Northwood Ironside R-Series
Image: northwoodmachine.com, Northwood
Key Specifications
Spindle Taper
Tool Capacity
Table Size
Spindle Power
control
table orientations
How much does the Northwood Ironside R-Series cost?
Price estimate
We do not have a price for the Northwood Ironside R-Series 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
Northwood builds most of its routers to order. The Ironside R-Series is the exception: a three-axis traveling gantry with a fixed specification, sold with one spindle, one tool changer and a short list of choices. It weighs 12,000 pounds and ships in one piece.
The specification is easy to state. One 13 kW (17.4 hp) air-cooled spindle with an HSK63F interface, a 12-tool automatic changer and a 9-inch Z stroke, which the table gives as 9 in (229 mm). The control is a FANUC 0i-Model F Plus with the Alpha iD servo system, and a Northwood tool and part probe is included. The only tooling addition named is a 9-line drill.
Three tables are offered, and nothing custom: 4 feet by 8 feet, 5 feet by 10 feet and 5 feet by 12 feet, listed in the table as 49 x 97 in (1,245 x 2,464 mm), 61 x 121 in (1,549 x 3,073 mm) and 61 x 145 in (1,549 x 3,683 mm). All are in the narrow orientation with single or multiple vacuum zones.
Shipping in one piece is the practical argument. Northwood says the machine needs no assembly on arrival, has a smaller footprint and has a lower ceiling clearance. A 9 in (229 mm) stroke is enough for sheet goods on a spoilboard and little else, so thick blocks and tall fixtures are outside its range. For those, or for liquid-cooled spindles, saws and larger drill blocks, Northwood points buyers to the configurable Ironside 3.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| CNC Control | FANUC 0i-Model F Plus with Alpha iD Servo System |
| Table Size | 49 x 97 in (1,245 x 2,464 mm), 61 x 121 in (1,549 x 3,073 mm), 61 x 145 in (1,549 x 3,683 mm) |
| Table Orientations | Narrow |
| Table Options | Single or multiple vacuum zones, 3-standard automatic part location stops (additional available) |
| Spindle Motor Power | 13 kW (17.4 hp) air cooled |
| Spindle Taper | HSK63F |
| Tool Capacity | 12 (standard) |
| Z Axis Travel | 9 in (229 mm) standard |
| Tool Part Probe | Standard Northwood Probe (optional Renishaw TS27R, NC4 non-contact or RMP400) |
| Line Boring Drill Unit | 9-line |
| Vacuum Pumps | 40 hp Liquid Ring, 10 hp Dry Claw, 25 Dry Claw, 10 hp Rotary Vane, stacked system |
Specifications sourced from northwoodmachine.com — verified 2026-10-05
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Ships in one piece at 12,000 pounds, with no assembly on site according to Northwood
- Three table sizes: 49 x 97 in (1,245 x 2,464 mm), 61 x 121 in (1,549 x 3,073 mm) and 61 x 145 in (1,549 x 3,683 mm)
- 13 kW (17.4 hp) air-cooled HSK63F spindle with a 12-tool automatic changer as standard
- FANUC 0i-Model F Plus control with the Alpha iD servo system
- Northwood tool and part probe included, with Renishaw TS27R, NC4 non-contact or RMP400 optional
Limitations
- Z travel is 9 in (229 mm), against 14 in (356 mm) as standard on the Ironside 3
- One spindle rating only: 13 kW (17.4 hp) air cooled, with no liquid-cooled option in the table
- No custom table sizes, no twin table and no saw or molder options; those belong to the Ironside 3
- The only drill unit is the optional 9-line
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
Northwood states that it comes with one spindle, one tool changer and a 9-inch Z-stroke. The table fills in the detail: a 13 kW (17.4 hp) air-cooled spindle with HSK63F tooling, a 12-tool changer, a FANUC 0i-Model F Plus control and a Northwood probe. A 9-line drill is optional.
02
It weighs 12,000 pounds and ships in one piece. Northwood says there is no assembly or complicated installation when it arrives: the machine is placed in the shop and connected to power. The company also notes a smaller footprint and a lower ceiling clearance.
03
Three tables are listed: 4 feet by 8 feet, 5 feet by 10 feet and 5 feet by 12 feet. In the specification table they appear as 49 x 97 in (1,245 x 2,464 mm), 61 x 121 in (1,549 x 3,073 mm) and 61 x 145 in (1,549 x 3,683 mm). No custom size is offered on this model.
04
When the fixed specification is too narrow. The Ironside 3 adds liquid-cooled spindles of 16 kW (21.5 hp) and 25 kW (33.5 hp), Z travel of 14 in (356 mm) or 36 in (914 mm), custom and dual-zone tables, saws, a molder and drill units up to 40-line. Northwood itself directs buyers who want something larger or customizable to that model.
