Thread: Hercus lathe mystery bracket

On my machine there is no such bracket however about halfway up the right hand side of the H housing in line about half way the head stock are two holes that could match the bracket holes for the bracket you have.

On page 28 of Hercus Handbook no 2 Published 1970 there is a pic that shows an on off reversing switch mounted about there.
Personally the most dangerous place to mount it as you have to reach over next to the chuck to reach it if you use your right hand.My switch is on the left hand side end away from all moving things for my safety.

Did you date the year of for your machine?

I believe as many variations one could imagine separate the final config for switching etc this being subject to so many local regs for schools,Universities,Private use and Public Use.

It would seem that bracket may end up being the best painted unused part of your machine.

Regards Peter.

I have no real idea what the bracket was used for ,I utilise mine to hold a splash guard to protect my motor from coolant and swarf.
In regards to Penpal's mounting of reverse/forward swithch i mounted mine to the cabinet the lathe is sitting on.(Under where quick change is located) it too is protected from coolant and swarf by the lip of your chip tray but still easilly acessable.

Pete,

Your comments about mounting the reversing drum switch are valid. It does seem a dangerous location. Reckon I'll mount it somewhere else, maybe on the cabinet as suggested by Pipeclay.

Pipeclay,

I reckon you might have inadvertently hit on the target for the mystery bracket.

You have got me thinking that perhaps it did support a guard, however a guard over the chuck, not the motor. A guard that swivels out of the way.

That would explain why the shaft has a groove in it, the groove to take a locking screw.

Can anyone verify this?

Ken