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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default Mars Mercury lathe

    I have had this lathe for several years and just used it for turning. Would like to see if I can restore it for thread cutting. Unfortunately a couple of the gears have stripped teeth, and I have no idea what the full complement of gears should be. Would anyone know where I could access an instruction manual for this lathe?
    I have attached some photos of the gearbox and the two stripped gears which both have 30 teeth. One gear is from the main spindle, the other with the collar is from the gear train. This latter gear is also shown with a larger gear mounted on the collar. They were both on the bare shaft that can be seen in the gearbox photo. Anyone know where it might be possible to procure some replacement gears?
    Thanks in anticipation,
    robjean

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    First things first.
    Hi Rob,
    Welcome to the Metalwork Forums.

    To help explore the areas of our forum here's a guide on to to navigate our Forum and find all the goodies.

    Goto the FORUM box in the top left hand cnr of the page and click the down arrow. This will bring up a pull down menu that has Forum Home at the top

    Click Forum Home which will present a scroll down page.

    Our rules,the Terms of Service are right at the top ,we encourage you to read them.

    Below that are all the various areas and sub forums that make up out MetalWork forums.

    If you want to post pics in your first ten posts sometimes our moderation kicks in I may have to moderate them manually.Also if you can change your location us a town or suburb often there is someone living beside you who can help or offer advice on where to purchase locally.


    RE: your photos,

    There is auto moderation applying in the programming where if you post a link in the fist ten posts it is moderated and I have to approve it to be seen by the rest of the Forum members. Sometimes the programme works and other times it does not.

    This time it did and I will approve the pic so everyone else can see them.
    The video section is for videos ,so I am moving this post with its photos to General Metalwork.

    It might be nice if you could go to the Welcome Wagon ( you can find it by using the above guide) and place a post telling us about you and your metalworking interests ,tools and machines.

    Welcome to the Forums

    Grahame

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    Hi Rob, working out what gears you are likely to need is going to depend on the pitch of your leadscrew. Once you know that you can either use an online calculator to work out the gears you need for common pitches you want to cut. The other thing you will need to know is the dimetral pitch (most likely 12 or 14) of your gears. Do you have a copy of machinery handbook perchance? Or the black book?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    It would appear that the change gears required for screw cutting are listed on the threading plate on the left hand side of the headstock.
    You would have to probably do a search for gear makers to source replacements, you would need to give them the gear dimensions, ( Pressure Angle, Diamentral Pitch or Module if the gears are Metric ).
    There are people on the forum that maybe able to make them for you, if required.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    Hi Rob, working out what gears you are likely to need is going to depend on the pitch of your leadscrew. Once you know that you can either use an online calculator to work out the gears you need for common pitches you want to cut. The other thing you will need to know is the dimetral pitch (most likely 12 or 14) of your gears. Do you have a copy of machinery handbook perchance? Or the black book?
    Hi caskwarrior,
    Thanks for your reply. Yes I have copies of Machinery’s Handbook, but at this stage don’t have a particular thread in mind. I first wanted to see if I could at least establish if anyone has the specifications for the full set of gears first provided with the lathe when new. But before anything else, I at least need to source a replacement driving gear fitted to the main spindle,
    robjean

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Werribee, Melbourne
    Posts
    177

    Default

    Have you come across the Lathes.co.UK website - there is some info on there that might relate to your machine?
    Does the thread chart shown there match yours as it is much easier to read and gives a pretty good indication of what would have been supplied?

    Mars Lathes - Hercules and 6-inch

    Ray

    PS. I just had a quick look and see that the models shown don't include the Mercury so there is possibly little cross-over to other variations?

    This is an old post on the forum that discusses the change gears for a Mars so that might be of use as well.
    https://metalworkforums.com/f65/t173...ght=mars+lathe

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by pipeclay View Post
    It would appear that the change gears required for screw cutting are listed on the threading plate on the left hand side of the headstock.
    You would have to probably do a search for gear makers to source replacements, you would need to give them the gear dimensions, ( Pressure Angle, Diamentral Pitch or Module if the gears are Metric ).
    There are people on the forum that maybe able to make them for you, if required.
    Hi pipeclay,
    Thanks for your reply, but as stated in my reply to caskwarrior I had hoped ( perhaps optimistically) that out there among forum members someone might have details of the quantity and specifications for the complete set of gears originally supplied with these lathes - and could even be holding some spares. As an aside, it is rather sobering to reflect on what good quality machinery this country could manufacture all those years ago - and look at us now!
    robjean

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray-s View Post
    Have you come across the Lathes.co.UK website - there is some info on there that might relate to your machine?
    Does the thread chart shown there match yours as it is much easier to read and gives a pretty good indication of what would have been supplied?

    Mars Lathes - Hercules and 6-inch

    Ray
    Hi Ray,
    Many Thanks. Will check it out
    robjean

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    1,075

    Default

    What's the OD and bore of the broken gears? We should have a hob and arbor at work that suits; if we do I can probably replace those 2 no problem, if you want a full set made up I'd need to run it past the boss first.

    Quote Originally Posted by robjean View Post
    As an aside, it is rather sobering to reflect on what good quality machinery this country could manufacture all those years ago - and look at us now!
    robjean
    We still can manufacture stuff like that, but would you be willing to pay 5 times as much as an import?

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    What's the OD and bore of the broken gears? We should have a hob and arbor at work that suits; if we do I can probably replace those 2 no problem, if you want a full set made up I'd need to run it past the boss first.


    We still can manufacture stuff like that, but would you be willing to pay 5 times as much as an import?
    Hi elanjacobs,
    Thanks for your offer if you’re sure it is no trouble. Will get the dimensions of the two gears for you,
    Regards,
    bobjean

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
    Posts
    1,038

    Default

    Given the age of the machine, pre 1960 and that it was made in Australia the change gears are odds on to be imperial and 14.5° pressure angle. But like anything to do with machine tools that will need to be confirmed.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    gold coast
    Posts
    303

    Default

    Hi Rob,
    I have been in a similar dilemma needing a gear for a small mill, I broke a few weeks ago.
    Being a tight ass Ive spent days exploring different ways I might achieve this.
    I found a lovely man who hobbs gears in south brisbane, and while he was keen to do the job, it would have cost about $100 if I made up the blank .
    That was one option.
    Another was, buying it from overseas from the land that must not be named.
    That would cost under $20 but with a 2-3 months wait.
    The third option is a company in NSW
    RS Components Pty Ltd ABN 73 009 403 356, 25 Pavesi St, Smithfield. NSW. 2164 (PO Box 6864, Wetherill Park. NSW. 1851)
    If you 'google' them and type in "spur gears" you may be able to find something with the right pitch and mod and tooth etc.
    You may need to machine off an overlong boss, or drill out or resleeve the ID, but thats doable with a lathe--Hey?
    You just need to have patience and time.
    Hope that helps
    regards
    Brian

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Briangoldcoast View Post
    Hi Rob,
    I have been in a similar dilemma needing a gear for a small mill, I broke a few weeks ago.
    Being a tight ass Ive spent days exploring different ways I might achieve this.
    I found a lovely man who hobbs gears in south brisbane, and while he was keen to do the job, it would have cost about $100 if I made up the blank .
    That was one option.
    Another was, buying it from overseas from the land that must not be named.
    That would cost under $20 but with a 2-3 months wait.
    The third option is a company in NSW
    RS Components Pty Ltd ABN 73 009 403 356, 25 Pavesi St, Smithfield. NSW. 2164 (PO Box 6864, Wetherill Park. NSW. 1851)
    If you 'google' them and type in "spur gears" you may be able to find something with the right pitch and mod and tooth etc.
    You may need to machine off an overlong boss, or drill out or resleeve the ID, but thats doable with a lathe--Hey?
    You just need to have patience and time.
    Hope that helps
    regards


    Brian


    Hi Brian,
    I am aware of this firm, but didn't realise they had gears. will check. Many thanks
    Rob

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    What's the OD and bore of the broken gears? We should have a hob and arbor at work that suits; if we do I can probably replace those 2 no problem, if you want a full set made up I'd need to run it past the boss first.&lt;br&gt;<br>
    &lt;br&gt;<br>
    &lt;br&gt;<br>
    We still &lt;em&gt;can&lt;/em&gt; manufacture stuff like that, but would you be willing to pay 5 times as much as an import?
    &


    Hi elenjacobs,Have attached scans of both gears with dimensions for you to have a look at. If you are able to make, let me know costs so I can reimburse. Many thanks,
    robjean
    Attached Files Attached Files

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    15

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by robjean View Post
    Hi elanjacobs,
    Thanks for your offer if you’re sure it is no trouble. Will get the dimensions of the two gears for you,
    Regards,
    bobjean
    Hi elanjacobs,
    Not sure I posted my reply correctly, so here goes again! Have attached a scan of marked up photos of two gears for you to have a look at and see if you can make them. I believe pressure angle is 14.5 degrees. If so, please let me know costs so I can reimburse you. Many thanks,
    Rob (logon name robjean)
    Attached Files Attached Files

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