaft that passes into the lathe spindle bore and has an expanding taper at the chuck end. The handle is tightened by the nut on the outside of the wheel.

    For some reason I've not been able to find the pictures of the expanding taper end. But the tapered cone is basically a nut that is pulled into a split taper inside the spindle bore, causing it to open and grip the wall forcing the handle to turn the spindle.

    To release it just loosen the nut and if needed a little tap on the end of the nut. I also put a ring on the mandrel so that I didn't push the handle too far in and cause the hand wheel to catch the gear case cover.

    HTH.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    australia
    Posts
    50

    Default

    Thank you


    I figured out with the belt system that if i put it on it's slowest of it's 16 settings, it is slow enough to thread with a tap on the tail stock.


    There's 8 settings with the belts and then a hi and low setting for the motor speed.


    So not bad at all


    I have another question, but it's more for a new thread

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mathuisella View Post
    Thank you


    I figured out with the belt system that if i put it on it's slowest of it's 16 settings, it is slow enough to thread with a tap on the tail stock.


    There's 8 settings with the belts and then a hi and low setting for the motor speed.


    So not bad at all


    I have another question, but it's more for a new thread
    Hi Mathu,

    Threading under power needs care, things can go wrong very quickly ! Which is one reason a winding handle pays dividends. You have the feel that is missing when using taps and dies under power.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Vic
    Age
    48
    Posts
    544

    Default

    Hi Mathuisella,

    This looks like yours if you are in Vic?

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/13375815...cAAOSw0clgm3w0

  8. #8
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,183

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jackaroo View Post
    Hi Mathuisella,

    This looks like yours if you are in Vic?

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/13375815...cAAOSw0clgm3w0
    That one is a flat belt Hercus.

    As BaronJ says tapping under power is not easy.
    The only power I use when tapping is "reverse" to speed up tap removal.
    Before doing that I make sure the tap/work are free to turn.

    I've heard of people loosening their lathe belts so they slip if the tap jams but that's not something I'm prepared to consider.

    A Crank handle on the tail stock seems to be a good option.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
    Age
    73
    Posts
    490

    Default south bend

    With regard to Mathuisella machine, I'd say it's a South Bend 9C, because it only has 2 front oilers and none on top. Plus it has the holes just behind them, which i"m pretty sure other machines don't have.
    Mal

Similar Threads

  1. 9"c noisy back gears.
    By azzrock in forum THE HERCUS AREA
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 19th Apr 2011, 01:51 PM
  2. superlube for back gears
    By tanii51 in forum THE HERCUS AREA
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 3rd Jun 2010, 03:11 PM
  3. Toothless back gears
    By bitza500 in forum THE HERCUS AREA
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 16th Oct 2008, 10:26 AM
  4. Rebuild back gears
    By bitza500 in forum THE HERCUS AREA
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 23rd Sep 2008, 09:29 AM
  5. Hercus 9" back gears
    By Buncha in forum THE HERCUS AREA
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 23rd Sep 2008, 12:10 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •