Hardinge Talent 42

$85,000 - $160,000 Updated 2026-03-11

Key Specifications

X Travel

180 mm (7.08 in)

Y Travel

42 mm (1.65 in) — MY variant

Z Travel

652 mm (25.67 in) standard bed

Max Turn Length

600 mm (23.62 in)

max turning diameter

290 mm (11.41 in)

swing over bed

550 mm (21.65 in)

Overview

The Hardinge Talent 42 is a compact, precision CNC turning center designed for shops that need tight tolerances on small-to-medium diameter work. Built around Hardinge's signature collet-ready spindle design, the Talent 42 delivers exceptional accuracy right out of the box — collets seat directly in the spindle without adapters, maximizing gripping power and minimizing runout. The A2-5 main spindle runs to 5,000 RPM with 10 HP, and a 15 HP sub spindle option at 6,000 RPM enables complete part processing in a single setup.

The work envelope covers 11.41 inches turning diameter with bar capacity up to 1.65 inches through the main spindle. X-axis travel is 7.08 inches and Z-axis travel is 25.67 inches on the standard bed. The machine is available in multiple configurations including live tooling (MY variant) with Y-axis travel of 1.65 inches, making it capable of off-center drilling, milling, and tapping. BMT live tooling holders deliver runout within 0.00012 inches (3 microns), which Hardinge claims is the best in class for this size machine.

Controlled by the Fanuc 0i-TF+, the Talent 42 features a one-piece cast iron base with heavy-duty roller linear guideways and ballscrews. Standard features include through-tool and headwall coolant, chip conveyor interface, and foot switches. New machines typically price between $85,000 and $160,000 depending on configuration. The Talent 42 competes with the Haas ST-20Y, Mazak Quick Turn 200, and Okuma GENOS L3000-e in the compact precision turning segment. Specs sourced from Hardinge published data and dealer documentation.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Turning Diameter	290 mm (11.41 in)
Max Turning Length	600 mm (23.62 in)
Swing Over Bed	550 mm (21.65 in)
Bar Capacity	42 mm (1.65 in)
X-Axis Travel	180 mm (7.08 in)
Y-Axis Travel	42 mm (1.65 in) — MY variant
Z-Axis Travel	652 mm (25.67 in) standard bed
Main Spindle Speed	5,000 RPM
Main Spindle Power	7.5 kW (10 hp)
Main Spindle Nose	A2-5
Sub Spindle Speed	6,000 RPM
Sub Spindle Power	11.5 kW (15 hp)
Live Tool Speed	5,000 RPM (up to 20,000 RPM with ratio options)
Tool Stations	12 (BMT turret)
Turret Type	BMT live tooling
Chuck Size	6 in (16C collet-ready)
Rapid Traverse X	24 m/min (945 ipm)
Rapid Traverse Z	30 m/min (1,181 ipm)
CNC Control	Fanuc 0i-TF+
Machine Weight	4,200 kg (9,259 lb)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Collet-ready spindle design seats collets directly without adapters, delivering superior gripping accuracy and minimal runout for precision turning work
BMT live tooling system provides 3-micron runout, enabling high-precision milling and drilling operations without sacrificing accuracy
Compact footprint makes the Talent 42 suitable for shops with limited floor space while still offering sub-spindle and Y-axis capability
One-piece cast iron base with heavy-duty roller linear guideways provides excellent rigidity and thermal stability for consistent part quality
Multiple configuration options from 2-axis basic turning to full multi-tasking with live tooling, Y-axis, and sub spindle allow shops to match capability to budget

Limitations

1.65-inch bar capacity limits the machine to small-diameter work, ruling it out for shops that regularly run larger bar stock
10 HP main spindle is modest compared to competitors like the Haas ST-20Y (15 HP) and Mazak QT-200 (25 HP), limiting heavy material removal rates
Hardinge's dealer network is smaller than Haas or Mazak, which can affect service response times in some regions
Premium pricing compared to competitors like the Haas ST-20Y for comparable work envelope and capability

Best For

Precision turned parts shops producing medical, dental, and optical components requiring tight tolerances and fine surface finish Swiss-style shops moving to fixed-headstock turning for slightly larger diameter work while maintaining precision standards Aerospace subcontractors machining small connectors, fittings, and fasteners from exotic alloys in production quantities Watch and instrument makers who need collet-based accuracy on small-diameter parts with secondary milling operations Job shops seeking a versatile compact lathe that can handle both bar work and chuck work with live tooling flexibility

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What does a new Hardinge Talent 42 cost?

Base 2-axis models start around $85,000. Adding live tooling, Y-axis, and sub spindle brings the price to $120,000-$160,000. Used Talent 42 machines from 2015-2020 trade between $40,000 and $90,000 depending on configuration and hours.

02 What is the difference between the Talent 42 and the Talent 51?

The Talent 51 is the larger sibling with a 2-inch bar capacity (vs 1.65 inches), larger turning diameter, more spindle power, and an A2-6 spindle nose. Choose the 42 for precision work on smaller parts; choose the 51 when you need more capacity and power.

03 Can the Talent 42 use standard collets?

Yes. The main spindle accepts 5C and 16C collets directly without a spindle adapter. This is a key Hardinge advantage — the direct-seat design maximizes gripping power and accuracy. The sub spindle is also collet-ready.

04 How does the Talent 42 compare to the Haas ST-20Y?

The Haas ST-20Y offers more spindle power (15 HP vs 10 HP), larger bar capacity (2 inches vs 1.65 inches), and a lower base price. The Talent 42 counters with Hardinge's collet-ready spindle design for superior accuracy, BMT live tooling with 3-micron runout, and a more refined build quality. The Hardinge wins on precision; the Haas wins on value and capacity.

05 What bar feeder works with the Talent 42?

The Talent 42 has a standard bar feeder interface and works with most major bar feeder brands including LNS, Iemca, FMB, and Edge Technologies. The 1.65-inch bar capacity determines the maximum bar feeder size needed.

06 Is the Talent 42 good for medical parts?

Yes. The Talent 42's collet-ready spindle, precision BMT tooling, and compact design make it well-suited for medical component production. Many Hardinge customers produce bone screws, dental implants, and surgical instrument components on the Talent series.