Colchester Tornado SL25

Q: How much does the Colchester Tornado SL25 cost?

The price estimate for the Colchester Tornado SL25 is uncertain: we have no price for it that we can cite and no estimate we can stand behind, so we give no figure. Configuration, tooling, automation and installation move the final price substantially. A specific price can be requested at https://machinetoolindex.com/machines/colchester-tornado-sl25#price; the request is passed to Colchester or an authorised dealer.

Specs verified 2026-10-04 · colchester.co.uk Updated 2026-10-04

Colchester Tornado SL25 (Tornado series)

Image: colchester.co.uk, Colchester

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

5,000 rpm

Spindle Power

11 kW (14.8 hp)

Max Turn Length

400 mm (15.7 in)

Accuracy

0.010 mm (0.0004 in)

Repeatability

+/- 0.003 mm (+/- 0.0001 in)

spindle bore

52 mm (2.0 in)

How much does the Colchester Tornado SL25 cost?

Price estimate

Uncertain

We do not have a price for the Colchester Tornado SL25 that we can stand behind, so we show no number. Configuration, options and installation move the final price a long way: a quote is the reliable figure.

Overview

The Colchester Tornado SL25 is the smallest slant-bed turning centre in the Tornado range: a 2-axis production lathe with an 8 in (203 mm) chuck, a 52 mm (2.0 in) spindle bore and 400 mm (15.7 in) of turning length. The spindle runs to 5,000 rpm on an 11 kW (14.8 hp) motor through an A2-6 nose.

Swing over the bed is 530 mm (20.9 in), but the figure that sets the part size is the 350 mm (13.8 in) maximum cutting diameter, which equals the swing over the cross slide. With 400 mm (15.7 in) of turning length this is a chucking and short-shaft machine. Longer work belongs on the Tornado SL30 / SL30L, which lists 600 / 1,000 mm (23.6 / 39.4 in) of turning length and a 65 mm (2.6 in) bore.

The turret has 12 stations and takes VDI 30 tooling. Every station is static: the table answers No for C-axis and driven tools, for a Y-axis and for a sub-spindle. A part that needs a cross hole or a milled flat leaves this machine for a second operation, or goes to the Tornado SL25MC, which keeps the 8 in (203 mm) chuck and adds driven tools.

Colchester builds the machine from meehanite cast iron with linear guideways and quotes 0.010 mm (0.0004 in) positioning accuracy with +/- 0.003 mm repeatability. The standard list is long for a lathe of this size. A swarf conveyor, parts catcher, Renishaw tool setting probe and 20 bar coolant system are all included, along with the FANUC 0i-TF Plus control with a 15 in screen and Manual Guide I conversational programming. A barfeeder, parts conveyor and robot interface are options.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Spindle Bore	52 mm (2.0 in)
Chuck Size	8 in (203 mm)
Swing Over Bed	530 mm (20.9 in)
Max Turning Length	400 mm (15.7 in)
CNC Control	Fanuc 0i-TF Plus
C Axis Driven Tools	No
Y Axis	No
Sub Spindle	No
Max Spindle Speed	5,000 rpm
Spindle Motor Power	11 kW (14.8 hp)
Spindle Nose	A2-6
Turret Stations	12
Turret Tooling	VDI 30
Swing Over Cross Slide	350 mm (13.8 in)
Max Turning Diameter	350 mm (13.8 in)
Positioning Accuracy	0.010 mm (0.0004 in)
Repeatability	+/- 0.003 mm (+/- 0.0001 in)

Specifications sourced from colchester.co.uk — verified 2026-10-04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

8 in (203 mm) chuck on a 5,000 rpm, 11 kW (14.8 hp) spindle with an A2-6 nose
Swarf conveyor, parts catcher and Renishaw tool setting probe are standard features rather than options
A 20 bar coolant system is part of the standard machine
Positioning accuracy of 0.010 mm (0.0004 in) with +/- 0.003 mm repeatability
12-station VDI 30 turret with automatic indexing

Limitations

No C-axis or driven tools, so milled and cross-drilled features need a second operation
Turning length stops at 400 mm (15.7 in); the Tornado SL30 / SL30L pair lists 600 / 1,000 mm (23.6 / 39.4 in)
The 52 mm (2.0 in) spindle bore limits bar stock; the Tornado SL30 / SL30L has a 65 mm (2.6 in) bore
No sub-spindle and no Y-axis, so the back of the part is always a second setup

Best For

Chucked parts up to the 350 mm (13.8 in) maximum cutting diameter Short shafts and bushes within 400 mm (15.7 in) of turning length Bar-fed 2-axis work through the 52 mm (2.0 in) bore with the optional barfeeder Shops that want conversational programming through Manual Guide I

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What size parts can the Tornado SL25 turn?

The maximum cutting diameter is 350 mm (13.8 in) and the turning length is 400 mm (15.7 in). Swing over the bed is 530 mm (20.9 in) and swing over the cross slide 350 mm (13.8 in). The chuck is 8 in (203 mm) and bar passes through a 52 mm (2.0 in) spindle bore.

02 Does the Tornado SL25 have live tooling?

No. Colchester's table lists No for C-axis and driven tools, No for a Y-axis and No for a sub-spindle. It's a 2-axis turning centre with a 12-station VDI 30 turret. The Tornado SL25MC is the version with a C-axis and driven tools, rated 3.5 kW (4.7 hp) at up to 5,000 rpm.

03 Which control does the Tornado SL25 use?

The specification table names the Fanuc 0i-TF Plus. The standard features list describes it as a FANUC 0i-TF Plus CNC with a 15 in screen and Manual Guide I, and gives a Siemens 828D with a 15 in screen and ShopTurn as the option. Colchester's point about conversational programming is that complex ISO programming is not required.

04 What is standard on the Tornado SL25 and what is optional?

Standard: VDI auto indexing turret, swarf conveyor, parts catcher, Renishaw tool setting probe, 20 bar coolant system and LED status lights. Optional: parts conveyor, Renishaw component inspection probe, barfeeder, hydraulic steady rest, hydraulic quick change collet chuck and a robot interface. Colchester also describes the machine as automation ready and Industry 4.0 ready.