16K20, 1K62, 2N135, 6R82, 2M55 machines: specs and modern equivalents
The 16K20 and 1K62 are engine lathes with a 400 mm swing over the bed, the 2N135 is an upright drill for holes up to 35 mm, the 6R82 is a knee-type horizontal mill with a 320 x 1250 mm table, and the 2M55 is a radial drill for holes up to 50 mm. Today they are replaced by new lathes, column drills, radial drills and universal mills of similar working size. Choose by the size of the parts you actually machine, not by the model name.
How to read Soviet machine tool model codes
These names follow the Soviet designation system for metal-cutting machines. Knowing the rule, you can tell the machine type and size from its name.
The first digit is the machine group, the second is the type within the group, and the last digits give the main size. A letter in the name (K, N, M, R) marks a modernisation or a new generation of the base model: the 16K20 succeeded the 1K62, and the 2N135 succeeded the 2A135.
- 1 - lathes. 16K20: type 6 (engine lathe), 20 is the size code for a 400 mm swing over the bed (the actual centre height is 215 mm).
- 2 - drilling and boring machines. 2N135: type 1 (upright drill), 35 is the maximum drilling diameter in steel, mm.
- 2M55: type 5 (radial drill), the last 5 is a code for drilling capacity up to 50 mm.
- 6 - milling machines. 6R82: type 8 (knee-type horizontal mill), 2 is table size No. 2.
- Letters at the end (G, Sh, P and so on) mark the version: for example, the 6R82Sh is the wide-universal variant with an extra swivel head.
16K20, 1K62, 2N135, 6R82 and 2M55 specifications
Basic parameters that agree across most sources. The figures are approximate: these machines were built for decades at several plants and in several versions, so check your machine's passport for exact values.
| Model | Type | Main size (approx.) | Modern replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16K20 | Engine lathe | 400 mm swing over bed, 710-2000 mm between centres, motor about 11 kW | Engine lathe 400-410 mm x 1000-1500 mm |
| 1K62 | Engine lathe | 400 mm swing over bed, 710-1400 mm between centres, motor about 10 kW | Same as for the 16K20 |
| 2N135 | Upright drill | Drilling up to 35 mm, Morse taper 4, motor about 4 kW | Column drill with MT4 for 32-40 mm |
| 6R82 | Knee-type horizontal mill | Table 320 x 1250 mm, 7:24 taper No. 50, motor about 7.5 kW | Universal milling machine |
| 2M55 | Radial drill | Drilling up to 50 mm, reach up to 1600 mm, Morse taper 5 | Radial drilling machine |
What replaces a 16K20 or 1K62 lathe
The 16K20 and its predecessor 1K62 are the most common engine lathes in post-Soviet workshops. They are heavy (about 3 t), rigid and repairable, so many still run. The usual problem is not the cast-iron bed itself but worn ways, the feed gearbox and the electrics, and repairing them can cost a large share of a new machine.
Choose a new one in the lathes section by two numbers: swing over the bed and distance between centres. For the same parts you made on a 16K20 with 1000 or 1400 mm between centres, the Turner 410x1500W-DPA fits: 410 mm swing, 1500 mm between centres, 58 mm spindle bore, metric threads 0.2-14 mm and a digital readout. Price - about UAH 793,000 incl. VAT. Its main motor is 5.5 kW against 11 kW on the 16K20, so take lighter cuts when roughing.
If your parts are no larger than 300 mm in diameter and 1000 mm long and the 16K20 had capacity to spare, a cheaper option is the Turner 360x1000W (2.2 kW) at about UAH 399,000 incl. VAT. Before choosing, check the weight of your heaviest blank: a 100 mm steel shaft weighs about 61.7 kg per metre (d² x 0.00617). You can calculate the weight of any stock in the metal weight calculator.
What replaces the 2N135 and 2M55 drilling machines
The 2N135 is a classic upright drill for holes up to 35 mm in steel with a Morse taper 4 spindle. In drilling capacity and taper, a close replacement from the drilling machines catalogue is the FDB Maschinen Drilling 32: drilling up to 32 mm, MT4, 12 speeds from 150 to 2450 rpm, 1.5 kW motor, 380 V, about UAH 27,500 incl. VAT. It is a much lighter machine (94 kg), so use a lower feed when drilling near 32 mm. If you regularly drilled at the limit on the 2N135, take the Drilling 40 with a margin: up to 40 mm, MT4, 520 kg, about UAH 265,000 incl. VAT.
The 2M55 is a heavy radial drill: the part stays put and the spindle on the arm is brought to each hole. It suits plates, frames and housings that are hard to move. Look for a replacement among radial drilling machines. Light models such as the Optimum RB8S (750 W, 230 V, drilling in steel up to 16 mm, about UAH 30,000 incl. VAT) suit a workshop and small holes but do not match the 2M55 in capacity or reach. For 40-50 mm holes and a long reach we select a heavy model individually through a request for quotation.
Check cutting data for the new machine in the spindle speed and feed calculator: spindle speed is n = 1000 x v / (3.14 x D).
What replaces a 6R82 milling machine
The 6R82 is a knee-type horizontal milling machine with a 320 x 1250 mm table. It mills faces, slots, steps and gear teeth with arbor-mounted disc cutters. The wide-universal 6R82Sh version also has a swivelling vertical head.
A modern replacement is a universal milling machine with horizontal and vertical spindles, for example the FDB Maschinen TMM110W: two spindle heads, a table that swivels ±35 degrees and a digital readout. Price - about UAH 335,000 incl. VAT. Note that it is a lighter class: an 800 x 240 mm table and 1.5 kW spindle motors, so it suits smaller parts, and for full 6R82 capacity we select a machine through a request for quotation. Before buying, compare table size and axis travels with your largest parts and check which 6R82 tooling will fit.
Used Soviet machine or a new one: what to consider
A used 16K20 or 6R82 is often cheaper than a new machine, but the real cost depends on condition. Assess it before buying, not after delivery.
- Wear of the ways. It shows as a step on the bed and as a diameter difference along a long part. Regrinding or scraping the bed is an expensive repair.
- Weight and transport. Old machines weigh 2-4 t or more and need a crane, a truck and a foundation.
- Power supply. Soviet machines are built for 380 V with 4-11 kW motors. Check the power available to your shop.
- Documents. A new machine comes with a passport, a VAT invoice and a 12-month warranty, while a used one often has no papers at all.
- Accuracy. A worn machine handles one-off repairs, not series work to tolerance.
FAQ
What are the specifications of the 16K20 lathe?
Approximately: 400 mm swing over the bed, about 220 mm over the carriage, 710, 1000, 1400 or 2000 mm between centres depending on the version, main motor about 11 kW. Exact data is in the machine's passport.
How does the 1K62 differ from the 16K20?
The 16K20 is the modernised successor of the 1K62 with the same 400 mm swing. It got a stiffer bed with hardened ways and a slightly more powerful motor. For choosing a replacement, both are compared by the same sizes.
Which new machine replaces the 2N135?
A column drill with a Morse taper 4 spindle and 32-40 mm capacity, for example the FDB Maschinen Drilling 32 or Drilling 40. Choose by the largest hole you drill regularly and leave a margin in capacity.
Is it worth buying a used 6R82 or 2M55?
If it is in good condition and nearby, it can pay off for a repair shop. But factor in moving 3-5 t, a foundation, repairs and no warranty. A new machine comes with a 12-month warranty and a VAT invoice.
How do I choose a replacement for my parts?
Send the old model, your largest part sizes and the material via the request for quotation form. MELITA will select a machine, issue a VAT invoice and deliver across Ukraine.
