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Thread: Mars Lathe

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
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    Caboolture
    Age
    47
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    28

    Default 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

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

    Default

    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.)

    Sent from my Nokia 8 Sirocco using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Caboolture
    Age
    47
    Posts
    28

    Default

    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

  4. #4
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    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    Countershaft would be another matching cone pulley for the flatbelt that drives the spindle, sometimes behind or overhead. The motor would drive it.

    Sent from my Nokia 8 Sirocco using Tapatalk

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Caboolture
    Age
    47
    Posts
    28

    Default

    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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
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    Default

    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.

    Sent from my Nokia 8 Sirocco using Tapatalk

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