The Bernardo BM 20 T / 230 V bench drill is the step-speed benchtop model in the BM range with a digital spindle travel display, a drilling capacity in steel up to Ø 20 mm, and a Morse taper MT 2 connection. Technical features: 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, tiltable from -45° to +45° and height-adjustable with a rack, cast iron base with 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 230V, 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 an official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Steel drilling capacity: 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 speed: 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, tiltable ±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 230V
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Weight: 45 kg
Who uses the BM 20 T / 230 V and for what
The Bernardo BM 20 T / 230 V is a professional bench drill with belt and cast iron pulley transmission, sized for craft workshops, advanced hobbyists, and laboratories requiring precision drilling on steel up to Ø 20 mm. Key constructive feature: the digital spindle travel display shows the drilling depth during operation, a decisive feature for applications requiring non-through holes of a predefined depth (e.g., blind holes for threads, bearing seats, holes for couplings). The 16 step speeds from 220-2,840 rpm allow adaptation to standard materials: hard steels 220-500 rpm for Ø 15-20 mm, mild 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 230V develops the necessary power for continuous use. The ±45° tiltable table with diagonal T-slots allows angled drilling without the need for a precision vise. Typical areas of use: craft workshops, repair and maintenance of mechanical components, technical school laboratories, 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 the 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 / 230 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 on the Vario, does not have a centering laser, and is economically preferable for use without frequent speed adjustment requirements. For drilling up to Ø 20 mm: the BM 20 T is the correct choice in terms of quality/price.
Logistics and Krollit support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days to the South). Manageable weight for 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 shanks, T-nuts) available from stock with 3-5 working day shipping. Customer support available in Italian.
Who the BM 20 T / 230 V is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Craft workshop with daily professional use |
Recommended |
Digital spindle travel display, IP 54 motor, B18 keyless chuck, ±45° tilting 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 machining |
Adequate |
For frequent speed adjustment needs, the corresponding BM Vario with continuous adjustment + centering laser is appropriately sized. |
Not suitable for: drilling diameters larger than Ø 20 mm; tall workpieces that cannot be placed on the table (max workpiece height 440 mm with 285×285 table, depends on the model); applications requiring speeds below 220 rpm for maximum torque (the SB 30 Profi is appropriately sized); massive continuous industrial use (a fixed pillar drill KBM is appropriately sized).
Working capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Steel drilling capacity |
Ø 20 mm |
| Chuck |
1-16 mm / B 18 |
| Morse taper connection |
MT 2 |
Speed and travel
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speed |
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 tilt |
-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 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 |
230V / 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/EC |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo BM 20 T / 230 V Drill
- Keyless chuck 1-16 mm / B 18
- Taper arbor MT 2 / B 18
- Digital display: spindle travel
- Integrated LED work light
- 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
What is the difference between MT 2 taper and B16/B18?
The Morse taper MT 2 (MT 2) is the spindle connection on the machine side, sized for self-clamping during rotation. The B18 shank of the keyless 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), and drill bits with direct MT shanks (for Ø above 13 mm). The B18 shank is specific for keyless chucks with a cylindrical grip. For chuck changes or mounting of special tools, it is necessary to observe coupling compatibilities.
How does the digital spindle travel display work?
It shows the real-time penetration depth of the drill bit into the workpiece, 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 operation to stop at the desired depth.
Decisive feature for: non-through holes of predefined depth (blind holes for threads, bearing housings, seats for centering pins), series production with identical depth on multiple workpieces, applications requiring depth precision (e.g., H7 coupling holes with tolerance less than 0.1 mm). Without a digital display, the operator must use a stop collar mounted on the spindle, which allows for a standard precision of 0.5-1 mm.
Does the belt drive 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 fixing 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 drills (GB 30 TV) or CNC drills are appropriately 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, and careful construction. BM bench drills with 0.03-0.05 mm concentricity are suitable for most professional applications. For precision applications (reaming for H7 couplings, holes for precision bearings), gear drills are recommended.
What power supply is needed?
230V voltage: civilian 230V Schuko line for domestic/workshop use without a three-phase line, standard 16A circuit breaker. Standard cable cross-section 1.5 mm² up to 30 meters.
For workshops with a civilian 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 generated heat and significantly longer lifespan (15-25 years vs 8-15 years for single-phase). For continuous intensive use, the 400V model is preferable.
