Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 20
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Nth Queensland
    Posts
    55

    Default Hercus 0 Mill Convert Horizontal to Vertical

    I have a Hercus 0 horizontal mill, and have acquired a vertical head for same. I will be attempting to convert. Has anyone undertaken this exercise and able to offer advice of pitfalls etc. I am capable mechanically but am a real novice in terms of turning/machining etc and associated jargon, having only just started on a life long wish to get into it, so please err on the side of detail and be charitable at what might seem to many of you dumb questions.

    Regards

    Terry

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
    Age
    64
    Posts
    4,887

    Default

    If you have all the pars it should be just a matter of removing the Horizontal spindle and Overarm and installing the vertical head and bolting it up.

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

    Default

    It should be readily interchangeable with no parts needing manufacture, do you have some photos?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
    Posts
    1,894

    Default

    This quote is from a message to the forum from 2008, regarding the fitting of a vertical head to the Hercus No.0 mill:

    "The locating dowels are important for the accurate alignment of the head. When I acquired my mill they were not fitted.
    The Hercus Operators Instruction Book, available from Hercus via their Ebay store, spells out the correct installation procedure for the dowels if not already fitted."

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    6,458

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by nadroj View Post
    This quote is from a message to the forum from 2008, regarding the fitting of a vertical head to the Hercus No.0 mill:

    "The locating dowels are important for the accurate alignment of the head. When I acquired my mill they were not fitted.
    The Hercus Operators Instruction Book, available from Hercus via their Ebay store, spells out the correct installation procedure for the dowels if not already fitted."
    Good chance it was my mill and my comment.

    My mill is an early model and the mounting holes were provided to suit the non offset vertical head. When I acquired the mill it was accompanied by the newer offset head and I installed the dowels as above. A sleeve is required to align the head casting with the horizontal spindle mounted drive gear. I probably still have the instructions and I could photograph and forward them if there is any interest.

    IMG_20190610_091345564.jpg IMG_20190610_091845052 (1).jpg

    Bob.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    97

    Default

    I frequently change mine back and forth
    below is a link to a video where I remove the head (the link should take you to the correct time where I swap it out)
    https://youtu.be/BXBrk2_Bn6Q?t=666

    There are 4 bolts, and 2 dowel pins to locate the head. On my mill there is a spur gear on an MT3 taper and a drawbar instead of other tooling.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    6,458

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TommyGMachining View Post
    I frequently change mine back and forth
    below is a link to a video where I remove the head (the link should take you to the correct time where I swap it out)
    https://youtu.be/BXBrk2_Bn6Q?t=666

    There are 4 bolts, and 2 dowel pins to locate the head. On my mill there is a spur gear on an MT3 taper and a drawbar instead of other tooling.
    Tommy,

    You have a late model 3 tee slot tabled No.O and it has a different head casting to the old two slotters which have three fixings securing the head to the mill body. Terry hasn't indicated if his mill has a two or three slot table and if it is the older two slot version whether the body already has the alignment pins installed.

    If the pins are there and its a two slotter it's simply a matter of installing the drive gear on its arbor and screwing the gear to the spindle nose, followed by mounting the head.

    IMG_20190610_091513083.jpg IMG_20190610_091345564.jpg IMG_20190610_091102445.jpg

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Could someone tell me the ratio of the vertical head to the horizontal drive, please?
    Asking as I've managed to pick up a vertical head for my unknown make, horizontal 3 speed flat belt drive mill, and am toying with the idea of making, as someone else put, it a "Frankenmill".
    The head I have has the drive shaft vertical, so I need to know whether to make it a direct drive or a reduction for the right angle drive.
    Thanks,
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    I think rather than a reduction you would want an increase ins speed. Generally vertical milling operations need much higher spindle speeds

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Perth WA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    6,458

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    Could someone tell me the ratio of the vertical head to the horizontal drive, please?
    Asking as I've managed to pick up a vertical head for my unknown make, horizontal 3 speed flat belt drive mill, and am toying with the idea of making, as someone else put, it a "Frankenmill".
    The head I have has the drive shaft vertical, so I need to know whether to make it a direct drive or a reduction for the right angle drive.
    Thanks,
    Kryn

    1.3 to 1 speed increase for the old two slot tabled No.O.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by caskwarrior View Post
    I think rather than a reduction you would want an increase ins speed. Generally vertical milling operations need much higher spindle speeds
    Had a seniors moment where I couldn't think of the word opposite to reduction!!! WELL that's my excuse anyway.
    Thanks Ralph and Bob.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Oct 2019
    Location
    Nth Queensland
    Posts
    55

    Cool Thanks All

    TommyG and All

    Thank you ALL for comments, and links, have gleaned much.

    I have the three slot table, and will have to turn or acquire dowels/pins.

    Interested in comment re MT 3 or other tooling? Any more info here? Remember I am completely new here.

    Terry
    (tham60)

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    Those dowels in the photos above look like they are stepped to me. Bob do they have a bigger of in the casting side?

    If not they will be easily obtainable but dowels are generally satanically hard and ground. You can turn them up but you risk deformation and galling.

  14. #14
    BobL is online now Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    If the pins are for alignment purposes do the really need to be hardened?

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    35
    Posts
    1,522

    Default

    They do if you want to take the head on and off all the time, especially if not we'll alligned. Soft pins will also tend to gaul

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Hercus o mill Vertical mill head lubrication
    By china eyes in forum THE HERCUS AREA
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 14th Oct 2018, 06:57 AM
  2. Vertical Bandsaw - Convert Wood to Metal ?
    By electrosteam in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 13th Dec 2017, 09:03 PM
  3. Vertical Milling Head for Horizontal Mill
    By seafurymike in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 42
    Last Post: 16th May 2012, 05:23 PM
  4. Hercus 260 - To convert to 240 Volt, or not
    By dle147 in forum THE HERCUS AREA
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 26th Sep 2011, 03:23 PM
  5. Vertical lift screws binding in old horizontal mill
    By 19brendan81 in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 26th Aug 2010, 12:15 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •