Star SR-38

Est. $350,000 - $570,000 Specs verified 2026-10-03 · ellisontechnologies.com Updated 2026-10-03

Key Specifications

Max Spindle

7,000 rpm

Rapid Traverse

36 m/min (X1, Y1, Z1, X2, Z2), 24 m/min (Y2, X3)

Spindle Power

7.5 kW (continuous) / 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED)

Max Turn Length

150mm (5-7/8in)

max machining diameter

38 mm (1.5 in)

max machining length

320 mm (12.6 in)

How much does the Star SR-38 cost?

Estimated price range

Est.$350,000 - $570,000

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

Overview

Star's SR-38 is a 10-axis Swiss-type lathe, B-axis included, for bar up to Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in). Beyond the turning envelope, the table states what the machine will drill and tap: a maximum drilling diameter of 23 mm and a maximum tapping size of M16 x P2.0. Those two rows help decide whether a bored or threaded part can be finished here or needs a second operation.

Both spindles turn at 7,000 rpm. The main spindle has 7.5 kW continuous and 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED). The counter spindle is listed at 5.5 kW (7.4 HP), which a second row breaks down as 3.7 kW continuous and 5.5 kW (10min./40%ED). A 23 mm drill in steel asks a lot of either motor, so the heaviest drilling is best planned on the main spindle.

Length needs care. The table gives a maximum machining length of 320 mm (12.6 in), matching the 320 mm (12-19/32 in) headstock stroke, and a maximum turning length of 150mm (5-7/8in). It does not explain why the two differ, so establish which one applies to your part before quoting long work.

Turning tools number 7: 5 of the stationary type on the front and 2 on the rear under X3 axis control. Rapid traverse is 36 m/min on X1, Y1, Z1, X2 and Z2 and 24 m/min on Y2 and X3. The machine weighs 4,300 kg on a 2,740 × 1,315 × 2,120 mm footprint. The smaller SR-32J is listed at 8,000 rpm and 4,100 kg with 35 m/min rapids, so stepping up in bar size here means a slower spindle and little extra weight.

Full Specifications

Parameter	Value
Max Machining Diameter	38 mm (1.5 in)
Max Machining Length	320 mm (12.6 in)
Counter Spindle Speed	7,000 RPM
Counter Spindle Power	5.5 kW (7.4 HP)
Number of Axes	10 (including B-axis)
Max Drilling Diameter	23 mm
Max Tapping Size	M16 x P2.0
Machine Weight	4,300 kg
Max Turning Diameter	Ø38mm (1-1/2in)
Max Turning Length	150mm (5-7/8in)
Bar Capacity	Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in)
Max Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Spindle Motor Power	7.5 kW (continuous) / 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED)
Turret Stations	5 tools on the front (stationary type) + 2 tools on the rear (X3 axis control)
Headstock Stroke	320 mm (12-19/32 in)
Sub Spindle Speed	7,000 rpm
Sub Spindle Power	3.7 kW (continuous) / 5.5 kW (10min./40%ED)
Turning Tools	7 tools (5 tools on the front, stationary type, + 2 tools on the rear, X3 axis control)
Rapid Traverse Rate	36 m/min (X1, Y1, Z1, X2, Z2), 24 m/min (Y2, X3)
Floor Space Required	2,740 × 1,315 × 2,120 mm

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

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

Stated capacities of 23 mm maximum drilling diameter and M16 x P2.0 maximum tapping size
10 axes including a B-axis for angled features
Counter spindle at 7,000 RPM with 5.5 kW (7.4 HP)
7 turning tools, with the 2 rear tools under X3 axis control
320 mm (12-19/32 in) headstock stroke

Limitations

Maximum turning length is listed at 150mm (5-7/8in), well short of the 320 mm (12.6 in) machining length
Y2 and X3 rapids are 24 m/min against 36 m/min on the other listed axes
Spindle speed tops out at 7,000 rpm, where the SR-32J is listed at 8,000 rpm
The counter spindle's continuous rating is 3.7 kW, about half the main spindle's 7.5 kW

Best For

Parts needing holes up to 23 mm drilled from the bar end Threaded components up to M16 x P2.0 tapped in cycle Bar up to Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) with back-end finishing Angled features using the B-axis within the 10-axis layout

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What are the drilling and tapping limits of the SR-38?

Maximum drilling diameter is 23 mm and maximum tapping size is M16 x P2.0. The table does not state the material those limits were set in, so treat them as the upper bound and prove out tougher alloys with a test cut.

02 Why does the table show two different length figures?

Maximum machining length is 320 mm (12.6 in), the same as the headstock stroke. Maximum turning length is 150mm (5-7/8in). The table gives no explanation for the gap. Ask which figure limits a part of your length and diameter before relying on the longer one.

03 How does the SR-38 compare with the SR-32J?

The SR-38 takes Ø38 mm (1-1/2 in) bar at 7,000 rpm and weighs 4,300 kg. The SR-32J takes Ø32 mm (1-1/4 in) bar, Ø34 mm (1-11/32 in) as an option, at 8,000 rpm and weighs 4,100 kg. Main spindle power is the same on both: 7.5 kW continuous and 11.0 kW (10min./25%ED).

04 What is the counter spindle rated at?

7,000 RPM and 5.5 kW (7.4 HP). The sub-spindle power row gives the detail: 3.7 kW continuous and 5.5 kW at the 10min./40%ED rating. Size back-end cuts to the continuous figure for long production runs.

05 How many axes does the SR-38 have, and how fast are they?

10 axes, including a B-axis. Rapid traverse is 36 m/min on X1, Y1, Z1, X2 and Z2, and 24 m/min on Y2 and X3. The slower pair includes X3, the axis that controls the two rear turning tools.