Thread: Another optimist

Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

As many of you know I used to import machine shop supplies and accessories and also bought used machinery at auction. I have a pretty good idea of the worth of old machine tools. I have a look from time to time at e-Bay and Gumtree. Not so long ago I noticed a small Oz made lathe probably 60-70 years old, short flat bed, belt drive headstock, with the usual accessories listed at $1800 which is WELL above my opinion of its worth. You can buy these at auction from $500 to $1000. It passed through the listing period without attracting a bid and was relisted same price. Again no bids so the vendor listed it again, same price, same result. Now one would think that the vendor had learnt something by then. No, it is now on Gumtree at (hold your breath and wait for it) $2000. One can buy a new decent Chinese geared head small lathe for this.

What lathe is it?

A Hercus model A short bed. Belt drive headstock, flat bed. Year of manufacture between 1940 & 1960. A small hobbyist machine suitable for a backyard workshop/model maker. If bidding at auction for this machine I would stop bidding at $600. Photos indicate it has not been used for a while. Dusty and surface rust.

Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

A Hercus model A short bed. Belt drive headstock, flat bed. Year of manufacture between 1940 & 1960. A small hobbyist machine suitable for a backyard workshop/model maker. If bidding at auction for this machine I would stop bidding at $600. Photos indicate it has not been used for a while. Dusty and surface rust.

Sounds like ol mate is reminiscing about the good ol hercus lathes from his school and trade days.

Mind you.... check this. Sold $2k

Hercus ATM 260 Workshop Precision Lathe Auction (0005-3015042) | GraysOnline Australia

I have an old (Australian) Advance lathe - with micrometer dials - (made by Alfred Stewart) - I'd like to sell it one day. A Chinese lathe might would be better.

Advance lathe

Originally Posted by p38arover

I have an old (Australian) Advance lathe - with micrometer dials - (made by Alfred Stewart) - I'd like to sell it one day. A Chinese lathe might would be better.

Advance lathe

Ooooh, my experiences of chinese lathes are really bad, I'd take that old banger!

It was an old used car trick , car yards would list car at a price for a few weeks then list same car at higher price & people would think it was a different better car & it would get sold . Sometimes they would just add a set of mags & put the price up for twice the cost of the mags.