Thread: A Hercus owners register??

Hi Folks,

Derek, thanks for your time on the phone this morning talking about gearboxes etc, and thanks for pointing out the register !

Per our discussion, I'm not really sure when my lathe was manufactured - nor it's history since then, but here's a couple of pics including the serial number - can anyone date it for me ?




Cheers,

Scott.

My mistake - that serial must have been added by a previous owner, the Hercus serial was right at the end under a good covering of grease - it's VB423, and has the RBE circle stamp.

Drummond's list makes this a 1942 lathe I think, what's the VB for ? It's definitely a C series with the plain apron and no gearbox so the B must stand for something else...


Cheers,

Scott

Model A Serial 5500 circa 1964

I bought it last week through the tradingpost for $600 with lots of accessories

The owners husband passed away in 1980 so it's not had a lot of recent use.

The only problem I can see so far is the cast iron "lock" that is used to bolt the saddle to the bed is cracked. It's broken where it was previously brazed so I'll take it to an engineering shop for another go.
I think it's item 29 on page 2 of this link
http://www.wswells.com/partslist/902D.pdf

Overall though in good condition and I'm looking forward to some restoration to ring it back to it's former glory! I'll get some pic's up soon

Cheers
Ian

Originally Posted by jimmer

I think it's item 29 on page 2 of this link
http://www.wswells.com/partslist/902D.pdf

I think there is a drawing of the Southbend lock block on the Steve Wells site above. If not and you want one let me know. I think I have one here somewhere. Be aware the Southbend one is different to the Hercus one though.

My lock block and bolt were missing when I got my lathe so I made up one like the Southbend one and it works ok although I had to give it a bit more clearance around the threading dial spigot.

G'day, I am a new member of the forum and have just purchased a Hercus lathe through eBay which is in excellent condition. The serial number is CR 14187 and I know it originally came from a NSW school. I am not a metalworker so as the need arises I would be very greatful for any help or advice regarding this lathe . As a starter, can anyone tell me when it was manufactured? Cheers Mr Santa

hi Santa welcome to the most amazing talented and ablebodied owners of the Hercus Register and being Number 60 to Register

Your lathe was made Hercus Pty Ltd in Southwark South Australia also being one of the 25 + clones of the South Bend Lathe made in America

Hercus started producing in 1939 with a lathe which still has at least 50%+ parts the same as your approx 1972 Model

Back then we had no bearings in the headstock ran a flat belt pulley system of 3 and also had a swag of gears like yours should have to change the feed rate of the lathe

They have since 1939 come in 3 standard colours a darkblue/grey battleship grey and finally as I call it Kermit green

As the Originator of the Register I have had the pleasure of meeting some fantastic people, very helpfull and there is probably one just around the corner from your house

As for parts new parts are still be uncovered as I found a Hercus owner picked up the vertical top pivot for the top pulleys brand new in a Machinery shop plus 2 brand new bushes

But not not all is that easy to find a lot of the main headstock gears are no longer available as with a multitude of other parts

Hercus still does exist and does have parts But not much I am afraid ,This is were I became the unofficial spareparts finder and wrecker of Hercus lathes that have had their day and the majority of the parts sold go to getting another Hercus closer to being finished

We have approximately 75% of the lathes under restoration Mine was one till I started modifying as my 1954 lathe now has the same headstock as your lathe which was the biggest difference between the old lathes and the Kermit Green School lathes

If you have any questions any problems any missing or badly worn parts just email the Register and ask for Help as we have a member in every State of Australia but mostly SA, VIC ,NSW, QLD, and the NT

So welcome to the Register if you need parts or advice just ask

all the best Derek bitza500
[email protected]

Hi Bitza 500, Thanks for the background information and for the year of manufacture. Another forum member has told me the same year. At the moment it is running well and has been repainted in a light grey colour. The 4 jaw chuck which came with it it a little tired. The ends of the holes where the chuck key goes into are broken. I have pulled it apart and need to relace a couple of worm gears (do not know if that is the correct name) which advances the jaws. Are these parts available? Cheers Mr Santa

Hi, just found this sub-forum -- normally I come to ubeaut for woodwork stuff.
I (in Northcote, Melbourne) have a Hercus Model A7548, plain bearing, maybe 1960's vintage. Everything works but ways are a bit worn. JPG Pic attached.
So far I am not too good at tuning it up. For example, I should shim up the tailstock -- but have not discovered an economical source of assorted shim thicknesses. Aluminium can stock is only taking me so far.

Cheers Mark

Hello Mark,
Get yourself to Coburg Drive In trash and treasure, there is a guy that has engineering stuff and he may have some shim. Also check out the prices at Coventry in Arden Street, just near the North Melbourne footy oval. They have an over the counter section and they had shim stock. I was there only a few weeks back,
regards
mgtoolmaker

Bitza500/Derek,

G'day! I inherited my lathe from my blacksmith grandfather a number of years ago but I've only just recently been able to get to it. The thread cutting plate on the gear cover lists it as a VB <<blank>> with machine no. <<blank>> - but it looks like a C model Hercus 9" lathe when comapring it to photos on the net and the Hercus manual photos. It's functional - though it has worked hard and is definitely in need of a major service/overhaul.

So my first question is simple - where would I find serial numbers etc to properly identify it?

It looks like my Grand Dad has done a few mods over time (the drive train isn't standard and the electrics...well...) Anyway, I intend to try and restore the old girl, so I'd like to identify it properly before trying to get approval from the Minister For Home Affairs and Finance for the effort!

Of course, I roll into my next question, which is about assessing the lathe's condition to decide if it's worth the effort (emotionally yes...financially/practically??). Any references (drawings, dimensions etc) that you - or anyone else - can suggest I check?

Thanks,

Steve

Hi Steve when looking at the lathe and the tailstock is at the end of the bed if you look over the tailstock probaably ingrained with gunk will be the serial number it should start of as C but if it is a flat belt it could start with any different letters as I have a 1941 with VB316 and a 1954 with A4891
On model A lathes the serial number is also stamped on the gearbox and if you look at the base of the tailstock you should also find a number depending on age
I am not sure if the Model C change gear table has it stamped on as I have never looked
But a quick rub with a wire brush should produce a Model and serial number at the far end of the lathe bed
on the front side of the bed you may find a oval with RGE which is the person who checked the machine

I just checked the 1941 Model C and it has stamped on the top lh corner the model but as it is 2.30am it was to dark to see much else

So far we have only come across 1 bed that had no serial number it belonged to a Photographer who bought the bed apron and carraige this had stamped on it Lathe bed unit as it was used for taking some type of photos

But have a good look and you should see the serial number but as I said it maybe ingrained with gunk as the end of the bed does not always get a clean

all the best Derek bitza500

Originally Posted by glenn k

Does that mean I'm 41 or haven't I been counted? serial number A6121 No you missed me

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Hi GlennK you are No 43 on the Register I ran out of fingers and toes and doubled up a couple of times but you are on my list

all the best derek

Hi Steve, after getting me thinking I dug up a perfect example of the Serial number if you go to the Hercus User names Date 1 Jan 2009 #13 you will see Aljunk's lathe showing you exactly were the serial number is on the lathe bed

Also if no serial number does it have Hercus cast in the side of the lathe bed??
Also measure from the lathe bed to the machined groove which is there to adjust shims and bearing wear
If it is 4 5/8" it is a 9 " Lathe if it measure 4 1/8" it is a very early early and rare 8" lathe
Also on top of the Headstock do you have removable bearing caps as in 4 bolts 2 at either end ??
Hercus lathes as much as I have found out only had 2 bolts on top of the Headstock to tension the mainshaft down and ran a Hardened Mainshaft directly onto the cast Headstock and was a very successfull idea as the 1941 purrs like a kitten after being left out in Tassie for 10years

I could go on and on but the best way is take some pictures if you know how to downsize to under 100mb they will go on the forum
If like me it took 16months to get the hang of it so if you cannot downsize the pics just send them to my email address [email protected]
Since starting the register probably 10 Months now??? I have had the great pleasure in meeting with a lot of Hercus Owners due to the fact I also am the unofficial wrecker of Hercus's for parts but only ones that the lathe bed is beyond repair ex school lathes are a perfect example as dropping the chuck on the bed for 20+ years does tend to make a mess

Anyway I have met a lot of the local owners plus a few from Interstate who just swing past on the way through In all that time I have met only 1 person who was a PIG and not a Member of the Register

With your lathe or should I say you are Number 66 on the Register add another 10 machines for people who are gluttons for punishment and from a humble 4 to 66 is good going plus you I believe are the first from WA ???

The best thing to do is once you start cleaning remove the 2 covers over the gears on the Headstock and check to make sure the teeth are all still there as the old girl also had a low range speed as well but a lot of people used the back gear to try to undo the chuck which is jammed on as I am making replacement gears when I get my milling machine a Birthaday as it has not been well loved

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT

If the lathe is original it will still have the old rubber coated wires take the cover off the motor and have a look if it still is like my 1954 it worked well forward in reverse it made the motor smoke as the rubber had deteriated and was just bare wire

Get a Electrician or someone who knows the right way to wire up a forward and reverse Motor to replace as yes 240 volts will bite you as the lathe becomes live and it bit me

So with all that info you should have it up and running over the weekend HaHa mine is 19 Months and still not finished as a gift from my Father to cure my boredoom of being 70% disabled from a work injury has turned into a a long road as I keep modifying even though useable I will be glad to get the old girl finished and painted 1 colour finally

Any questions just email me and will try and help if you send me your email address I can send you a copy of the Textbook of turning

Well at 20 past 3 on Saturday Morning that made the hour go quicker as my disability has me fitted with a $50,000 spinal cord Stimulator which has a lump in my stomach and wires going round and up my spine to the parts of the brain that says OUCH to my complete Right hand side and NO CURE
well the bloody battery went flat and now into week 5 I think waiting for Workcover to get me a new one so sleep is a bugger at the moment But let me know if you want the textbook of turning and I will send it off to you

all the best Derek bitza500 Croydon Victoria

Derek - bitza500

I was very pleased to find the Hercus Forum by accident. I'd like to register another lathe.

I will shortly be collecting a 1952 Model A (S/N 4098) from my uncle. He purchased it new in '52 and it has only ever had one careful owner. It looks to be in excellent nick, and is all original. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but he has made some very fine clock parts with it, so I believe it holds tolerance pretty well.

Are there special traps to watch for in lifting and transporting the model A? I'd hate to damage it.

Attachment 107511 Attachment 107512

Regards
Minniritchi