CNC Swiss Lathes
Used Citizen L20-VIII: Sell or Buy at Auction
Citizen is a world-leading manufacturer of CNC Swiss-type automatic lathes: precision turning machines used for high-volume production of small, complex parts. Citizen Swiss lathes are ubiquitous in medical device manufacturing, aerospace fasteners, dental implants, and electronics components. The Cincom series is the industry standard for Swiss-type turning.
The Citizen Cincom L20-VIII is a CNC Swiss-type automatic lathe from Citizen's 20mm bar capacity class, meaning it machines bar stock up to about 20 mm (roughly 0.79 in) in diameter. Like the rest of the Cincom L series, it uses a moving (sliding) headstock running through a guide bushing that supports the bar right at the cutting point, which is what lets the machine hold tight tolerances on long, slender parts that would deflect on a fixed-headstock lathe. A sub-spindle picks up the finished end so main-spindle and back-working operations complete in a single cycle, and a gang-type tool post carries live (driven) tooling for cross-drilling, slotting, and milling alongside the turning tools. That combination makes the L20-VIII a small-part, high-precision production machine rather than a general-purpose turning center. It is a natural fit for medical device and dental implant shops, connector and electronics component producers, and other operations running high-volume lots of miniature turned parts, a different buyer profile than the larger-diameter work, including aerospace fastener runs, that suits Citizen's 32 mm-class machines such as the L32 and M32. At auction, the strongest results come from units sold complete: bar feeder, collets and guide bushings, the driven-tool holders and tooling package, and any service or maintenance records. Shops in this niche buy a used L20-VIII to put it straight back into production, so a machine they can redeploy quickly, with a known control generation and a documented history, draws the most competitive bidding. The 20mm Swiss class is deep and Citizen is one of the most widely installed brands in it, so KD Auctions can put a used L20-VIII in front of a focused, qualified pool of bidders drawn from its network of 500,000+ industry contacts.
Buying a Used L20-VIII
Medical device manufacturers, aerospace fastener producers, dental implant shops, electronics component manufacturers, and high-volume precision machining operations. Swiss lathe buyers are highly specialized. Citizen's dominant market position ensures a qualified buyer base.
Browse Upcoming Auctions →Selling Your L20-VIII
Citizen Swiss lathes sell to a focused but active buyer base: medical and aerospace precision machining operations that need high-volume turning capability. Complete machines with bar feeders, tooling, and documentation achieve the strongest auction results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a used Citizen Cincom L20-VIII worth at auction?
Auction value depends on the machine's age, spindle hours, condition, and control generation, plus the tooling that comes with it: the bar feeder, guide bushings and collets, and the driven-tool holders. Because those variables move the number so much, there is no single figure that fits every L20-VIII. KD Auctions offers a free AMEA-accredited, USPAP-compliant appraisal that documents both orderly liquidation value (OLV) and forced liquidation value (FLV), so you have a defensible range before you decide whether to sell.
How do I sell a Citizen Cincom L20-VIII?
Call 480.455.3910 to get started. A managed auction typically runs 6 to 10 weeks from engagement to payout, and once you agree to sell, onsite dispatch to catalog and prepare the machine happens within 48 to 72 hours. Commission is tailored to the engagement and quoted upfront, and most sellers pay nothing out of pocket.
About Citizen
Citizen is a world-leading manufacturer of CNC Swiss-type automatic lathes: precision turning machines used for high-volume production of small, complex parts.
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