Machine tool

A machine tool comprising:

• a spindle unit having a longitudinal axis extending in a front-back direction, the spindle unit configured to have a tool mounted at a front thereof;
• a base column having a base portion and a column portion provided on the base portion;
• a first saddle supported behind the column portion and movable in a left-right direction, with respect to the front-back direction;
• a second saddle supported on the first saddle and movable in a vertical direction, the spindle unit being supported on the second saddle and being movable in the front-back direction;
• a pair of X-axis guide mechanisms for guiding movements of the first saddle in the left-right direction;
• a pair of Y-axis guide mechanisms for guiding movements of the second saddle in the vertical direction;
• and
• a pair of Z-axis guide mechanisms for guiding movements of the spindle unit in the front-back direction, wherein
• the base portion has a base front portion in front of the column portion and a base back portion behind the column portion, respectively, a top surface of the base back portion is lower than a top surface of the base front portion,
• the first saddle is disposed on the top surface of the base back portion, and
• one of the pair of X-axis guide mechanisms and each of the pair of Y-axis guide mechanisms are provided between the first saddle and the column portion and are positioned substantially in the same plane.