The Bernardo BM 16 Vario / 400 V bench drill is the Vario bench model with a three-phase motor, continuous speed, and laser device, with a drilling capacity in steel up to Ø 16 mm and continuously adjustable spindle speed from 400-1,950 rpm. Technical features: Morse taper MT 2, integrated digital display for speed and spindle stroke, cross-laser device for hole centering, cast iron table 285 × 285 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: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 400V three-phase, spindle stroke 80 mm, weight 46 kg. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as an official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Drilling capacity in steel: Ø 16 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 stroke: 80 mm
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Table: 285 × 285 mm with 16 mm T-slots inclinable ±45°
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Max spindle-table distance: 440 mm
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Spindle-base distance: 630 mm
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Column diameter: 72 mm
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Digital display: speed + spindle stroke
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Cross-laser device: for hole centering
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Motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 400V three-phase
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Weight: 46 kg
Who uses the BM 16 Vario / 400 V and for what
The Bernardo BM 16 Vario / 400 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 each tool and material, unlike step versions that force jumps between predefined speeds. For applications with variable diameter tools (e.g., multiple drillings of different diameters on the same piece) 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 stroke 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 taper or MT 2 and step speeds; BM T (BM 20/25 T) intermediate with digital spindle stroke 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 higher 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 16 Vario / 400 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 stroke display (vs only stroke for BM T). For workshops with frequent speed adaptation requirements to the material or precision machining, the Vario is the correct choice; for standard use without frequent adjustment requirements, the BM T is economically preferable. For higher heights (workpieces up to 690 mm high), the SBM Vario models are correctly sized with the same Vario feature but a pillar structure.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days in the South). Manageable weight by one person or two with controlled lifting. 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 shipping in 3-5 working days. Customer support available in Italian.
Who the BM 16 Vario / 400 V is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Prototyping workshop with frequent speed changes |
Recommended |
Continuously adjustable speed 400-1,950 rpm without belt change, digital speed + stroke display, 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 requirements |
Adequate |
For standard use, the corresponding BM T is economically preferable (significant savings compared to the Vario version, step speed functionality sufficient). |
Not suitable for: drilling holes with diameter greater than Ø 16 mm; workpieces taller than 440 mm (SBM Vario or B 430 Vario models required); workshops without precision requirements for laser and continuous adjustment (BM T is economically preferable).
Processing capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Drilling capacity in steel |
Ø 16 mm |
| Chuck |
1-16 mm / B 18 |
| Morse taper |
MT 2 |
Speed and stroke
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speed (continuous) |
400-1,950 rpm |
| Spindle stroke |
80 mm |
Table and working dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Table dimensions |
285 × 285 mm |
| Table T-slots |
16 mm |
| Table inclination |
-45° to +45° |
| Spindle-column distance |
160 mm |
| Max spindle-table distance |
440 mm |
| Spindle-base distance |
630 mm |
| Column diameter |
72 mm |
| Base plate surface |
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 |
46 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/EC |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo BM 16 Vario / 400 V drill press
- Keyless chuck 1-16 mm / B 18
- Taper arbor MT 2 / B 18
- Digital display: speed + spindle stroke
- Cross-laser device for centering
- 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
How does continuous speed adjustment work?
The Vario adjustment uses variable diameter pulleys (Reeves system) or an electronic variator to change the spindle rotation 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 machining (e.g., multiple drillings of different diameters on the same workpiece), optimal material adaptation (the optimal speed for a material may 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 + caliper verification) to 5-10 seconds (laser alignment). For series production with repeated drilling, the time saving is significant. The laser precision is typically ±0.2 mm: sufficient for standard drilling. For higher precision (concentricity ≤ 0.02 mm), geared drills (GB 30 TV) with hardened and ground transmission are still necessary. For standard applications, the BM Vario is correctly sized.
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 are correctly sized.
Threading 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 reverse, and restart the machine. This procedure is slow and prone to errors (tap breakage if not performed correctly). For occasional threading, hand taps can be used (they only require guiding 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 due to higher quality bearings.
The ball bearings of the BM Vario are of professional quality (SKF/FAG/NSK industrial standard 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 stroke in mm (3 digits + decimal 00.0-80.0). The operator monitors both parameters during machining.
For series production, the digital display allows: verification of the set speed without consulting tables, monitoring depth during blind hole drilling, precise recording of machining parameters for repeatability on subsequent parts. Without a digital display, the operator must consult speed tables and use depth stops for depth: significantly less efficient procedures.
