About Niles

Used Niles Machine Tools for Sale

Resell CNC is your Simple. Reliable. and Trusted.® source for used Niles machine tools — including heavy-duty engine lathes, CNC slant-bed turning centers, CNC milling-turning centers, vertical turret lathes, gear grinding machines, gear profile grinders, crankshaft and camshaft machining systems, railway wheel lathes, deep rolling machines, 5-axis milling centers, and complete turnkey production lines. We carry Niles equipment across all brand lineages, from legacy Niles Tool Works and WMW Niles lathes through modern Niles-Simmons N-series CNC machines and Kapp Niles gear grinding systems.

The Niles name in machine tools dates to 1845, when brothers James and Jonathan Niles founded Niles & Co. in Hamilton, Ohio, initially building steam engines and locomotives before expanding into lathe manufacturing in the 1860s. In 1898, Deutsche Niles Werke AG was established in Germany as a licensee of the American Niles Tool Works, creating a parallel European lineage. The German Niles operations later became part of the WMW state manufacturing group, producing heavy-duty lathes and vertical turret lathes widely exported during the East German era. Today, the Niles legacy continues through two modern entities: the NSH Group (Niles-Simmons-Hegenscheidt GmbH), an international machine tool group with manufacturing in Chemnitz, Germany, and Albany, New York, building CNC lathes, milling-turning centers, crankshaft lines, and railway equipment; and Kapp Niles (Coburg, Germany), which acquired Niles Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH in 1997 and manufactures gear profile grinding and measuring machines. Used machines on the market may carry Niles Tool Works, WMW Niles, Niles-Simmons, or Kapp Niles branding depending on era and origin.

Looking to sell your Niles? Resell CNC buys used Niles machine tools nationwide, covering any lineage, any model, and any condition. Free appraisal within 24 hours, competitive offers, and we handle all rigging and transportation. Call (844) 478-8181 or email sales@resellcnc.com.

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Niles-Simmons CNC Lathes & Milling-Turning Centers

The Niles-Simmons N-series features modular CNC slant-bed lathes in five sizes (N10, N20, N30, N40, N50) for workpieces up to 1,250 mm swing diameter and 7,500 mm turning length. MC-series milling-turning centers (N20 MC through N60 MC) add full milling capability to the turning platform for complete part machining of crankshafts, camshafts, aerospace components, and heavy-duty industrial parts. MCM multi-slide centers handle large, complex workpieces. All machines use Siemens CNC controls and are manufactured at the Chemnitz, Germany, facility.

WMW Niles & Legacy Niles Lathes

WMW Niles heavy-duty engine lathes and vertical turret lathes (VTLs) from the East German manufacturing era remain in active service in shops worldwide. These machines feature heavy cast-iron construction, geared headstocks, and generous swing and center distance capacities built for continuous heavy turning. Legacy Niles Tool Works (Hamilton, Ohio) engine lathes from the American era are also found on the used market, prized for their robust construction and longevity.

Kapp Niles Gear Grinding & Railway Equipment

Kapp Niles (Coburg, Germany) manufactures CNC gear profile grinding machines and gear measuring systems for automotive, aerospace, wind power, and railway applications. The NSH Group also builds railway wheel lathes, wheel boring machines, wheel presses, underfloor wheel truing machines, Hegenscheidt deep rolling machines, and automated wheel set assembly and processing lines through NSH USA in Albany, New York.


Origins	US: 1845 (Hamilton, OH); Germany: 1898 (Deutsche Niles Werke)
Modern Entities	NSH Group / Niles-Simmons (Chemnitz, DE & Albany, NY); Kapp Niles (Coburg, DE)
Legacy Brands	Niles Tool Works, WMW Niles, Simmons, Stanray, Hegenscheidt
Best Known For	Heavy-duty lathes, CNC turning/milling, gear grinding, railway equipment
Popular Models	N10-N50 CNC lathes, N20-N60 MC mill-turn, WMW Niles VTLs, Kapp Niles grinders
CNC Controls	Siemens (Niles-Simmons); Siemens/Fanuc (Kapp Niles)
Industries Served	Automotive (crankshafts), aerospace, railway, energy, wind power, heavy industry

What to Look for When Buying a Used Niles Machine

Here is what to evaluate on used Niles machines.

On Niles-Simmons CNC lathes, verify spindle, axes, and control. Measure spindle runout at the nose with a test indicator. Run the spindle through the full RPM range and check for bearing noise or vibration. Test all linear axes for positioning accuracy and backlash. On MC milling-turning centers, test the milling spindle independently. Verify the Siemens CNC control for clean power-up and program execution. Check turret indexing on all stations.

On WMW Niles and legacy lathes, inspect the fundamentals. WMW Niles engine lathes and VTLs are heavy cast-iron machines built for decades of service. Check the bed ways for wear using a precision level across the full length. On geared headstock machines, test all spindle speed ranges for smooth engagement and proper RPM. Verify cross slide and compound slide travel for backlash and gib condition. On VTLs, check the rotary table bearing and verify table flatness and concentricity. Inspect the tailstock (on engine lathes) for quill alignment and clamping condition.

On Kapp Niles gear grinders, test precision and dressing. Verify grinding wheel spindle runout and test the dressing system for accurate wheel profile generation. Run a test grind on a sample gear and measure the resulting tooth profile and surface finish against specifications. Check the workholding (arbor, chuck, or mandrel) for concentricity. On CNC models, verify all axis positioning accuracy and test the gear measuring probe if equipped. Inspect coolant delivery and filtration systems for proper flow and cleanliness.

Verify electrical systems and documentation. Niles machines from different eras may have varying electrical configurations. WMW Niles machines often use European 50 Hz, 380V power. Confirm electrical compatibility with your facility and request any available documentation and maintenance records.

Niles-Simmons N-Series CNC Slant-Bed Lathes

The N10 is the most compact model in the Niles-Simmons N-series, suited for smaller precision components. The N20 and N30 provide mid-range capacity with 2-axis and 3-axis configurations and 12-tool turrets. The N40 and N50 handle heavy-duty turning with the largest swing diameters (up to 1,250 mm) and turning lengths (up to 7,500 mm). All N-series lathes feature modular design with customized configurations, high acceleration rates, and are capable of hard-turning to substitute grinding processes. Siemens CNC controls are standard across the range. These machines are manufactured at the Niles-Simmons facility in Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany.

Niles-Simmons MC Milling-Turning & Special Machines

The N20 MC through N60 MC milling-turning centers integrate turning and milling on a single platform for complete machining of crankshafts, camshafts, aerospace components (titanium landing gear, engine parts), and e-mobility drivetrain components. The N60 MC handles the heaviest workpieces with a heavy-duty spindle for aggressive material removal. MCM multi-slide centers (N30 MCM, N50 MCM) add multiple tool slides for simultaneous machining of large, complex components. The NSH Group also designs complete turnkey production lines for crankshaft, camshaft, and gear component manufacturing.

WMW Niles Lathes & Kapp Niles Gear Grinders

WMW Niles engine lathes and vertical turret lathes from the East German era are heavy, rigid machines found in shipyards, power plants, mining operations, and heavy manufacturing facilities worldwide. Swing capacities commonly range from 40 to 80+ inches on engine lathes, with VTLs handling large-diameter workpieces for energy, defense, and heavy industrial applications. Kapp Niles CNC gear profile grinding machines (headquartered in Coburg, Germany, approximately 1,000 employees worldwide across 12 locations) serve the automotive transmission, aerospace gearbox, wind power, and railway industries. Kapp Niles also manufactures gear measuring machines for quality control of ground gears and profiles.

How to Sell Your Used Niles

Niles machine tools hold strong resale value across all lineages thanks to heavy-duty construction, precision engineering, and consistent demand from automotive, aerospace, railway, energy, and heavy industrial manufacturers. Niles-Simmons CNC machines, WMW Niles heavy lathes, and Kapp Niles gear grinders are all in demand.

Resell CNC buys used Niles machine tools, every lineage and model, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Used Niles Machines

Are used Niles machines reliable?

Yes. The Niles name represents over 175 years of machine tool heritage. WMW Niles heavy lathes are known for their massive cast-iron construction and long service life, with many machines still operational after 40 to 60+ years. Niles-Simmons CNC machines are built to German precision standards at the Chemnitz facility. Kapp Niles gear grinders serve the most demanding accuracy requirements in automotive and aerospace gear production.

What are the different Niles brand lineages?

Niles Tool Works (1845, Hamilton, Ohio) was the original American manufacturer. Deutsche Niles Werke (1898, Germany) was established as a licensee and later produced lathes under the WMW Niles name during the East German era. Today, Niles-Simmons (part of the NSH Group) builds CNC lathes and milling-turning centers in Chemnitz, Germany, and NSH USA operates from Albany, New York. Kapp Niles (Coburg, Germany) manufactures gear grinding machines. Used machines may carry any of these brand names.

What should I inspect before buying a used Niles?

On CNC lathes, test spindle runout, axis accuracy, turret indexing, and Siemens control function. On WMW Niles engine lathes, check bed way wear, gear range engagement, and tailstock alignment. On gear grinders, verify wheel spindle condition, dressing accuracy, and grind quality. On all machines, confirm electrical compatibility with your facility.

What Niles models hold their value best?

Niles-Simmons N-series CNC lathes and MC milling-turning centers command premium resale values for their German precision. WMW Niles large-swing engine lathes and VTLs hold well in the heavy industry segment. Kapp Niles CNC gear grinders maintain strong values. Call (844) 478-8181 for current valuations.

Does Resell CNC offer financing on used Niles machines?

Yes. Resell CNC offers flexible financing options to help your business acquire the equipment it needs. Contact us at (844) 478-8181 to discuss terms.

How do I sell my used Niles?

Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy all Niles lineages nationwide, from WMW Niles engine lathes and VTLs through Niles-Simmons CNC machines and Kapp Niles gear grinders. Free appraisal within 24 hours.