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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
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    Revesby - Sydney Australia
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    Default An unusual Hercus!

    Can anyone guess what this is?
    IMG_2241.jpg



    It has a large pinion-driven tailstock:
    IMG_2238.jpg IMG_2239.jpg
    that fits an MT3 in its 2" diameter.



    and is driven by a 2HP motor with a wide (maybe 1.5") flat belt:
    IMG_2240.jpg



    I'll add more photos as we restore the machine
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
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    35
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    1,522

    Default

    I would think some kind of gun drill?

    Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
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    837

    Default

    Internal grinder mechanically driven, the table is stroked back and forward by something like a shaper mechanism. Used for grinding draw dies.

  4. #4
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    Default

    lamestllama is close. It is a sort of grinder. Here are today's photos:


    IMG_2246.jpg IMG_2245.jpg IMG_2244.jpg

    1st one is a table, which pivots on the two pins at the front of the casting.

    2nd one is the bed. It has tracks like a surface grinder.

    3rd one is the cross slide. It has a grinding spindle like a crankshaft or camshaft grinder.


    Oh, and it has a big solid base:
    IMG_2250.jpg

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Adelaide
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    239

    Default

    Is it a piston grinder?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    Adelaide
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tinkerer77 View Post
    Is it a piston grinder?
    I came here to say exactly that. More specifically a Hercus #12 piston grinder.

  7. #7
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    Default

    You are both CORRECT !


    Back in the day, they were called "piston finishers."

    Every little garage had one, and pistons were purchased as semi-finished castings – say 30 or 40 thou oversize.

    The mechanic would put the appropriate eccentric cam in the machine (A, B or C), and do some precision grinding to size for the state of engine bore wear.



    Its owner is still trying to work out how you set it up for the taper, though. The more popular Repco machines had a table that rotated slightly, like most cylindrical grinders. This one has pins holding the table hinges into the slip tray.

    Maybe I'll find a manual, somewhere

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Adelaide
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    239

    Default

    Is there any updates on the piston grinder? I remember one on gumtree a long time ago and they were only asking $200 for it or somewhere close to that figure, It was advertised as a garden ornament.

  9. #9
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    Default

    still in pieces on the workshop floor. Awaiting paint.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    Adelaide
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by nigelpearson View Post
    still in pieces on the workshop floor. Awaiting paint.
    It doesn't exist without photos. Show us what the bits look like.

  11. #11
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    Default

    Some two-pack paint on the base castings:
    IMG_2409.jpg IMG_2410.jpg

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Default

    What are you going to use it for when it's restored, or is it a conversational piece??
    Nice work by the way.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  13. #13
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    What are you going to use it for when it's restored
    It will be for grinding pistons. As Mr Hercus intended!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    Default

    That's good to know, there's nothing like keeping history alive.
    Will you be making the pistons too, or will you grind down std. ones down to suit?
    Sorry about the want pictures, got the shakes this morning, and can't delete it
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    Default

    Hi Kryn, Nigel, Guys,

    Actually I too would like to see some pictures of the finished machine ! It would be interesting to see and get an Idea of how the machine works.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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