Hi everyone. I just acquired a “new” (to me) vintage lathe which I would like to restore. It is a small bar bed lathe, possibly from around the 1940’s. Technically, I don’t think it is a Hercus but from the little information I have been able to find, it was marketed by Hercus with some models having the Hercus name on them. So far, this webpage has the most detail I can find. Hercus, Burden and Bagear "bar-bed" Lathe. My one doesn’t have any identifying markings on it but looks most like the last two images on that webpage.

I have never owned a lathe before but have wanted one for a very long time. The Hercus 9” lathes have always appealed to me and was disappointed to miss out on a really nice one a few years ago that popped up for sale only a few suburbs away from my home. When I saw this little bar bed lathe appear for sale at a reasonable price I had to have it. It’s not the 9” I would have loved to have but there was something about this little lathe that got me interested. The change gears are missing but it does run and all the slides are smooth with no apparent wear. The gears look practically brand new. I will start by taking it apart and clean everything and put it back together. Hopefully I will find a set of change gears for it someday. It should be a fun project and a nice little hobby lathe to tinker with once its restored. If anybody has any information at all you could share that would help with the restoration, I will be very grateful.

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