Delivering precision toolmaker lathes – a counterpart to the renowned Hardinge HLV-H
We specialize in crafting fully qualified precision lathes, the TML-5C series toolmaker lathe, a Hardinge HLV-H clone.
We specialize in crafting fully qualified precision lathes, the TML-5C series toolmaker lathe, a Hardinge HLV-H clone.
We are best known for our TML-5C series lathes, called "THE Hardinge Clone".
Each TML-5C series lathe gets delivered to you from our Pennsylvania facility where we perform our extensive qualification process. This is unique in the industry, we utilize our 60+ years of Hardinge rebuilding experience and it involves checking, adjusting, fitting, hand scraping and aligning every part of the machine. That's what makes our lathes a Babin lathe.
A Babin lathe is synonymous with refinement - great feel, quality, longevity and high precision, like a Hardinge.
We are a modest enterprise situated in central Pennsylvania, dedicated to crafting precision toolroom lathes.
With over 60 years of experience in rebuilding Hardinge machines, our skilled team specializes in hand scraping, fine-tuning, and aligning each lathe. Our attention to detail ensures unmatched precision and accuracy.
We deliver
We are a modest enterprise situated in central Pennsylvania, dedicated to crafting precision toolroom lathes.
With over 60 years of experience in rebuilding Hardinge machines, our skilled team specializes in hand scraping, fine-tuning, and aligning each lathe. Our attention to detail ensures unmatched precision and accuracy.
We deliver top-quality precision toolmaker lathes that are just as good as the famous Hardinge HLV-H but at a competitive price.
Our qualification process takes place right here in Pennsylvania, ensuring you get the best machines without the compromises often found in imports from overseas.
With over 60 years of experience rebuilding Hardinge machines, our team focuses on hand scraping, fine-tuning, and aligning every lathe to achieve outstanding precision.
This careful work results in a high-quality precision toolmaker’s lathe comparable to the famous Hardinge HLV-H.
And because we manage our costs wisely, we can offer t
With over 60 years of experience rebuilding Hardinge machines, our team focuses on hand scraping, fine-tuning, and aligning every lathe to achieve outstanding precision.
This careful work results in a high-quality precision toolmaker’s lathe comparable to the famous Hardinge HLV-H.
And because we manage our costs wisely, we can offer this level of quality at a competitive price—without the compromises often found in machines imported straight from overseas.
We maintain a rigorous quality-control process for every machine we build. Each component such as gibs, tailstocks, headstocks, carriages, cross slides, gears, clutches, and all mating surfaces, is inspected and measured to ensure it meets our tight tolerances for accuracy and repeatability.
Using precision metrology equipment and experi
We maintain a rigorous quality-control process for every machine we build. Each component such as gibs, tailstocks, headstocks, carriages, cross slides, gears, clutches, and all mating surfaces, is inspected and measured to ensure it meets our tight tolerances for accuracy and repeatability.
Using precision metrology equipment and experienced technicians, we verify alignment, fit, and function at every stage.
Only after all systems pass our full inspection does the machine leave our facility. This approach ensures long-term reliability and gives you total peace of mind.
Since our start in 1959, Babin Machine has been built on simple values: work hard, be honest, and treat customers with respect. More than 60 years later, those values still guide everything we do.
At Babin Machine Sales, we don’t just ship machines, we build relationships. We stay in close contact with our customers, making sure their n
Since our start in 1959, Babin Machine has been built on simple values: work hard, be honest, and treat customers with respect. More than 60 years later, those values still guide everything we do.
At Babin Machine Sales, we don’t just ship machines, we build relationships. We stay in close contact with our customers, making sure their needs are understood and their expectations are exceeded.
Our team is always here to answer questions, offer support, and keep you updated every step of the way.
We stand behind every machine we deliver (or in front of each machine, here is Paul Babin inspecting the delivered lathe).
Founded in 1959, Babin Machine Tool has been specializing in the service, rebuild and restoration of Hardinge lathes for over 60 years. Our experienced team of engineers and machinists has a deep understanding of Hardinge machines, ensuring that each rebuild meets the highest standards of quality and performance.
“My team loves the TML-5Cst, it is currently the most used machine in the shop. I like it so much I bought a second machine for my home workshop.”
Tom Mueller
Founder and CEO, Impulse Space
CA
July 2022
Hey Paul. Here is that picture I promised. Already getting a lot of use and becoming a favorite of the shop. Feel free to use this image on your website or other advertising.
Jason Pastor, Instrumentation Technician
University of Pennsylvania
August 2022
“...not only have you rebuilt several Hardinge lathes for me as well as purchasing a new TML-5Cst toolroom lathe, I am very happy with all of these.”
K.B. Tooling Supervisor
NC area Defense Contractor
Jan 2022
“Hi Paul,
My team loves the TML-5Cst lathe we got from you recently. We are making super precision rocket parts on it and it never disappoints. Would you be able to configure another lathe for us? Thanks.”
Tom Mueller
CEO & Founder
Impulse Space Propulsion El Segundo CA
April 2020
“Paul, I have been talking with the guys out in our manual shop area and I wanted to drop you a note about how much they like the [2] TML lathes we bought about a year ago. When it came time to add some equipment in that area, I was at a loss regarding where to go to fill our needs; luckily your reputation as a Hardinge rebuilder led me to you guys and these lathes. There was some healthy skepticism about these machines when they came in, mostly the „nothing will be as good as a Hardinge‟ type of thing, but that disappeared within days of installation. The machines have been wonderfully smooth, accurate, and reliable, so much so that [2] of our machinists have claimed them as their own and use them daily, even when one of our Hardinge lathes is available. That may not sound like the compliment that it is, but I am sure you understand what I mean. These [2] machines have definitely sold us on more when the time comes
Chris M
Dec 29, 2019 Harmonic Drive Peabody, MA
“ By the way, our machinist thinks the world of the TML – says we made a great choice”
M.H. Manufacturing Engineer, Orlando, FL
June 2019 TML-5Cem
TML-5Cem testimonial
I received the machine Monday 1/23. Hooked up and running. Having run Hardinge my entire career, this machine is very impressive. A wonderful machine.
J. C. Virginia
January 2017
“The servo threading on our new TML-5Cst worked out great on the threads that I have done. I have not had a chance to do a multi-start thread yet, but I look forward to it. The machine itself is rigid and very accurate. The threading was smooth and simple and straight forward to set-up. Thank you the machine is exactly what we asked for and much more."
TML-5Cst lathe testimonial from large medical company located in upper mid-west.
April 2016
"a quick follow up on our new lathe TMLst The machine is functioning well, the
machinists that use it are very happy with it�s quality and accuracy. Thanks for
delivering a quality product. �
Now for some more business, �.
Talk to you soon."
Darren Bond Marvin Engineering Group CA
July, 2015
By the way, our Tool Room Lathe is still running strong and the guys here love it!�
Unsolicited comment regarding our Babin Machine TML-5Cst lathe purchased Feb 2011
Mike S. of Bluefin Robotics Corp. , Quincy, MA
June, 2013
“After seeing the Hardinge style TML-5C toolroom lathe displayed at the 2008 EASTEC machine tool exposition, we were impressed by the look, feel, and features of this lathe enough to purchased it. Of course, the good reputation of Babin Machine made the decision even easier. We now rely on our Babin TML lathe for fast and accurate prototyping work and it has proven to be a real performer. We are very pleased with the lathe, the value, and the service from Babin Machine.”
Udo Plocher
Vice President Manufacturing
Henke Sass Wolf of America, Inc. Dudley, MA
BTW, we really like that TMLst lathe. All the reports I get back are that it’s a quality piece of equipment. They really like the digital threading. These guys are used to running Hardinge Super Precisions which is a pretty high mark. Well done.”
HM Instruments – Engineering Services – Experimental
(national medical company, 3 year old TML-5Cst lathe at the time)
“Our machinist is loving the new lathe. The digital spindle is a huge
improvement over the old variable speed pulley system, and the slides are all
very smooth. “
Troy D., Chief Engr
TX customer
July2024
