Thread: Hercus User Names

Happy New Year Derek,

I will go out to the shed and see if the larger dials on my AR fit onto the earlier A. There is a good chance that the AR dials are the same as the 260 dials and it could just be that they are still available from FW Hercus.

Making a pair shouldn't be too hard but you would require a dividing head to accurately engrave (or gouge) the divisions.

Bob.

Happy New Year to you too Bob

My other Hercus has same drive pattern but the smaller dials, also as you noted the the cross slide is different to with the locking nuts at the back. It has the same clutch knob but the 12-24 LH thread retainer bolt is missing so I guess I will be making another of them. The apron itself also looks the same so I think it is original. I will find out more about it's condition as I strip it down for restoration.
I noticed the seller used the halfnuts for feed and not the clutch, I think that's how come a gear tooth is missing on the 56t gear. I think this is/was quite a common practice, I hope the halfnuts aren't too worn.

This is actually my 3rd lathe, I picked up a Goodway 16-40 (Taiwan)last year that needed a bunch of repairs and parts. Parts were no longer available to I got it cheeeeap and just made the parts myself. The stripped bevel gear behind the apron (for feed) was the piece the prev owner couldn't make himself and wasn't willing to spend the money to have it made. It is actually in quite good shape now, runs smooth and quiet and cuts very accurate and consistent. Also allows me to turn larger pieces and to cut metric thread too.
Yes it is handy having more than one lathe, but I didn't really buy the 2nd one as a workhorse, just something to rebuild/restore.

The files are great to have!!! Kinds slow n painful watchin them doooooooowwwwwwnnnnnload tho. lol

Hello Derek,

The dials are interchangable. The through hole in the dial is .375". I don't know if this differs on the metric models. The 260 part numbers are 5H735 for the bushing that screws into the cross slide and 5H736 for the cross side graduated collar (inch). The top slide bushing is part no. 5H767 and the collar, part no 5H768.

Jim Durden sells the 260 spare parts manual for about $20 on the Hercus Ebay site, Great value and extremely useful.

Hope this is of some use to you.

Regards Bob.

Originally Posted by bitza500

Can I add you to our Register???

Sorry Bitza, I'm not ignoring you. Yes, I'd like to be added if you are happy with the provenence of the lathe. Unlike the others, there is no name cast into the bed or elsewhere.

However, the following makes me think it is the real thing'
1. It was sold to me as a Hercus, though I haven't tried to track down the original owner, and bought it from someone who never got around to putting together themselves
2. When I saw photos of the very old bar-bed models, I immediately could see the family resemblance in the tailstock casting, and...
3. The topslide castings were identical also, and....
4 The countershaft unit is identical as far as I can see. This casting is also recognisable in the scans just released in fig 15 (page9) in image S.B. 16.6.2008 087, titled "Standard countershaft for lineshaft drive" and they are quite distinctive. Also, searching for that image again, i was struck by how identical the fixed steady is. (I didn't get a travelling steady)

I'll get some pics soon, (so many cameras, so little actual opportunity to get a go at one)

I'm pretty comfortable that it's a Hercus, but I'd love to actually see a pic of one somewhere to reassure me.

Cheers,

Bill

Originally Posted by aljunk

Derek, I'm picking up my 2nd lathe tomorrow! Paid too much for it but it was close to home (15 mins). It's an AR on the factory stand SN around 9500 if I can recall from looking at it yesterday. It's missing a few pieces but is working. Someone did a gross job of "restoring" it but I planned to strip it right down anyways. After seeing it I sure appreciate the one I already have!!! It's a cherry by comparison.
So I will be on the hunt for pieces...
al

Hi Bob, what did the owner clean it up with water and a scrubbing brush ? And what a Paint job maybe it may come off quicker being such a lousy paint

all the best derek

Derek, you can add another lathe to you register. It is an old one that I am assembling back together.
I am comparing the construction details to the other 1958 model. So far these are the points:
1. Hercus C model. S/N BS30 (stamped on the bed between the V's at T/Stock end). The gear cover plate says model VB.
2. There is no name cast into the front bed, the feet have a hole cast at centre.
3. By inspection of the wear next to the flat pulleys, it started life as a "SB" separate mounted drive. It has since been fitted with "H" pattern drive and complete guarding.
4. Both slide handles are positioned with a keyed pin, instead of a woodruff key.
5. The L/screw nut on the compound slide is brass.
There are other differences, but the main thing is that parts are interchangeable.
Any ideas on the date of manufacture?
Regards, Peter

Hi Peter, Hercus used Woodruff keys on their spindles South Bend used the setup you have got so a pic would be nice
as for the BS serial Number I would say ???????????????????????
But if your lathe bed has not got Hercus on it well it may be a South Bend as South bend Riveted their Name onto the lathe bed
but please try and get some pics up so we can see the old girl who should be a FLAT BELT ?????
As for age it could be a original SouthBend dating back to 1936 as Fred Hercus started in 1939 cloning or maybe just changing a few parts to make it look different??????? Who Knows but a Picture tells a thosand words (SOMETIMES)
all the best Derek

Hi Derek,
On the bed, there is a relic of a transfer (sticker) with a gold outline.
I am pretty sure it is an early Hercus, the Southbend stamped numbers are not that short.
.
Did I mention that the slides and bed surfaces show very little wear? In fact despite the obvious nicks, it is in top condition.
Will follow up with photo's tomorrow.
Regards, Peter

Here is 2 different Clones 1 the green one is my old 1941 Tassie Devil the other is a late 1930's Sanches (Whatever) the original wer a 2piece system were the motor and top pulley assembly bolted seperatly to the Lathe To keep the tension on the belt they used like a chain tensioner to push forward to keep the Lathe running and to change the speed you pulled the handle back and released the tension

Oh I wish I could see Pics of some of these old girls as I am kicking myself for selling the Tassie Devil to my mate who has left it at my place due to the fact he has no room
So pleas pictures and we will work it out
Also if it is a South Bend all the parts have the same number stamped onit so from the top crosslide to Apron to Tailstock to Headstock all have matching stamped numbers and letteres
all the best Derek

Originally Posted by aljunk

Hi Derek, I guess you were talking to me in that last post.
I'm on the hunt for pieces now, a motor belt cover/guard and a 56 t gear for starters.


al

Hi Al, this lathe has both these parts but the cost to send to Canada would be a shocker as I was bringing in 20LB USPS Parcels at $40.00 a box to send the box back try nearly $200 and it also goes on size and weight so it could be dearer again as the safety guard woud have to be put in a decent size box and hope it arrives in 1 piece
Your best bet would be to put a ad in the paper or try the schools as they may have some old stock lying around

all the best Derek bitza500

Brittleheart, my 8" old Hercus had a transfer below the headstock that showed gold, and a sliver of red too. It's only the remnants of the margin left, so I don't get any other info from it. It didn't have any cast names either. I'll get some pics shortly. Bill

Derek are you anywhere near Townsville? Northern aus I think? My sister is visiting friends there for the next couple weeks.......

al

As promised, photos of hercus 9" model VB, No BS30.
Note the different colour of the H pattern drive and guarding.
Wear on the headstock guards indicate belt drive previously from rear.
Felt wiper holders are brass.
The countershaft drive bearings are my design from only the last century (not the previous century as hercus has used).
Regards, Peter

Croydon could hardly be further from Townsville if it tried I'm afraid.
Bill