Specialized Alloy Wheel Lathes available to the UK Market
Specialized Alloy Wheel Lathes in the UK Market
Alloy-wheel lathes are purpose-built CNC machines for refinishing alloy rims, not general-purpose lathes. They include integrated digitizing/probing to map each wheel's contour, and custom software for "diamond-cut" finishes. In practice UK workshops use both vertical and horizontal designs. Below are the common models (new and used) available in the UK (including imports), listed by orientation.
Vertical Diamond-Cut Lathes
Vertical-lathe models hold the wheel on a horizontal rotating table and machine around its rim. These are typically used for diamond-cut (shaved-finish) wheels and are compact enough for van-mounted mobile repair. Key examples include:
- Tryax (Mint Alloys) TY30-VS – A UK-designed vertical CNC lathe (also sold under Mint Alloys brand) with touchscreen control. Its horizontal table feeds wheels into the spindle. It can cut wheels from 14″ up to 30″–32″ diameter. The 15″ touchscreen interface and "one-touch" 2-stage digitizing make operation simple. Quick-change tool posts are used (not ISO holders) for carbide/diamond cutters. Price is about £54,000 (≏$70k) as of 2025.
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Tryax TY23-VSF – A more compact single-phase vertical lathe from the same line. Similar design but limited to 14″–23″ wheels. Price is lower, ~£44,500 (shown at Everard) for the TY23-VSF. It retains the same fast digitizing and touchscreen control as the TY30.
The Tryax TY30-VS vertical alloy-wheel lathe (by UK's Mint Alloys/Tryax) uses a rotating table and touchscreen controls for diamond cutting. It machines wheels up to ~30–32″.
- DCR Systems - DCR‑Pro Diamond Cutting Alloy Wheel Lathe – A British-made mobile diamond-cut lathe. This vertical single-phase machine (see image below) is designed for curb-damaged rim repair on the road or in workshops. It uses tyre-on technology: it machines 14″–24″ wheels with tyre mounted and up to 30″ without tyre. It includes automatic wheel buckle detection, rapid laser profiling, and a custom proprietary lathe head with integrated safety guarding. The DCR‑Pro has a small footprint and comes with UK delivery at £34,995. The DCR‑Pro is a UK-built vertical diamond-cut wheel lathe (single-phase 240V) for mobile or static use. It machines 14″–24″ (tyre-on) or up to 30″ (tyre-off) wheels and is sold at ~£34,995.
Other vertical models (fewer in UK) include Lenco's new M200v mobile lathe (US) and certain Chinese specialty lathes, but Tryax/Mint and DCR dominate the vertical niche in the UK.
Table: Vertical Alloy Wheel Lathes (UK & imports).
| Manufacturer / Model | Orientation | Toolholder / System | Max Wheel Ø | Price (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tryax TY30-VS (Mint Alloys) | Vertical | Proprietary quick-change toolposts; 15″ touchscreen CNC | 30″–32″ (cut) | ~£54,000 | Digitising probe; single-phase 440V; up to 24″ w/tyre on. |
| Tryax TY23-VSF | Vertical | Proprietary quick-change toolposts | 14″–23″ | ~£44,500 | Compact, single-phase (230V) version of TY30. |
| DCR Systems DCR‑Pro | Vertical | Proprietary diamond cutter head, enclosed lathe | 14″–24″ (w/tyre); 30″ (off-tyre) | £34,995 | Mobile (van) solution; laser profiling; single-phase 240V. |
| Lenco M200v (patent-pending) | Vertical | – (details not publicly disclosed) | – | – | New US model; info scarce (patented design). |
Horizontal Diamond-Cut Lathes
Horizontal lathe models have a fixed horizontal bed (like a traditional lathe) and hold the wheel on a rotating spindle or chuck. They are generally larger and meant for workshop use. Notable models include:
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Tema M200 – A Chinese-built horizontal CNC wheel lathe offered in UK by Tema Equipment. It has a box-type bed and a 3‑jaw chuck (15″, soft jaws) on a 10HP spindle. Quick-change tool post (multi-position turret) holds cutter bits. It resurfaces OEM wheels up to 24″ diameter. Price is £19,995 (base machine, single phase 240V). Its 2-axis system (X/Z) and digitising probe automates contour cutting.
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Tema/Xtron M215 – A higher-end Chinese/UK model (branded Xtron). Horizontal box-bed with 15″ chuck, 5.5HP spindle. Touchscreen CNC control, linear guides on cross-slide. It machines wheels 10–24″ and adds a 4‑position tool turret for faster tool changes. Price ~£31,500. (A variation is the Xtron M210S, similar specs with minor differences.)
- Lenco CNC Lathe M210 & M215 – US-built heavy machines for wheel repair. Horizontal-bed machines (26″ swing) with 5HP spindle. They use large Bison-style 3-jaw chucks with soft jaws and a multi-way tool post (user-supplied tooling). The M210/M215 models appear similar except for maximum wheel size. No UK list price is published; US pricing is in the ~$50k–$80k range. (Lenco also lists an M220 version with cast-steel frame and proprietary software, details not disclosed.)
- Lenco CNC Lathe M210 & M215 – US-built heavy machines for wheel repair. Horizontal-bed machines (26″ swing) with 5HP spindle. They use large Bison-style 3-jaw chucks with soft jaws and a multi-way tool post (user-supplied tooling). The M210/M215 models appear similar except for maximum wheel size. No UK list price is published; US pricing is in the ~$50k–$80k range. (Lenco also lists an M220 version with cast-steel frame and proprietary software, details not disclosed.)
- Lehigh MR-2540 / MR-2940 / MR-3360 – American CNC wheel lathes widely used in US, occasionally imported UK. Horizontal-bed machines with high-rigidity construction. The MR-2540 (5 HP spindle) handles up to ~22″ wheels; MR-2940 up to ~25″; MR-3360 up to ~30″. They use an 4-way tool post and specialized 3-jaw chuck with soft jaws (from Bison). These are high-end (original prices >£60k) but used examples appear secondhand.
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WheelRestore WR-DCM3 (HBC System, Denmark) – A modern compact horizontal diamond-cut lathe sold in UK by WheelRestore. It fully automates profiling with a built-in laser probe and CNC. Wheels can be machined with tyre on, saving setup. It handles up to 30″ wheels. The unit has an enclosed white cabinet (see image) with touchscreen interface. UK pricing is about €37,700 exVAT (£32k).
The WheelRestore WR-DCM3 horizontal wheel lathe (by HBC System) is a compact cabinet-style CNC machine. It includes laser profiling and handles wheels (tyre-on) up to ~30″; price ~€37.7k (∼£32k). - Chinese import models – A number of economical horizontal wheel lathes are available from Chinese OEMs (often labelled CK6160W/CK6180A, etc). These are typically floor-type CNC lathes with a 3-jaw chuck and 2-axis (X/Z) drive. For example, the Rodas CK6180A (export model) is rated for up to 31″ turn-diameter and costs around $16–20k. Such machines usually include basic digitizing probes and one or two tool posts. (No standard UK brand names, but they are offered by some resellers as budget alternatives.)
Table: Horizontal Alloy Wheel Lathes (UK & imports).
Each of the above machines uses specialized tooling rather than standard ISO holders. Most have quick-change tool posts or turrets for carbide/diamond cutters. In summary, vertical designs (Tryax, DCR) are popular for mobile/vertical-cutting workflows, while horizontal lathes (Tema/Xtron, Lenco, WheelRestore, Lehigh) dominate fixed workshops. Prices range from ~£20k for entry-level static lathes up to >£50k for advanced units, with older used models often available secondhand at lower cost.