Johnford ST Series – 60˚ Slant Bed Lathes up to 47.2″ Swing over Bed

The Johnford ST Series consists of 60° heavy-duty horizontal slant bed CNC lathes engineered for large-diameter turning, long-bed shaft machining, and high-torque metal removal on oversized components. Built on a one-piece 60° torque-tube slant bed — cast in Johnford’s own Meehanite foundry — the ST Series provides exceptional rigidity, heat dissipation, and geometric stability across bed lengths from 40″ to 400″.

With swing over bed from 31″ to 47.2″ and swing over cross slide from 23.6″ to 39.4″, the series is designed for manufacturers in the energy, oil & gas, aerospace landing gear, heavy equipment, transportation, and general large-part machining sectors who require stable heavy cuts, long-part support, and consistent accuracy. Compared to competing slant bed lathe platforms from Smart, Doosan (DN Solutions), Okuma, SMEC, Hyundai Wia, Mazak, and Haas, the ST Series delivers significantly more mass, rigidity, and long-bed capacity, providing a more stable solution for machining large and heavy cylindrical parts.

The ST Series is built as a true heavy-duty slant bed CNC platform, using a Meehanite torque-tube casting, square box ways, hand-scraped Turcite-B slideways, and pre-tensioned double-nut ballscrews to maximize rigidity, accuracy, and thermal stability during long machining cycles. The 60° aligned headstock, saddle, and tailstock maintain geometric precision under load, while 2- and 4-speed gear-driven spindles provide the high torque needed for large-diameter and long-shaft cutting. With multiple spindle types available and a structure far more robust than typical linear-way competitors, the ST Series delivers exceptional heavy-turning performance at a highly competitive price.

Key Features

• One-piece 60° torque-tube slant bed design for maximum rigidity, vibration damping, and thermal stability on a horizontal slant bed lathe platform.
• Meehanite cast-iron construction from Johnford’s own foundry for consistent strength, density, and long-term accuracy.
• Swing over bed: 31″–47.2″ for heavy-diameter workpieces.
• Swing over cross slide: 23.6″–39.4″ for large tool clearances and stable cutting forces.
• Distance between centers: 40″–400″, supporting extremely long shafts and oversized cylindrical components.
• Square box ways with Turcite-B for high load capacity, vibration control, and precise motion compared to linear-way machines.
• Pre-tensioned double-nut ballscrews to minimize thermal growth and maintain positioning accuracy.
• 35–60 HP high-torque gear-driven spindles (2- or 4-speed) designed for deep roughing and high-load applications.
• Wide range of spindle types and bores to match material, diameter, and throughput requirements.
• Precision spindle bearings (roller + angular contact combinations) for high axial and radial load support.
• Thermally stable 60° alignment of headstock, saddle, and tailstock for predictable long-bed accuracy.
• Isolated coolant tank preventing heat transfer into the machine casting.
• Optional advanced machining functions:
  • 12-station live tooling
  • C-axis contouring
  • Y-axis capability
  • Axial & radial live tool heads
  • 300 or 1,000 psi high-pressure coolant
  • Select sub-spindle configurations