Haas Automation Vertical Machining Centers

Haas DT-2

$55,000 - $95,000 Updated 2026-03-10

Key Specifications

X Travel

711 mm (28 in)

Y Travel

406 mm (16 in)

Z Travel

394 mm (15.5 in)

Max Spindle

10,000 RPM (12K, 15K, 20K optional)

Spindle Taper

BT30

Tool Capacity

20+1 side-mount

Overview

The Haas DT-2 is the bigger brother of the wildly popular DT-1 drill/tap center. Haas built it for shops that loved the DT-1's speed but needed more X-axis travel to handle larger parts or multiple fixtures. You get 711 x 406 x 394 mm (28 x 16 x 15.5 in) of travel with 2,400 ipm rapids on all three axes. That's not a typo. This thing moves.

The BT30 inline direct-drive spindle delivers 11.2 kW (15 hp) and 62 Nm of torque at 1,700 RPM, topping out at 10,000 RPM standard. Haas offers 12K, 15K, and 20K RPM spindle options for shops that need more speed. High-speed rigid tapping runs to 5,000 RPM with up to 4x retract speed, which cuts tapping cycle time dramatically. The Z-axis pushes 18,683 N (4,200 lb) of thrust compared to 11,343 N (2,550 lb) on X and Y, giving you solid plunge force for drilling operations.

The 20+1 side-mount tool changer hits 1.6-second chip-to-chip times. Combined with those 2,400 ipm rapids, non-cutting time on every cycle drops to almost nothing. That's where this machine earns its keep in production environments. One limitation to note: max tool length is 178 mm (7 in) and max tool diameter is 51 mm (2 in), so plan your tooling accordingly.

The 864 x 381 mm (34 x 15 in) T-slot table handles up to 113 kg (250 lb) of workpiece. It won't replace a 40-taper VMC for heavy steel hogging, but for aluminum, brass, plastics, and light alloy work, the DT-2 punches well above its weight class. One shop running 14 DT-2s reports no issues with tolerance, repeatability, or surface finish, calling them more rigid than Robodrills and equally as fast. That kind of fleet deployment says a lot about reliability.

Direct competitors include the Fanuc Robodrill alpha-D21LiB5, Brother Speedio S500X1, and the Haas DM-2 (which trades the BT30 for a CAT40 taper). The DT-2 typically costs less than the Robodrill while matching its speed, and the Haas dealer network makes service and parts straightforward across North America. Used DT-2s show up regularly on the secondary market starting around $35,000, making it accessible for growing shops. Specs sourced from Haas Automation published data.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
X-Axis Travel	711 mm (28 in)
Y-Axis Travel	406 mm (16 in)
Z-Axis Travel	394 mm (15.5 in)
Max Spindle Speed	10,000 RPM (12K, 15K, 20K optional)
Spindle Taper	BT30
Spindle Motor Power	11.2 kW (15 hp)
Spindle Torque	62 Nm (46 ft-lb) @ 1,700 RPM
Tool Capacity	20+1 side-mount
Chip To Chip	1.6 sec
Max Tool Diameter	51 mm (2 in)
Max Tool Length	178 mm (7 in)
Table Size	864 x 381 mm (34 x 15 in)
Table T Slots	3 slots, 16 mm (5/8 in) width, 125 mm (4.92 in) spacing
Max Table Load	113 kg (250 lb)
Rapid Traverse Rate	61.0 m/min (2,400 ipm) all axes
Max Cutting Feed	30.5 m/min (1,200 ipm)
Axis Thrust X	11,343 N (2,550 lb)
Axis Thrust Y	11,343 N (2,550 lb)
Axis Thrust Z	18,683 N (4,200 lb)
Positioning Accuracy	±0.010 mm (±0.0004 in)
Repeatability	±0.005 mm (±0.0002 in)
Machine Weight	2,449 kg (5,400 lb)
CNC Control	Haas Next Generation Control (NGC)
Coolant Capacity	170 L (45 gal)
Air Requirement	113 L/min @ 6.9 bar (4 scfm @ 100 psi)

Specifications sourced from haascnc.com — verified 2026-03-28

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

2,400 ipm rapids on all axes make it one of the fastest machines in its class, cutting non-productive time to almost nothing
1.6-second chip-to-chip tool changes keep cycle times tight on multi-tool jobs
28" X-travel gives 8" more room than the DT-1 for larger parts or multi-fixture setups
BT30 direct-drive spindle options up to 20,000 RPM for high-speed aluminum and brass work
High-speed rigid tapping to 5,000 RPM with 4x retract speed dramatically shortens tapping cycles
18,683 N (4,200 lb) of Z-axis thrust gives solid plunge force for aggressive drilling operations
Base price around $55K makes it significantly cheaper than comparable Fanuc Robodrills and Brother Speedios

Limitations

BT30 taper limits heavy cutting; you won't run large facemills or aggressive steel roughing like a 40-taper VMC
250 lb max table load restricts workpiece size and heavy fixture use
15 HP spindle can feel underpowered when pushing larger endmills in harder materials
7" max tool length and 2" max tool diameter restrict tooling options compared to 40-taper machines
Side-mount tool changer limits tool diameter compared to arm-type changers on more expensive machines

Best For

High-volume aluminum drilling and tapping operations Second-op work where speed matters more than heavy cutting Shops replacing or competing with Fanuc Robodrills at a lower cost Medical device and electronics manufacturers running small precision parts Production cells needing fast cycle times on light alloy components Job shops adding a dedicated drill/tap station to free up their 40-taper VMCs

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Haas DT-2 cost?

Base price starts around $55,000. Most production shops add the 15K or 20K spindle upgrade, through-spindle coolant, and probing, which pushes the price to $75,000-$95,000 depending on options. Used DT-2s in good condition sell for $35,000-$55,000 depending on year, hours, and spindle option.

02 What's the difference between the DT-2 and DT-1?

The DT-2 adds 203 mm (8 in) of X-axis travel (711 mm vs 508 mm) and a longer table (864 mm vs 660 mm). Everything else is essentially the same: same spindle options, same rapids, same tool changer. If your parts fit in the DT-1 envelope, save the money. If you need more X travel or want to run multiple fixtures, the DT-2 is worth the step up.

03 Can the DT-2 handle steel?

It can cut steel, but it's not built for it. The BT30 taper and 15 HP spindle work fine for light steel cuts with smaller endmills, but you'll hit the machine's limits quickly with aggressive material removal rates. For serious steel work, look at the DM-2 (40-taper) or VF-2SS. The DT-2 excels in aluminum, brass, plastics, and light alloys.

04 How does the DT-2 compare to a Fanuc Robodrill?

Shops running both report the DT-2 is as fast as the Robodrill but more rigid, and it costs less. The Robodrill has a slight edge in tool change speed with its turret-style changer, but the DT-2's 1.6-second chip-to-chip and 2,400 ipm rapids keep it competitive. The Haas control is also easier to learn than the Fanuc 31i. One shop chose two DT-2s over a single Robodrill for the same budget, doubling their spindle count.

05 Is the DT-2 good for a startup shop?

It depends on your work. If you're running primarily aluminum parts and need fast cycle times, the DT-2 is an excellent first machine. But if you need versatility to handle steel, larger parts, and heavier cuts, a 40-taper machine like the VF-2 gives you more flexibility. The DT-2 is a specialist; the VF-2 is a generalist.

06 How reliable is the DT-2 long-term?

Production shops running multiple DT-2s report strong long-term reliability. The direct-drive spindle has fewer wear parts than belt-driven designs. Keep in mind the 15K and 20K spindle options run under higher thermal loads, and some forum reports suggest bearing life can be shorter if the spindle runs at max RPM continuously. Standard maintenance intervals and proper coolant management go a long way.