What to Look for When Buying a Used Tormach
Tormach machines are built around the "Personal CNC" philosophy: capable enough for real metal-cutting work, affordable enough to live in a home shop, school lab, or small production cell. A used Tormach delivers years of reliable service when properly maintained. Here is what to inspect.
Inspect the spindle, drawbar, and TTS tooling. On legacy PCNC mills, the spindle uses an R8 taper and a manual or pneumatic power drawbar. On 1100MX, 770MX, and 1500MX mills, the spindle is a BT30 taper with rigid tapping encoder. Check spindle runout, listen for bearing noise, and cycle the power drawbar repeatedly. Confirm which TTS (Tormach Tooling System) toolholders, collets, and tools transfer with the machine, since a populated TTS set adds significant value.
Verify axis motion, ballscrews, and the type of drives. M-series and PCNC machines use stepper motors without positional feedback, while MX-series machines use servo motors with encoders for faster, more accurate motion. Run each axis through its full travel at rapid and feed rates and listen for backlash, missed steps, or unusual noise. Check ballscrew condition, way covers, and lubrication. On enclosed machines, inspect the way wipers for chip and coolant damage.
Check the PathPilot controller, console, and PC. Tormach machines run PathPilot, the company's proprietary Linux-based CNC control. Confirm the controller PC boots and connects to the machine over Ethernet, verify the PathPilot software version, and check that the operator console (touchscreen, jog pendant, feed and spindle override knobs) functions correctly. PathPilot updates are free for life with registered machines, which is a real value-add on the used market.
Confirm what comes with the machine. A complete Tormach package typically includes the mill or lathe, stand, enclosure, chip tray, power drawbar, coolant system, and a starter set of TTS tooling. Optional accessories such as the automatic tool changer, microARC 4 fourth-axis, RapidTurn, SmartCool, and probing kits add value, so document everything included before purchase.
Tormach Mill, Lathe & Router Series
MX Series Mills (1500MX, 1100MX, 770MX)
The MX series is Tormach's current flagship platform. The 1500MX (released 2024) is the largest and most capable Tormach mill to date. The 1100MX features three servo motors, BT30 spindle, 10,000 rpm capability, and rapid traverse speeds up to 300 inches per minute. The 770MX brings the same servo platform to a smaller footprint. All MX machines include PathPilot, rigid tapping, spindle orientation, and high-speed machining as standard.
M and M+ Series Mills
The 1100M, 1100M+, 770M, and 770M+ are stepper-driven mills introduced in 2018 as the next-generation replacement for the original PCNC platform. They feature improved enclosures, more robust spindle drives (1.5 HP on 770M, 2 HP on 1100M), Ethernet-based control, plug-and-play accessories, and PathPilot software.
Legacy PCNC Series (1100, 770, 440)
The PCNC 1100, PCNC 770, and PCNC 440 are the original Personal CNC mills that built Tormach's reputation. They use stepper motion control with R8 spindles and run PathPilot (after upgrade from the original Mach3 control on the earliest units). Tens of thousands of PCNC mills are in service worldwide and they remain among the most traded Tormach machines used.
Tormach Lathes (8L, 15L Slant-PRO, 15LX)
The 8L Lathe (introduced 2020) is Tormach's compact CNC lathe for prototyping and small parts. The 15L Slant-PRO and newer 15LX are full slant-bed CNC lathes designed for prototyping and light production work.
Routers, Plasma & Automation
The 24R CNC router handles larger envelope work in wood, plastics, and aluminum. The xsTECH and xsTECH PRO are benchtop routers for sign-making, PCB prototyping, and small parts. Tormach also offers plasma tables, AF50+ bandsaws, and robotic automation cells.
How to Sell Your Used Tormach
Tormach machines hold strong resale value thanks to PathPilot's free lifetime updates, the TTS tooling ecosystem, and active demand from makerspaces, schools, prototyping shops, and hobbyists. MX-series and well-equipped PCNC and M-series mills are in particularly high demand.
Resell CNC buys used Tormach machines, every model and 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 pickup, transport, and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Used Tormach Machines
What is the difference between PCNC, M, and MX series Tormach mills?
PCNC is the original platform (PCNC 1100, PCNC 770, PCNC 440) with stepper motors and R8 spindles. M and M+ are the 2018 redesign with improved enclosures, more powerful spindles, and Ethernet control while keeping stepper motion. MX is the current servo-driven platform with BT30 spindles, rigid tapping, 10,000 rpm, and rapids up to 300 IPM.
What is PathPilot and is it included?
PathPilot is Tormach's proprietary CNC control software, based on LinuxCNC and developed in-house. It is included free with every Tormach machine and updates are free for life on registered machines. PathPilot runs on a Tormach controller PC connected to the machine via Ethernet.
What is TTS and does it come with the machine?
TTS (Tormach Tooling System) is Tormach's proprietary quick-change tooling system using a 3/4-inch shank. TTS tooling typically transfers with the machine in a private sale; confirm exactly which toolholders, collets, and tools are included before purchase, as a populated TTS set adds significant value.
Are used Tormach machines good for small-shop production?
Yes. While Tormach machines are smaller and lighter than industrial production mills, they are widely used for prototyping, R&D, education, and short-run production in aerospace, medical, automotive, and consumer-product shops. NASA, GE, and hundreds of universities run Tormach machines.
What should I inspect on a used Tormach?
Spindle runout and bearing condition, drawbar function, axis motion through full travel, ballscrew condition, PathPilot controller and console, and exactly what tooling, accessories, and the stand and enclosure are included. Verify the PathPilot version and confirm the machine is registered for free updates.
How do I sell my used Tormach?
Contact Resell CNC at (844) 478-8181 or sales@resellcnc.com. We buy every Tormach model and generation: MX, M, M+, PCNC, 8L and 15L lathes, 24R and xsTECH routers, and full TTS tooling sets. Free appraisal within 24 hours, nationwide pickup.