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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    16

    Default Hercus Serial Numbers

    A little bird tells me that Neksmerj is looking for a list of Hercus lathe serial numbers (actually it was the Practical Machinist South Bend board).

    Here you go Ken. These were given to me by a friend who was the Hercus NSW rep many years ago - sorry they only go up to 1982.

    1939 20-41
    1940 42-141
    1941 142-324
    1942 325-575
    1943 576-927
    1944 928-1130
    1945 1131-1342
    1946 1343-1743
    1947 1744-2204
    1948 2205-2657
    1949 2658-3110
    1950 3111-3565
    1951 3566-4069
    1952 4070-4425
    1953 4426-4741
    1954 4742-5045
    1955 5046-5301
    1956 5302-5862
    1957 5863-6154
    1958 6155-6661
    1959 6662-7118
    1960 7119-7572
    1961 7573-7943
    1962 7973-8439
    1963 8440-8999
    1964 9000-9639
    1965 9640-10405
    1966 10406-11057
    1967 11058-11680
    1968 11681-12288
    1969 12289-12916
    1970 12917-13471
    1971 13472-13930
    1972 13931-14367
    1973 14368-14848
    1974 14849-15383
    1975 15384-15671 (260 from June)
    1976 15672-15906
    1977 15907-16334
    1978 16335-16690
    1979 16691-16976
    1980 16977-17414
    1981 17415-17840
    1982 17841-18066

    Enjoy!

    Regards

    Tony

  2. #2
    bitza500 Guest

    Default Hercus 9" Numbers

    Hi Tony, I have a Hercus 9" Model A number 4891 When I contacted Hercus with Photos and a description (like it does not run bearings even on the mainshaft) The oldest worker at Hercus 40+ years had never seen one like mine as it has a hardened Mainshaft runs directly on the mainstock casting and as it is completely stripped the only bearing is the Thrust bearing on the mainshaft Hercus put date wise at 50+ years and may have been one of the original lathes that were first to run V-Belts the guy I bought it off in his 90's bought it brand new from Mcpherson's and he said at least 50 years ago plus mine is that very dark blue/grey so can you ask your friend about it as it is a weird lathe with no bearings and would like to know how old it is as the mainshaft is 1 1/2 8TPI but has only 7 threads on the shaft for its length so can you ask as my number would date it in the 50's when they were painted Dark Green and ran roller bearings on the headstock Plus I found a Southbend identical to mine dated 1938-39 so now you have me wondering so can you please ask ????

    allthe best Derek
    if I could work out how to put pictures on I would

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,074

    Default

    Tony,

    You are a marvel, that's exactly the info I was after.

    It may well be that 1982 was the last year of manufacture. Perhaps one of our members could enlighten us further.

    After posting my thread in the Practical Machinist-South Bend forum, I also wrote to Axmell, Hercus agents in SA, requesting the same info.

    It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

    Many thanks,

    Ken

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    16

    Default Hercus serial numbers

    Derek

    I not quite sure about the description of your machine - It sounds like the standard specification at that time when they all had hardened spindles running in the cast iron of the headstock.

    Roller bearing headstocks, as far as I can gather, were only introduced as an option in the late 1950s. The plain bearings also continued up until the introduction of the 260 in 1975. Roller bearings are identified by an R in the serial number.(L is a long bed, H is hardened, I is instrument standard, R is a quick change toolpost etc).

    Looking at contemporary brochures, either a three step flat belt headstock pulley or a four step vee belt pull was available up until the early 1960s.

    With regard to colours, they were all dark battleship grey until the early 1960s when a lighter shade of grey was introduced. The mid green followed in the later 1960s. However, machines sold to the NSW Department of Education were beige rather than green.

    Hope this helps.

    Tony

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    16

    Default Hercus serial numbers

    Ken

    I understand that the last batch of Hercus 260 lathes were made around 2000. At that stage the base price of a model A was around $10,000.

    Tony

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,074

    Default

    Hi Tony,

    Have sent you an email.

    Ken

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    67
    Posts
    179

    Default

    Thanks Drummond. I was curious as to how old mine was. Serial No: 6739 dates it mid 1959. Nearly as old as me.
    Mine is a 9" Model A Hercus which I only got a few weeks ago. It's Yellow and it looks like the original colour. Apparently Telecom used to own it so I assume it was a probably a special order in Telecom Yellow. It came with some tooling and a half working Taper Attachment which was missing jib strips, some of the jib screws and the anchor bracket. Just finished this afternoon fabricating the parts and getting the thing operational again. Great for turning tapers. Some of the threads used on these lathes are a bit obscure. 12-28 for the jib screws.
    I was planning on stripping mine and painting it green as per original but your saying they were Battleship Grey at that time.
    The 2x3 jaw chucks that came with this lathe have seen better days (runout is disgusting) and I'm going to have to get a new chuck. Buying a new chuck is not a problem but getting a backing plate is. Does anyone know where I can get a chuck backing plate for this lathe in Australia. Spindle thread is 1 1/2 x 8.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,074

    Default

    Wannabe,

    Welcome to the exclusive Hercus club, a fine machine and deserving of a toast with a glass of the finest port.

    Get in touch with bitza500, above, he has a mate that makes backing plates.

    Hope this lead helps.

    Ken

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    67
    Posts
    179

    Default

    Thanks Ken. I'll do that.
    Yeah I joined the club. I was planning on buying the AL-335 or AL-336 from H&F but had some concerns about spare parts and support further down the track. I have a H&F VM1 mill (1987) and spare parts/support are non existent. After reading a lot of the posts on here and other SouthBend forums I saw this Hercus and decided this was the way to go. Here it is 50 years old and I can still find parts and support for it. Great.

    What size 3 jaw chuck would you recommend for this lathe. I think they originally came with a 5" but I was wondering if I could put a 6" on it. Do you think it would it be too big/heavy for it?
    Also. I'm after a couple of way wipers for the rear of the saddle as both of them are missing. Does anyone know if these are still available from Hercus or anywhere else. Does Mick Moyle sell small items like these? Wouldn't mind a steady rest for it either.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    A.C.T
    Age
    89
    Posts
    190

    Default Wannabe

    I think I have a steady rest you could use as a pattern to make one using ball races to improve the design, also the way brushes so you could measure them and make your own. Anyway you are welcome to come and have a yarn and see my lathe. Send me a pm with your name and phone number, I live in Belconnen.

    Peter

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,074

    Default Wiper retainer drawing

    Wannabe,

    You might be able to find some wiper retainers by contacting ANTFARM200, eBay, USA.

    He has a plethora of spare parts for the South Bend lathe. The Hercus is a clone.

    If not, some time ago, I made a drawing, as one of mine is missing also.

    The felt behind the retainer is about 3.5-4mm thick.

    Attached is the drawing, and dxf file if you decide to get them laser cut.

    If you do, I would like a couple.

    PS When folding, remember these saddle wiper retainers, are handed, left and right.

    Ken

  12. #12
    bitza500 Guest

    Default

    Hi Tony, my Lathe is a Darkblue/Grey as I have been looking for any photos to match mine as so far not even Hercus and Jeff Vickers 40+years at Hercus was intruiged as he had not seen anything like mine as in all the parts description I sent. My Hercus when I stripped it down I turned over the steel tray cleaned and polished to get the best color match and it is more dark blue than grey I would love to show the picture so I could get some reaction as my Mainshaft is to short my thrust is 1/16" thinner the list goes on on and still to no good I have seen many a Flatbelt similiar but not this color and the 4891 number dates it in the 1950's by the serial no chart but I am very confused as I bought it off the original owner just before Christmas who was very elderly and he bought it when he finished his Apprenticeship and I am 50 and this gentleman has outlived some of his Children ? as we talked for ages about the old lathe and his big house he sold.Is there anybody who Knows what year Hercus went to V-Belts as I have seen the old black and white photo of MR hercus himself in the workshop using a V-Belt Lathe where all the others are Flat belt so any Idea when they were converted ???? and how can I send a photo to you so you can see the old girl as each email makes it older or newer and the people who have seen it do not know so please let me know as can we put our email addresses on the messages or not ??
    all the best Derek

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    King Island, Australia
    Posts
    16

    Default

    I have two Hercus lathes. A (A6188) 1958 dark green "A" with a 4 speed V belt drive and plain bearings and a (C10540) 1966 Battle Ship Grey model with 4 speed V belt drive and plain bearings.

    Cheers

    Donald (On the Rock)

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    67
    Posts
    179

    Default

    Thanks for the way wiper drawings Ken. Had a look on Ebay and he wants about $60 for four of them. I only need two of them and they are different to the ones on my lathe too. They don't look that hard to make. I've got a bit of brass sheet so I think I'll just have a go at making a couple of them up. Just have to see if I can source a bit of F1 felt. That could be interesting. Sourcing anything in Canberra is hopeless.

    Bitza500:
    Mine is Serial No: 6739 which makes it mid 1959. It's a 4 speed V belt with plain bearings.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Heidelberg, Victoria
    Age
    79
    Posts
    2,074

    Default

    Wannabe,

    Try this company, they have engineering grade felt.

    www.feltshop.com.au/product.asp?pID=58&cID=9

    If you have trouble, let me know.

    Ken

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