Selling your Studer S20 favorit: compact cylindrical grinder with a loyal buyer base
The Studer S20 favorit is the compact entry-level machine in the Swiss cylindrical grinding series — significantly smaller and simpler than the S31, S33, or S41, which form Studer’s core business in the mid-size segment. With a center height of around 100 mm and a maximum workpiece weight of about 20 kg, it’s built for small, precision shafts, pins, and gauges, not large series production parts.
On the used market, the S20 favorit meets a smaller but loyal buyer base: toolmakers, training workshops, and repair shops looking for a reliable, easy-to-operate cylindrical grinder for occasional use. The purchase price sits well below that of an S31 or S33 — but the machine also carries lower investment risk and a smaller footprint.
As a Studer machine, the S20 favorit also benefits from the United Grinding Group’s parts and service network, which keeps spindles, guideway strips, and control components available well beyond the model’s actual production end. That’s why an S20 favorit 20 to 30 years old still gets serviced and resold instead of scrapped. For sellers, that means even an older machine without a modern CNC control still finds a serious buyer, as long as the basic mechanical condition holds up.
Specifications (Manufacturer Data)
| Feature | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Travel / distance between centers | approx. 400 or 650 mm | two build lengths in circulation, depending on configuration |
| Workpiece size | center height approx. 100 mm, weight up to approx. 20 kg | built for small, precision shafts and pins |
| Spindle (workhead) | speed-controlled, electromechanical drive | not a high-speed CNC grinding spindle motor; exact speed ranges vary by unit |
| Control | electromechanical / basic cycle control | no CNC contouring control; the current favorit successor series now runs C.O.R.E. OS |
| Weight / footprint | mid-range tonnage, compact base | exact figures depend on model — see the individual unit’s nameplate |
| Build period | approx. 1990s to 2000s | exact build year varies by unit; MBR reference unit GM000001: built 2003 |
Pricing (as of October 2026)
We have no reliable public price range for the Studer S20 favorit: of the Studer listings we reviewed on Maschinensucher in October 2026, only a small minority state a price, and no S20 favorit listing was among them. Value is set by the control version (electromechanical, PLC cycle control or retrofit), spindle condition, accessories and documentation. First assessment after receiving your data. The methodology behind our valuation: What is my CNC machine worth?
What determines your S20 favorit’s price
- Control type: A basic PLC cycle control commands a premium over the original purely manual version, because it’s easier to operate.
- Retrofit status: A refurbished S20 favorit with a new control cabinet and ball screw drive achieves noticeably higher prices than an unrestored original machine.
- Spindle condition: Runout and vibration of the external grinding spindle determine whether the machine can still hold tight tolerances.
- Accessories: An internal grinding attachment, additional workholding, and a working dresser widen the buyer pool.
- Documentation: An operating manual, wiring diagrams, and maintenance records ease the sale, since many S20 machines trade without complete original paperwork.
Typical buyers of a Studer S20 favorit
The S20 favorit appeals mainly to smaller toolmaking and gauge-making shops, training workshops, and maintenance departments that don’t need a high-throughput series grinder but a rugged machine for single parts and rework. It also sees active export demand — Eastern Europe, Turkey — where the compact build keeps acquisition cost and footprint low. Compare all Studer series: Studer brand hub.
How the sale works
The process follows our Studer brand hub: model, build year, control variant, grinding spindle condition, and photos are enough for the first assessment. An offer and payment before pickup follow; we organise dismantling and transport. Details: How it works.
If you’re upgrading from an S20 favorit to a newer machine as part of a workshop modernization, or selling off another brand, you’ll find the right fit at Sell your CNC grinding machines.
Request a free valuation — Initial assessment of your Studer S20 favorit, no obligation.