Meet the Machine

Used Haas TL-1: The P Cuts the Diameter in Half

We have a 2025 Haas TL-1 and a 2025 Haas TL-2P on our floor. Same 20 inch swing, same 10 hp spindle, same Haas control. Read the max cutting diameter, though, and the letter P cuts it from 16 inches to 8. Here is what the P adds, what it costs you in diameter and what to check on a used TL-1.

On the TL-1 and TL-2, the number tells you the length and the P tells you the workholding and tooling. The first is easy to check. The second decides how big a part the machine can cut.

A CNC Lathe Built to Be Run Like a Manual One

Haas pitches the TL series as toolroom lathes and the TL-1 as "an affordable alternative to conventional lathes," aimed at start-up shops and shops taking a first step into CNC machining. It runs on single- or three-phase power.

The programming is the point. The TL-1 ships with Haas's Intuitive Programming System, which Haas's TL series training manual describes as a question and answer format instead of G and M code. The operator fills in prompts for a facing, chamfering, threading, drilling or tapping cycle instead of writing the code line by line. The same manual describes making facing and turning cuts by turning the handles, just like on an engine lathe. On the current TL-1, Haas lists E-Handwheels as an option.

If the engine lathe is new territory, our engine lathe Machining Monday covers the machine the TL series is built to stand in for, and our Haas brand profile covers the company and the rest of its lineup.

Two Letters, Two Machines

Here are the TL-1 and TL-1P side by side, from Haas's published specifications.

One row tells the story. The P version brings a power chuck, an automatic turret and the faster spindle, and Haas lists its max cutting diameter at half the TL-1's. Haas does not explain the drop on the spec page, so treat 8 inches as the working limit on a TL-1P and check your largest part against it, not against the 20 inch swing.

Resell CNC Take

Pick the letter by the part, not the price. If the work is big-diameter, one-off toolroom turning, the plain TL-1 gives you the full 16 inches. If the work is repeat parts that fit inside 8 inches, the TL-1P's power chuck and turret are what you are paying for. Read the max cutting diameter on the listing before you read the year.

Swing Is Not Cutting Diameter

The TL-1 lists three diameters, and they are not the same number. Swing over the front apron is 20 inches. Swing over the cross slide is 11 inches. Max cutting diameter is 16 inches. The 20 inch figure says what will clear the apron, while the cutting figure says what the machine can turn.

That matters on a used machine, because listings do not always label these fields the same way. Match each figure on a listing to Haas's spec before you match it to your part.

What Comes in the Box

Haas lists the TL-1 standard with a chip enclosure, a 10 hp vector drive, an 1,800 rpm A2-5 spindle, the Intuitive Programming System, a coolant pump, a memory lock keyswitch, an air blow gun, a 15 inch color LCD and a USB port. It also states plainly: "No workholding, toolpost, or toolholders included."

That makes the tooling package part of the machine on the used market. Haas's 2012 training manual calls the Aloris single station tool post the most often equipped tool holding option for the TL series. A TL-1 with a chuck, a tool post, holders and a tailstock is ready to cut. A bare one is not, so price the two differently.

The TL Family

On the TL-1 and TL-2, the number is length. Haas lists the TL-2 with 48 inches between centers and 48 inches of Z travel against the TL-1's 30, with the same 20 inch swing, 16 inch max cutting diameter and 10 hp spindle. The P suffix carries across the line: the TL-2P on our floor is listed at 48 inches between centers with an 8 inch max cutting diameter, a 6.5 inch hydraulic chuck and a 4-station turret, the same trade as the TL-1P. Haas's site also lists TL-3, TL-3P and TL-3B models.

For how Haas names its full-size turning centers, see how to read a Haas ST model name.

The Numbers Underneath

These are Haas's published figures for the TL-1.

Two on Our Floor

2025 Haas TL-1 CNC Lathe. Our listing shows an 8 inch manual 3-jaw chuck, tailstock, a tooling-ready cross slide, chip enclosure, coolant pump kit and transformer, with the Visual Part Programming System, HaasConnect remote monitoring, HaasDrop, WiFi, Ethernet, macros and Advanced Tool Management on the control. Confirm the spindle speed option with us.

2025 Haas TL-2P CNC Lathe. 48 inches between centers, a 6.5 inch hydraulic chuck, a 4-station turret, a 3,000 rpm spindle, a manual steady rest, chip conveyor and flood coolant, with conversational programming and rigid tapping on the control. Our listing notes it runs on 220V 3-phase power.

Inventory changes, so check the Haas brand page for what is available today. For another take on a manual-style lathe with a CNC control, see our Meet the Machine on the Weiler E70, and for a manual toolroom lathe from another builder, see our Hardinge HLV-H Machining Monday.

Used-Market Value

The letter. A TL-1 and a TL-1P are configured for different work. The P's power chuck and turret add value for repeat parts and none for parts over 8 inches.

Workholding and tooling. Haas sells the TL-1 without a chuck, tool post or holders, so what comes with a used machine changes what it is worth and how soon it can cut.

Spindle option. 1,800 rpm is standard on the TL-1 and 3,000 rpm is optional. Small-diameter work wants the faster spindle.

Control features. Programming software, connectivity and memory options vary by build year and order. Get the option list from the control, not just the listing.

What to Check on a Used Haas TL-1

Model and suffix. Confirm TL-1 or TL-1P on the data plate, because the cutting diameter is different.

Spindle. Noise, heat and run-out through the speed range, and confirm which speed option it has.

Axes. Backlash and smooth travel on X and Z over the full 30 inches, and the handwheels or E-Handwheels if fitted.

Workholding and tooling. Itemize the chuck, jaws, tool post, holders and tailstock, and check the tailstock alignment.

Coolant and enclosure. Pump, lines and chip enclosure in working order.

Control. Software version, options, alarm history and a full backup of programs and settings.

A part to print. Turn one of your parts, or one close to it, and measure it.

Who Runs One

Haas aims the TL-1 at start-up shops and shops taking a first step into CNC, and our TL-1 listing describes prototype and low-volume production work. Conversational programming fits jobs that change often, where writing G-code for a single part is slow. The TL-1 suits bigger-diameter one-offs up to 16 inches. The TL-1P and TL-2P suit repeat work under 8 inches where a power chuck and turret fit the work.

Frequently Asked Questions