Thread: Hercus A260

$1500 is an average price,sometimes they can be cheaper,other times dearer.

Check to see if there are reverse jaws for the 3 jaw.

Lift the lid on the belt change and check that there are no broken or damaged gears.

If possable run the lathe to check that it does what it should,eg: the feeds work in both directions,the gearbox works over its full range,that backgear engages.

If possable stick a bit of bar in the chuck and give a lift to see if theres excessive movement.
Check how much backlash there is in the Cross slide and Compound slide.

Push and pull both of the slides to check for excessive wear.

Run the lathe in its highest speed for 10 minutes if possable to see if the bearings get to hot to touch,they will get warm but it shouldnt be eniugh to make you move your hand.

If any thing is wrong it can all be corrected,but if there was this might give you a bargining point.

If by somechance you know nothing about lathes or cant have someone with you who does you may have to rely on the seller being honest.

a dealer in adelaide has one for sale 260 average condition only 3 jaw chuck no reversing jaws 3 phase motor $1250 as a guide
john

As you are involved with welding, you might check out the base of the cabinet before mounting the 260 on top.
I think it's not as solid as those supplied for the earlier Hercus lathes, but could be strengthened along the bottom edges especially, which seems like a weak point to me.

Jordan

Thanks very much pipeclay, John and Jordan, I will do as you all suggest and yes it does have the reverse jaws for the 3 jaw chuck. Unfortunately I may not be able to run it at the machinery store as it is a 3 phase that needs to be hard wired in. But I can try and check for excessive wear and any signs of other problems. I am not really knowlegeable enough to know what is acceptable but I will have a close look at all the beds, screws and gears and try and make up my mind if there seems to be any problems
I just want something for home for convenience if I need what a small lathe can provide as I am always building or repairing one thing or another and just sometimes easier to make a part than trying to find one.