Thread: Why do you reckon this lathe hasn't sold?

Originally Posted by Jim Ferrous

This lathe has been advertised for auction week after week after week and never receives a single bid -

Hercus Lathe in Sydney, NSW | eBay

Why do you reckon it hasn't been snapped up for $750?

Because it's overpriced IMO. I sold one like it but with a crap paint job for $350.

PDW

Being 3 phase will be putting a lot of people off also.

Phil.

3 phase may keep a lot of people away.

Stuart

Stu.

What are the odds of us both saying that at 2:38 pm?

Great minds

I've spent quite a bit of time recently trawling over Hercus lathes in various situations - ebay, gumtree, word of mouth etc.

If it was a Model A it would have been gone but as a Model C its not that great a great buy. For most people this one means sticking on a new 240V motor which of course is easy, but if you haven't got a motor it means you need to get one, so as others mention, that is probably a factor.

I've seen them go from dirt cheap to silly prices, so you never really know but to me it's probably in the upper end of the price for what it is. On the local gumtree I've seen many Hercus Model b/c's sit around for quite a while at that price.

Eg:
Model C $650
Hercus metal lathe | Other Tools & DIY | Gumtree Australia Hobart City - West Hobart | 1031910865

Model A $750
Hurcus Metal Lathe with table stand | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia West Tamar - Grindelwald | 1031952330

How does an old Hercus like this (if its in good, accurate working condition) compare to a Chinese lathe?

I thought this one would have gone off quickly as well, but it's been passed in and re-listed at least once now -

Hercus ARL Lathe Professionally Reconditioned in Sydney, NSW | eBay


Too expensive??

Originally Posted by Jim Ferrous

How does an old Hercus like this (if its in good, accurate working condition) compare to a Chinese lathe?

No comparison, IMHO.

greg

Originally Posted by Jim Ferrous

Why do you reckon it hasn't been snapped up for $750?

Maybe too expensive for that it is only a model C, plus:

- The condition on the pics looks fairly used
- The 4-jaw chuck is of Chinese origin
- Not many accessories come with it
- It is pickup only, the seller does not offer to crate it or to bring it to the nearest depot
- It has a 3-phase motor, yet it does not include a single phase VFD, is this maybe because the motor is not wired for 3x240V?
- no mention of things like lead screws and nuts having recently been changed, so may need parts replaced?
- no mention of change gears for threading, are these maybe missing?
- has only a lantern type toolpost

A local inspection would be necessary, for that price the ways should only have little wear, backlash in cross slide and compound should be less than an 1/8 handweel turn, the tailstock serial number should match the number on the bed, it should be confirmed the motor can be wired for a VFD, spindle bearings checked, if possible a test cut made.

The way it is, the seller should maybe consider a much lower starting bid. Maybe half of the current asking price. And hope for interested buyers to visit for an inspection, and depending on condition hope for the bids to go up. Chris

Originally Posted by Jim Ferrous

Why do you reckon it hasn't been snapped up for $750?

Because there are heaps better bargains available, for example, this GMC clone near me, for only $700 !

Wood lathe | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Wyong Area - Jilliby | 1027946663

I'm tempted to check it out and see if it's gold plated, or has the headstock packed with millions of dollars worth of drugs

Cheers,
Andrew

Originally Posted by arose62

Because there are heaps better bargains available, for example, this GMC clone near me, for only $700 !

Wood lathe | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Wyong Area - Jilliby | 1027946663

I'm tempted to check it out and see if it's gold plated, or has the headstock packed with millions of dollars worth of drugs

Cheers,
Andrew

Yeah, seems a bit dear, but you do get chisels as well

And the diamond dust coating everything.

Rob

Originally Posted by Jim Ferrous

I thought this one would have gone off quickly as well, but it's been passed in and re-listed at least once now -

Hercus ARL Lathe Professionally Reconditioned in Sydney, NSW | eBay


Too expensive??

Hi all,
This ebay vendor is a friend of mine and I'd vouch for everything he says in the detailed (lengthy!) description.
It is well below cost of work done.
sincerely,
AndrewOC

Originally Posted by AndrewOC

Hi all,
This ebay vendor is a friend of mine and I'd vouch for everything he says in the detailed (lengthy!) description.
It is well below cost of work done.
sincerely,
AndrewOC

That may well be true, but cost of work done does NOT equal value added.

I believe the phrase 'polishing a tyrd' is what is commonly used....

The market sets the value, if the current owner has a different opinion, they get to keep their item until they, or the market, shifts. I have a couple things I'm not going to sell, myself, because I don't believe I'd get the price I want and don't have to take less.

PDW