Thread: THE HERCUS 1920-1970 The first 50 YEARS

Believe it or not someone actually wrote a book about good old Fred Hercus and the Company FW HERCUS I have found the name of the book but have yet to find a copy
Steve Durden (HERCUS) has given me permission to copy the book if I can find it the South Australia Library have it on their list but where it is is anybodies guess

So any body got any clues or the book as i have been searching for 12 Months for this book as the SA library also has the Textbook of turning as well somewhere but 6 emails and still no luck
So if anybody can shed a bit of light on the book would be appreciated as I want to know what all these different prefixes with the serial number and how many differrent lists there is and how many differrent machines old Fred made

all the best Derek

It is also in the Australian National Library in Canberra. Why don't you go to your local library and ask if you can get it on Inter-Library Loan? The worst they can say is "No".

Can't find any at the online booklists for second hand books (eg AddALL).

from what I found Fred Hercus wrote it

D2300
SASS record number: D2300
Title: The Hercus 50 year book, 1920-1970 [Business History]
Author: Hercus, F.W. Pty. Ltd
Place: Adelaide
Publisher: F. W. Hercus
Year: 1971?
Location: SL?
Subject Heading: PERIOD TO WHICH ITEM REFERS: 1900 - 1949 [4]
Subject Heading: PERIOD TO WHICH ITEM REFERS: 1950 - 1999 [5]
Subject Heading: INDUSTRIES - BUSINESS AND TRADE, DOMESTIC, INCLUDING THE HISTORY OF [1510]

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Most state libraries have a complete collection. If you can call in and talk to a librarian they should be able to retrieve it for you. You can't borrow it though, strictly read in house. If you can get written permission from the author or their heir you might be able to get a copy of it.

The US library of congress was scanning mountains of stuff and making it available online. Mmight be worth looking there...

Hi Derek,

Very interesting Post, I shall make some enquiries at the La Trobe Uni, Melbourne. They have a vast library, however, I will bet if they have it, it stays at the library as mentioned by Damian.

Will keep all posted.

Ken

If they don't have it they should be able to get it or a copy of it, but it may cost you a bit. If you can't get it I can go down the national library at some point and attempt to photo copy it. According to their catalogue it is only a few pages.

This is what the Libraries Australia catalogue shows:
http://librariesaustralia.nla.gov.au...target=freenbd

Following Jmk89's leed,

LIBRARIES AUSTRALIA have listed the following info.

Record: ID 5278104
Title: The Hercus 50 Year Book 1920-1970
Published: Therbarton, SA
F.W. Hercus 1970
Description: 15p. Ill. 22x24cm
Subjects: F.W. Hercus Pty History

Held at two libraries, National Library of Australia (ANL) and State Library of SA (SSL)

It might be possible to obtain a copy from the ANL via a reputable book seller, further info being sought.

Ken

Dear Bitza500, You will find that Hercus made most types of machine tools. They were of a size that fitted school workshops. I have seen the two types of bench lathe. ie the original copy of the South Bend and the one with the Norton Box. I owned a larger Hercus free standing lathe. I have seen a between center Grinder and a Tool and Cutter Grinder. I once heard a talk given by the son of Hercus at a Melbourne Scociety of Model and Expermental engineers and a question asked of the 75 members present was how many had a piece of Hercus equipment in their shop. approx half raised their hand. I would be interested in a copy of the hercus book.
yours 4-6-4

Hi 4-6-4, do you have anything like pictures or catalouges or anything that can give me a more broader view of what Fred Hercus did build

This History of the hercus is a complete mystery as Hercus themselves say they have nothing regarding History which I find rather ridiculous

I have for nearly 2 years looking for anthing that is of historical value to the hercus
I have only got a few pictures but nothing else
I have seen a Hercus 14" lathe and was quite impresed

Do you yourself own a hercus or any material that you could email me as I am trying to put Hercus back on the Map as no one has anything of the early Fred Hercus days in picture or in writing I would be very gratefull if you have anything of Interest as Hercus built everything bar the Kitchen sink back in Fred's day
But not one person thought to make a archive on the Business Fred made as a part of Australian History

so please email me with anything you have at
[email protected]


all the best derek

Some stuff I have seen in a McPherson's catalogue that hercus made

#12 Piston finishing machine
#3 Tool and Cutter Grinder
#9 Semi Universal Cylindrical grinder
Chip groove grinding and lapping machine
Power hacksaws

Hello. After reading the post and link to library's I came across this picture and article of a boy at a lathe that I think (not having a lathe yet) might be a Hercus. There were several other pictures of other lathes as well.

My first post, and a bit nervous along with it. Would love to get a Hercus for my 71st birthday on the 23rd, but running out of time in more ways than one...

Below is the link that I hope leads to the article.

http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.go...d=AB713-1-9155

Kind Regards, John

Originally Posted by JohnAXA

Hello. After reading the post and link to library's I came across this picture and article of a boy at a lathe that I think (not having a lathe yet) might be a Hercus. There were several other pictures of other lathes as well.

My first post, and a bit nervous along with it. Would love to get a Hercus for my 71st birthday on the 23rd, but running out of time in more ways than one...

Below is the link that I hope leads to the article.

http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.go...d=AB713-1-9155

Kind Regards, John

your dear right!!! looking on that site this photo shows them from the front and you can just make out the Hercus badge on the front

some really nice picture on that site thanks for sharing

hey they have the southbend 9" workshop book in the library, think i have seen that book its really great!

I have tried to find this book, to no avail, so I bought a scan of this book,
from the National Library of Australia. $34.50, two day turnaround.

Inside the cover says "Published in a limited edition for distribution to friends of the company"

Putting on my bush lawyer's hat, I think that means all of us!

50 years of Hercus cover.jpg50 years of Hercus p1.jpg50 years of Hercus p2.jpg

50 years of Hercus p3.jpg50 years of Hercus p4.jpg50 years of Hercus p5.jpg

50 years of Hercus p6.jpg50 years of Hercus p7.jpg50 years of Hercus p8.jpg

50 years of Hercus p9.jpg50 years of Hercus p10.jpg50 years of Hercus p11.jpg

50 years of Hercus p12.jpg50 years of Hercus p13.jpg50 years of Hercus p14.jpg

50 years of Hercus p15.jpg50 years of Hercus p16.jpg50 years of Hercus back cover.jpg


This is a copyrighted work, so please don't try and print+sell it.

And, if you ever find a copy in an old bookshop, buy it !