What to Look for When Buying a Used Hardinge
Hardinge Group machines cover the widest precision range in the industry, from sub-micron Super-Precision turning centers to 60-year-old Bridgeport knee mills. Inspection priorities vary by type.
On Super-Precision lathes, the spindle is everything. Factory TIR runs 0.000025" on the HLV and under 0.7 microns on the T-series. Test with a certified ground bar in a Special-Accuracy 5C collet after 20 minutes of warm-up. Runout beyond 0.0001" suggests bearing damage. Verify collet closer repeatability, tailstock alignment, turret indexing, and ballscrew backlash. Inspect the HARCRETE base for cracks.
On Bridgeport Series 1 and 2 manual mills, focus on head, ways, and leadscrews. R8 spindle runout should read 0.0003 to 0.0005". Inspect the R8 taper for galling. The 2J variable-speed head is notorious: check varidisc halves for smooth slide and test the spindle brake. Factory X/Y backlash is 0.003 to 0.005", up to 0.010" acceptable used. 0.020" or more signals leadscrew and feed nut replacement.
On VMCs and CNC turning centers, verify spindle, ATC, and turret. Test runout cold and warm, cycle the tool changer through every pocket, check ballscrew backlash (Fanuc parameter 1851), and confirm live-tool runout on BMT or VDI turrets. Bridgeport VMCs with legacy DX-32 or SX-15 controls may need retrofit. On grinders, check wheel-spindle bearing rumble and thermal stability. On hydrostatic-way machines (Kellenberger, Voumard, Hauser), confirm oil pressure at every pocket.
Hardinge Turning Centers
Super-Precision T-Series & HLV
The Super-Precision T-42, T-51, T-65 represent the apex of Hardinge turning, with collet-ready spindles, BMT live-tool turrets, Fanuc 31i, and certified roundness of 0.000015". The HLV and HLV-H toolroom lathe remains in limited production after 70+ years and is arguably the most revered manual precision lathe ever built.
CHNC, Conquest, Cobra & QUEST
The CHNC series (I through IV) is the most prolific production CNC bar lathe in American manufacturing history. The Conquest (T42, T51, T65, GT-27SP, ST sub-spindle) introduced the HARCRETE base in 1988 on Fanuc 18-T. The Cobra 42, 51, 65, 80 are slant-beds on Fanuc 21i. The QUEST 6/42, 8/51, 10/65 remains heavily traded.
Talent & Elite
The Talent 6/45, 8/52, 10/78 offer USA-built collet-ready spindles and Fanuc 0i (reshored to Elmira in 2021). The Elite 51MS adds dual-turret sub-spindle multi-tasking.
Bridgeport Milling Machines
Series 1 & Series II Knee Mills
Over 370,000 Series 1 units have been built across 85+ years. Heads include the step-pulley J-head, 2J1.5 and 2J2 variable-speed heads, and the 4J on Series II. Factory CNC variants with BOSS control launched in 1978. Series 1 has the strongest resale retention of any vertical mill.
VMCs & EZ-Path
Current production: V-Series (V480, V710, V1000, V1100), XR series (XR 500 to XR 1500) with 12,000 RPM spindles and CAT-40 Big-Plus, and GX series (GX 300 to GX 1600). Legacy: Torq-Cut (TC1-TC30), Discovery 308, UK Interact CNCs. Bridgeport EZ-Path conversational lathes remain common in tool rooms.
Hardinge Grinding Group
Kellenberger (Switzerland, 1917) builds OD/ID grinders with hydrostatic guideways: K1000, K100, K10, K8, plus legacy Kel-Varia, URS, Hydrostar. Jones & Shipman (UK, 1898) builds the 540 surface grinder (25,000+ since 1941) and 1300-series cylindrical grinders. Hauser (Switzerland, 1898) is the global reference for jig grinding. Tschudin builds centerless grinders. Voumard (1939) has 10,000+ internal grinders installed. Usach (Elgin, IL) builds custom ID/OD production grinders on Siemens 840D.
How to Sell Your Used Hardinge
Hardinge Group machines hold strong resale value thanks to OEM parts support, precision pedigree, and operator familiarity. The HLV-H, T-series, Series 1, CHNC, Conquest, Kel-Varia, and Hauser jig grinders are in high demand.
Resell CNC buys used Hardinge, Bridgeport, Kellenberger, Jones & Shipman, Hauser, Voumard, and Usach nationwide.
- Contact us: call (844) 478-8181 or email sales@resellcnc.com.
- Free appraisal within 24 hours, no obligation.
- Accept the offer: we handle rigging, transport, and logistics.
FAQs About Used Hardinge Machines
Is Hardinge still in business?
Yes. After a July 2024 Chapter 11 filing, Centre Lane Partners acquired substantially all Hardinge assets in September 2024. Operations run as Kellenberger (machine tools) and Forkardt Hardinge (workholding). Production continues at Elmira, Goldach (Switzerland), Biel, Elgin (IL), Ashland (OH), and Jiaxing (China).
Who owns Bridgeport now?
Hardinge owns Bridgeport, acquired in 2004. Series 1 knee mills and XR, GX, V-Series VMCs are built in Elmira, NY.
Can I still get parts for old Bridgeports and HLV lathes?
Yes. Both lines remain in active OEM parts support. Series 1 is still in production, so heads, spindles, feed nuts, leadscrews, varidisc components, and R8 collets are catalog items. HLV bearings use standard ABEC-7 sizes.
Difference between Super-Precision and standard precision?
Standard Hardinge lathes hold roughly 0.0002" TIR. Super-Precision holds concentricity under 0.7 microns, part variation under 3 microns, and certified roundness of 0.000015". The bundle combines HARCRETE bases, pre-loaded motor-collet spindles, and linear glass scales.
What CNC controls do Hardinge machines use?
Fanuc dominates Hardinge turning (current 0i-TD, 0i-TF, 31i; legacy 18-T, 18i-T, 16i-T, 21i-T). Bridgeport VMCs use Fanuc, Mitsubishi M70V, or Heidenhain TNC. Legacy Bridgeport: BOSS, DX-32, SX-15. Kellenberger uses Fanuc 31i-B; Usach uses Siemens 840D.
What collets do Hardinge lathes take?
5C (up to 1-1/16") on HLV-H, CHNC, most second-op lathes. 16C (1-5/8") on CHNC, Cobra 42, QUEST 6/42, Talent 42, Conquest T42. 20C (2") on QUEST 8/51, Cobra 51, T-51. 25C (2-1/2") on QUEST 10/65, Cobra 65, T-65.
Does Resell CNC offer financing?
Yes. We offer flexible financing options. Call (844) 478-8181 to discuss terms.
How do I sell my used Hardinge?
Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every Hardinge, Bridgeport, Kellenberger, Jones & Shipman, Hauser, Voumard, Tschudin, and Usach model. Free appraisal within 24 hours.