Appearance
A deep hole drilling machine costs anywhere from $18,000 to over $1,000,000. The spread is not arbitrary — it reflects real differences in diameter capacity, depth capability, spindle power, coolant system specification, and manufacturer origin. Understanding the price bands is the first step toward a correct purchase decision.
Price Overview by Machine Type
| Machine Type | Small / Entry | Medium / Production | Large / Industrial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gun drilling (new) | $32,000–51,000 | $45,000–80,000 | $80,000–130,000 |
| BTA drilling (new, Asian) | $60,000–120,000 | $100,000–200,000 | $200,000–500,000 |
| BTA drilling (new, European/US) | $200,000–400,000 | $400,000–700,000 | $700,000–1,500,000 |
| Used (all types) | $7,500–50,000 | $40,000–150,000 | $120,000–400,000 |
Price Breakdown by Category
Entry-Level Gun Drilling Machines ($18,000–51,000)
These are simple CNC gun drilling machines from Chinese manufacturers, suitable for small-diameter holes (2–20 mm) with limited depth (200–800 mm). Typical specifications include single-spindle configuration, basic CNC control, and manual tool loading.
| Model / Type | Price (USD) | Diameter Range | Max Depth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic CNC gun drill | $18,000–32,000 | 2–20 mm | 200–500 mm | Chinese manufacturers |
| FT Series (Furein) | $20,000–50,000 | 20–60 mm | 1,000 mm | Made-in-China |
| ZJA06-0606 (Zonjet) | ~$46,000 | 3–20 mm | 600 mm | Nanyang Zonjet |
| Mid-range gun drill | $40,000–60,000 | 2.5–35 mm | 800–1,200 mm | Joint, TL series |
| DH-1100 (Joint) | ~$60,000 | 2.5–30 mm | 1,000 mm | Shenzhen Joint |
Best for: Small machine shops entering deep hole drilling, prototyping, low-volume production of small-diameter holes.
Production Gun Drilling Machines ($45,000–130,000)
These machines offer larger capacity, higher spindle power, and better CNC controls (Fanuc or Siemens). Depth capability reaches 1,000–1,600 mm with diameters up to 50 mm.
| Model / Type | Price (USD) | Diameter Range | Max Depth | Spindle Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH-1600 (Joint) | ~$60,000 | 2.5–35 mm | 1,600 mm | 7.5–11 kW |
| ZJA13-1610 (Zonjet) | ~$80,000 | 3–32 mm | 1,300 mm | 30 kW total |
| 3-axis horizontal gun drill | ~$65,000 | 3–40 mm | 1,000 mm | 11–15 kW |
| 4-axis vertical with milling | $80,000–120,000 | 3–40 mm | 1,000 mm | 15–22 kW |
Best for: Production environments, automotive components, hydraulic parts, mould cooling channels.
Asian BTA Drilling Machines ($60,000–500,000)
Chinese and Indian BTA machines offer significant cost advantages over European equivalents — typically 30–50% lower for comparable diameter and depth capacity.
| Model / Type | Price (USD) | Diameter Range | Max Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T2110G (Dalian Jori) | ~$60,000 | 20–80 mm | 1,000 mm | PLC-controlled |
| FT Series (larger) | $50,000–120,000 | 40–80 mm | 1,000–10,000 mm | BTA/boring |
| Schnell SBM125 (India) | ~$58,000 | 30–125 mm | 1,500–10,000 mm | Automatic BTA |
| T21100 (Dalian Jori) | ~$30,000 | 60–120 mm | 18,000 mm | Heavy-duty |
| Precihole BVN 65P | $100,000–180,000 | 19–175 mm | 3,000 mm | Indian, 22 kW |
| Precihole BVN 180P | $200,000–350,000 | 19–400 mm | 12,000 mm | Indian, 71 kW |
Best for: Cost-conscious buyers, standard BTA applications, hydraulic cylinder manufacturing, general deep hole drilling.
European and American BTA Machines ($200,000–1,500,000)
Premium manufacturers (TBT, UNISIG, LOCH, Mollart) command higher prices for superior construction, longer service life, higher resale value, and local support.
| Manufacturer / Series | Price (USD) | Diameter Range | Max Depth | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mollart HD BTA | $300,000–500,000 | 18–150 mm | 4,000 mm | UK-built |
| Mollart MD BTA (twin) | $350,000–600,000 | 18–65 mm | 3,000 mm | Twin spindle |
| LOCH TB 4-45-6000 | $300,000–500,000 | 16–250 mm | 6,000 mm | German modular |
| UNISIG B500 | $400,000–700,000 | Up to 125 mm | 6,000 mm | 100 kW spindle |
| UNISIG B700 | $600,000–1,000,000 | Up to 200 mm | 6,000 mm | 9-ton workpiece |
| TBT B3S | $500,000–900,000 | 20–200 mm | 15,000 mm | Concrete bed, 74 kW |
| TBT ML500 (6-spindle) | $800,000–1,500,000 | Up to 80 mm | 7,000 mm | Highest productivity |
Best for: Aerospace, defense, oil and gas, medical, and applications requiring certification, process validation, and long-term reliability.
Used Machine Prices
Used deep hole drilling machines offer 40–70% savings compared to new. The savings must be weighed against retrofit costs and hidden wear.
| Category | Price Range (USD) | Typical Age | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used gun drill (small) | $7,500–25,000 | 15–30 years | DeHoff FC-4050 (8-spindle): ~$7,500 |
| Used gun drill (production) | $25,000–60,000 | 10–20 years | Eldorado M75: $25,000–40,000 |
| Used BTA machine (Asian) | $40,000–150,000 | 5–15 years | Precihole or HTT used |
| Used BTA machine (European) | $100,000–400,000 | 10–25 years | TBT or LOCH used |
| Used BTA machine (premium) | $200,000–700,000 | 5–15 years | UNISIG or late TBT |
Warning: A used deep hole drilling machine at 50% of new price is not a bargain if the coolant pump is undersized ($20,000–50,000 to replace), the CNC control is obsolete ($30,000–80,000 to retrofit), or the guideways are worn ($15,000–40,000 to recondition). Always budget 10–30% of the purchase price for retrofits on used machines.
Price Factors by Component
The base machine price is only part of the total investment. These major components significantly affect the final price:
| Component | Price Impact | Details |
|---|---|---|
| CNC control | +$10,000–50,000 | Fanuc Oi (standard), Siemens 828D (mid), Siemens 840D (premium) |
| Coolant system (gun drilling) | +$15,000–40,000 | 35–200 bar pump, filtration, chiller, tank |
| Coolant system (BTA) | +$30,000–80,000 | High-volume 80–1,000 L/min, pressure head, filtration |
| Chip conveyor | +$5,000–15,000 | Hinge-type or scraper conveyor for high-volume chip removal |
| Rotary table (4th axis) | +$10,000–30,000 | NC-controlled indexing or continuous rotation |
| Tool changer (ATC) | +$15,000–40,000 | 12–40 station, depends on tool size |
| Workhead spindle (counter-rotation) | +$30,000–80,000 | Typically 15–50% of main spindle power |
| Automation (gantry/robot) | +$50,000–200,000 | Part loading/unloading, pallet system |
| Installation and commissioning | +$10,000–40,000 | Includes foundation, rigging, alignment, training |
Total Cost of Ownership
Beyond the purchase price, these ongoing costs must be factored into the decision:
| Cost Category | Annual Cost (Estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tooling (gun drills) | $5,000–30,000 | $50–500 per drill, 15–25 regrinds per tool life |
| Tooling (BTA inserts) | $3,000–15,000 | Indexable inserts, lower per-edge cost |
| Coolant (oil) | $4,000–20,000 | High-pressure coolant oil, filtration maintenance |
| Coolant system maintenance | $3,000–10,000 | Seal replacement, filter changes, pump servicing |
| Spindle rebuild (every 10,000–15,000 hrs) | $10,000–30,000 | Bearing replacement, runout adjustment |
| Guideway reconditioning (every 15–20 years) | $15,000–40,000 | Scraping or grinding |
| CNC control obsolescence (every 15 years) | $30,000–80,000 | Control retrofit |
| Energy (coolant pump + spindle) | $8,000–30,000 | Coolant pump alone: 30–75 kW continuous |
Regional Price Comparison
The same machine specification can cost dramatically different amounts depending on the manufacturer's country of origin:
| Machine Specification | Chinese (HTT, Dalian) | Indian (Precihole) | European (LOCH, TBT) | US (UNISIG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gun drill, 20 mm × 1,000 mm | $40,000–60,000 | $50,000–80,000 | $150,000–250,000 | $180,000–300,000 |
| BTA, 100 mm × 3,000 mm | $80,000–150,000 | $100,000–200,000 | $300,000–500,000 | $350,000–600,000 |
| BTA, 200 mm × 6,000 mm | $150,000–300,000 | $200,000–350,000 | $500,000–900,000 | $600,000–1,000,000 |
Tip: The price difference between Chinese and European machines is not pure margin. European machines use heavier castings, higher-grade guideways, premium spindles, and include more comprehensive documentation and certification. For aerospace and medical applications, the premium is justified. For standard hydraulic cylinder drilling, Asian machines are often sufficient.
Market Overview
The global deep hole drilling machines market was valued at approximately $730–855 million in 2024, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 6–7% through 2030–2033. Asia-Pacific accounts for approximately 40% of demand, with China as the largest single market and production base.
FAQ
How much does a small gun drilling machine cost?
Entry-level CNC gun drilling machines cost $18,000–51,000 new. Used gun drills start at approximately $7,500.
How much does a BTA drilling machine cost?
Asian BTA machines: $60,000–500,000. European BTA machines: $200,000–1,500,000. Used BTA machines: $40,000–700,000.
What is the cheapest deep hole drilling machine?
The lowest-cost entry point is a Chinese CNC gun drilling machine at approximately $18,000–32,000 for small-diameter (2–20 mm) applications.
How much does a used deep hole drilling machine cost?
Used gun drills: $7,500–60,000. Used BTA machines: $40,000–700,000. Price depends on age, condition, manufacturer, and included accessories.
What is the most expensive deep hole drilling machine?
Large BTA systems from TBT (ML500, 6-spindle) or UNISIG (B850, large BTA) can exceed $1,000,000–1,500,000 fully configured with automation and tooling.
Why are European machines more expensive than Chinese machines?
European machines use heavier cast-iron or steel-concrete construction, higher-grade guideways, premium spindles, and comprehensive documentation. They also include local service, training, and longer warranties.
What is the total cost of ownership for a deep hole drilling machine?
Annual operating costs (tooling, coolant, maintenance, energy) typically add 10–20% of the machine purchase price per year. Spindle rebuilds ($10,000–30,000) and CNC retrofits ($30,000–80,000) occur at 10–15 year intervals.
Are Chinese deep hole drilling machines reliable?
Chinese manufacturers (HTT, Dalian Jori, Dezhou Jutai) have improved significantly. For standard applications in steel and aluminium, they offer good reliability at lower cost. For high-precision or critical applications, European or US machines are recommended.
What affects the price of a deep hole drilling machine most?
Diameter capacity and depth capability are the primary price drivers. A machine rated for 200 mm diameter costs roughly 3–5× more than one rated for 20 mm diameter at the same manufacturer.
How much does installation and training add to the price?
Installation and commissioning: $10,000–40,000 depending on machine complexity and location. Training: $5,000–20,000. Foundation preparation: $5,000–30,000.
Conclusion
Deep hole drilling machine prices span two orders of magnitude — from $18,000 for a basic Chinese gun drill to over $1,000,000 for a fully configured European BTA system. The buyer's decision should be guided by diameter and depth requirements first, then by production volume, precision requirements, and budget. Asian manufacturers offer the lowest entry cost at 30–50% below European equivalents. Used machines offer 40–70% savings but require careful inspection and retrofitting. The total cost of ownership — including tooling, coolant, maintenance, energy, and periodic rebuilds — typically adds 10–20% of the purchase price per year in ongoing operating costs.