Citizen L12

What the maker publishes about the current Citizen L12

Citizen's L12 is a Swiss turning center in the Cincom range, and Marubeni Citizen-Cincom's page for it covers two types, the L12 VII (L12-1M7) and the L12 X (L12-2M10), which adds a Y2 axis. Both machine bar up to 12 mm in diameter, or 16 mm as an option, and the main spindle is rated 200 to 15,000 rpm. Its guide bushing is detachable: with it in place a part can be machined up to 135 mm long, and without it up to 30 mm, which saves bar on short work. The back spindle tops out at 10,000 rpm on the VII and 12,000 rpm on the X, and parts leaving it can be ejected forward up to 80 mm long. The VII mounts up to 28 tools and the X up to 38. Main and back spindles take TF 16 collets, and X, Y and Z rapid feed is 35 m/min.

Source: Marubeni Citizen-Cincom, October 27, 2026.

What the Citizen L12 is used for

Citizen's L12 is a Swiss-type lathe for small turned parts from 12 mm bar, or 16 mm as an option, and its guide bushing comes out: kept in for long slim parts, removed to waste less bar on short ones; C axes on both spindles and milling and helical interpolation come standard for milled features on the same part.

Source: Marubeni Citizen-Cincom, October 27, 2026.

Citizen L12 specifications

Figures as currently published; an older unit may differ in control generation and options.

1. manufacturer specification page, fetched October 27, 2026.

What fits a Citizen L12

Each of these follows from a published specification above, which is named beside it.

What to check on a Citizen L12

• Spindle. The manufacturer gives a spindle speed of 200 ~ 15,000 rpm. Run the spindle to top speed and listen for bearing noise.
• Spindle load. The manufacturer gives 3 hp / 5 hp of spindle power. Take a heavy cut and watch the load meter.
• Rapids and ballscrews. The manufacturer gives a rapid traverse of 35 m/min. Measure the backlash on each axis.
• Tool changer. The manufacturer gives the tool capacity as 28 | 38 (L12 VII / L12 X). Cycle every pocket and watch for a hesitation.
• Bar work. The manufacturer gives a bar capacity of 12mm (16mm option) (16 mm optional). Check any bar feeder is set for that bar.
• Bed and ways. The manufacturer gives a max turning length of 135mm (GB) / 30mm (NGB) (with / without guide bushing). Check the ways for wear near the chuck.
• Second spindle. The manufacturer gives the second spindle as 10,000 rpm | 12,000 rpm (Built-in) (L12 VII / L12 X). Check that it synchronizes with the main spindle on a part transfer.
• Rigging and floor. The manufacturer gives a machine weight of 3,748 lbs. | 4,850 lbs. (L12 VII / L12 X). Confirm the rigging route and the floor will take that.

Citizen L12 listing history

Where it was listed

Model years seen

2019.

Looking for a Citizen L12 for sale?

We have tracked 3 Citizen L12 listings on 2 marketplaces (equipt.com and machinesused.com), model year 2019. We buy Citizen L12 machines and do not sell them.

2019

Every Citizen L12 we have tracked

2 more listings gave no year or the early year left out above.

The Citizen L12 among lathes and turning centers

Browse all CNC Swiss-Type Lathes, or see every Citizen machine we track.

Models related to the Citizen L12