The Webster & Bennett Story

    Webster & Bennett is one of the most respected names in British machine tool manufacturing. Founded in Coventry — the historic heart of the UK’s engineering industry — the company built a reputation for producing robust, accurate vertical boring and turning machines that served foundries, shipyards, and heavy engineering works across the country and beyond.

    For decades, Webster & Bennett vertical borers were the backbone of Britain’s manufacturing sector. From post-war industrial expansion through to the decline of heavy industry in the 1980s and 90s, these machines were relied upon for their durability, precision, and sheer machining capacity. Many of the original machines built in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s are still in operation today — a testament to the quality of their design and construction.

    Coventry was once home to dozens of machine tool builders, but Webster & Bennett stood apart through a singular focus on vertical boring technology. Where other manufacturers diversified into horizontal milling, grinding, and general-purpose machines, Webster & Bennett concentrated on doing one thing exceptionally well. That focus produced machines that became industry standards — the reference point by which other vertical borers were judged.

    The company’s machines were exported worldwide, with significant installations across Europe, the Commonwealth, and the United States. In markets where heavy industry demanded machines that could run continuously for decades with minimal intervention, Webster & Bennett earned a reputation that endured long after the company itself ceased independent production.

    VTT-WB Ltd is proud to be the recognised authority on Webster & Bennett vertical borers. Based in Birmingham, we carry forward the heritage of these machines through genuine parts supply, expert reconditioning, CNC modernisation, and technical support that keeps these legendary machines productive in the modern era. We understand that for many of our customers, a Webster & Bennett machine is not just a piece of equipment — it is a critical production asset that may have been in service longer than some of the operators running it.

    Model Guide: W&B 36, 48 & 72

    Webster & Bennett produced a range of vertical boring machines with varying capacities to suit different industrial applications. Understanding the specifications of each model helps operators and engineers identify the right machine for their workload — and helps us source the correct parts and manuals when servicing them.

    Webster & Bennett 36

    The W&B 36 is the most widely encountered model, with a 36-inch table diameter. Designed for medium-duty vertical boring work, it became the go-to machine for general engineering workshops, foundries, and fabrication shops across the UK. The 36 offers a balance of capacity and footprint that makes it practical for smaller facilities whilst still delivering the rigidity needed for precision boring operations.

    Key specifications typically include:

    • Table diameter: 36 inches (914 mm)
    • Max swing: varies by configuration, commonly up to 48 inches
    • Spindle speeds: multiple gear ranges for ferrous and non-ferrous work
    • Feeds: mechanically geared with options for fine boring
    • Max workpiece weight: typically 1,500–2,500 kg depending on bearing configuration
    • Ram diameter: varies by year and specification, commonly 3–4 inches

    The 36 was produced in significant numbers and is the model most likely to be found in the used market today. Many have been subject to varying degrees of maintenance and repair over the years, so condition can vary significantly between individual machines. Our inspection service helps buyers understand exactly what they are looking at.

    Webster & Bennett 48

    The W&B 48 steps up in capacity, offering a 48-inch table designed for larger components such as engine blocks, pump housings, and pressure vessel components. This model found its home in heavy engineering workshops, power generation maintenance facilities, and marine repair yards where larger workpieces are routine.

    The 48 is particularly valued in the oil and gas and power generation sectors, where components such as flanges, valve bodies, and turbine housings require precise machining on a robust, stable platform. The additional table diameter provides room for larger workpieces without the need for a custom-built machine, making it a versatile choice for workshops handling a mix of component sizes.

    Compared to the 36, the 48 typically features a more substantial column and cross-rail to maintain rigidity at the larger swing, and the table drive system is correspondingly more powerful to handle heavier workpieces at appropriate cutting speeds.

    Webster & Bennett 72

    The W&B 72 represents the heavy end of the Webster & Bennett range, with a 72-inch table capable of handling the largest workpieces. These machines were typically installed in large foundries, shipbuilding facilities, and heavy industrial plants where very large castings and fabrications needed boring and facing operations.

    The 72 is a substantial machine requiring a reinforced foundation and adequate floor space. Its table drive system is designed to handle workpieces weighing several tonnes, and the column and cross-rail are proportionally heavier to maintain accuracy at the full swing. These machines were often special-ordered for specific applications, so specifications can vary between individual units.

    Few of these large machines remain in service, making specialist knowledge and parts supply all the more critical for operators who still rely on them for oversized component machining. We maintain technical records and parts information for the 72 and can manufacture or source critical components on request.

    Other Models

    Beyond the core 36, 48, and 72 models, Webster & Bennett produced variants and special configurations over the years. These include machines with extended rams, modified cross-rails, twin-tool-head configurations, and machines built to customer-specific requirements. If you have a Webster & Bennett machine that does not match the standard model descriptions, contact us — we can identify the specification from serial numbers and original build records where available.

    Genuine Spares & Manuals

    Keeping a Webster & Bennett vertical borer running requires access to the right parts — and the knowledge to fit them correctly. At VTT-WB, we maintain an extensive inventory of genuine and pattern parts for Webster & Bennett machines, including models no longer supported by the original manufacturer.

    Our parts inventory covers:

    • Table components: table drive gears, clutches, bearings, and seals
    • Tool head and ram: ram liners, feed nuts, drive gears, and tool holder assemblies
    • Cross rail: elevation mechanisms, clamping systems, and guideway components
    • Electrical: contactors, relays, limit switches, and wiring looms
    • Hydraulic and lubrication: pumps, valves, filters, and pipework
    • Fasteners and fittings: T-bolts, clamping plates, and standard hardware to original specifications

    We also hold an archive of original Webster & Bennett technical manuals, parts diagrams, and operating instructions. If you need a manual for a specific model, contact us — we can typically supply original or high-quality reproduction copies that include exploded parts diagrams, wiring schematics, and setup procedures. These documents are invaluable for maintenance planning, fault diagnosis, and operator training.

    For operators struggling with obsolete or hard-to-source parts, our engineering team can manufacture replacement components to original specifications. Using the original drawings where available — and reverse-engineering from samples where drawings are not — we produce parts that match the quality and fit of the originals. We understand that downtime is costly, and we work to get machines back into production as quickly as possible.

    Common parts requests we handle include table drive gears, ram liners, feed nuts, bearing sets, seal kits, and electrical components. We also supply consumable items such as way wipers, filter elements, and lubrication components on a regular supply basis to support preventative maintenance programmes.

    Rebuild & CNC-Modernise Your Webster & Bennett

    Many Webster & Bennett machines still in service are running on original 1950s–1970s electrical and control systems. Whilst the mechanical elements were built to last, the control technology is now decades out of date — creating reliability issues, safety concerns, and limitations on what the machine can achieve. Components for the original control systems are increasingly difficult to source, and the skills to maintain them are becoming rare.

    VTT-WB offers two pathways for bringing these machines into the modern era:

    Full Mechanical Reconditioning

    Our reconditioning service addresses the mechanical wear that accumulates over decades of service. This includes hand-scraping of slideways, replacement of worn bearings, refurbishment of the table drive system, and restoration of geometric accuracy to original factory tolerances. A fully reconditioned Webster & Bennett can deliver many more decades of reliable service.

    The reconditioning process is thorough: full geometric inspection, complete strip-down, hand-scraping of all critical slideways, bearing replacement throughout, reassembly with careful alignment at every stage, and testing with certified results. We document every step, providing the traceability that regulated industries require.

    CNC Retrofit via the ManuPlus Programme

    For operators who need modern control capabilities, our CNC retrofit service transforms a manual Webster & Bennett into a fully programmable CNC vertical turning lathe. The ManuPlus programme replaces outdated electrical systems with modern CNC controls, new servo drives, and current-generation safety systems — all whilst preserving the robust mechanical structure that makes these machines so valued.

    A CNC-retrofitted Webster & Bennett offers:

    • Programmable spindle speed and feed control
    • DRO-quality positioning accuracy with modern encoders
    • PUWER-compliant safety systems
    • Improved repeatability for batch production
    • Reduced setup time through stored programmes
    • Conversational programming for simple operations
    • Networking capability for DNC and program transfer

    Many of our customers choose to combine both services — reconditioning the mechanical structure and retrofitting the control system in a single project. This approach delivers a machine that performs like new, with the reliability of modern controls and the accuracy of freshly scraped slideways, at a fraction of the cost of a new machine.

    Webster & Bennett Machines for Sale

    VTT-WB frequently has Webster & Bennett vertical borers available for sale — either fully reconditioned, CNC-retrofitted, or in as-received condition for buyers who wish to manage their own refurbishment. Our stock changes regularly, so we recommend contacting us directly for current availability.

    When you purchase a Webster & Bennett from VTT-WB, you benefit from:

    • Machines inspected and assessed by engineers who know these machines inside out
    • Optional full reconditioning before delivery
    • Optional CNC retrofit to modern specifications
    • Delivery, installation, and commissioning support
    • Post-installation training and ongoing maintenance
    • Warranty on reconditioned and retrofitted machines
    • Full documentation of work carried out and condition assessment

    We can also source specific Webster & Bennett models to order. If you need a particular model with specific specifications, let us know — our industry network often identifies machines before they reach the open market.

    For details of our current stock of used and rebuilt vertical lathes, including Webster & Bennett models, see our used vertical lathes page. To read about the later CNC machines we designed and built, see the Millennium, Evolution, Revelation and Aeroturn.

    Ready to discuss your Webster & Bennett requirements?

    Call Iain Exeter on 07808 789597 or Petr Gabrhelik on 07808 789598, or visit our contact page to send an enquiry. Based in Birmingham (B6 7LG), we serve customers across the UK and internationally.

    More reading: browse all VTT-WB guides, including rebuild or replace? how to decide.