Engine Lathes for Sale – New & Used Manual and CNC
At Sterling Machinery Exchange, we offer one of the largest selections of engine lathes in the U.S. — from compact toolroom lathes to heavy-duty industrial machines. Customers shop by swing (turning diameter), distance between centers (length of part), and spindle bore / through hole for bar work and larger shafts. Whether you need a precision manual lathe or a modern CNC engine lathe, we have the right machine for your job.
Choose the Right Lathe Size
Typical capacities: 10"–16" swing with 20"–40" centers for small shops, 18"–28" swing with 40"–80" centers for job shops, and 30"+ swing with 120"+ centers for large industrial turning. The spindle bore is key when turning pipe or long bar stock through the spindle.
Custom Options and Accessories
Every shop has different needs. We can supply lathes equipped with digital readouts (DRO), taper attachments, splash guards, 3-jaw and 4-jaw chucks, steady rests, follow rests, and more. Ask us about configuring a lathe that’s ready to run the way you work.
Trade-In or Sell Your Old Lathe
If you’re upgrading, Sterling Machinery can also buy or trade your used lathe. Since 1954, we’ve specialized in lathe sales, service, and repair — making sure you get maximum value on your older equipment while stepping into the right machine for today’s work.
Premier New Brands We Carry
- New
13"/19" x 40" Brand New Atrump Precision Engine Lathe, Mdl. LD-1340, 4 Way Tool Post, Hardened & Ground Gears In Headstock, Tool Box & Kits, Rapid Foot Break, Rear Splash Guard, Precision Taper Roller Bearing, Steady Rest, Feed Rod Is Equipped With Over Load Safety Clutch, Gap Bed, Apron Equipped With Interlocking Device To Prevent Feeding Inter-Gearing During Automatic Feeding, Complete Electric Control Unit, Change Gears, Follow Rest, #2 Radius Attachment With Work Head, Indexing Attachment & 5C Collet Attachment, #2 Radius Attachment With Work Head, Indexing Attachment & 5C Collet Attachment, Spindle Nose 1-1/2", Floor Stand, #2 Radius Attachment With Work Head, Indexing Attachment & 5C Collet Attachment, Hardened & Ground Bed Ways, #SMLD1340
- New
14"/20" x 40" Brand New Atrump Precision Gap Bed Engine Lathe, Mdl. LD-1440, 4 Way Tool Post, Hardened & Ground Gears In Headstock, Tool Box & Kits, Rapid Foot Break, Rear Splash Guard, Precision Taper Roller Bearing, Steady Rest, Feed Rod Is Equipped With Over Load Safety Clutch, Gap Bed, Apron Equipped With Interlocking Device To Prevent Feeding Inter-Gearing During Automatic Feeding, Complete Electric Control Unit, Change Gears, 4 Jaw Independent Chuck 8", Spindle Nose 1-1/2", Face Plate 10", Floor Stand, 3 Jaw Scroll Chuck 6", Hardened & Ground Bed Ways, #SMLD1440
- New
16"/21" x 40" Brand New Atrump Precision Gap Bed Engine Lathe, Mdl. LD-1640, Spindle Nose 2-3/16", 4 Way Tool Post, Hardened & Ground Gears In Headstock, Rapid Foot Break, Tool Box & Kits, Rear Splash Guard, Precision Taper Roller Bearing, Feed Rod Is Equipped With Over Load Safety Clutch, Steady Rest, Apron Equipped With Interlocking Device To Prevent Feeding Inter-Gearing During Automatic Feeding, Complete Electric Control Unit, Change Gears, Follow Rest, 4 Jaw Independent Chuck 8", Face Plate 10", Floor Stand, 3 Jaw Scroll Chuck 6", #2 Radius Attachment With Work Head, Indexing Attachment & 5C Collet Attachment, Hardened & Ground Bed Ways, #SMLD1640
- New
16"/21" x 60" Brand New Atrump Precision Gap Bed Engine Lathe, Mdl. LD-1660, Spindle Nose 2-3/16", 4 Way Tool Post, Hardened & Ground Gears In Headstock, Rapid Foot Break, Tool Box & Kits, Rear Splash Guard, Precision Taper Roller Bearing, Feed Rod Is Equipped With Over Load Safety Clutch, Steady Rest, Apron Equipped With Interlocking Device To Prevent Feeding Inter-Gearing During Automatic Feeding, Complete Electric Control Unit, Change Gears, Follow Rest, 4 Jaw Independent Chuck 8", Face Plate 10", Floor Stand, 3 Jaw Scroll Chuck 6", D1-6 Back Plate 8", Hardened & Ground Bed Ways, #SMLD1660
- New
30"/39" x 160" Brand New Atrump Heavy Duty "Gap Bed" Engine Lathe, Mdl. 30160LS, Made In Taiwan, 4 Way Tool Post, Tailstock, Meehanite Casting, #2 Radius Attachment With Work Head, Indexing Attachment & 5C Collet Attachment, Rigid, One Piece Thermally Balance Casting Bed, Spindle Nose 4-1/16", Steady Rest, Foot Brake, Gap Bed, Coolant System, Full Length Splash Guard, Hardened & Ground Bed, Slide Ways & Gears, Follow Rest, Machine Color Is Bridgeport Grey, #SM30160LS
Few tools are as essential to metalworking as the engine lathe. Whether you’re upgrading from a manual lathe or replacing an old favorite, our machinery specialists will help you find the perfect match for your needs. With over 70 years of experience and a carefully curated selection in our showroom, we're your trusted source for these powerful metalworking machines.
What Sets Our Engine Lathes Apart
Our engine lathes perform everything from turning and boring to drilling, threading, and facing workpieces of all shapes and sizes. We offer trusted brands like Mori Seiki, Acra, GMC, and Leblond, and every engine lathe for sale is thoroughly tested in our showroom. Whether you need new or used equipment, our rigorous vetting process ensures you get a reliable machine that won't slow down your operations.
Engine Lathes: FAQs
What is an engine lathe?
An engine lathe is a versatile tool designed to perform turns, boring, drilling, threading, and facing operations. By using specialized attachments like a cross slide, swing over bed, and quick change tools, you can adjust the spindle speeds and perform taper turning, knurling, grooving, and parting off.
What are engine lathes used for?
You can use an engine lathe to modify workpiece size, cut, or finish. These machines excel at threading and repairing damaged threads on shafts, screws, and other components. We often recommend engine lathes for repair and maintenance operations where you need to restore worn parts.
What industries use engine lathes?
The automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors rely heavily on engine lathes. These machines are particularly valuable when you need to create one-off parts or make unique cuts specific to your project.
Engine lathe vs. regular lathe vs. turret lathe
An engine lathe gets its name from early toolmaking, where powered machines were called "engines." Today's engine lathes use motors for power, unlike regular manual lathes, and excel at creating unique or one-off parts. Turret lathes feature an additional rotating turret that holds multiple tools, making them ideal for repeated production of identical parts.
The Best New and Used Engine Lathes for Sale
As industry experts with decades of experience, we offer both new and used engine lathes from leading brands. Visit our showroom to see these machines in action and speak with our specialists. We'll not only help you find the perfect lathe but can also appraise, auction, or purchase your used equipment. Whether you're buying, selling, or trading, we're here to support you before, during, and after your purchase.
For more information, request a custom quote today!
Call NOW! (626) 444-0311








