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Thread: Mars Lathe
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10th Jul 2019, 03:43 PM #1Intermediate Member
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Mars Lathe
Hi All,
This is a Mars lathe i picked up last year sometime for $200.
The guy was gonna scrap it and i wanted to tinker around with a lathe for a long time so i got it.
I hope to restore this soon, at the very least resurrect it so its presentable and usable.
But i really want to learn how it works and not only what it can do.
I have never used a metal lathe before so i am looking forward to little projects.
Here are some pics.
I have seen some posts on here from people with Mars lathes and hope to chat about the restoration with them.
Thanks
DanielMars Lathe 5.jpgMars Lathe 4.jpgMars Lathe 2.jpgMars Lathe 3.jpgMars Lathe 1.jpg
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10th Jul 2019, 04:01 PM #2Most Valued Member
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Everything looks present which is a good start, except maybe the countershaft? How is the backlash in the cross and compound slides.
A checklist of things I like to have at hand before I start on a machine.
A decent straightedge and feeler gauges
Dial indicator and stand
Some kind of level. Even a rough builders level
I always assess the machine before I tear it into a thousand bits otherwise you don't know what kind of progress you've made.
I write down things like
Headstock bearing end float and side play at the spindle nose while levering it around (not too rough)
Tailstock barrel slop at a given extension
Backlash on all axes
What size feeler gauge I can get under the carriage at each corner and under the straightedge a given distance from the headstock
Also good to know how much droop the tailstock has too.
I'll generally level the machine and try to get rid of twist before I tear it apart too (although that only matters if you remove the headstock casting.)
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10th Jul 2019, 04:06 PM #3Intermediate Member
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thanks for the info.
What is a countershaft?
oh i have the big cast iron stands and chip tray also
Ive got the tools you suggested, i havent measured anything as yet.
Ive grab the chuck and tried to see if there was any lateral movement but couldnt feel anything.
theres about a 1/4 turn in the cross slide
I might do some measuring this weekend.
Thanks again
Daniel
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10th Jul 2019, 04:16 PM #4Most Valued Member
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Countershaft would be another matching cone pulley for the flatbelt that drives the spindle, sometimes behind or overhead. The motor would drive it.
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10th Jul 2019, 04:19 PM #5Intermediate Member
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ahhh yes i have that also, i thought it may have been that.
It was off for picture as i was mounting a motor to it.
The original motor kept arcing, i pulled it down to clean and fix but everything inside was so brittle.
I have another from same era that wont look out of place.
From what ive read they were supplied without motors anyway so wont be un original ???
Also the serial number is H7
so i am assuming it is the 7th hercules built???
Thanks
Daniel
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10th Jul 2019, 05:09 PM #6Most Valued Member
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Its looks a well laid out and designed machine with a number of Colchester like features. The sunken cross slide ways, t slotted carriage and feed engagement all look like how they did it.
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