Johnford SL-50
Key Specifications
Max Spindle
Spindle Power
swing over bed
swing over cross slide
chuck size
bar capacity
How much does the Johnford SL-50 cost?
Price estimate
We do not have a price for the Johnford SL-50 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 Johnford SL-50 is where the SL range gets its heavy construction: a 45° bed, a 2 step automatic spindle transmission and a programmable hydraulic tailstock as standard. Chuck size is 10 in and bar capacity Ø76.5 mm (Ø3 in), the same as on the lighter SL-40.
What changes is how the same chuck can be used. The spindle motor is 15 / 18.5 kW (20.1 / 24.8 hp), and the gearbox shifts by itself between two ranges. In low range the motor's power is available at the slow spindle speeds that a large-diameter steel part needs, which a one step drive cannot do. The price is top speed: 3,500 rpm against the 4,000 rpm of the SL-40.
The rest of the machine is sized to match. The spindle bearing is Ø130 mm (Ø5.1 in). The tailstock quill grows to Ø85 mm (Ø3.3 in) with 100 mm (3.9 in) of travel and an MT#5 centre. X and Z servo motors are 3 kW and 4 kW. Weight is 6,500 kg (14,300 lb).
Z travel is 650 mm (25.6 in), or 550 mm (21.7 in) with the Y-axis, the shortest of the three bed lengths on this frame; the SL-60 and SL-65 are the longer ones. The same bed is also sold with bigger spindles as the SL-50A and SL-50B.
On its own terms the SL-50 is the general-purpose member of the family: a 10 in machine for mixed bar and chuck work in steel, with box ways on all axes and rapids of 15 / 10 / 18 m/min (591 / 394 / 709 ipm).
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Swing Over Bed | Ø580 mm (Ø22.8 in) |
| Swing Over Cross Slide | Ø450 mm (Ø17.7 in) |
| Chuck Size | 10 in (254 mm) |
| Bar Capacity | Ø76.5 mm (Ø3 in) |
| Spindle Nose | A2-8 |
| Spindle Bore | Ø86 mm (Ø3.4 in) |
| Spindle Transmission | 2 step Auto |
| Max Spindle Speed | 3,500 rpm |
| Spindle Motor Power | 15 / 18.5 kW (20.1 / 24.8 hp) |
| Spindle Bearing Diameter | Ø130 mm (Ø5.1 in) |
| Turret Stations | 12 |
| X Axis Travel | 250 mm (9.8 in) |
| Y Axis Travel | ±40 mm (±1.6 in) |
| Z Axis Travel | 650 mm (25.6 in); 550 mm (21.7 in) with Y-axis |
| Rapid Traverse Xyz | 15 / 10 / 18 m/min (591 / 394 / 709 ipm) |
| Tailstock Travel | 530 mm (20.9 in); 430 mm (16.9 in) with Y-axis |
| Tailstock Quill Travel | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Tailstock Quill Diameter | Ø85 mm (Ø3.3 in) |
| Tailstock Taper Fixed | MT#5 |
| Tailstock Taper Rotary | MT#4 (Opt.) |
| Servo Motor X | 3 kW; 4 kW with Y-axis |
| Servo Motor Y | 1.6 kW |
| Servo Motor Z | 4 kW |
| Power Turret Motor | 3.7 / 5.5 kW (5.0 / 7.4 hp) |
| Bed Inclination | 45° |
| Machine Weight | 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) |
| Machine Width Height | 2,320 x 2,060 mm (91.3 x 81.1 in) |
| Machine Length | 4,265 mm (167.9 in) |
Specifications sourced from johnford.com.tw — verified 2026-10-04
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 2 step Auto transmission with a 15 / 18.5 kW (20.1 / 24.8 hp) motor
- 45° bed with heavy box ways on all axes
- Programmable hydraulic tailstock as standard, Ø85 mm (Ø3.3 in) quill, MT#5
- Ø76.5 mm (Ø3 in) bar capacity through an A2-8 spindle
- 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) machine for a 10 in chuck
Limitations
- Top speed of 3,500 rpm, below the 4,000 rpm of the SL-40
- Z travel of 650 mm (25.6 in), or 550 mm (21.7 in) with the Y-axis
- Rapids of 15 / 10 / 18 m/min (591 / 394 / 709 ipm) are slower than on the SL-40
- Live tooling, C-axis and Y-axis are options
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
A 2 step Auto transmission, driven by a 15 / 18.5 kW (20.1 / 24.8 hp) motor, with a maximum spindle speed of 3,500 rpm. The SL-40 below it has a one step transmission.
02
Versions of the same bed with larger spindles. The SL-50A has a 12 in chuck, Ø91 mm (Ø3.6 in) bar capacity and 22 / 26 kW (29.5 / 34.9 hp). The SL-50B has a 15 in chuck, Ø116 mm (Ø4.6 in) bar capacity and an A2-11 nose at 2,000 rpm.
03
650 mm (25.6 in), or 550 mm (21.7 in) with the Y-axis. Tailstock travel is 530 mm (20.9 in), or 430 mm (16.9 in) with the Y-axis. For longer parts the SL-60 has 1,040 mm (40.9 in) and the SL-65 1,500 mm (59.1 in) of Z.
04
The machine is 2,320 x 2,060 mm (91.3 x 81.1 in) in width and height and 4,265 mm (167.9 in) long, and it weighs 6,500 kg (14,300 lb).
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