CNC Vertical Machining Centers
Used Fadal HT 15: Sell or Buy at Auction
Fadal is an American CNC vertical machining center brand: hugely popular in the North American job shop market through the 1980s and 1990s. Fadal VMCs are known for their rugged construction, the Fadal CNC 88HS and 32MP control systems, and exceptional longevity. Thousands of Fadal machines remain in active production use, creating a large and active used market.
The Fadal HT 15 is a VMC-15, one of Fadal's compact 40-taper vertical machining centers, fitted with the high-torque (HT) geared spindle. What sets the HT apart is a two-speed gearbox: a low range that multiplies torque for heavy tapping, large-diameter drilling, and face milling in steel and tougher alloys, plus a high range that still spins up toward the roughly 10,000 rpm the platform is known for. In other words, the HT does not give up top-end speed so much as add real low-end pull that the standard belt-driven Fadal spindle cannot match. It keeps a tight footprint, with about 16 inches of Y travel, roughly 20 inches of Z, and a little more in X, so it fits a toolroom or small job shop that needs one dependable machine for mixed prototype and short-run work without stepping up to a larger VMC. Control is the familiar Fadal 88HS or 32MP, and because Fadal shipped these by the thousands across North America, operators who know the control and its quirks, along with aftermarket parts and service, are easy to find. That keeps bidder interest strong when an HT 15 crosses the block. KD Auctions moves these through live and online events, drawing on 500,000+ industry contacts. Shops that specifically want the gearhead HT spindle for heavier cutting tend to watch for them.
Buying a Used HT 15
Job shops, toolrooms, general manufacturing operations, and small manufacturers seeking affordable, proven vertical machining capability. Fadal's massive installed base means experienced operators are widely available, a key factor in buyer demand.
Browse Upcoming Auctions →Selling Your HT 15
Fadal VMCs sell reliably at auction. The massive North American installed base creates a consistent buyer pool of job shops and toolrooms. Machines with recent servo and spindle service, and updated control boards, achieve the strongest results.
Get a Free Consultation →Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Fadal HT 15 worth at auction?
Auction value for a Fadal HT 15 comes down to age, spindle hours, control condition (an 88HS versus a 32MP), the history of the spindle and servos, and the tooling and probing included. KD Auctions provides a free AMEA-accredited, USPAP-compliant appraisal covering both orderly liquidation value (OLV) and forced liquidation value (FLV), so a seller knows where the machine stands before choosing a sale method. Commission is tailored to the engagement and quoted upfront, and most sellers pay nothing out of pocket.
How is the HT 15 different from a standard Fadal VMC-15?
The HT marks the high-torque geared spindle in place of Fadal's standard belt-driven head. Its two-speed gearbox adds a low range that multiplies torque for large drills, heavy taps, and face mills in harder material, while the high range still reaches the platform's full speed. A standard VMC-15 leans toward lighter, faster cutting in aluminum and mild steel, so the HT tends to draw a different buyer: shops that need the low-end pull for tougher jobs.
About Fadal
Fadal is an American CNC vertical machining center brand: hugely popular in the North American job shop market through the 1980s and 1990s.
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