Graff-Pinkert is the Best Place to Buy & Sell Used CNC Swiss Machines

If you’re looking for a used CNC Swiss machine for sale (or you need the right buyer for a Swiss lathe you’re selling), Graff-Pinkert offers a specialized marketplace built around precision turning and screw machining equipment. Our focus is simple: help buyers find the right CNC Swiss for their parts and help sellers move equipment efficiently with qualified demand.

Browse current inventory here: CNC Swiss.

CNC Swiss machines—often called Swiss screw machines or Swiss-type lathes—are known for producing tight-tolerance parts quickly and consistently. On the used market, buyers frequently search by builder, capacity, and configuration. Graff-Pinkert regularly works with Swiss equipment across many well-known brands and production styles, and we make it easy to compare options and request a quote.

What Is a CNC Swiss Machine?

A CNC Swiss machine (Swiss-type CNC lathe) is a precision turning platform designed to produce small, complex parts—especially long, slender components—at high accuracy and repeatability. The defining feature is the use of a sliding headstock and a guide bushing, which supports the bar stock close to the cutting zone. That support reduces deflection and enables excellent surface finish and tight tolerances.

In most applications, the term “CNC Swiss” overlaps with “Swiss screw machine,” but modern CNC Swiss lathes typically add advanced capabilities like live tooling, sub-spindles, and multi-axis control for done-in-one production.

What Parts Are CNC Swiss Machines Used For?

People search this because CNC Swiss is often the best answer when parts are small, precise, and feature-rich. Swiss machines are widely used across medical, aerospace, defense, electronics, automotive, hydraulics, and industrial hardware industries.

Common Swiss-turned parts include:

Medical screws, bone fasteners, implants, and device components
Electrical pins, connectors, sensor bodies, and terminals
Aerospace bushings, fittings, precision shafts, and pins
Hydraulic fittings, sleeves, spacers, and tight-tolerance hardware

What Is a CNC Swiss Lathe?

A CNC Swiss lathe is the most common “type” within the CNC Swiss category. These machines are designed for bar-fed production with high precision, often including:

Main spindle for primary turning operations
Sub-spindle for backworking and part completion
Live tooling for milling, drilling, cross-holes, and flats
Multi-axis capability to complete complex features in one cycle

You can browse this equipment type here: CNC Swiss Lathe.

Swiss Lathe vs CNC Turning Center: What’s the Difference?

This is a common search when a buyer is deciding between a Swiss machine and a traditional CNC lathe/turning center. In general:

Swiss lathes excel at small-diameter work, long/slender parts, tight tolerances, and complex done-in-one machining from bar stock.
CNC turning centers are often better for larger diameters, chucking work, and parts that don’t benefit from a guide bushing.

If your parts are small, require excellent concentricity, and include lots of features (cross holes, flats, threads, milled geometry), Swiss is often the productivity and quality winner.

What Is a Guide Bushing and Why Does It Matter?

The guide bushing is one of the most searched Swiss topics because it’s central to Swiss performance. The bushing supports the bar very close to the tool, which:

Reduces deflection on long or thin parts
Improves surface finish and dimensional stability
Helps maintain tight tolerances over long runs

Some Swiss machines also offer “guide bushingless” operation (often used for shorter parts), giving shops flexibility based on part geometry.

What Bar Capacity Do I Need (12mm, 20mm, 32mm, etc.)?

Shoppers frequently search by bar capacity because it narrows the machine shortlist instantly. The “right” capacity depends on your largest recurring bar diameter—plus some buffer for future work.

12mm–16mm: very common for medical and small precision components
20mm: versatile mid-range capacity for mixed small-part work
25mm–32mm: popular for higher-output production with larger turned features

When buying used, it’s also important to check what guide bushings, collets, and bar feed interfaces are included for your target diameter range.

How Much Does a Used CNC Swiss Machine Cost?

Pricing for a used CNC Swiss machine varies widely based on the builder, model year, axis configuration, options (sub-spindle/live tooling), condition, and included tooling. In general, the biggest pricing factors include:

Age and hours (plus maintenance history)
Axis count and capability (more axes/options typically = higher price)
Included accessories (bar feeder, chip conveyor, high-pressure coolant, etc.)
Tooling package (holders, guide bushings, collets—these can add major value)

Buying used can be a smart way to access high-end Swiss capability without the upfront cost of new—especially if you choose a machine that matches your part mix and has the right support equipment included.

What Should I Check Before Buying a Used Swiss Lathe?

This is one of the highest-intent searches because Swiss machines are precision systems—condition matters. A practical evaluation checklist includes:

Spindle health: noise, heat, vibration, runout (when possible)
Guide bushing condition: alignment, wear, available sizes
Live tooling performance: smooth operation, backlash, speed stability
Sub-spindle/backworking: gripping consistency, synchronization, alignment
Control & drives: alarms, backups, servo response, parameter integrity
Coolant & filtration: pump health, filtration system, leaks
Bar feeder compatibility: correct interface, length, and diameter range

For production readiness, confirm what comes with the machine (tooling, manuals, spares) and what your startup plan looks like (rigging, power, commissioning).

What Tooling and Options Matter Most on CNC Swiss Machines?

Many buyers search this because tooling and options can change the real cost of ownership dramatically. Common value-driving items include:

Sub-spindle for done-in-one machining and reduced secondary ops
Live tooling for milling/drilling and complex geometry
High-pressure coolant for deep drilling, better chip control, and cycle time gains
Bar feeder matched to the machine’s capacity and production needs
Chip conveyor & filtration to maintain uptime and finish consistency
Tooling package (holders, guide bushings, collets, spare parts)

When comparing listings, always ask what’s included—especially guide bushings/collets in your preferred diameter range.

How Do CNC Swiss Machines Compare to Multi-Spindle Screw Machines?

This comes up when a shop is choosing between Swiss flexibility and multi-spindle throughput.

CNC Swiss: ideal for complex parts, tight tolerances, lots of features, and done-in-one production—especially on smaller diameters.
Multi-spindle screw machines: often win on pure output for stable, high-volume parts when the job is well-suited to parallel operations.

Many shops use both: Swiss for complex components and frequent changeovers, multi-spindle for ultra-high-volume runs where cycle time is king.

Where Can I Buy or Sell a Used CNC Swiss Machine?

If you’re searching for used CNC Swiss lathes for sale or you’re selling a Swiss machine, a specialized dealer/marketplace helps you move faster with better fit and fewer surprises.

Start here to browse available machines: CNC Swiss. If you want to narrow your search specifically to Swiss lathes, use: CNC Swiss Lathe. If you don’t see the exact capacity or configuration you need today, reach out with your bar diameter range, part type, and production goals—inventory changes quickly.