Thread: Geared Head Hercus

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Hercus Lathe with base - eBay, Equipment, Machinery, Metalworking, Industrial. (end time 18-Jul-10 20:00:21 AEST)

What's the story with the apron being different from other Hercus types?

Jordan

G'day Jordan,
That lathe is equipped with the D type apron which I think was an option on the 260G.
With this option the longitudial and cross feeds were driven by a dedicated shaft rather than from a keyway in the leadscrew.
If you look closely you will notice that there are two shafts running along the bed, the bottom being the feed drive shaft.
A very nice piece of kit.
Cheers,
Greg.

Thanks Greg,
Looks like the only functional difference is that it doesn't have a clutch to disengage feed, having a lever instead. Are the gears exposed as per the usual apron, or fully enclosed?

Jordan

G'day Jordan,
I don't really know, I have never seen one in real life, I only know of it because it gets a mention in the 260 version of the textbook of turning.
Cheers,
Greg.

It sold for over $5000, which must be twice what a good belt drive 260 would cost. One wonders if the buyer was influenced by the information that the original cost was $12000. The belt models were also over ten grand. Still, it's an interesting and good-looking piece of machinery. I'd like to hear one running.
I went mad and bought a Hercus 270. Anyone know what that is? I didn't until recently - then I had to have it!

Jordan

No doubt it is a damn good lathe and would have been worth that much..

> One wonders if the buyer was influenced by the information that the original
> cost was $12000. The belt models were also over ten grand.

I have a complete Hercus 260 price list in front of me, from Stockdale Machinery in SA, dated January 1988. I got it with the 260 I recently bought. The thing is, the geared head model did not exactly cost that much more than the belt drive model :

260 Lathe (belt drive model T)
Standard lathe complete with standard equipments including drive unit, guards, 1/2HP 3-phase TEFC electric motor, reversing switch, square tool block
model AT or ATM with thread dial indicator $4,250
model BT or BTM $3,890
model CT or CTM $3,640

260 Lathe (geared head model G)
as above, supplied with 3/4HP motor
model AG or AGM with thread dial indicator $5,030
Model DG or DGM with thread dial indicator $5,530

Now that were the prices in 1988 for the basic machine, my pricelist goes on 4 pages and there were plenty of extras, for example even the door for the cabinet stand was an extra at $148, or flame hardened bedways did cost $335 extra (short bed), upgrade from 1/2 to 3/4HP motor $39, 1HP motor $55, taper attachment $815, milling slide metric or inch $455, vice for slide $245, stationary steady $120..... etc etc.

Chris

PS: glad I found this list, I am still reading through old posts, lots of good info, thank you. One day when I find out to post files and pics here, I will scan the price list so all can get an idea. Also have two original color sales flyers for the 260 and the 260 accessories.

Originally Posted by nadroj

I went mad and bought a Hercus 270. Anyone know what that is? I didn't until recently - then I had to have it!

Jordan

I'll bite. What's a 270? Google can't find it.

Yes, come on Jordan -
put us out of our misery please !

My guess - is it on wheels ?

greg_n

Originally Posted by cba_melbourne

> One wonders if the buyer was influenced by the information that the original
> cost was $12000.

They were around $12 000 when they stopped making them... I priced one in the late 90's or early 00's (can't remember now the exact year)

I'll bite. What's a 270?

My guess - is it on wheels ?

-----

Well, It'll go like the clappers I hope.
It looks to be the final development of the Douglas shaper, with some parts redesigned and having a gearbox instead of a stepped pulley for stroke rate selection. It has Hercus cast into one side of the ram, and a Douglas badge attached to the other side. 270 might refer to the nominal stroke, although the scale goes up to 280mm. It's metric, unlike all other Douglas shapers I've seen.

Jordan

I'd want one too. Cute as a button! Keep us posted.