Bench lathe Proxxon PD 400 — working area 400 × 900 × 300 mm

The Proxxon PD 400 bench lathe is a compact, precise machine designed for straight and cross cuts, taper turning, internal and external thread cutting, and slotting. It works with steel, nonferrous metals, aluminium and alloys, and features a rigid, ribbed cast-iron bed with ground and hardened ways. The bed is prepared with a milled and tapped surface to secure the PF 400 mill/drill, and a wide range of accessories is available to expand its functions.

Advantages

The lathe delivers negligible tolerances under load thanks to an oversized spindle running on two adjustable taper bearings and a hardened guideway design. It includes a precision 3-jaw chuck (100 mm) and a powerful, quiet 550 W motor driving six spindle speeds via belt stages for a broad speed range. Built-in gearbox and change gears provide 19 metric thread pitches and imperial thread capability. Fine-feed handwheels, an activatable auto feed, and a tailstock with Morse taper increase control and repeatability for accurate machining.

Suitable for

• Precision turning of small to medium-sized parts
• Cutting internal and external threads (metric and imperial)
• Taper turning and slotting operations
• Working with steel, nonferrous metals, aluminium and alloys
• Hobby workshop, prototyping, repair and fine finishing tasks

Key specifications

• Distance between centres: 400 mm
• Cross slide travel: 85 mm; over top slide: 116 mm; top slide width: 52 mm, adjustable to 45°
• Spindle bore: 20.5 mm; spindle taper: MT3; spindle run-out (without chuck): 0.005 mm
• Included chuck: 3-jaw, 100 mm diameter
• Spindle speeds (belt): stage 1 — 80, 330, 1400 rpm; stage 2 — 160, 660, 2800 rpm
• Motor: 550 W, quiet operation
• Feed graduations: cross slide/upper carriage — 0.025 mm/division, 1 rev = 1.0 mm; tailstock/lead spindle — 0.05 mm/division, 1 rev = 1.5 mm
• Auto feed rates: 0.07 and 0.14 mm/rev
• Gearbox threads (metric): 0.2 to 3.0 mm (19 pitches); imperial: 10–48 TPI
• Lead screw: acme 12 × 1.5
• Rotating centre: MT2; tailstock chuck: 10 mm capacity, B12 taper
• Tailstock quill: 24 mm diameter, 40 mm travel with graduations
• Overall dimensions (approx.): 900 × 400 × 300 mm (L × W × H); weight: approx. 45 kg
• Tool shank size: 10 × 10 mm

How to use

Mount the lathe securely on a stable bench and fix the PF 400 mill/drill to the bed if required. Fit the required cutting tool into the tool holder and secure workpieces in the 3-jaw chuck or between centres. Select the appropriate spindle speed via the belt drive and engage gears for thread cutting or use the auto feed for longitudinal passes. Use the handwheels with graduated collars for controlled manual feeds; follow the stated feed and thread charts for selecting gearbox and change gear settings when cutting threads. Regularly check spindle run-out and tool alignment before precision operations.

Usage recommendations

Use cutting tools sized 10 × 10 mm and select cutting speeds and feeds appropriate for the material being machined. Ensure routine lubrication and cleaning of the bedways and leadscrews, and verify belt tension and spindle bearing adjustment to maintain precision and service life.