The Bernardo BM 20 T / 400 V bench drill is the step-speed benchtop model in the BM range, featuring a digital spindle travel display and a three-phase motor, with a drilling capacity in steel up to Ø 20 mm and a Morse taper MT 2 connection. Technical specifications: 16 spindle speeds from 220-2,840 rpm with belt and cast iron pulley transmission, integrated digital spindle travel display, LED work light, 285 × 285 mm cast iron table with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable from -45° to +45° and height adjustable with a rack, cast iron base with T-slots, 1-16 mm keyless drill chuck with B18 shank included. IP 54 compliant aluminum motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 400V three-phase, spindle travel 80 mm, max spindle-to-table distance 440 mm, spindle-to-base distance 630 mm, weight 45 kg. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as 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 connection: MT 2
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Spindle speeds: 16 speeds 220-2,840 rpm
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Spindle travel: 80 mm
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Table: 285 × 285 mm with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable ±45°
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Max spindle-to-table distance: 440 mm
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Spindle-to-base distance: 630 mm
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Column diameter: 72 mm
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Digital display: spindle travel
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Motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 400V three-phase
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Weight: 45 kg
Who uses the BM 20 T / 400 V and for what
The Bernardo BM 20 T / 400 V is a professional bench drill with belt and cast iron pulley transmission, sized for artisanal workshops, advanced hobbyists, and laboratories requiring precision drilling on steel up to Ø 20 mm. Key construction feature: the digital display for spindle travel shows the hole depth during execution, a crucial feature for applications requiring non-through holes of predefined depth (e.g., blind holes for threads, bearing recesses, holes for mating parts). The 16 step speeds from 220-2,840 rpm allow adaptation to standard materials: hard steels 220-500 rpm for Ø 15-20 mm, soft steels 1,000-1,500 rpm, aluminum and brass 1,500-2,840 rpm. The IP 54 compliant aluminum motor (0.55 kW S1 / 0.80 kW S6) at 400V three-phase develops the necessary power for continuous use. The ±45° inclinable table with diagonal T-slots allows angled drilling without the need for a precision vise. Typical areas of use: artisanal workshops, repair and maintenance of mechanical components, educational laboratories for technical schools, advanced modeling and prototyping, metal hobbyists with higher precision requirements.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo bench and pillar drill range 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 variable speed + centering laser; SBM Vario (SBM 16/20 Vario) pillar drill with greater height than BM Vario; 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 T / 400 V is the BM model with step speeds (16 steps from 220-2,840 rpm) and a digital display for spindle travel. Compared to the corresponding TB: the BM has a digital travel display, a superior S1 motor, a B18 chuck (vs B16 of the TBs). Compared to the BM Vario: the BM T has step speeds (belt changes for new speed) vs continuous of the Vario, does not have a centering laser, is economically preferable for use without frequent speed adjustment needs. For drilling up to Ø 20 mm: BM 20 T is the correct choice in terms of quality/price ratio.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days to the South). Weight manageable by one person or two with controlled lifting. HSS drill bits, milling chucks, tapping devices, LED lamps, original Bernardo spare parts (belts, motors, keyless drill chucks, tapered shafts, T-nuts) available from stock with 3-5 working day shipping. Customer support in Italian available.
Who the BM 20 T / 400 V is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Artisanal workshop with daily professional use |
Recommended |
Digital spindle travel display, IP 54 motor, B18 keyless chuck, ±45° inclinable table with T-slots. Ø 20 mm capacity covers most standard applications. |
| Advanced metal hobbyist |
Recommended |
Professional yet compact machine for home workshop, manageable weight. |
| Workshop with frequent variable speed operations |
Adequate |
For frequent speed adjustment needs, the corresponding BM Vario with continuous adjustment + centering laser is correctly sized. |
Not suitable for: drilling diameters greater than Ø 20 mm; tall workpieces that do not fit on the table (max workpiece height 440 mm with 285×285 table, depends on model); applications requiring speeds below 220 rpm for maximum torque (the SB 30 Profi is correctly sized); massive continuous industrial use (a KBM fixed pillar drill is correctly sized).
Working capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Drilling capacity in steel |
Ø 20 mm |
| Chuck |
1-16 mm / B 18 |
| Morse taper connection |
MT 2 |
Speed and travel
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speeds |
16 speeds 220-2,840 rpm |
| Spindle travel |
80 mm |
Table and working dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Table dimensions |
285 × 285 mm |
| Table T-slots |
16 mm |
| Table inclination |
-45° to +45° |
| Spindle-to-column distance |
160 mm |
| Max spindle-to-table distance |
440 mm |
| Spindle-to-base distance |
630 mm |
| Column diameter |
72 mm |
| Base surface area |
200 × 190 mm |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.55 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
0.80 kW |
| Voltage |
400V three-phase / 50 Hz |
| Protection standard |
IP 54 |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
400 × 590 × 980 mm |
| Weight |
45 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/CE |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo BM 20 T / 400 V drill
- Keyless drill chuck 1-16 mm / B 18
- Tapered shank MT 2 / B 18
- Digital display: spindle travel
- Integrated LED work light
- Set of T-nuts for workpiece clamping
- Height-adjustable guard with microswitch
- Separate emergency stop switch
- Set of wrenches and service tools
- User manual in Italian
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between MT 2 and B16/B18 tapers?
The Morse taper MT 2 (MT 2) is the machine-side spindle connection, sized for self-clamping during rotation. The B18 shank of the keyless drill chuck (included) is the holder for drill bits from Ø 1 to Ø 16 mm.
The Morse taper allows mounting of chucks with MT shanks (for interchangeable use), reduced taper sleeves (e.g., MT 2 → MT 1 for smaller tools), direct MT shank drill bits (for Ø above 13 mm). The B18 shank is specific for keyless drill chucks with cylindrical grip. For changing chucks or mounting special tools, compatibility of coupling must be observed.
How does the digital spindle travel display work?
It shows the penetration depth of the drill bit into the workpiece in real time, in millimeters (with 0.1 mm resolution). The operator presses a button to zero the depth at the start of drilling, then monitors the display during execution to stop at the desired depth.
Crucial feature for: non-through holes of predefined depth (blind holes for threads, bearing housings, recesses for centering pins), serial production with identical depth on multiple workpieces, applications requiring depth precision (e.g., holes for H7 fits with tolerance less than 0.1 mm). Without a digital display, the operator must use a depth stop ring mounted on the spindle, which provides standard precision of 0.5-1 mm.
Does the belt transmission require maintenance?
Yes, periodic. V-belts require tension verification every 200-500 operating hours (intensive use) or every 6 months (occasional use). Typical replacement every 3-5 years in normal use, every 1-2 years in intensive use.
Tensioning procedure: open the transmission cover, loosen the motor mounting bolt, move the motor to tension the belt (the belt should flex 5-10 mm under manual pressure), tighten the bolt, close the cover. Belt replacement: same procedure but with complete belt replacement. Original Bernardo replacement belts available from stock with 3-5 working day shipping.
What is the concentricity of the spindle?
For BM bench drills, spindle concentricity is typically 0.03-0.05 mm: a standard value for standard professional applications. For higher precision applications (≤ 0.02 mm), gear-driven drills (GB 30 TV) or CNC drills are correctly sized.
Concentricity is the maximum deviation of the spindle axis from its theoretical axis during rotation. Lower values (more precise) require high-quality bearings, precision shafts, spindle balancing, careful construction. BM bench drills with 0.03-0.05 mm concentricity are suitable for most professional applications. For precision applications (reaming for H7 fits, precision bearing holes), gear-driven drills are recommended.
What power supply is needed?
400V three-phase voltage: 400V three-phase line with dedicated 10A miniature circuit breaker. Standard cable cross-section 1.5 mm² up to 30 meters.
For workshops with a domestic line (230V), the 230V model is the correct choice without additional electrical adaptation costs. For workshops with a three-phase line (400V), the 400V model is sized with a higher quality motor and extended lifespan: the three-phase motor has higher efficiency (90% vs 70% for single-phase) with less heat generated and a significantly longer lifespan (15-25 years vs 8-15 years for single-phase). For intensive continuous use, the 400V model is preferable.
