Haas's current CNC lathe lineup includes the ST series of turning centers, the DS dual-spindle lathes, the SB box way lathes, the TL toolroom lathes, the CL-1 chucker lathe and the compact Pocket Lathe. Within the ST series, letters after the number tell you whether a machine has a Y axis, a long bed or a short bed. This guide explains the ST, DS, SB, TL and CL lines, shows how to read a Haas lathe model name, covers the older HL and SL lathes still found in shops, and lists what to note when you identify one.
Machine Tool Exchange buys used Haas lathes directly from the shops that own them, so the guide ends with the details an owner needs on hand.
What CNC Lathes Does Haas Make?
Haas Automation's current CNC lathe lineup includes the ST series, the DS dual-spindle series, the SB box way series, the TL toolroom series, the CL chucker lathe and the Pocket Lathe. Across those lines Haas offers toolroom lathes, big-bore versions, dual-spindle models, live tooling with C axis, and Y-axis capability.
Haas was founded in 1983 by Gene Haas and is headquartered in Oxnard, California, where most of its machines are built. It started with rotary products and added its first vertical machining center in 1988, and it now builds lathes alongside its mills. For where Haas sits among the other builders, see our guide to the major CNC machine brands. If you are new to turning in general, start with how a lathe turns a part.
The Haas ST Series
The ST series is Haas's main line of CNC turning centers. Haas says the ST lathes were "designed from the ground up to provide setup flexibility, extreme rigidity, and high thermal stability." Across the series, Haas lists chuck sizes from 6.5 to 18 inches and bar capacity from 1.75 to 12.5 inches.
The current ST models fall into two size groups:
- Standard ST lathes: ST-10, ST-15, ST-20, ST-25, ST-28, ST-30 and ST-35.
- Large-bore ST lathes: ST-40, ST-45 and ST-55, with short-bed and long-bed versions of the ST-40 and ST-45, plus an ST-55S.
Most sizes also come in Y-axis and long-bed versions. A few examples from Haas's own list show how the sizes step up:
- ST-10: 12 x 16 in. max capacity, 1.75 in. bar capacity.
- ST-20: 13 x 22.5 in. max capacity, 2.5 in. bar capacity.
- ST-35: A2-8 spindle nose, 4.0 in. bar capacity.
- ST-45: 30 x 44 in. max capacity, 7.0 in. bore.
- ST-55: a 12.5 in. bore.
How Do You Read a Haas Lathe Model Name?
A Haas lathe model name is the line, a size number and, on many models, one or more letters for options built into the frame. The letters follow a consistent pattern across Haas's current list:
| Part of the name | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ST | ST series turning center | ST-20 |
| The number | The size class: ST-10 and ST-15 share a 12 x 16 in. max capacity, ST-20 to ST-28 share 13 x 22.5 in. | ST-25 |
| Y | Y axis | ST-20Y |
| L | Long bed | ST-20L |
| LY | Long bed with Y axis | ST-20LY |
| S | Short bed (large-bore models) | ST-40S |
| DS | Dual spindle (every current DS model also has a Y axis) | DS-30Y |
| SB | Box way lathe | SB-35 |
| TL | Toolroom lathe (P = production, EDU = education) | TL-1, TL-2P |
| CL | Chucker lathe | CL-1 |
Among models that share a work envelope, the higher number means more bar capacity. The ST-20 and ST-25 both list a 13 x 22.5 in. max capacity, and the ST-25 takes 3.0 in. bar against the ST-20's 2.5 in.
What Does a Y Axis Add to a Haas Lathe?
A Y axis lets a Haas lathe do milling work off the part's centerline. Haas describes its Y-axis lathes as combining "generous Y-axis travel, full C-axis motion, and high-performance live tooling," so a shop can do secondary milling operations such as off-center milling, drilling and tapping on the lathe instead of moving the part to a mill.
Y-axis versions are offered across the ST range, from the ST-10Y up to the large-bore ST-55Y. Haas also offers live tooling with C-axis motion on its lathes, so check the turret as well as the model name.
Haas DS Dual-Spindle Lathes
The DS lathes are dual-spindle turning centers with a Y axis. Haas's current DS models are the DS-20Y, DS-25Y and DS-30Y, with a DS-40Y also listed. Haas describes the combination this way: "Dual-spindle turning combined with Y axis, C axis, and live tooling allows multiple operations in a single setup to reduce part handling and increase accuracy." The sub-spindle has its own fully interpolated C axis with a brake.
A standard ST lathe can also be fitted with a finishing sub-spindle: Haas offers one for the ST-10 through ST-28 and another for the ST-30 and ST-35. Machines built around full milling as well as turning are covered on our page for mill-turn machines and multi-tasking lathes.
Haas SB Box Way Lathes
The SB series is Haas's line of box way lathes. Haas says SB lathes "offer the high dynamic stiffness, load-bearing capacity, and vibration damping associated with traditional box way machines," with hardened and precision ground ways and a slant bed. The current models are the SB-28, SB-35 and long-bed SB-35L, plus Y-axis versions of each (SB-28Y, SB-35Y and SB-35LY). All carry an A2-8 spindle nose, with 2.9 in. bar capacity on the SB-28 models and 3.5 in. on the SB-35 models.
Haas TL Toolroom Lathes
The TL toolroom lathes are Haas's lathes for shops moving from manual turning to CNC. Haas says they are easy to learn and operate even without knowing G-code, and pitches them at start-up shops and shops making a first step into CNC. The current models are:
- TL-1: 16 x 30 in. max capacity.
- TL-2: 16 x 48 in. max capacity.
- TL-1P and TL-2P: production versions, 8 x 30 in. and 8 x 48 in. max capacity.
- TL-1-EDU: a version sold only for education.
An E-Handwheels option gives manual-style control of both axes for positioning and cutting.
The Haas CL-1 Chucker Lathe
The CL-1 is a small chucker lathe for small precision parts. Haas describes it as "an ultra-compact CNC chucker lathe that comes standard with an 8-station automatic turret," made for "high-volume production of small, precision parts." It takes 5C collets, has 1 in. bar capacity, and is small enough to fit into most freight elevators.
Older Haas Lathes: HL and SL Models
Not every Haas lathe in a shop today is on Haas's current list. American Machinist's preview of the 1998 IMTS show featured the Haas HL-1 and HL-2 turning centers, each with a hydraulic, through-hole 8 in. chuck as standard. SL-series lathes are another older Haas line that no longer appears in the current lineup, and earlier ST models also turn up.
If your machine says SL or HL on the plate, it is an older Haas, and the same details below still describe it.
The Haas Control: NGC and Classic
Every Haas CNC lathe runs Haas's own control. The current version is the Next Generation Control (NGC), and the older generation is often called Classic (or Legacy). The NGC's layout and screens are similar to past Haas controls, so check which one the machine has rather than assuming. Our used Haas value guide explains why buyers check it.
What to Note on a Haas Lathe You Own
To describe a Haas lathe accurately, collect these details from the machine:
- Model and serial number, from the data plate. A photo of the plate is more reliable than memory.
- Control generation and software version (NGC or Classic).
- Spindle hours, which can often be read off the control.
- Configuration: chuck size, bar capacity, Y axis, live tooling, sub-spindle, long or short bed.
- Attachments: bar feeder, parts loader, tool presetter and any tooling that goes with it.
These are the same things we look at when we buy a used Haas. Machine Tool Exchange buys the full ST series, DS dual-spindle machines, TL toolroom and CL chucker lathes, and older SL-series lathes, running or idle. We buy outright and arrange the pickup. Request a quote or call 800-822-9524.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Haas ST-20 and ST-25?
Both list a 13 x 22.5 in. max capacity. The ST-20 takes 2.5 in. bar and the ST-25 takes 3.0 in. bar, so the ST-25 handles larger bar stock in the same envelope.
What does the Y mean in a Haas lathe model?
The Y means the lathe has a Y axis. Combined with live tooling and C-axis motion, it lets the lathe do off-center milling, drilling and tapping without moving the part to a mill.
What is a Haas toolroom lathe?
A Haas toolroom lathe is a TL-series CNC lathe built to be easy to learn, even without knowing G-code. The current models are the TL-1, TL-2, the production TL-1P and TL-2P, and the TL-1-EDU for schools.
What is a Haas DS lathe?
A Haas DS lathe is a dual-spindle turning center with a Y axis. The current models are the DS-20Y, DS-25Y and DS-30Y, with a DS-40Y also listed. They combine turning, Y-axis and live-tool work in a single setup to reduce part handling.
Does Haas still make SL-series lathes?
SL-series lathes do not appear in Haas's current lathe lineup, which is built around the ST series. SL machines are still found in shops and on the used market.
Have a Haas lathe you want to sell? Machine Tool Exchange is a direct buyer, so the offer comes from the buyer. We buy outright and arrange the pickup. Get a quote or call 800-822-9524.