Precision Lathes & Grinders
Used Hardinge Quest 6/42: Sell or Buy at Auction
Hardinge is an American precision machine tool manufacturer specializing in high-accuracy lathes, grinding machines, and workholding systems. Known for superior precision and the Hardinge Super-Precision® lathe line, Hardinge machines are common in aerospace, defense, and medical device manufacturing.
The Hardinge Quest 6/42 is a precision CNC turning center, the 6-inch chuck model in Hardinge's Quest family that also includes the larger-capacity 8/51 and 10/65. The numbers describe capacity, not a manual lathe's swing and centers: the 6/42 pairs a 6-inch chuck with the line's smallest bar and spindle-bore class, on a machine with roughly a 20-inch swing. Built on Hardinge's super-precision turning heritage, with the SP versions badged that way, it runs a Fanuc CNC control and a 12-station turret with spindle speeds to about 6,000 rpm, and many were configured with C-axis live tooling, a tailstock, and a bar feeder for done-in-one precision parts. That suits shops turning small to mid-size, high-tolerance components: precision shafts, pins, connectors, fittings, and medical, aerospace, and defense parts where surface finish and repeatability matter more than raw size. Its compact footprint also makes it a practical dedicated precision or second-operation machine alongside larger production turning centers. When a Quest 6/42 comes up for sale, KD Auctions markets it to its network of 500,000+ industry contacts, many of whom know the Hardinge name and watch specifically for super-precision turning centers in this chuck size.
Buying a Used Quest 6/42
Precision machining shops, aerospace component manufacturers, defense contractors, medical device producers, and toolmakers. Hardinge's precision heritage attracts buyers who require superior accuracy and repeatability.
Browse Upcoming Auctions →Selling Your Quest 6/42
Hardinge precision lathes and grinders sell to a focused buyer base: precision machining operations that demand accuracy. Super-Precision lathes with proven accuracy records and Bridgeport Series I mills (Hardinge-acquired) sell reliably at auction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a used Hardinge Quest 6/42 worth at auction?
Value depends on the machine's age and vintage, spindle hours, overall condition and accuracy, which Fanuc control it runs and whether that control is still well supported, and what comes with it: chucks and collets, turret and live tooling, a tailstock, and any bar feeder. Because the Quest is bought for precision, documented accuracy and maintenance history help. KD Auctions offers a free AMEA-accredited, USPAP-compliant appraisal that sets both orderly liquidation value and forced liquidation value, so you know where the machine stands before it goes to auction.
How is the Quest 6/42 different from the larger Quest models, and how do I sell one?
The 6/42 is the 6-inch chuck machine in the Quest line, with the smallest bar and spindle-bore capacity of the group; the 8/51 and 10/65 keep a similar swing but take larger bar stock and bigger bores. That makes the 6/42 the choice for smaller-diameter, high-precision parts and the medical, aerospace, and defense work Hardinge machines are known for, rather than larger production stock. To sell one through auction, call KD Auctions at 480.455.3910. A managed auction typically runs 6 to 10 weeks from engagement to payout, onsite dispatch is handled within 48 to 72 hours, and commission is tailored to the engagement and quoted upfront, so most sellers pay nothing out of pocket.
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About Hardinge
Hardinge is an American precision machine tool manufacturer specializing in high-accuracy lathes, grinding machines, and workholding systems.
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