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  1. #1
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    Jan 2009
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    Holbrook, NSW
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    Default saddle measurements

    Hi All,
    I need some additional data on the Hercus saddle dovetails. It seems that there is some differences in the dovetail width on the early Hercus 9's and the rest of the hercus 9 and 260's, up to about 0.035". This makes it hard to know which version to supply for the extended cross slide and thread stop. If I make them to fit all generations, there is a lot of unwanted space between the gib and the cross slide.
    I need owners of early model 9's, up to machine 8000, to take accurate measurements as per the attached pic.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
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    1,894

    Default

    I have Hercus 9A and 260 lathes.
    My 9 inch Hercus has serial no. A1578
    I measured at the front of the saddle dovetails.
    The 9A is about 0.015" wider than my 260 at the saddle dovetail.

    The cross slide on the 260 has also been used on the 9A. It was made as an aftermarket accessory for a Boxford lathe, and works fine on both my Hercus lathes.

    Jordan

    Addit: See other message below for corrections.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
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    Default 3/8 guage

    Quote Originally Posted by nadroj View Post
    I have Hercus 9A and 260 lathes.
    My 9 inch Hercus has serial no. A1578
    I measured at the front of the saddle dovetails.
    The 9A is about 0.015" wider than my 260 at the saddle dovetail.

    The cross slide on the 260 has also been used on the 9A. It was made as an aftermarket accessory for a Boxford lathe, and works fine on both my Hercus lathes.

    Jordan
    Hi Jordan,
    Thanks for that info, it tends to confirm the difference. Using a 1/2" guage however doesn't let me compare the actual dimension. Can you measure it with a 3/8 guage, which is what relates to one used in the Hercus drawing of the part.
    Mal

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Melbourne
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    64
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    221

    Default

    Using 2 x 3/8 rods and a Starrett mic, I have the following results.

    S/n 911: 2.548"
    S/n 2100: 2.553"
    S/n 12065: 2.533"

    Surprised at the variation, although I did know that the after market T slotted cross slide I bought off you a few years ago would not fit on the 1943 machine, but fitted perfectly on the 1968 machine. I assumed a bit of work on the gib strip would have fixed it, but never tried. The 1943 machine now has the turret and cross slide attachments which fit perfectly. I reckon there is a slight difference in centre height off the saddle with the 1943 machine...but that might just be wear.

    Hope that helps, cheers, Tony

    Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
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    490

    Default

    [QUOTE=Silversprings;1989610]Using 2 x 3/8 rods and a Starrett mic, I have the following results.

    S/n 911: 2.548"
    S/n 2100: 2.553"
    S/n 12065: 2.533"

    Surprised at the variation, although I did know that the after market T slotted cross slide I bought off you a few years ago would not fit on the 1943 machine, but fitted perfectly on the 1968 machine. I assumed a bit of work on the gib strip would have fixed it, but never tried. The 1943 machine now has the turret and cross slide attachments which fit perfectly. I reckon there is a slight difference in centre height off the saddle with the 1943 machine...but that might just be wear.

    Hope that helps, cheers, Tony

    HI Tony,
    That's about what I was expecting. You are right about the gib, I supply a thinner one for the older machines, just trying to work out when they started making the thinner dovetail. At least we know, those up to 2100 had the wider one. Hopefully some of the others will confirm that.
    Mal

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
    Posts
    1,894

    Default

    I misread the rod diameter as 1/2".
    These new measurements are with 3/8" drill bits.

    9" - 2.542"

    260 - 2.533"


    Jordan
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Revesby - Sydney Australia
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    56
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    1,183

    Default

    I couldn't find imperial precision ground round rod, and all my 3/8 drills are way undersize, but a few end mills were pretty good:
    IMG_0001.jpg IMG_0002.jpg


    Appears to be 2.528":
    IMG_0003.jpg

    but my 9 is a bit is a bastard; bed & gear cover are serial C7967, but tailstock says 6330;
    so who knows how old the carriage is

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
    Age
    73
    Posts
    490

    Default saddle

    Quote Originally Posted by nigelpearson View Post
    I couldn't find imperial precision ground round rod, and all my 3/8 drills are way undersize, but a few end mills were pretty good:



    Appears to be 2.528":


    but my 9 is a bit is a bastard; bed & gear cover are serial C7967, but tailstock says 6330;
    so who knows how old the carriage is
    Thanks Nigel,
    That's about what I expected. Obviously need to look at much earlier machine numbers.
    Mal

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Sydney
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    666

    Default

    Is my machine early enough Mal?



    Done have the required dowel pins but I need to grab some drills and sure I can cut one up to get the measurements. Need to measure them myself as I’m planning on scraping the wear out at some point.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Holbrook, NSW
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    490

    Default saddle

    Quote Originally Posted by neevo View Post
    Is my machine early enough Mal?



    Done have the required dowel pins but I need to grab some drills and sure I can cut one up to get the measurements. Need to measure them myself as I’m planning on scraping the wear out at some point.
    That is certainly early enough.
    Mal

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Sydney
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    Default

    Here’s mine Mal, not sure if I’m doing something wrong with the measurements but this is a lot more wear than I would have expected and hoped:

    My pins are also a fraction under size:



    2.564”



    Front to back:

    2.555”
    2.558”
    2.545”
    2.564”
    2.575”



    That low spot seems like a bit of an outlier but I’ve measured it loads of times. Wasn’t expecting 30 thousandths of wear and that possibly puts the scraping job a bit too far out of my reach.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    sydney ( st marys )
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    Default

    Have you been able to determine if the wear is uniform on both sides?

  13. #13
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    Sep 2009
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    Sydney
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pipeclay View Post
    Have you been able to determine if the wear is uniform on both sides?
    How is it best to check that?

  14. #14
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    Jun 2007
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    Default

    Having never had to do this I would think if you could source a piece of suitable material at the 3/8" diameter that is as long as the cross slide, you should be able to either eyeball a gap along the dovetail, or given the amount of wear you could check it with a feeler.
    You may even be able to use a straight edge if you can get it into a suitable position.

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