Hercus 9A and 9AM gearbox plates

It's getting to the point that I have to bite the bullet and manufacture some new threading plates for the 9A and 9AM gearboxes. While I can't do an exact copy, due to trademark restrictions, I can produce one that is made in the same way, with the same dimensions and colour with the same information on it. The only thing different would be the mention of F.W.Hercus on the top of the plate. The attached pictures show in general what the differences would be. I have used the metric one as an example.
I realise we would all prefer that is identical in all respects but unless I can convince Hercus to have them made, this or something like it what will have to do. Your opinions and or interest in these would be appreciated. The same can be done for the other Hercus models, if required, as I only have genuine ones for the imperial 260's, which there wouldn't be many of.
Mal

I think there would be a case to argue for making complete replicas under Fair Use if Hercus aren't making them themselves anymore

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Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I think there would be a case to argue for making complete replicas under Fair Use if Hercus aren't making them themselves anymore

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I am very grateful to Hercus for their help to me in many other areas, so I will honour their wishes with regard to copyright and brand identity. I will be talking to them about the options they are comfortable with to get this done. In the meantime I was just wanting to hear from owners, as to whether it would made a substantial difference to them one way or the other.
As the cost and time to get this done is substantial, I don't want to be stuck with something that no-one wants, better to spend the money on something else.
Mal

Mal, I don't need one, as the ones on my 3 machines are in good nick. If I did need one, I'd certainly prefer them to be a faithful reproduction....with the Hercus name. I am surprised the Hercus family might have an issue with it. It is not a commercial concern, I hope. There is a strong and proud following for the Aussie made Hercus machines, which is a real compliment to the family/brand.
I hope you get plenty of support from the hobby/collector group for this item, and you can negotiate a positive outcome for use of the brand. Cheers, Tony

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Hopefully you can come to an agreement with them. I don't have a Hercus, but I would always want any replacement parts for a restoration to be as identical to OEM as possible.

Good News,
F.W.Hercus have given me clearance to produce an identical copy of the gearbox plates. As there are two different ones for the 9", one from when they were made at Southwark up to 1964 and another at Thebarton. I cant afford to do both so the I've picked the Southwark as the most numerous option. These will be done on brass plate and be acid etched and paint filled as per the original.
I'll be making the ones for the 9A, 9AM(ARM) and 260ATM. There will be others later but that is enough for the moment.
Mal

An ammendment to the previous post. The plates for the AM and ARM models, will have Thebarton as the place of manufacture. It is unlikely that many, if any, were manufactured before 1964.
Mal

A problem with reproducing the original plate, is the fact that it appears to have been hand drawn (as you would expect), with quite a bit of inaccuracy in alignment of characters. The technology we would use now will produce a much sharper image and will appear different if only for that reason. Back in the days when I used to produce artwork for screen printing from supplied hand drawn customers artwork, they were extremely enlarged and hand traced to maintain the same character as the original. Unfortunately I don't have the large light tables and sheet film cameras I used back then (or the eyesight for that matter).
The old plates have inbuilt errors and process image bleeds that will be almost impossible to duplicate perfectly. The result will almost certainly be a neater and sharper image. Anyone have a problem with this.
Mal

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The old plates have inbuilt errors and process image bleeds that will be almost impossible to duplicate perfectly. The result will almost certainly be a neater and sharper image. Anyone have a problem with this.

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Hi Mal,

The fact that the imperfections of the old plates will not be there any longer isn't a bad thing, in fact sharper crisper images would suggest quality rather than anything else !

Having said that moving from hand taped PCB track to cad produced images dramatically improved the overall appearance and quality of the finished boards.

Hi Guys,
I am going ahead with the gearbox plates for the 9" model A and the 260ATM. I am finding some variation between the mounting holes on the various used plates I have and am considering if it might be better to leave it up to the owners to make their own. Anyone have a problem with that?
The 9" ones will be acid etched and painted filled with red and black as per the original. The 260 ones will be screen printed in epoxy the same colours as was original with them. If anyone has an early 260 that is etched, please let me know, otherwise I will proceed as planned.
I will be making any other plates that I do not currently hold stocks of. the cost will be in the region of $30-$35 ea. give or take, The 1999 price list from Hercus shows the 260 plate at $35 and the 9" as $55, which I suspect was higher due to the brass plate and the acid etching, compared to the 260's screen printed aluminium plate. Seeing the South Bend screen printed 9" reproduction plate I got from the US cost me $50, that seems a pretty good rate.
Mal

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Originally Posted by allterrain50

Good News,
F.W.Hercus have given me clearance to produce an identical copy of the gearbox plates. As there are two different ones for the 9", one from when they were made at Southwark up to 1964 and another at Thebarton. I cant afford to do both so the I've picked the Southwark as the most numerous option. These will be done on brass plate and be acid etched and paint filled as per the original.
I'll be making the ones for the 9A, 9AM(ARM) and 260ATM. There will be others later but that is enough for the moment.
Mal

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Hi Mal,
Great news I spent many hours restoring the plate on my 9A, for other users needing a plate great result
The Micro Dials look and workgreat
Regards
Errol

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Originally Posted by allterrain50

..... Anyone have a problem with that?

The 260 ones will be screen printed in epoxy the same colours as was original with them.

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I don't need one but it sounds good, Mal

took a long while but finally finished some of the name plates.
excuse the quality of the photos.Attachment 389882