What to Look for When Buying a Used Giddings & Lewis
Giddings & Lewis machines are engineered for heavy cutting and long service life, with many floor-type HBMs staying in production for 40-plus years. Heavy-iron American construction delivers exceptional rigidity and thermal stability. A few targeted inspection points separate a sound used unit from one hiding major rebuild needs.
On floor-type HBMs, check ram wear, column ways, and spindle condition. The extending ram (W-axis) is the most heavily loaded component on any floor-type boring mill. Inspect for ram droop, play at full extension, and scoring on guide surfaces. Verify column ways for wear in commonly used mid-range Y-axis positions. Test spindle runout at the nose and at full ram extension. On rotary floor plates or contour tables, verify positioning accuracy and indexing repeatability.
On table-type HBMs, verify the rotary table, spindle, and cross slide. Check smooth rotation under load and accurate B-axis indexing. Measure spindle taper condition (ISO 50, BT 50, or larger proprietary tapers). Test cross slide travel for backlash and confirm the ATC cycles cleanly through every pocket.
On vertical turret lathes, inspect the table, ram, and turret. Check the main table bearing for runout and verify hydrostatic pressure if equipped. Test cross-rail clamping, ram travel, and turret indexing. On twin-ram machines, verify both rams independently.
Identify the control platform. Current machines ship with Siemens SINUMERIK 840D or Fanuc controls. Legacy machines may run NumeriPath or PiC900. Matching the control to your shop's programming expertise drives operator productivity and post-processor compatibility.
Giddings & Lewis Horizontal Boring Mills
RAM Series (Floor-Type HBMs)
The RAM series is the core Giddings & Lewis floor-type horizontal boring mill platform and the most widely traded G&L machine on the used market. RAM mills feature a traveling column with an extending ram (W-axis) on top of a conventional Z-axis for deep-reach boring and milling. Common models include the RAM 630, RAM 800, and RAM 1250. Typical configurations pair the RAM column with a stationary floor plate, rotary contour table, or independent rotary pedestal.
PT Planer-Type Mills
The PT series is the G&L planer-type (bridge/gantry-style) boring and milling platform for very large workpieces in aerospace, power generation, and defense. PT mills combine a traveling gantry with a cross-rail and ram for multi-axis machining of workpieces measuring tens of feet in length.
Table-Type HBMs
The HBM-T series table-type horizontal boring mills offer a rotary pallet or T-slot table with spindle diameters of 130, 150, 180, 200, 220, 260, and 320 mm, suited for medium-to-large prismatic parts where a rotary B-axis is required but a full floor-plate setup is not.
Giddings & Lewis VTLs & Machining Centers
Orion and V-Series VTLs
The Orion series and V-Series vertical turret lathes cover table diameters from roughly 30 inches through 150 inches and larger. Typical models include the Orion 30, Orion 55, and Orion 80, plus larger configurations and twin-ram options. Live tooling and C-axis milling are available on many variants.
MC Series HMCs and Legacy Machines
The MC series horizontal machining centers (MC 400, 630, 800, 1000, 1250) deliver production-grade 4-axis milling with pallet changers. Legacy Numeripoint and HMS machines remain in service throughout North American industry.
How to Sell Your Used Giddings & Lewis
Giddings & Lewis machines hold strong resale value thanks to long service life, heavy-duty construction, and continued factory support from Fives Giddings & Lewis in Fond du Lac.
Resell CNC buys used Giddings & Lewis machines: every model, every generation, nationwide.
- Contact us at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com.
- Free appraisal within 24 hours, no obligation.
- Accept the offer and we handle rigging, transport, and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Giddings & Lewis Machines
Is Giddings & Lewis still in business?
Yes. Giddings & Lewis was acquired by the Fives Group in 2007 and now operates as Fives Giddings & Lewis. Manufacturing, parts, and service remain based in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where the company has operated since 1859.
Can I still get parts and service?
Yes. Fives Giddings & Lewis supports the full installed base from Fond du Lac, including parts, rebuilds, retrofits, and control upgrades for RAM, PT, Orion, HBM, and Numeripoint models.
What CNC control does Giddings & Lewis use?
Current machines ship with Siemens SINUMERIK 840D or Fanuc. Legacy machines may run NumeriPath or PiC900. Older units are frequent candidates for Siemens or Fanuc retrofits.
Are used Giddings & Lewis machines reliable?
Yes. G&L HBMs, VTLs, and machining centers are known for heavy-iron construction, high rigidity, and long service life. Many 1980s and 1990s RAM-series and Orion machines remain in production today.
What is the difference between a floor-type and table-type HBM?
A floor-type HBM (RAM and PT series) uses a traveling column with an extending ram and a stationary floor plate or rotary contour table for very large workpieces. A table-type HBM (HBM-T) mounts the workpiece on a rotary pallet or T-slot table, better suited for medium-size prismatic parts requiring 4-axis machining.
Does Resell CNC offer financing on used Giddings & Lewis machines?
Yes. Resell CNC offers flexible financing options to help your business acquire the equipment it needs. Call (844) 478-8181 to discuss terms.
How do I sell my used Giddings & Lewis?
Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every model nationwide. Free appraisal within 24 hours.