Brother Industries Vertical Machining Centers (VMC)

Brother TC-20A

Est. $8,000 - $25,000 (used) Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

Spindle Taper

BT30

Table Size

300 x 200 mm (11.8 x 7.9 in)

Rapid Traverse

30 m/min (1,181 ipm) all axes

Accuracy

+/- 0.005 mm

Repeatability

+/- 0.002 mm

x axis travel

300 mm (11.8 in)

How much does the Brother TC-20A cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$8,000 - $25,000 (used)

Our best estimate for a vertical machining centers (vmc) in this class — not a quote from Brother Industries. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Brother TC-20A is a small BT30 drilling and tapping center with 300 x 200 x 200 mm (11.8 x 7.9 x 7.9 in) of travel on the X, Y and Z axes, an 8,000 rpm spindle driven by a 1.5 kW (2 hp) motor, a 16-position ATC and a Brother NC-A00 control. It is not on Brother's current product pages, so the figures here are the listed ones and have not been checked against the maker.

The numbers describe a light machine. The table is 300 x 200 mm (11.8 x 7.9 in) and rated for 30 kg (66 lb), the whole machine weighs 850 kg (1,874 lb), and the footprint is 900 x 1,200 mm (35 x 47 in). That suits a vise or a small fixture holding aluminium or brass parts for drilling and tapping. It does not suit heavy steel workholding or deep cuts, which the 1.5 kW motor could not drive anyway.

Speed is modest. The spindle tops out at 8,000 rpm, where the TC-20B runs to 30,000 rpm, and rapids are 30 m/min (1,181 ipm) on all axes. Listed positioning accuracy is +/- 0.005 mm and repeatability +/- 0.002 mm. Wear can move a used machine away from those figures, so a test cut or a check with an indicator says more about the unit in front of you than the table does.

The 200 mm of Z also limits tooling: long drills plus a vise can use up the stroke quickly, so measure the stack-up of fixture, part and tool before buying for a specific job.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X Axis Travel	300 mm (11.8 in)
Y Axis Travel	200 mm (7.9 in)
Z Axis Travel	200 mm (7.9 in)
Spindle Speed	8,000 rpm
Spindle Motor	1.5 kW (2 hp)
Spindle Taper	BT30
Tool Magazine	16-position ATC
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (1,181 ipm) all axes
Positioning Accuracy	+/- 0.005 mm
Repeatability	+/- 0.002 mm
Table Size	300 x 200 mm (11.8 x 7.9 in)
Table Load Capacity	30 kg (66 lb)
CNC Control	Brother NC-A00
Machine Weight	850 kg (1,874 lb)
Floor Space Required	900 x 1,200 mm (35 x 47 in)

Specifications compiled from manufacturer literature and industry references. Not independently verified against a published spec sheet — confirm with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before making a purchasing decision.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Compact 900 x 1,200 mm (35 x 47 in) footprint and 850 kg (1,874 lb) weight, easy to place in a small shop
16-position ATC for drilling and tapping sequences without manual tool changes
BT30 spindle taper, so standard BT30 holders can be used
Listed repeatability of +/- 0.002 mm

Limitations

1.5 kW (2 hp) spindle motor and 8,000 rpm limit both heavy cuts and small-tool speed
Table load of only 30 kg (66 lb) on a 300 x 200 mm (11.8 x 7.9 in) table
200 mm (7.9 in) of Z restricts tool length and part height
Figures could not be checked against Brother's current pages

Best For

Drilling and tapping of small aluminium or brass parts Light secondary operations on parts from other machines Small shops with limited floor space

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How big a part can the TC-20A handle?

The listed travels are 300 mm (11.8 in) in X, 200 mm (7.9 in) in Y and 200 mm (7.9 in) in Z, on a 300 x 200 mm (11.8 x 7.9 in) table rated for 30 kg (66 lb). In practice that means small parts in a vise or on a light fixture.

02 How does the TC-20A compare with the TC-20B?

The TC-20B has 200 x 185 x 250 mm (7.9 x 7.3 x 9.8 in) of travel, a 30,000 rpm spindle, 16 tools and 40 / 40 / 45 m/min rapids. The TC-20A has more X and Y at 300 x 200 mm (11.8 x 7.9 in) but less Z at 200 mm (7.9 in), an 8,000 rpm spindle, a 16-position ATC and 30 m/min (1,181 ipm) rapids.

03 What control does the TC-20A use?

The listed control is the Brother NC-A00, Brother's own control. Programs and operator habits from a machine with a different control may not carry over unchanged, so check the manual and the installed control options before buying a used unit.

04 Is the TC-20A accurate enough for precision holes?

The listed positioning accuracy is +/- 0.005 mm and repeatability +/- 0.002 mm. Those figures could not be checked against Brother's current pages, so a used unit should be checked with a test part before relying on them for tight hole positions.