Used Traub Sliding Head Lathes for Sale 29

Traub approaches Swiss-type turning differently from the Japanese gang-tool school: TNL machines carry full turrets, often two plus a front-working attachment, with live tooling throughout. The result is a sliding headstock machine that handles interrupted cuts and heavier metal removal closer to a fixed-head lathe, which is why TNL32 machines are common in hydraulic fitting and automotive injector production where Citizen or Star machines of the same bar capacity would struggle. The TNL12 covers small medical and electronics parts, the TNL18 the broad middle, and the TNL32 the heavy end of sliding-head work.

As part of the Index Group, Traub machines share controls and service infrastructure with Index, and many used units carry the TX8i control family. Against used Tornos Deco machines, the closest European rival, TNLs typically trade at similar money with the choice driven by tooling philosophy: turret flexibility against the Deco's parallel-axis speed. Against used Citizen and Star machines, Traub usually offers more rigidity per millimetre of capacity.

Buying a used Traub sliding head lathes: what to check

Guide bush and spindle concentricity govern achievable tolerances, so request test-cut results or measure runout during inspection. Verify every turret station, especially live tool drives, for backlash and bearing noise, and confirm exactly which attachments (polygon, thread whirling, back-working units) accompany the machine, since these are costly to source separately.

Check counter-spindle synchronisation through a transfer cycle, review the TX8i (or Mitsubishi-based) control version, and ensure programs and machine data transfer. Inspect the bar feeder if included and ask for spindle hour documentation, as sliding-head machines run continuously in production. Confirm guide bush condition and ask whether the machine runs with or without guide bush, since convertible TNL models suit different bar work and stock varies accordingly.

On Exapro, used Traub TNL listings show bar capacity, turret layout, photos, and location. Compare available machines and submit an enquiry through the listing page on Exapro to request tooling lists and inspection access.