Search:

I have a partially restored one here you can come and measure up if you would like. I am in western Sydney.
...

If you haven't already told me, tell me the serial number of the bed, I may be able to find the original tailstock. The chances are small but I have found a couple of matches and reunited them. My...

I have changed headstocks on a number of occasions, so far it has not been necessary to shim one to align it with the bed. I suspect someone has tried to get a "best fit" alignment with a worn bed....

Different sizes than the 260 required for the Hercus 9, It doesn't take long to make a basic puller set. If you look at what you need to do, it's self explanitory, all you need is some pipe and...

extract from the Textbook of turning 1st edition 1964

"Removing the Spindle (Roller Bearing)
To remove the spindle from a roller bearing headstock, the reverse bracket and gear guards are first...

I just recieved some Hercus 9 oil recommendation charts along with a batch of brass plates for the 260's. I will attach a picture you can download.
...

Hi Patrick,
Thanks for the serial number. No wonder it wouldn't fit on the old cabinet as the ATLM is 9" longer.
...

Hi Ken.
I'm going to Adelaide shortly, I'll try to talk to Peter Hercus if he is feeling well enough for a visit. I don't like to disturb him more than is necessary as he's getting on a...

Thanks Nev,
I'll check it against Bob's when he sends it. Anyone got one with a higher number than Nev's.
...

did you happen to note its serial number.
Mal

Thanks Bob,
That would be great to have one that early as a starting point.
...

I have been asked to do something about making new helical drive gears for the vertical head of the O mill. I am not sure if there have been any changes to the specs of this gear anytime during their...

Some of the novice Hercus owners don't have a working knowledge of the names of the various parts. With this in mind I am attaching a small resolution picture of a 9" roller bearing model poster,...

Hi Alex,
Sounds like a B56 frame motor which is basically 5" X 3" mount with a 4" shaft centre height. Most of the pre 80's models had these.
...

Hi Mike,
Seems odd, the spindle should have 25/32" through hole. Maybe someone adapted it some time in the past.
...

Excuse the slow progress, it still needs a further investment of $9000 (which I don't have yet) and an few more orders to make it happen. If you can't wait, I suggest you make your own or talk to...

While we are talking about rediculous replacements, maybe the Latin version "JERCUS" would seem a better option.

Hi Jordan,
The wording on the top of the plate in both versions is the only placed that states the machine is Australian made, I think this has to stay. As for the "9 INCH" instead of ...

This is the style I have chosen for the new plate, the 9" metric is shown but it will be similar on any model that is remade. Excuse the rough overlay but it's only to test owner reaction. The...

Had a definate answer from Steve Durden to-day, they won't be giving permission to remake the gearbox plates in the original format, under any conditions, even under a profitable licence. I was told...

Thankyou for the correction. I had assumed the thinner top of the 20 deg would make it more likely to chip, and the shape would have more of a sliding action and therefor quieter. The reverse seems...

I was asked if the 60-63 setup would actually bridge the gap between the leadscrew and stud gear, the best answer is the attached picture. Nice and compact compared to the 100-127 setup isn't it and...

Thought I should post the comparison between the two options for people wanting to cut metric threads on an imperial 9" A model Hercus lathe. I believe the error in the 60-63 compared to the 127-100,...

Hi Jordan,
The threaded hole is certainly a possibility for the 260 version but may not be possible on the 9 version, it depends on how much is left after machining the recess for the...

Hi Ken,
Thanks, the way my drafting skills are progressing, that's a real possibility.

As you may have noticed, from the amount of time it is taking with some of the parts, the reverse engineering of these parts is an expensive and time consuming exercise, when it has to be done...

The Sheraton is 16dp 20 pa, the Hercus is 16dp 14.5pa. Sheraton went for the quieter option and Hercus for the stronger. There is a common practice among the various manufacturers to have gears with...

Hi Jon,
The stud gear should come off fairly easily, although it may bind on the key if the fit is particularly tight, the nut is the only thing holding it on. The only gear that is...

Hi Jon,
Not at the moment, bigger fish to fry. Have to get the current projects finished, not to mention clearing the remaining stock.
...

Another standard gearset this time for the 260ATM. In this case the 18 and 45 change position as required by your gearbox plate. This also applies to the 260AGM and DGM.

From what you have written, you have the thread chaser set on the wrong gear. It should be on the bottom or largest gear. The stud gear should be 45 and the 18 that would normally be there goes as a...

I wouldn't sell a less than perfect slide, not very good if you want a reputation for supplying quality goods. The trouble with selling seconds cheap is, apart from the original owner, the next owner...

The sample castings have arrived and will machined soon, the finished photos will be posted when they're finished.

My recommendation, for what it's worth, is 2hp is too big. The "C" model machine was supplied with a motor of 1/2hp-3/4hp you could stretch to 1hp. Overpowering a machine is a dangerous practice....

I just did a quick search with google for "hercus cnc lathe" and found quite a lot of info. Give that a try first. There is quite a bit on the Computurn and pc200 cnc's.
...

Hi Noel,
Very helpful photos, much appreciated thankyou very much.
Mal

I had this picture in an early MacPhersons brochure, along with other Hercus machines, someone may have already posted this but I couldn't find anything in a search. There is someone I can talk to...

Hello John,
I doubt you will find anything directly for that earlier model. The "South Bend 9 restoration manual by Ilion" and the "first or second edition of "the textbook of turning by p.f.hercus"...

Hi Mike,
That's just what I needed. Very interested in all photos of the craftsman range, you don't see a lot and I like to be able to see how they changed the design between it and the...

I found the poster for the 260, which I will do at the same time. These are 1000mm X 865mm. Have to be cleaned up first.

consider yourself lucky, my knowledge is limited by senility.

Hey burnsie, no ones perfect and as you will discover I make plenty of mistakes, all I can do is blame it on old age.

I did notice the "CU" . I would still have assumed they would keep the same arrangement with them, am I missing something thats different in the gear train. How about a couple of close up photos of...

I have no objection to copying books that are out of print, it's the ones that are still readily available I object to.

RC,
Nice to see some people appreciate the effort being put in to...

That's interesting, I thought the "B" and "C" plates would be the same as they could use the same gearing, with the exception the clutch feed on the "B". I assumed they would use the half nuts to...

I have a poor copy of the 260 one that is black and white also. The colour can be removed if that seems appropriate, once it's digitised.

Hi Ben,
Very nice thankyou for bringing that to my attention, it was produced by Hercus as a training tool. Currently paid for and waiting for me to pick up a a friends place next time I'm...

I now know that Hercus changed the plates between machine nos 9453 in 1964 and 9610 very early in 1965, if anyone can place it any closer let me know. If you're not sure what I'm talking about see...

I suppose I should have shown the current fouth edition from 1990, produced to include the "G" models.

Hi Ben,
Thanks for that, that would make a good thing to reproduce for the new owners. The naming of the parts of the machine on that poster would be a great help for them in discribing...