What to Look for When Buying a Used Ringtech
Ringtech RTL lathes are specialized, high-cycle production machines. Because they run almost continuously in band shops, inspecting the wear items carefully protects your investment and keeps cost-per-ring low. A used RTL that has been properly maintained can deliver years of profitable production, but the right checks up front separate a strong buy from a problem machine. Here is what to check on used units.
Inspect the spindle, collets, and workholding. The main spindle (commonly the 42mm size) is the heart of the machine. Measure runout and listen for bearing noise across the full RPM range. On the RTL-4000, verify the high-speed milling spindle holds true at elevated speeds. Check the condition of faceting collets, internal machining collets, and profile holders, since worn workholding directly affects ring concentricity and finish.
Cycle the turret, tool changer, and live tooling. Index the 20-position servo turret through every station and confirm smooth, repeatable positioning. On RTL-3000 and RTL-4000 machines, run the 18-position tool changer through a full sequence and test any NSK live spindles for clean milling and drilling. Listen for hesitation or grinding that signals worn indexing components.
Verify the Fagor 8055i control and servo system. Power up the control and confirm all axes home correctly and hold position under load. Check that the Ringtech turning software and any stored ring programs are intact. A healthy servo system moves smoothly with no following error alarms. Confirm the control screen, keypad, and any WiFi interface function as expected.
Test the automation and chip handling. If the machine includes a tube feeder, part catcher, or conveyor, run a full unattended cycle to confirm parts feed, machine, and eject reliably. On vertical-table designs, verify chip control and coolant flow, both critical for precious-metal recovery and finish quality.
Ringtech Machine Series
RTL-2000 (2-Axis Band Turning)
The RTL-2000 is Ringtech's dedicated band-turning lathe and the entry point to the RTL line. With a vertical table design for exceptional chip control, a 20-position servo turret, and the Fagor 8055i control, it turns gold and silver bands with cycle times as low as roughly 20 seconds. It produces rings from tubing, solid and rectangular bar, cast blanks, roll-formed blanks, and bangle-size blanks, making it the workhorse for high-volume plain and profiled band production.
RTL-3000 (3-Axis Turn-Drill-Mill)
The RTL-3000 adds drilling and milling on the X-Z-C axes to all of the turning capability of the RTL-2000. A toolchanger-capable spindle and a choice of one high-speed milling spindle (with or without the 18-position tool changer) or one to two NSK high-speed spindles let shops turn and mill rings in a single setup. It is the natural step up for shops adding stone settings and milled designs to a turning operation.
RTL-4000 (4-Axis Mill-Turn)
The RTL-4000 is the flagship 4-axis mill-turn lathe, moving in X, Y, Z, and C. Equipped with a 40,000 RPM high-speed spindle, an 18-position tool changer, and a 20-position servo turret, it turns, drills, mills, and facets in one setup. The Y axis enables true 3D and 4-axis milling, making it the machine of choice for diamond rings, eternity bands, watch components, complex stone designs, and metal molds in a compact footprint.
Ringmaster & Violi
The Ringmaster is a small-footprint band lathe that returns Ringtech to its band-turning roots, running the Fagor 8055 control with the company's turning software and accepting a tube feeder and ring catcher for automated runs. The Violi rounds out the line as a specialty option. Ringtech also offers a pre-owned program, so used examples of every RTL model circulate on the secondary market.
How to Sell Your Used Ringtech
Ringtech machines hold strong resale value thanks to their niche focus, durable build, and loyal base of jewelry manufacturers. The RTL-2000, RTL-3000, and RTL-4000 are in particularly steady demand among band shops scaling production.
Resell CNC buys used Ringtech machines, every RTL model and configuration, nationwide.
- Contact us by calling (844) 478-8181 or emailing sales@resellcnc.com.
- Free appraisal within 24 hours, with no obligation.
- Accept the offer and we handle rigging, transport, and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Ringtech Machines
Are used Ringtech machines reliable?
Yes. Ringtech machines are designed and built in the USA by a team with aerospace, medical, and defense engineering backgrounds, using local sourcing and a proven Fagor control platform. They are purpose-built for continuous ring production, and well-maintained RTL lathes hold up well over years of high-cycle use. The company built its reputation on strong customer support and low machined cost per ring, and many shops run the same machine for a decade or more.
What CNC control does Ringtech use?
Ringtech RTL machines run the Fagor 8055i control and servo system, paired with Ringtech's own turning software and CAD/CAM (including GibbsCAM support). The Fagor platform is widely supported, which matters for operator training and long-term programming compatibility.
What is the difference between the RTL-2000, RTL-3000, and RTL-4000?
The RTL-2000 is a 2-axis band-turning lathe. The RTL-3000 adds 3-axis drilling and milling (X-Z-C) to that turning capability. The RTL-4000 is a full 4-axis mill-turn machine with a Y axis and 40,000 RPM spindle for true 3D milling and faceting of complex rings.
What materials can a Ringtech machine cut?
Ringtech systems machine precious metals such as gold, platinum, and silver, along with alternative metals including titanium, cobalt chrome, tungsten, carbon fiber, and damascus. Specialized hard-material tooling and diamond tooling support the harder alternative-metal bands.
What should I inspect before buying a used Ringtech?
Check spindle runout and bearing condition, index the servo turret and tool changer through every station, confirm the Fagor control homes and holds all axes, and run any tube feeder or part catcher through a full unattended cycle. Inspect collets and profile holders for wear that would affect ring finish.
Can I still get parts and support for Ringtech machines?
Yes. Ringtech remains active and supports its installed base with maintenance parts, tooling, and support documentation. Because the machines use a common Fagor control and standard tooling, sourcing components and finding service expertise is straightforward.
Does Resell CNC offer financing on used Ringtech machines?
Yes. Resell CNC offers flexible financing options to help your shop acquire the equipment it needs. Contact us at (844) 478-8181 to discuss terms.
How do I sell my used Ringtech?
Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every Ringtech RTL model and configuration, nationwide, with a free appraisal within 24 hours.