Thread: New old lathe

Originally Posted by Maca49

@gadgetman it's a Hercus model C, machine # 5671, made by FW Hercus South Australia and distributed by Morris Black and Matheson , Wellington. It's very basic, came with some insert tooling, four jaw, face plate and dogs, keyless chuck, full gear set for thread cutting, reversing switch on motor, it's in good nick for its age. Good for bushes, bit of gun smithing and pissing around on!

Good purchase! When I started my gunsmithing business in 1972 I bought a new Hercus lathe from Morris Black and Matheson in Ch-Ch (my previous place of employemt, Tisadlls Ltd in Cashel street, had a pre-war South Bend that the Hercus is a direct copy of). I think the price of my lathe was close to $1700 and I had to get an import permit from the Minister of Customs, explaining how the purchase would contribute to long-term savings in NZ's overseas funds! It was a good, well-made machine, and it served me well for many years but was limited by the small spindle bore. It was eventually replaced by a 1 metre BC, 38mm bore Taiwanese lathe, and that was replaced about 10 years ago by my similar sized Colchester Student.