Used Multi-Spindle Screw Machines at Auction: Acme-Gridley and Davenport

For shops that run high-volume turned parts, from fasteners and hydraulic fittings to automotive hardware, the cam-driven multi-spindle screw machine has never really gone out of style. When these lines come up for sale, whether through a shop closure, a move to CNC Swiss-type or CNC multi-spindle equipment, or simple downsizing, the used screw machine market still moves fast for the right names: Acme-Gridley, Davenport, and Brown and Sharpe. KD Auctions sees these machines from both sides of the gavel: buyers hunting a proven cam-driven workhorse and sellers turning idle spindle capacity into cash. Here is what both sides need to know before a used multi-spindle screw machine changes hands.

The Big Three Screw Machine Builders: Acme-Gridley, Davenport, and Brown & Sharpe

Almost every used screw machine that trades at auction traces back to one of three legacy builders. These are mechanical, cam-driven bar machines, not the CNC Swiss-type lathes that replaced many of them, and each has its own personality on the shop floor. The differences matter whether you are inspecting a lot to buy or valuing one before a sale.

Acme-Gridley

Built by the National Acme Company and marketed as Acme-Gridley, these are the heavyweights of the category. The RA and RB model families run in 5, 6, and 8 spindle configurations, using a rotary spindle carrier that indexes bar stock through a fixed set of tool stations. Bar capacity typically ranges from under an inch on the smaller machines to roughly 2-5/8 inches on the largest 8-spindle models. The cast-iron construction is enormous by design, which is exactly why these machines hold value: properly maintained, an Acme-Gridley runs for decades in high-volume fastener, fitting, and hydraulic-component work.

Davenport

The Davenport Machine Company of Rochester, New York built its reputation on speed and rigidity in a smaller footprint. The classic five-spindle Model B, which handles bar stock up to roughly 3/4 inch, is still common on used-equipment lists because it cycles fast on smaller-diameter parts and retools relatively quickly between jobs. Davenport also has one of the strongest secondhand tooling and cam markets of any legacy builder, keeping demand for a used Davenport screw machine steady.

Brown & Sharpe

Brown and Sharpe, out of Providence, Rhode Island, is best known for its single-spindle automatic screw machines, the No. 00, No. 0, and No. 2 among the most traded. They are single-spindle rather than multi-spindle but remain a fixture of the used screw machine market, built on the same cam-driven design. Parts and cam support for a Brown and Sharpe screw machine generally run thinner than for Acme-Gridley or Davenport, so buyers should confirm availability before a job-specific build.

What Drives Value in a Used Multi-Spindle Screw Machine

Two machines of the same model can sell for very different money. Sellers preparing for auction and buyers sizing up a lot should weigh the same short list.

• Spindle count and bar capacity, since 6- and 8-spindle machines with larger bar capacity command more interest than smaller units
• Running condition and the date of the most recent rebuild or major overhaul
• Completeness of tooling, including cams, cutoff and form tools, cross slides, and attachments such as knurling or cross-drilling heads
• Electrical and control state, meaning original relay logic versus a modern retrofit, which affects both reliability and buyer confidence
• Rigging weight and footprint, since these machines can run from a few thousand pounds to well over 20,000 pounds depending on spindle count and size
• Documented preventive maintenance and production history, which matters more to serious production buyers than cosmetic condition

Buying at Auction: What to Inspect Before You Bid

Multi-spindle screw machines reward careful due diligence, because a worn spindle carrier or a cracked cam box can turn a bargain into an expensive rebuild.

Mechanical Condition Checklist

• Backlash and timing accuracy at the spindle carrier index
• Headstock bearing preload and any unusual noise under load
• Cam box wear and play in the cam followers
• Feed finger and collet condition, since worn feed fingers cause slippage and part-length inconsistency
• Coolant tank, pump, and line condition
• Way surfaces on the cross slides and chucking slides for scoring or excessive wear
• Visible cracks or prior repairs in the main castings
• Actual spindle speeds against the nameplate rating during a run test if power is available

Bidding Smart on Heavy Iron

Because KD Auctions runs every sale fully online, lean on the condition reports, photos, and video with each listing rather than assuming anything about a machine history. Before you set a max bid, budget for rigging and trucking, since these machines are dense and often need specialized equipment to move, and compare your bid against the cost of a comparable rebuild. Note that cams are typically ground for a specific part, so a cam library in the sale is a bonus only for that application, not a different job.

Selling or Liquidating a Screw Machine Line

These machines usually reach the market during a move to CNC equipment, a plant closure, or a product-mix change. Either way, sellers have two paths at KD Auctions.

Auction vs. Cash Purchase

A managed online auction runs roughly 6 to 10 weeks and puts your Acme-Gridley, Davenport, or Brown and Sharpe equipment in front of KD Auctions network of 500,000+ industry contacts. This route tends to bring the strongest price for running, well-maintained machines or a full line, since specialized screw machine shops bid against each other for the right lot. For sellers who need speed and certainty instead, a straight cash purchase brings an offer in 24 to 72 hours, funds 3 to 7 days after you accept, and removal off your floor within 1 to 2 weeks. Commission on a managed auction is tailored to the engagement and quoted upfront, and most sellers pay nothing out of pocket.

If you need a defensible number before deciding between the two, KD Auctions provides AMEA-certified, USPAP-compliant appraisals that are accepted by lenders, courts, and the IRS. It is worth having even when a sale is not imminent, for insurance, estate planning, or financing.

Why Buyers and Sellers Both Work With KD Auctions

KD Auctions was founded by Michael and Arlene Treger in 1996 and has run hundreds of auctions since, representing hundreds of millions in machinery sales across metalworking, plastics, and industrial equipment categories. Every sale is fully online, so buyers anywhere can bid without traveling to inspect a machine in person, and sellers get onsite dispatch within 48 to 72 hours to start the evaluation. For questions on either side of a sale, call 480.455.3910.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a used Acme-Gridley or Davenport screw machine worth?

Value depends heavily on spindle count, bar capacity, running condition, and how complete the tooling package is. A well-maintained 6-spindle Acme-Gridley with a solid cam library will sell for meaningfully more than a comparable machine that needs a rebuild. Because that range is wide, KD Auctions recommends a certified appraisal for an exact figure rather than a general market range.

Are parts and tooling still available for these machines?

Generally yes, though it varies by builder. Davenport has one of the most active aftermarket tooling and cam networks of any legacy screw machine builder, and Acme-Gridley support is solid. Brown and Sharpe sourcing runs thinner, so buyers planning a specific job should confirm tooling before bidding.

Can I sell my screw machines quickly if I need to vacate a building?

Yes. A cash purchase through KD Auctions typically produces an offer within 24 to 72 hours, funds 3 to 7 days after you accept, and removal from your facility within 1 to 2 weeks, which fits most lease-end or closure timelines. If you have more time and want to maximize sale price, a managed online auction running 6 to 10 weeks is usually the better route.