The Bernardo Hobby 400 Super bench lathe is sized for advanced hobbyists and small artisan workshops requiring precision and a digital display. It features a distance between centers of 400 mm, a center height of 90 mm, a turning diameter over the bed of Ø 180 mm, a spindle bore of Ø 20 mm (MT 3 taper), and a speed range of 100 - 2,500 rpm (continuously variable). Longitudinal feeds are 0.1 / 0.2 mm/rev. Metric threads include (10) 0.4 - 2.0 mm. It comes with a Ø 100 mm self-centering chuck, a 0.5 kW (S1 100%) - 0.7 kW (S6 40%) single-phase 230V motor, weighs 50 kg, and has machine dimensions of 850 × 280 × 300 mm (without base). Distributed in Italy by Krollit as an official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
-
Distance between centers: 400 mm
-
Center height: 90 mm
-
Turning diameter over bed: Ø 180 mm
-
Spindle bore: Ø 20 mm MT 3 taper
-
Speed range: 100 - 2,500 rpm (continuously variable)
-
Self-centering chuck: Ø 100 mm
-
Longitudinal feeds: 0.1 / 0.2 mm/rev
-
Metric threads: (10) 0.4 - 2.0 mm
-
Digital display: Speed + cross and top slide
-
Motor: 0.5 kW (S1) / 0.7 kW (S6) - 230V single-phase
-
Weight: 50 kg
Who uses the Hobby 400 Super and for what
The Bernardo Hobby 400 Super is an intermediate bench lathe in the Hobby range with a distinctive feature: a digital display included for spindle speed and for the position of the cross slide and top slide. The Hobby 400 Super model is the top of the entry-level/intermediate range: 400 mm distance between centers (the widest among compact models), 50 kg weight. Continuously variable speed 100-2,500 rpm (single range, simpler than the mechanical gear change of the 350 VD). Spindle bore Ø 20 mm MT3 taper with Ø 100 mm self-centering chuck (larger than the 350 models with Ø 80 mm). Quick-change tool post (size 5-4) with 4 inserts. More powerful motor than the 350 (0.50 kW S1 / 0.70 kW S6 vs 0.35/0.50 for the 350s) for more demanding work. Longitudinal feeds 0.1 / 0.2 mm/rev and 10-step metric threads (0.4 - 2.0 mm). Suitable for advanced hobbyists, small artisan workshops, technical schools with educational workshops, restorers of mechanical components. For intensive daily professional use, consider the Hobby 500 range (130 kg, 4-step automatic feeds, full metric + inch threads).
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo Hobby metal lathe range is organized by progressive size and technical characteristics: Hobby 140 (140 mm distance between centers, 14 kg weight) and Hobby 250 (250 mm, 23 kg) are entry-level mini lathes without display, 0.15 kW motor; Hobby 350 VD (350 mm, 44 kg), Hobby 350 VDM (M version with additional turret) and Hobby 400 Super (400 mm, 50 kg) are intermediate models with digital display and quick-change tool post, 0.35-0.50 kW motor; Hobby 500 in 230V single-phase and 400V three-phase versions (130 kg, 0.55 kW motor) is the top of the Hobby range with automatic feeds, full threading, and 6-step speed change. Beyond the Hobby range are the Profi models (semi-professional, 200-500 kg) and the heavy industrial Goliath lathes (over 1,500 kg, 5-15 kW motors).
The Hobby 400 Super is intermediate in the range: digital display for precise control, quick-change tool post for productivity. For smaller parts (entry-level), the Hobby 140/250 models are significantly cheaper. For regular production with automatic feeds and full threading, the Hobby 500 is correctly sized.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days to the South). With a weight of 50 kg, it can be moved by one person; the lathe is sized for placement on an existing sturdy workbench. Inserts for tool post, additional self-centering chucks, spare steel gears, original Bernardo accessories and spare parts available from stock with 3-5 working days shipping. Customer support available in Italian.
Who the Hobby 400 Super is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Advanced hobbyist / small artisan |
Recommended |
Digital display for speed + carriage, quick-change tool post with 4 inserts. Quick tool change during machining. 400 mm distance between centers and Ø 100 mm chuck for medium-large pieces. |
| Technical school / professional educational laboratory |
Recommended |
Digital display for modern teaching: students learn digital reading of carriage movements. Robustness suitable for intensive use by multiple operators. |
| Workshop producing unique pieces |
Adequate |
Suitable for single pieces or small series. For regular production with automatic feeds and full threading, the Hobby 500 (130 kg) or Profi (over 200 kg) models are correctly sized. |
Not suitable for: full metric + imperial threading (the Hobby 500 with 11 metric + 11 imperial is the correct choice); intensive continuous professional use (the Hobby 500 with 130 kg of robustness is correctly sized); very large pieces (over Ø 180 mm on the bed; the Hobby 500 with Ø 220 mm is the correct choice).
Machining capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Distance between centers |
400 mm |
| Center height |
90 mm |
| Turning diameter over bed |
Ø 180 mm |
| Turning diameter over cross slide |
Ø 110 mm |
Spindle
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle bore |
Ø 20 mm |
| Spindle taper |
MT 3 |
| Self-centering chuck |
Ø 100 mm |
Speeds and feeds
| Specification |
Value |
| Speed range |
100 - 2,500 rpm (continuously variable) |
| Longitudinal feeds |
0.1 / 0.2 mm/rev |
Threading
| Specification |
Value |
| Metric threads |
(10) 0.4 - 2.0 mm |
Tailstock
| Specification |
Value |
| Tailstock quill travel |
55 mm |
| Tailstock taper |
MT 2 |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.5 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
0.7 kW |
| Voltage |
230V single-phase |
Digital display
| Specification |
Value |
| Speed indication |
Digital LCD display |
| Cross and top slide indication |
Digital display included |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
850 × 280 × 300 mm (without base) |
| Weight |
50 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo Hobby 400 Super lathe
- Ø 100 mm self-centering chuck
- Spindle guard
- Quick-change tool post (size 5-4) with 4 inserts
- Spare steel gears
- Splash guard
- Digital speed indication
- Digital display for cross and top slide
- Fixed tailstock
- Tool kit
- User manual in Italian
Frequently asked questions
Is 230V single-phase power truly professional?
For the Hobby range, yes. The 0.5 kW (S1) - 0.7 kW (S6) motor is sized for continuous use at 230V single-phase. The machine is sized for advanced hobbyist use and small artisan workshops, not for intensive industrial production.
Recommended check before installation: electrical line with adequate cross-section (minimum 2.5 mm² cable), dedicated 16A circuit breaker, CEE 16A 230V industrial socket (preferable to a standard 'Schuko' socket for professional use). For workshops with other simultaneous loads (compressors, extractors), check the available power on the meter. For intensive daily industrial use, a lathe with a 400V three-phase motor is recommended (400V version of the Hobby 500 or Profi range).
What kind of pieces can I work with the Hobby 400 Super?
Typical pieces: cylindrical turning of shafts and cylinders up to Ø 180 mm and 400 mm length between centers, facing, grooving, chamfering and filleting, threading (10) 0.4 - 2.0 mm metric. Typical materials: mild steels (Fe360, S235), alloy steels (C45, 39NiCrMo3), aluminum and light alloys, brass, bronze, engineering plastics.
Machining limits: maximum Ø over bed 180 mm, Ø over cross slide 110 mm, spindle bore Ø 20 mm (maximum limit for through bars). For larger pieces, the higher-end models or industrial lathes (Profi range 200-500 kg or Goliath 1,500-3,500 kg) are correctly sized. For hobbyist/small laboratory use, it is correctly sized for most standard needs.
Is the machine already complete or do I need additional accessories?
The machine is supplied with standard equipment sufficient for immediate use: Ø 100 mm self-centering chuck, quick-change tool post with 4 inserts, fixed tailstock, spindle guard, splash guard, tool kit.
Optional accessories typically purchased separately: self-centering chucks of different diameters for specific pieces, steady rests for long pieces, 4-jaw chuck for non-cylindrical pieces, additional turning tool sets (roughing, finishing, threading, drilling), live center (if the machine has a fixed tailstock). For most standard hobbyist work, the basic equipment is sufficient; for specific productions or particular pieces, consider dedicated accessories.
Is the continuously variable speed of 100-2,500 rpm suitable for all materials?
Yes, for hobbyist/small laboratory use. The 100-2,500 rpm range covers all typical needs: low speed (100-300 rpm) for hard materials and large pieces, standard speed (500-1,500 rpm) for turning mild steels, high speed (1,800-2,500 rpm) for finishing on soft materials and small pieces.
Optimal speed depends on: material (mild steels 80-150 m/min, hard steels 50-80 m/min, aluminum 200-400 m/min), workpiece diameter (linear cutting speed must be constant), type of machining (lower speeds for roughing, higher speeds for finishing). For regular productions, it is recommended to record optimal speeds on a job card for reference.
Can I install the Hobby 400 Super on any workbench?
Yes, on sturdy workbenches with a load capacity greater than the machine's weight (50 kg) plus the workpieces. The workbench must be stable and level: workbench instability causes vibrations during turning, which compromises work precision.
For home workshops or schools, a robust woodworking bench is recommended (e.g., WB 1500 Hobby or WB 2000 Hobby from the Bernardo range) with a solid beech wood top. For advanced hobbyist use, consider a dedicated lathe base (made of steel sheet) for greater stability. Important: the machine must be secured to the workbench with through bolts in the designated base holes to prevent sliding during machining.
