Universal Bench Lathe

The universal bench lathe is the general-purpose mechanical lathe for machining workshops, industrial maintenance departments and technical schools that need robust, versatile, easy-to-operate equipment for external and internal turning, taper turning, metric, inch and module thread cutting, boring and parting. The universal bench lathe has a swing of 500mm over the bed and 330mm over the cross slide, a 5.5kW main motor, 9 mechanical speed steps between 40 and 1400 rpm and a thread-cutting system with 64 thread types — covering metric, inch and module threads in the standard configuration.

The universal bench lathe is available in 5 working lengths — 750, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 3000mm distance between centres — and is equipped as standard with a bed rail hardened by high-frequency induction quenching and precision-ground, a main spindle housing finished by grinding for low noise and smooth running, and an electromagnetic brake for safe, rapid stopping. Transport, installation and commissioning included. 60-month warranty. Technical specifications — universal bench lathe

Feeds

Thread-cutting system — 64 types

The universal bench lathe is configured at quotation — the distance between centres and the spindle bore are selected according to the range of parts to be machined. Free technical consultancy available. Advantages of the universal bench lathe

• Bed rail hardened by high-frequency induction quenching and ground — long-term durability and accuracy — the universal bench lathe has a bed rail heat-treated by high-frequency induction quenching, a process that hardens the guiding surface to a controlled depth without distorting the bed. After heat treatment, the rail of the universal bench lathe is precision-ground, achieving optimal flatness and surface finish for slide movement. This construction significantly extends the service life of the ways and maintains the accuracy of the universal bench lathe after thousands of operating hours, unlike untreated or surface-hardened rails.

• Spindle housing finished by grinding — quiet, precise operation — the main spindle housing of the universal bench lathe is finished by grinding to tight tolerances, ensuring bearing concentricity and minimising vibration at speed. The low noise level of the universal bench lathe matters in workshops with several machines running simultaneously and in technical training facilities, where the operator must be able to hear any audible warning signals from the machine.

• 9 mechanical speed steps 40–1400 rpm — adaptable to diverse materials and operations — with its 9 speed steps, the universal bench lathe covers the full range of everyday turning operations: the 40 rpm step for manual thread cutting and rough machining of cast iron, the medium steps for turning structural and alloy steels, and the 1400 rpm step for finishing aluminium, bronze and non-ferrous alloys. Mechanical speed selection on the universal bench lathe is direct and fast — one lever, one position — with no digital setup tables or controller parameters.

• 64 thread types — metric, inch and module in the standard configuration — the universal bench lathe has 19 metric threads (0,25–14mm), 28 inch threads (2–40 TPI) and 17 module threads (0,25–3,5 MP), totalling 64 mechanically selectable types. This trilingual coverage of thread standards makes the universal bench lathe the right equipment for workshops producing spare parts for installations with different standards — plants with imported inch equipment, railway maintenance departments with fine metric threads, and workshops producing gears with module threads.

• Electromagnetic brake — precise stopping and operator safety — the universal bench lathe has an integrated electromagnetic brake that stops the spindle in a fraction of a second when the pedal is released or an emergency stop is commanded. The electromagnetic brake of the universal bench lathe eliminates the risk of the spindle continuing to rotate from inertia after the motor stops — a critical safety parameter during manual thread cutting, fine-feed finishing and work with unbalanced parts in the chuck.

• 52mm standard spindle bore, optional 80mm — the universal bench lathe machines bar stock with axial pass-through up to Ø52mm as standard, covering the typical sizes of steel and aluminium bars used to produce bushings, nuts, fittings and small- to medium-diameter shaft parts. The 80mm bore option of the universal bench lathe is recommended for workshops that frequently machine larger-diameter bars or tubes, eliminating the need to clamp in the chuck and perform additional positioning operations.

• 5 distance-between-centres variants — 750 to 3000mm — the universal bench lathe is available with a distance between centres of 750, 1000, 1500, 2000 or 3000mm, allowing the exact configuration to be selected for the workshop's range of parts. The 750mm variant of the universal bench lathe is recommended for small workshops with short parts, the 1500–2000mm variants for general-purpose workshops, and the 3000mm variant for facilities machining long shafts, piston rods and other long parts.

• 5.5kW motor with integrated 0.09kW coolant pump — the universal bench lathe has a 5.5kW main motor, sized to provide the torque needed for roughing at low speeds and finishing at high speeds on common metallic materials. The integrated 0.09kW coolant pump of the universal bench lathe circulates coolant to the cutting zone, extending tool life during continuous turning and improving surface finish on materials prone to adhesion on the cutting edge.

Applications — universal bench lathe

General-purpose machining workshops use the universal bench lathe for everyday external and internal turning — bushings, shafts, flanges, nuts, replacement parts for equipment and fittings of all kinds. The 9 speed steps and fine feeds of the universal bench lathe allow cutting parameters to be adjusted for any metallic material, from cast iron to alloy steels and aluminium alloys.

Maintenance and repair departments in factories, power plants, pumping stations and industrial facilities use the universal bench lathe to re-profile and recondition worn parts, produce spare parts on the spot, and adapt imported components built to different technical standards. The complete metric, inch and module thread-cutting system of the universal bench lathe is essential in these applications, where the parts to be replaced may come from installations with mixed technical standards.

Technical schools and vocational training centres in machining choose the universal bench lathe for its operational accessibility — direct mechanical control, without complex digital interfaces, allows students to understand turning principles through direct interaction with the machine, without the barrier of a CNC system. The electromagnetic brake of the universal bench lathe adds an important level of safety in the educational context. The universal bench lathe within the UZINEX lathe range

The universal bench lathe is the first tier of the UZINEX lathe range — the entry-level equipment for the workshop that needs mechanical turning capacity without the complexity and cost of a CNC system.

When production volume and accuracy requirements justify automation, the CNC metal turning lathe adds numerical control, ±0.015mm accuracy and series repeatability at a machining diameter up to 800mm. For parts with a diameter of 800–1640mm and lengths up to 12m, the heavy-duty lathe for massive parts with its 22kW motor is the appropriate equipment. The universal bench lathe remains the right choice for the versatile workshop handling a wide range of small and medium parts and valuing operational simplicity and mechanical reliability. Frequently asked questions about the universal bench lathe

Which distance between centres is recommended for the universal bench lathe?

The recommended length for the universal bench lathe depends on the longest part currently produced, with a 15–20% margin for clamping and tailstock clearance. The 1000mm variant is the most frequently chosen for general-purpose workshops, the 750mm variant for small workshops with short parts, and the 1500–3000mm variants for facilities machining long shafts and rods. UZINEX recommends the optimal length at quotation. Can the universal bench lathe cut inch threads?

Yes. The universal bench lathe has 28 inch thread types (2–40 TPI) that are mechanically selectable, with no special change gears. This capability makes it suitable for workshops producing spare parts for equipment built to British or American standards, common in the oil, mining and imported-machinery sectors. Is the universal bench lathe eligible for EU funding?

Yes. UZINEX is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network and supplies equipment for EU-funded projects — PNRR digitalisation, the Regional Programme, the Just Transition Programme. The universal bench lathe can be included in SEAP/SICAP. Leasing and credit options are available on the UZINEX credit and leasing page. What is the difference between the universal bench lathe and a CNC lathe?

The universal bench lathe is controlled directly and mechanically by the operator via levers and handwheels — every tool movement is performed manually or by an operator-selected mechanical feed. The CNC lathe runs the machining program automatically once the operator loads it into the controller. The universal bench lathe is more affordable as an initial investment and simpler to operate for one-off parts and very small batches, while the CNC lathe is the choice for larger batches of the same part with strict repeatability requirements. Why UZINEX for the universal bench lathe

The universal bench lathe is long-life equipment — its robust mechanical construction, the heat treatment of the bed rail and the electromagnetic brake make it suitable for intensive long-term use.

• Distance-between-centres configuration included — at quotation UZINEX recommends the optimal bed variant of the universal bench lathe for the specified range of parts.

• Transport, installation and commissioning included — installation at your site, function check and complete operator training.

• 60-month warranty — extended coverage for continuous production.

• Spare parts in stock — consumables and components available quickly, with no prolonged downtime of the universal bench lathe.

• Nationwide technical support 24–48 hours — technicians with nationwide coverage.

• EU-funding eligible — complete technical documentation for PNRR, POR and other active programmes.

• 80mm bore option — the universal bench lathe available with an extended bore for larger-diameter bars, selectable at quotation.

UZINEX universal bench lathe — swing 500mm / 330mm, distance between centres 750–3000mm (5 variants), 5.5kW motor, 9 steps 40–1400rpm, long. feeds 0,0832–4,6569mm/r and cross feeds 0,048–2,688mm/r, 64 threads (19 metric + 28 inch + 17 module), HF-hardened and ground bed rail, ground spindle housing, electromagnetic brake, 0.09kW coolant pump, 52mm bore (optional 80mm), MT6 taper (optional 1:20), 60-month warranty, transport and commissioning included throughout Romania.