The Bernardo BM 20 Vario / 230 V bench drill is the larger Vario bench model with a 20 mm drilling diameter, 0.75 kW motor, and centering laser, capable of drilling steel up to Ø 20 mm and featuring continuously adjustable spindle speed from 400-1,950 rpm. Technical features: MT 2 Morse taper, integrated digital display for speed and spindle travel, cross-laser device for hole centering, cast iron table 305 × 305 mm with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable from -45° to +45° and height-adjustable with a rack, cast iron base with polished T-slots, 1-16 mm keyless chuck with B18 shank included. IP 54 compliant aluminum motor: 0.75 kW (S1) / 1.1 kW (S6) at 230V, spindle travel 80 mm, weight 57 kg. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as an official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Drilling capacity in steel: Ø 20 mm
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Chuck: 1-16 mm / B 18
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Morse taper: MT 2
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Spindle speed: continuous 400-1,950 rpm
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Spindle travel: 80 mm
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Table: 305 × 305 mm with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable ±45°
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Max. spindle-to-table distance: 415 mm
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Spindle-to-base distance: 605 mm
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Column diameter: 72 mm
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Digital display: speed + spindle travel
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Cross-laser device: for hole centering
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Motor: 0.75 kW (S1) / 1.1 kW (S6) at 230V
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Weight: 57 kg
Who uses the BM 20 Vario / 230 V and for what
The Bernardo BM 20 Vario / 230 V is a professional bench drill with continuously adjustable spindle speed (Vario system), sized for craft workshops that require optimal speed adaptation to the material during processing. Key design feature: the continuous speed adjustment from 400-1,950 rpm allows precise setting of the optimal speed for every tool and material, unlike step versions that force jumps between predefined speeds. For applications with variable diameter tools (e.g., multiple holes of different diameters on the same workpiece), the Vario system avoids changing belt positions on the pulleys: the operator adjusts the speed via a knob without stopping the machine. The integrated digital display shows the set speed and spindle travel in real time: a crucial feature for productions with frequent parameter changes. The cross-laser device projects a cross onto the workpiece for quick hole centering: it reduces workpiece positioning time from 30-60 seconds (manual centering with a punch) to 5-10 seconds (laser alignment). Typical areas of use: prototyping workshops, precision laboratories, repair shops with variable drilling cycles, advanced metal hobbyists with higher-than-standard precision requirements.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo range of bench and pillar drills is organized into 6 main sub-families: TB (TB 14/16/20 T) entry-level with fixed B16 or MT 2 taper and step speeds; BM T (BM 20/25 T) intermediate with digital spindle travel display and step speeds; BM Vario (BM 16/20 Vario) intermediate with continuously adjustable speed + centering laser; SBM Vario (SBM 16/20 Vario) pillar drill with greater height than BM Vario models; B 430 Vario medium-heavy pillar drill with 360° swiveling table and MT 3 spindle; SB 30 Profi heavy pillar drill with 2-stage power motor, Ø 32 mm capacity. The BM 20 Vario / 230 V is the BM model with continuously adjustable speed (Vario system) + cross-laser device for hole centering. Compared to the corresponding BM T: the BM Vario has continuous speed adjustment (vs. step), centering laser, digital speed and travel display (vs. only travel for BM T). For workshops needing frequent speed adaptation to material or precision work, the Vario is the correct choice; for standard use without frequent adjustment needs, the BM T is economically preferable. For greater heights (workpieces up to 690 mm high), the SBM Vario models with the same Vario feature but a pillar structure are correctly sized.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days for Southern Italy). Manageable weight with two people with care. HSS drill bits, milling chucks, threading devices, LED lamps, original Bernardo spare parts (belts, motors, keyless chucks, taper shafts, T-nuts) available from stock with 3-5 working day shipping. Customer support in Italian available.
Who the BM 20 Vario / 230 V is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Prototyping workshop with frequent speed changes |
Recommended |
Continuously adjustable speed 400-1,950 rpm without belt changes, digital display for speed + travel, centering laser to reduce positioning time. |
| Precision laboratory with multi-material drilling |
Recommended |
Optimal speed adaptation for steel (1,000-1,500 rpm), aluminum (1,500-2,000), stainless steel (400-800), brass (1,500-2,000) without stopping the machine. |
| Workshop with standard use without frequent adjustment needs |
Suitable |
For standard use, the corresponding BM T is economically preferable (significant savings compared to the Vario version, sufficient step speed functionality). |
Not suitable for: drilling diameters greater than Ø 20 mm; workpieces taller than 440 mm (SBM Vario or B 430 Vario models are needed); workshops without precision needs for the laser and continuous adjustment (the BM T is economically preferable).
Processing capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Drilling capacity in steel |
Ø 20 mm |
| Chuck |
1-16 mm / B 18 |
| Morse taper |
MT 2 |
Speed and travel
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speed (continuous) |
400-1,950 rpm |
| Spindle travel |
80 mm |
Table and working dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Table dimensions |
305 × 305 mm |
| Table T-slots |
16 mm |
| Table inclination |
-45° to +45° |
| Spindle-to-column distance |
180 mm |
| Max. spindle-to-table distance |
415 mm |
| Spindle-to-base distance |
605 mm |
| Column diameter |
72 mm |
| Base plate surface |
205 × 205 mm |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.75 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
1.1 kW |
| Voltage |
230V / 50 Hz |
| Protection standard |
IP 54 |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
400 × 630 × 990 mm |
| Weight |
57 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/CE |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo BM 20 Vario / 230 V drill
- Keyless chuck 1-16 mm / B 18
- Taper arbor MT 2 / B 18
- Digital display: speed + spindle travel
- Cross-laser device for centering
- Set of T-nuts for workpiece clamping
- Height-adjustable protection with microswitch
- Separate emergency stop switch
- Set of wrenches and service tools
- User manual in Italian
Frequently Asked Questions
How does continuous speed adjustment work?
The Vario adjustment uses variable diameter pulleys (Reeves system) or an electronic variator to change the spindle's rotational speed without stopping the machine. The operator turns a knob to set the desired speed from 400 to 1,950 rpm.
The Vario system is functionally superior to the step system (belts with manual position change) for: rapid speed changes during processing (e.g., multiple holes of different diameters on the same workpiece), optimal material adaptation (the optimal speed for a material can be intermediate to the available steps), series production with frequent changes (reduced setup time). The integrated digital speed display shows the set speed in rpm in real time.
How does the cross-laser device work?
Two line lasers (red) project a cross onto the workpiece, indicating the hole position. The operator aligns the hole marking with the laser cross and clamps the workpiece: the hole position precisely matches the cross.
Main advantage: reduction of workpiece centering time from 30-60 seconds (traditional manual centering: punch + hammer + verification with compass) to 5-10 seconds (laser alignment). For series production with repeated drilling, the time saving is significant. Laser precision is typically ±0.2 mm: sufficient for standard drilling. For higher precision, traditional mechanical centering systems are still required.
Can I use the BM Vario for threading?
No, the standard BM Vario does not have dedicated right/left rotation for threading. For threading with a tap, the BM 25 T 400V with R/L rotation or the SBM 20 Vario 400V is correctly sized.
Tapping with a tap requires counter-clockwise spindle rotation to eject the tap from the hole: without R/L rotation, the operator must stop the machine, manually rotate the spindle in the reverse direction, and restart the machine. This is a slow procedure and prone to errors (tap breakage if not performed correctly). For occasional threading, hand taps can be used (they only require guidance from the stationary spindle): less precise but sufficient for occasional applications.
What is the concentricity of the BM Vario chuck?
For BM Vario drills, the chuck concentricity is typically 0.03-0.05 mm: a standard value for standard professional applications, slightly better than BM T thanks to higher quality bearings.
The ball bearings of the BM Vario are professional quality (industrial standard SKF/FAG/NSK category): concentricity remains stable for years of normal use. For higher precision applications (concentricity ≤ 0.02 mm), geared drills (GB 30 TV) with hardened and ground transmission are required. For standard applications, the BM Vario is correctly sized.
Are the 6 digital digits useful?
Yes. The integrated digital display shows 2 values in real time: spindle speed in rpm (4 digits, range 0400-1950) and spindle travel in mm (3 digits + decimal 00.0-80.0). The operator monitors both parameters during processing.
For series production, the digital display allows: verification of the set speed without consulting tables, monitoring depth during non-through drilling, precise recording of processing parameters for repeatability on subsequent workpieces. Without a digital display, the operator must consult speed tables and use stop collars for depth: significantly less efficient procedures.
