The Bernardo SBM 16 Vario / 230 V column drill is the Vario column model in the SBM range for workpieces up to 690 mm high, with a drilling capacity in steel up to Ø 16 mm and continuously adjustable spindle speed from 400-1,950 rpm. Technical features: MT 2 Morse taper connection, max spindle-to-table distance 690 mm and spindle-to-base distance 1,170 mm (significantly higher than BM Vario bench drills), integrated digital speed and spindle travel display, cross-laser device for hole centering, 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 polished T-slots, 1-16 mm keyless chuck with B18 shank included. IP 54 compliant aluminum motor: 0.60 kW (S1) / 0.85 kW (S6) at 230V, spindle travel 80 mm, weight 57 kg. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as 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 connection: 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: 285 × 285 mm with 16 mm T-slots, tiltable ±45°
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Max spindle-to-table distance: 690 mm
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Spindle-to-base distance: 1,170 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: 0.60 kW (S1) / 0.85 kW (S6) at 230V
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Weight: 57 kg
Who uses the SBM 16 Vario / 230 V and for what
The Bernardo SBM 16 Vario / 230 V is a medium-sized column drill with continuously adjustable speed, dimensioned for professional workshops needing to drill tall or bulky workpieces. Key construction feature: the max spindle-to-table distance of 690 mm and spindle-to-base distance of 1,170 mm are significantly greater than BM Vario bench drills (440 / 630 mm respectively): the SBM is dimensioned for workpieces up to 690 mm high placed on the table, or workpieces up to 1,170 mm placed directly on the base. Continuously adjustable speed from 400-1,950 rpm: for applications with variable diameter tools, the Vario system is functionally superior to stepped systems. The digital display for speed and spindle travel + cross-laser device for centering are included as standard, as in the BM Vario models. The SBM is preferable to the BM Vario for: large workpieces that cannot be placed on the table of a compact bench drill, applications with tall welded structures or bulky frames, drilling large diameter cylindrical workpieces that require greater vertical space. Typical application sectors: metalworking with medium welded structures, mechanical assembly workshops with large frames, prototyping laboratories for voluminous parts.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo bench and column 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 stepped speed; BM T (BM 20/25 T) intermediate with digital spindle travel display and stepped speed; BM Vario (BM 16/20 Vario) intermediate with continuously adjustable speed + centering laser; SBM Vario (SBM 16/20 Vario) column drill with greater height than BM Vario; B 430 Vario medium-heavy column drill with 360° rotating table and MT 3 spindle; SB 30 Profi heavy column drill with 2-stage power motor, Ø 32 mm capacity. The SBM 16 Vario / 230 V is the SBM Vario model with identical features to the BM Vario but a column structure with greater height: max spindle-to-table distance 690 mm vs 440 mm for the BM Vario, spindle-to-base distance 1,170 mm vs 630 mm. For tall workpieces that cannot be placed on the BM Vario table, the SBM is the correct choice. For standard workpieces (height below 440 mm), the BM Vario is economically preferable (weight 46-57 kg vs 57-68 kg for the SBM). For higher capacities (Ø 25 mm), the B 430 Vario or SB 30 Profi models from the heavy column range are correctly sized.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days to the South). Weight manageable by 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 days shipping. Italian customer support available.
Who the SBM 16 Vario / 230 V is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Workshop with drilling on tall workpieces up to 690 mm |
Recommended |
Spindle-to-table distance 690 mm and spindle-to-base distance 1,170 mm: larger dimensions than BM Vario bench drills (440/630 mm). |
| Precision workshop with adjustable speed |
Recommended |
Vario speed 400-1,950 rpm, digital speed + spindle travel display, centering laser included. |
| Workshop with standard workpieces under 440 mm high |
Adequate |
For standard workpieces, the corresponding BM Vario is economically preferable with similar performance and a more compact structure. |
Not suitable for: drilling diameters exceeding Ø 16 mm (for Ø 25 mm, B 430 Vario is needed; for Ø 32 mm, SB 30 Profi); heavy industrial applications requiring higher stability (KBM fixed column models needed).
Working capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Drilling capacity in steel |
Ø 16 mm |
| Chuck |
1-16 mm / B 18 |
| Morse taper connection |
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 |
285 × 285 mm |
| Table T-slots |
16 mm |
| Table tilt |
-45° to +45° |
| Spindle-to-column distance |
160 mm |
| Max spindle-to-table distance |
690 mm |
| Spindle-to-base distance |
1,170 mm |
| Column diameter |
72 mm |
| Base plate surface |
200 × 190 mm |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.60 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
0.85 kW |
| Voltage |
230V / 50 Hz |
| Protection standard |
IP 54 |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
420 × 600 × 1,560 mm |
| Weight |
57 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/CE |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo SBM 16 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 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 SBM Vario and BM Vario?
The SBM has a spindle-to-table distance of 690 mm and a spindle-to-base distance of 1,170 mm, vs 440/630 mm for the BM Vario. For tall workpieces that cannot be placed on the BM Vario table, the SBM is the correct choice. Same electronics (Vario display, centering laser).
The SBM is structured as a column drill (tall vertical structure) vs the BM as a bench drill (compact structure). The other technical characteristics (drilling capacity, motor, chuck, table) are comparable between models of similar capacity. For workshops with predominantly drilling on standard workpieces under 440 mm, the BM Vario is economically preferable (weight 46-57 kg vs 57-68 kg, lower price). For workshops with tall workpieces, the SBM is correctly sized.
Is the column structure more stable than the bench drill?
Yes, marginally. The Ø 72 mm vertical column and 57-68 kg weight offer slightly higher stability than the BM bench drill (weight 46-57 kg). For heavy drilling applications (Ø 18-20 mm on steel), higher stability reduces spindle vibrations.
For standard applications (drilling Ø under 12 mm on mild steels), the difference in stability is marginal. For heavy industrial applications requiring higher stability, the B 430 Vario (Ø 80 mm column, 100 kg weight) or SB 30 Profi (Ø 100 mm column, 245 kg weight) models are correctly sized. For series production with heavy workpieces, structural stability is a decisive characteristic for hole quality and tool life.
Does the Vario system require special maintenance?
Yes, periodic. The electronic variator requires annual inspection of contacts, the variable diameter pulleys (Reeves system) require lubrication of the opening mechanism every 500 operating hours. Typical Vario belt replacement every 2-4 years in normal use.
Lubrication procedure: open the transmission cover, apply specific lithium grease for pulleys to the opening/closing mechanisms of the pulleys, manually rotate the speed adjustment knob to distribute the grease. Vario belts are of a special type (wider and more flexible than standard belts) to allow for variable diameter: original Bernardo spare parts available from stock with 3-5 working days shipping.
Can I use the SBM Vario for threading?
Only if it has R/L rotation (some models). The SBM 20 Vario 400V has dedicated right/left rotation; the standard SBM 16 Vario does not. For threading using a tap, R/L rotation is necessary for automatic ejection of the tap from the hole.
For occasional threading on SBM Vario without R/L, it is possible to use hand taps (only require stationary spindle guidance): less precise but sufficient for occasional applications. For precision threading on steel, R/L rotation is a decisive characteristic: manual rotation of the stationary spindle causes uneven tap torsion (risk of thread breakage). For frequent M threads, the SB 30 Profi is correctly sized with R/L rotation and higher capacity.
Does the SBM have a 360° rotating table?
No. The SBM table is only tiltable ±45° (like the BM/TB). For a table rotatable 360° around the column, the B 430 Vario is correctly sized.
The 360° rotating table allows workpiece positioning at any angle: a decisive feature for angled drilling on cylindrical workpieces, radial holes on flanges, prototyping work with non-standard angles. For standard applications with vertical or angled holes ±45°, only tilting tables are sufficient. For applications with complex angles, the B 430 Vario is the correct choice.
