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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Default Mars bar no, Mars lathe!

    Today I went with a friend to pick up a lathe he'd purchased from a local dealer. He thought it might have been an early Hercus, but after cleaning the nameplate, it turned out to be a Mars. A Mars!

    Had never heard of it, how dumb am I ? Apparently they were made in Brisbane.

    It's about the same size as a 9" Hercus, and is similar in some details. I guess it is the equivalent of a model C with a bunch of change gears. What surprised me was just how good a nick it was in, including the sheet metal stand, and the bargain price.

    I've gleaned some info from lathes.co.uk.

    What do you know about this machine? Any instruction books?

    Ken

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    Alexandra Vic
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    Default

    There has been some mention of Mars lathes in this forum in the past, maybe 2 -3 years ago. My memory is those ones were larger than a Hercus though.

  3. #3
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    Jan 2004
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    Mackay North Qld
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    Default

    Hi Ken,
    Pictures mate! Pictures

    Grahame

  4. #4
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    Default

    Hi GC & big M,

    Point taken, will get some snaps.

    Ken

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by neksmerj View Post
    Today I went with a friend to pick up a lathe he'd purchased from a local dealer. He thought it might have been an early Hercus, but after cleaning the nameplate, it turned out to be a Mars. A Mars!

    Had never heard of it, how dumb am I ? Apparently they were made in Brisbane.

    It's about the same size as a 9" Hercus, and is similar in some details. I guess it is the equivalent of a model C with a bunch of change gears. What surprised me was just how good a nick it was in, including the sheet metal stand, and the bargain price.

    I've gleaned some info from lathes.co.uk.

    What do you know about this machine? Any instruction books?

    Ken
    Ken I sold one on ebay about May 2009, mine had a hard life, the bed was worn some, and I had only the change gears that were on it.
    It was a little big for my needs, couldn't do what I wanted, and I'd just inherited a Qualos jr. from my dad, that has everything with it.
    I bought the Mars 20+ years ago at an auction I went to just to buy an old Jeep. There was the Lathe, a small screw press and a steel workbench with a huge Dawn vice that were only getting bids from the scrap metal bloke, so I bought it for real cheap money.
    Back in 2009 I did some research on the net, and only found the UK site info.
    It went for over $650.00.... which was big surprise to me.
    Regards,
    Peter

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    near Rockhampton
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    Default

    Rumour has it that Mars lathes while well made were unfortunately inflicted with having very soft cast iron beds which meant they wore out quickly.. Of course quickly back when they were being made probably meant only a few years of 3 shifts a day work.... I very much doubt any hobbyist would ever wear a lathe out in short order...

    There is a Mars shaper for sale on Grays online at the moment.. it is in Gunnedah.. It is the first Mars shaper I have seen... I have not yet seen a Mars Milling machine but apparently they built them as well....

    I imagine Tony at lathes.co.uk would be appreciative of some pictures of the lathe.... They are not very common...

  7. #7
    jatt's Avatar
    jatt is offline Always within 10 paces from nearest stubby holder
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    Yeah came across a Mars Jupitor a while back in central Vic. Was pretty clapped out, especially for the price the guy wanted.
    Frisky wife, happy life. ​Then I woke up. Oh well it was fun while it lasted.
    From an early age my father taught me to wear welding gloves . "Its not to protect your hands son, its to put out the fire when u set yourself alight".

  8. #8
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    Sep 2012
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    Bomaderry NSW
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    Guys, I know this is a very old thread but I just picked up a Mars lathe (The Great Scot model) in fair condition. Trouble is it is missing some of the gears which drive the feed shaft (if thats the right terminology). Anybody know where I can get some. Are they common to say Hercus or some of the other older models?

    regards

    Old Hutcho

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    Sydney, NSW
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    Default

    Hi Hutcho,

    The Mars (Great Scot) are pretty rare, not like a Hercus or Myford. As for finding gears for them you may struggle. You may need to make up what you need. You could always try Mick Moyles in Sydney for gears, he's got thousands of old gears from lots of different lathes etc.
    If you don't mind me asking, did you buy yours from a bloke near Manly Vale? I just missed out on one there about two months ago, she was in good condition too.
    Also if you don't know already, try lathesuk.com.uk or if thats not the rights address type in Mars or The Great Scott, has some interesting info for you.

    Cheers Ben

  10. #10
    Ueee's Avatar
    Ueee is offline Blacksmith, Cabinetmaker, Machinist, Messmaker
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    Quote Originally Posted by Old Hutcho View Post
    Guys, I know this is a very old thread but I just picked up a Mars lathe (The Great Scot model) in fair condition. Trouble is it is missing some of the gears which drive the feed shaft (if thats the right terminology). Anybody know where I can get some. Are they common to say Hercus or some of the other older models?

    regards

    Old Hutcho
    Hi,
    I have one too, but mine seems to be super rare, a later metric machine, i have never come across another. Although my machine has metric screws the rest of the machine is imp, so it has imp change gears. The gears are 14dp, i have a few but not a whole set, an some are definitely not original. Some pics would be great, and yes, Page Title is about the only source of info about.
    1915 17"x50" LeBlond heavy duty Lathe, 24" Queen city shaper, 1970's G Vernier FV.3.TO Universal Mill, 1958 Blohm HFS 6 surface grinder, 1942 Rivett 715 Lathe, 14"x40" Antrac Lathe, Startrite H225 Bandsaw, 1949 Hercus Camelback Drill press, 1947 Holbrook C10 Lathe.

  11. #11
    Join Date
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    Default

    sometimes I regret selling my big MARS lathe, mine was 1200 between
    Centers and weighing iin at 1250kg was no baby.
    I just couldn't justify having 3 lathes at that time.
    There are pics of mine on this forum somewhere.
    Warning Disclaimer

  12. #12
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    If you cant source gears,there are members here who maybe able to make them.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Bomaderry NSW
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    Ben

    Yes mate that was the lathe. I have measured the bed (with the help of a mate who knows stuff) and its pretty good. Got lotsa backlash on the cross slide but I am going to perhaps try a new acme thread nut to see if that cures it. I can live with it. The belt is knackered so I am looking for a nice leather belt or perhaps something to replace it. Thanks for the interest and replies fellas. Its invaluable stuff to me.

    regards to all

    Old Hutcho

  14. #14
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    Sep 2012
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    Bomaderry NSW
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    Here is another Mars on Sydneys northern beaches. Its definitely a Mars and it looks VERY much like my Great Scot. Then again, most of them look alike

    Lathe - old 3 speed belt driven-journal bearing-power long/cross feed-1hp 240V | eBay

    regards

    Old Hutcho

  15. #15
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    Oct 2011
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    Default

    Shushhh.....

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