17″ Ball Screw Benchtop Lathe
2 to 4-week lead time
Please note that our ball screws only come in a metric pitch
Ordering options:
Use the selections in the drop-down menus below to configure your machine. (For more information on the configuration options and accessory packages please see the options tab below)
Sherline/Acorn CNC Controller
The Sherline/Acorn CNC Controller is a fully integrated, plug-and-play control designed
for Sherline CNC machines and compatible third-party systems. It combines the industrial
Centroid Acorn CNC control with a custom Sherline housing, wiring, and connectors to
simplify installation, upgrades, and retrofits.
Centroid CNC, founded in 1979 in Howard, PA, produces high-performance, industrial-quality
CNC controls. The Acorn controller is an excellent upgrade for both new and older Sherline
CNC machines, including legacy systems originally supplied to OEMs such as Denford, D&M,
LabVolt, Paxton-Patterson, and Light Machines (Spectralight).
[icon icon=icon-chevron-down size=14px color=#000 ] Controller Features
Custom control housing includes:- Centroid Acorn CNC control board
- Acorn plug-and-play relay module (mounted and pre-wired)
- Internal wiring to DB9, DB25, and 2-wire Molex connectors
- Power supply, push-to-reset circuit breaker, and cooling fan
- External Ethernet port, power switch, and power LED
- Ethernet connection
- Power switch and power LED
- Cooling fan
- Three DB25 connectors:
- Sherline 4-axis driver box
- Aux 4-axis control for additional drives/axes
- Relay card
- Three DB9 connectors:
- Limit switches
- External encoder*
- Aux tool setter or touch probe (one at a time)
- Three 2-wire Molex connectors:
- E-stop button
- Spindle control
- Laser
- Dual logic power: 5 VDC and 24 VDC
- Input power: 100–120 VAC or 208–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
- 15 ft shielded Ethernet cable (controller to PC)
- External E-stop with 2 ft cord
[icon icon=icon-chevron-down size=14px color=#000 ] Compatibility & Connection Options
- The controller connects directly to Sherline 24 V stepper motors via the Sherline 4-axis driver box (P/N 8760).
- Not compatible with MASSO 36 V closed-loop stepper motors.
- For DIY users with their own motors/drives, use the “Aux 4-axis” DB25 connector. Wiring information for DIY customers is available under the Specifications/Downloads.
[icon icon=icon-chevron-down size=14px color=#000 ] Software & Conversational CAM
A free version of Centroid CNC12 is included with each Acorn kit for initial setup. However, it is strongly recommended that you purchase the Centroid Acorn “Pro” CNC12 Software License to unlock full conversational CAM (Intercon). Use the options below or visit: CLICK HERE for Acorn “Pro” CNC12 Software License details Intercon Conversational CAM:- Program directly from hand sketches or prints
- Import DXF files and generate G-code without separate CAD/CAM
- Ideal for new CNC users and those unfamiliar with traditional G-code programming
[icon icon=icon-chevron-down size=14px color=#000 ] Typical Use Cases
DIY Customer- Buys CNC-ready Sherline machines and installs their own motors, drives, and encoders.
- Purchase the base Sherline/Acorn CNC Controller (P/N 9400) without options and wire to your own hardware.
- Upgrading an existing Sherline CNC system including older OEM systems such as Denford, D&M, LabVolt, Paxton-Patterson, or Light Machines. For a sample Denford/Sherline Microlathe conversion using Acorn, see: Centroid Denford/Sherline Microlathe Conversion
- If you already have a Sherline Linux PC or 4-axis driver box, configure the controller
with:
- Spindle Control Isolator Board
- External Encoder kit for your headstock (Standard or 3C)
- Wants a complete Sherline system: CNC-ready machine, 24 V stepper motors, 4-axis driver box, spindle control isolator board, and external encoder.
- The Sherline/Acorn Controller is designed to support all of these configurations.
[icon icon=icon-chevron-down size=14px color=#000 ] Important Notes for Spindle Control
- To control spindle speed via G-code, you must have a motor drive or the Spindle Control Isolator Board and an external encoder installed.
- These components work together to accurately acquire and control spindle RPM.
- If you do not include the Spindle Control Isolator Board at the time of purchase, adding it later will require returning the controller to Sherline for installation. Email orders@sherline.com for return instructions.
24″ Machined Lathe Base Assembly
The machined base replaces our current cast base for our leadscrew lathes. The design is based on our ball screw lathe base. The base is wider for better stability and more rigid than our cast base. It is interchangeable with older 17" benchtop lathes and is a replacement part for the old 24" cast base (P/N 44010)
3C Step Collet
The 3C Step Collet features a 2″ diameter and 1″ depth, making it an excellent addition for machinists using the Sherline 3C headstock. It can be easily machined to size and is specifically designed to hold larger workpieces.
A 1/4″ (6.35 mm) dowel pin is included to provide a gripping surface during the boring process. This helps minimize runout and ensures greater accuracy in the finished bore. Once machined to the desired diameter and depth, the collet effectively becomes a custom chuck—ideal for parts too large for standard 3C collets.
Other head sizes may be available. Please contact Sherline for additional options and pricing.
NOTE: This step collet is designed to grip material only at the face end, not through the collet. Maximum gripping depth is approximately 3/4″ to 7/8″ (19.05 mm to 22.23 mm).
Contact us to inquire about other available step collet head sizes.
AP Lathe Extended Pivot Pin
Extended pivot pin for the Accu-Pro Lathe headstock riser block.
AP Mill Extended Pivot Pin
Extended pivot pin for the Accu-Pro Mill headstock riser block.
Custom Acorn Controller for Wayne Neilson
SKU: 9400 + 94310 + 9406. This is the Sherline / Acorn CNC Controller (W/O the 4-axis driver box, W/ the Spindle Control Isolator Board, W/ the p/n 94001 External Rotary Encoder, W/ the 2 Speed Motor Pulley for the … Continued
Price range: $215.97 through $315.01
Select options
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
External Incremental Rotary Encoder
The external encoder works with the Sherline/Acorn CNC Controller equipped with the optional spindle control isolator board (P/N 94310). For use with a Sherline machine, you must have a Headstock Pulley Mounting Kit.
Laser Mount
The Laser Mount works only on Sherline CNC milling machines.
The laser shown in the Laser Mount is for reference only and is not included.
Laser Upgrade Kit
*Please note this item has a 4 week lead time
The Laser Mount is sold separately and works only on Sherline CNC milling machines.
The Laser Mount shown in the image is for reference only and is not included.
Rotary Table Chuck Lock
The rotary table and chuck are sold separately and are shown for reference only.
