Star Micronics ST-38

Est. $300,000 - $450,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · ellisontechnologies.com Updated 2026-10-03

Image: starcnc.com, Star Micronics

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

7,000 rpm

Tool Capacity

Max. 2 tools/station (16mm)

Rapid Traverse

30 m/min (for X1, X2, X3, Z1, Z2, Z3 axes)

Spindle Power

7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min/25%ED)

Max Turn Length

350mm (13-25/32in)

max machining diameter

38 mm (1-1/2 in)

How much does the Star Micronics ST-38 cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$300,000 - $450,000

Our best estimate for a swiss-type lathe in this class — not a quote from Star Micronics. Configuration moves it a long way.

Overview

The Star Micronics ST-38 is the Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) turret-type Swiss lathe in Star's ST line, with 10-station turrets, a 7,000 rpm main spindle and a 350 mm (13-25/32 in) headstock stroke. At 6,250 kg it weighs well over the ST-20's 4,850 kg, and the mass goes with the job it is meant for: larger bar, deeper cuts, and several tools in the cut at once.

Tool capacity per station is the row to read closely. Each station takes a maximum of 2 tools on 16 mm shanks, or 3 sleeve tools. A station given over to drills and boring bars in sleeves therefore holds more than one given over to turning tools, and the split between the two decides the real tool count for a job. The turret row describes 10 stations with front and back sides, and the turning tool row says 10 stations each, without stating the number of turrets. The rapid traverse row, 30 m/min on X1, X2, X3, Z1, Z2 and Z3, shows three tool slides.

The two spindles are not equal. The main spindle is rated 7.5 kW continuous and 11 kW (10min/25%ED); the sub-spindle 5.5 kW continuous and 7.5 kW (10min/40%ED). Both reach 7,000 rpm. That leaves the sub-spindle strong enough for real turning on the back of a part, but the heaviest roughing should be programmed on the main side.

Headstock stroke is 350 mm in standard form and 315 mm in the RMGB version; the table leaves that abbreviation unexplained. The footprint is 3,477 × 1,859 × 1,865 mm. The ST-20 is listed with a 10,000 rpm spindle and Ø20 mm (25/32 in) bar, so choosing the ST-38 means accepting a slower spindle and a much heavier machine in exchange for nearly twice the bar diameter.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Machining Diameter	38 mm (1-1/2 in)
Max Headstock Stroke Standard	350 mm
Max Headstock Stroke Rmgb	315 mm
Sub Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Sub Spindle Power	5.5 kW (continuous) / 7.5 kW (10min/40%ED)
Front Turret	10 stations (front and back sides)
Tools per Station	Max 2 tools (16 mm shank) or 3 sleeve tools
Rapid Feed Rate	30 m/min (X1, X2, X3, Z1, Z2, Z3)
Machine Weight	6,250 kg
Max Turning Diameter	ø38mm (1-1/2in)
Max Turning Length	350mm (13-25/32in)
Max Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Spindle Motor Power	7.5 kW (continuous) / 11 kW (10min/25%ED)
Turret Stations	10 stations
Tool Capacity	Max. 2 tools/station (16mm)
Headstock Stroke	350 mm (13-25/32 in)
Turning Tools	10 stations each
Bar Capacity	Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in)
Rapid Traverse Rate	30 m/min (for X1, X2, X3, Z1, Z2, Z3 axes)
Floor Space Required	3,477 × 1,859 × 1,865 mm

Specifications sourced from ellisontechnologies.com (authorised dealer / distributor, not the manufacturer's own site) — verified 2026-10-03

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

10-station turrets with up to 2 tools (16 mm shank) or 3 sleeve tools per station
7.5 kW continuous and 11 kW (10min/25%ED) main spindle at up to 7,000 rpm
Sub-spindle rated 5.5 kW continuous and 7.5 kW (10min/40%ED), also at 7,000 rpm
350 mm (13-25/32 in) headstock stroke on Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar
Three X and three Z axes rapid at 30 m/min

Limitations

No Y axis is named in the rapid traverse row or elsewhere in the table
Headstock stroke is 315 mm in the RMGB version, down from 350 mm
Weighs 6,250 kg and occupies 3,477 × 1,859 × 1,865 mm, so floor loading and access need checking
Turning stations hold a maximum of 2 tools; only sleeve tools reach 3 per station
7,000 rpm top speed, against 10,000 rpm on the ST-20

Best For

Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar parts with heavy turning on both ends Jobs heavy on drilling and boring, using 3 sleeve tools per station Long parts within the 350 mm (13-25/32 in) stroke Cycles that overlap cuts on three tool slides

Frequently Asked Questions

01 How many tools fit in each turret station on the ST-38?

A maximum of 2 tools with 16 mm shanks, or 3 sleeve tools. The turret row lists 10 stations with front and back sides. The table does not give a total tool count, which depends on how many stations carry sleeve holders.

02 What are the spindle ratings of the ST-38?

Main spindle: 7,000 rpm, 7.5 kW continuous and 11 kW (10min/25%ED). Sub-spindle: 7,000 rpm, 5.5 kW continuous and 7.5 kW (10min/40%ED). The sub-spindle's continuous rating is about three quarters of the main spindle's.

03 What does the RMGB stroke figure mean?

The table lists a maximum headstock stroke of 350 mm as standard and 315 mm for RMGB, without expanding the abbreviation. In practice one configuration of the machine has the shorter stroke, so confirm which is being quoted if your parts are longer than 315 mm.

04 How does the ST-38 compare with the ST-20?

The ST-38 takes Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar, runs to 7,000 rpm with 7.5 kW continuous and weighs 6,250 kg. The ST-20 takes Ø20 mm (25/32 in) bar, runs to 10,000 rpm with 3.7 kW continuous and weighs 4,850 kg. Both have a 350 mm (13-25/32 in) maximum turning length and 30 m/min rapids on X1, X2, X3, Z1, Z2 and Z3.

05 How much space does the ST-38 need?

The listed footprint is 3,477 × 1,859 × 1,865 mm and the weight is 6,250 kg. The table does not say whether the bar feeder is included, so add its length when laying out the cell and check the floor rating against the machine weight.