Does anyone have a Hercules brochure or other information indicating who this company was? Where they were based? If they did their own manufacturing?
Every now and again a "Hercules" branded lathe appears on these pages and they are usually a copy (or re-named genuine?) Graziano, Mazak (or Ajax? - who were Ajax?)
Here are the ones I have seen. The bold names below are cast into the bed:
Hercules Sag 14 - looks similar to the Graziano Sag 180 which pre-dated the Graziano Sag 14. None appear to have the UCIMU badge (Italian machine tool builders association) commonly seen on Graziano lathes.There was also a Hercules Sag 20 with old design features.
Graziano Tortona Hercules Sag 14: has a newer flat top tailstock, electrical controls above headstock, but otherwise still looks old design e.g. Sag 180-type carriage and saddle etc. No UCIMU badge (that I an see anyway).
Hercules Ajax - large and smaller lathes. Who were Ajax? See 2 x photos below. maybe Japanese designs?
Hercules Ajax Mazak 18: Made in Japan.
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Every now and again a "Hercules" branded lathe appears on these pages and they are usually a copy (or re-named genuine?) Graziano, Mazak (or Ajax? - who were Ajax?)
Here are the ones I have seen. The bold names below are cast into the bed:
Hercules Sag 14 - looks similar to the Graziano Sag 180 which pre-dated the Graziano Sag 14. None appear to have the UCIMU badge (Italian machine tool builders association) commonly seen on Graziano lathes.There was also a Hercules Sag 20 with old design features.
Graziano Tortona Hercules Sag 14: has a newer flat top tailstock, electrical controls above headstock, but otherwise still looks old design e.g. Sag 180-type carriage and saddle etc. No UCIMU badge (that I an see anyway).
Hercules Ajax - large and smaller lathes. Who were Ajax? See 2 x photos below. maybe Japanese designs?
Hercules Ajax Mazak 18: Made in Japan.
