Thread: Hercus OLM279

Thank you Boys but please bear in mind that most of it's trick photography.

I just had a read of that old thread and it's easy to forget the time spent on some of these projects. I reckon I could have painted the house inside and out in the time it took to make that thing. Works out that I have a half painted house and a slotter that I've only ever used one and that was for that dinky setup in the first photos. I haven't done anything about the oiling as recommended by Richard, or the scraping of the mating surfaces. More foot dragging.

Jordan , have you had yours apart? Does the original have provision for oiling the ram?

BT

Bob,

The original slotters only have the one oil nipple just like your very formidable example. Oil seeps out through at the bottom of the crank circle, but I would imagine a squirt into the top open area would be much more beneficial.

The mill I just purchased is OLM 388 in good condition and came with what I think may be the original vice and a vertical head with matching numbers but the dividing head is not matching the mill but probably each other. It has one indexing plate with an array of holes on each side , not sure if there is meant to be more plates?

It started its life at Karratha Senior High School and now I feel privilaged to take ownership and will give it pride of place in my shed, that is rapidly becoming too small

Am having problems with photos now but will put up some when I get it sorted

Thanks Tom

There are three plates Tom - https://www.woodworkforums.com/f189/h...4/#post1276670

If you have a desire to copy the missing ones, you can borrow mine.

Bob.

HI,

You must get up early Bob. I've viewed your slotting head posts many times and if you don't want your S.H. I'll take it off your hands (only joking). Maybe one day I'll dig one up somewhere.

Off work sick at the moment (flu) but I am going in this morning to return some tools I borrowed, so I will take off the motor and hopefully take it to a motor rewinder. Will get some quotes first.

My vice turned up yesterday, from the ebay seller from S.A. I paid $80 for it, you get what you pay for.

Also, due to my sickness I won't be going away for work this month, so will hopefully get more done on the mill.

Cheers Ben.

P1010531.jpgP1010530.jpg

Couple of pics, One is of slotter with front section removed. Other is of what I think may be original Hercus vice supplied with mill.

Bob Thanks for offer to borrow the plates I will take you up on that when i get suitable material and a time slot to make copies.
Tom.

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Jordan , have you had yours apart? Does the original have provision for oiling the ram?

BT

Bob, I had a look. There is no special arrangement for lubricating the slotter's slide.
There's a grease nipple (to supply grease, going by what's in there now) for the taper roller bearings of the crankshaft.

Jordan

Ben
I have been away doing a tour - driving trip around England Wales Scotland for 5 weeks, just got home today, yippee! Good to get back to the workshop.
Been watching the forum from a distance & noticed that you had got hold of the Hercus O Mill after a lot of your searching. Well done, they are a great solid little Mill.
I hand scraped & tightened mine up, a little while back, & now keen to get into using it, again.
Did notice where BT Bob suggested an alignment 3 MT insert tool be made for aligning the vertical milling head gear on the end of the horizontal spindle, I must make this, as have never used this item. It makes good sense.
Also I think I recall you looking for some Abrasive Belts, please lets know the size you use & I will make you some, no charge, as this was my business for most of my life. I have grits 40, 60, 120, 150, 180, 320, 400, & can make widths in multiples of 12" wide (300mm) out of stock rolls. (Example 6 belts 2" wide or 3 belts 4" wide or 2 belts 6" wide etc.)
Congrats again on the Hercus Mill.
regards
Bruce

Hi Bruce,

Good to hear your back. If you want I can email some photos of the MT adapter with dimensions or you could you AB drawing. I found mine in the bottom of one of the boxes.

Thanks for your offer for emery tape, I "borrowed" some from work so should be good for awhile.

Cheers Ben.

Originally Posted by bwal74

Hi Bruce,

Good to hear your back. If you want I can email some photos of the MT adapter with dimensions or you could you AB drawing. I found mine in the bottom of one of the boxes.

Thanks for your offer for emery tape, I "borrowed" some from work so should be good for awhile.

Cheers Ben.

Ben
Good to know that you have some Abrasive Belts to keep you going. Please lets know if you need any made in the future.
If BT Anorak Bob happens to be looking at this message I might get a sketch of the 3MT aligning tool for the O Mill from him.
regards
Bruce

Not good enough ??? You thinking I should lift my game and drag out the Rotring Isographs Bruce??

DSCN4239 (Large).jpg

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Not good enough ??? You thinking I should lift my game and drag out the Rotring Isographs Bruce??

DSCN4239 (Large).jpg

Thanks for a very good sketch Bob, & in meaningful inch measurements.
My next turning job !
regards
Bruce

Hi,

I just re-read my previous post this morning and noticed some of the grammar didn't make sense, in my defence I had our 9 month old in my arms. Sorry about that.

Getting back to Hercus stuff. I had my motor rewound. So now I'm looking at buying a VFD. These are my choices so far:

Teco FM50 1 0HP Drive Phase Converter Single TO 3 Phase | eBay one from the US;

SAJ 0 75KW 1HP VSD VFD Inverter 240V Variable Speed Drive | eBay one from Sydney and cheap;

WEG VSD VFD Variable Speed Drive 75KW 240V CFW10 NEW | eBay one from Melb and a bit more expensive.

Any ideas or comments? Any info or advice etc will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers Ben

Hi,

My VFD turned up today. Before I opened it up I noticed a rather large dent in the bottom corner. So I opened it up and guess what. VFD front panel smashed and unusable. Sending it back to seller. Bummer!!

Pretty much just waiting on the VFD.

Cheers Ben.

Which one did you buy Ben?

Did you see this one- http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181143805...84.m1438.l2649

Chris