Johnford SL-50A
Key Specifications
Max Spindle
Spindle Power
swing over bed
swing over cross slide
chuck size
bar capacity
How much does the Johnford SL-50A cost?
Price estimate
We do not have a price for the Johnford SL-50A 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
Take the short SL-50 bed and fit the larger A spindle, and the result is the Johnford SL-50A: a 12 in chuck, a Ø115 mm (Ø4.5 in) spindle bore and 22 / 26 kW (29.5 / 34.9 hp) on a machine with 650 mm (25.6 in) of Z travel.
Short bed, big spindle. That combination is made for heavy chucking. Gear blanks, flanges, bearing housings, brake drums and forged rings are short parts with a lot of metal to remove, and they need torque and a stiff spindle far more than they need length. The spindle bearing is Ø160 mm (Ø6.3 in), against Ø130 mm (Ø5.1 in) on the SL-50, and the motor has a 2 step automatic gearbox behind it.
Bar capacity is Ø91 mm (Ø3.6 in), with Ø102 mm (Ø4 in) as an option. The nose is A2-8, and A2-11 is optional. Speed is listed as 3,000 rpm, with 2,800 rpm as the optional figure; the page does not say so, but the lower speed and the larger nose and bar bore appear side by side as options in the table.
Swing is unchanged from the base model: Ø580 mm (Ø22.8 in) over the bed and Ø450 mm (Ø17.7 in) over the cross slide, with 250 mm (9.8 in) of X travel. That is worth checking against a 12 in chuck with long jaws. The machine weighs 7,000 kg (15,400 lb) and fits the 4,265 mm (167.9 in) length of the SL-50.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Swing Over Bed | Ø580 mm (Ø22.8 in) |
| Swing Over Cross Slide | Ø450 mm (Ø17.7 in) |
| Chuck Size | 12 in (305 mm) |
| Bar Capacity | Ø91 mm (Ø3.6 in) / Ø102 mm (Ø4 in) (Opt.) |
| Spindle Nose | A2-8 / A2-11(Opt.) |
| Spindle Bore | Ø115 mm (Ø4.5 in) |
| Spindle Transmission | 2 step Auto |
| Max Spindle Speed | 3,000 / 2,800 rpm (Opt.) |
| Spindle Motor Power | 22 / 26 kW (29.5 / 34.9 hp) |
| Spindle Bearing Diameter | Ø160 mm (Ø6.3 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 | 7,000 kg (15,400 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
- 22 / 26 kW (29.5 / 34.9 hp) geared spindle on the short SL-50 bed
- 12 in chuck and Ø91 mm (Ø3.6 in) bar capacity, Ø102 mm (Ø4 in) optional
- Spindle bearing diameter of Ø160 mm (Ø6.3 in)
- Programmable hydraulic tailstock with an Ø85 mm (Ø3.3 in) quill as standard
- Compact length of 4,265 mm (167.9 in)
Limitations
- 3,000 rpm top speed, 2,800 rpm in the optional configuration
- 650 mm (25.6 in) of Z travel limits shaft length
- Swing over cross slide stays at Ø450 mm (Ø17.7 in) with the larger chuck
- The standard turret is non-driven
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The spindle. The SL-50 has a 10 in chuck, Ø76.5 mm (Ø3 in) bar capacity, a Ø86 mm (Ø3.4 in) bore and 15 / 18.5 kW (20.1 / 24.8 hp) at 3,500 rpm. The SL-50A has a 12 in chuck, Ø91 mm (Ø3.6 in) bar capacity, a Ø115 mm (Ø4.5 in) bore and 22 / 26 kW (29.5 / 34.9 hp) at 3,000 rpm.
02
Ø91 mm (Ø3.6 in) as standard and Ø102 mm (Ø4 in) as an option. The spindle nose is A2-8 as standard and A2-11 as an option.
03
7,000 kg (15,400 lb). The SL-50 weighs 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) and the SL-50B 7,500 kg (16,500 lb); all three share the same 2,320 x 2,060 mm (91.3 x 81.1 in) width and height.
04
15 / 10 / 18 m/min (591 / 394 / 709 ipm) on X, Y and Z, the Y figure applying to the optional Y-axis. X travel is 250 mm (9.8 in) and Y travel ±40 mm (±1.6 in).
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