The Bernardo Hobby 350 VD bench lathe is sized for advanced hobbyists and small craft workshops requiring precision and a digital display. Center distance 350 mm, center height 90 mm, swing over bed Ø 180 mm, spindle bore Ø 21 mm MT 3 taper, speed range 100 - 1,200 / 100 - 3,000 rpm (dual range, continuous adjustment). Longitudinal feeds 0.1 / 0.2 mm/rev. Metric threads (10) 0.4 - 2.0 mm. Self-centering chuck Ø 80 mm, motor 0.35 kW (S1 100%) - 0.5 kW (S6 40%) at 230V single-phase, weight 44 kg, machine dimensions 770 × 300 × 310 mm (without base). Distributed in Italy by Krollit as official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Distance between centers: 350 mm
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Center height: 90 mm
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Swing over bed: Ø 180 mm
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Spindle bore: Ø 21 mm MT 3 taper
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Speed range: 100 - 1,200 / 100 - 3,000 rpm (dual range, continuous adjustment)
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Self-centering chuck: Ø 80 mm
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Longitudinal feeds: 0.1 / 0.2 mm/rev
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Metric threads: (10) 0.4 - 2.0 mm
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Digital display: Speed + cross slide and top slide
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Motor: 0.35 kW (S1) / 0.5 kW (S6) - 230V single-phase
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Weight: 44 kg
Who uses the Hobby 350 VD and for what
The Bernardo Hobby 350 VD is an intermediate bench lathe in the Hobby range with a distinctive feature: a digital display included for spindle speed and for cross slide and top slide position. The Hobby 350 VD model: 350 mm center distance, 90 mm center height, 44 kg weight. Dual speed range (100-1,200 / 100-3,000 rpm) selectable via mechanical gearbox: low range for high torque on hard materials or large workpieces, high range for fast finishing on soft materials. Spindle bore Ø 21 mm MT3 taper with Ø 80 mm self-centering chuck. Quick-change tool post (size 5-4) with 4 standard inserts: tool change in 5-10 seconds without wrenches. Longitudinal feeds 0.1 / 0.2 mm/rev and 10-step metric threads (0.4 - 2.0 mm). Suitable for advanced hobbyists, small craft workshops, technical schools with educational workshops, and 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 center distance, 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 350 VD is an intermediate model in the range: digital display for precise control, quick-change tool post for productivity. For smaller workpieces (entry-level), the Hobby 140/250 models are significantly more economical. 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 44 kg, it can be moved by one person; the lathe is sized for placement on an existing robust workbench. Tool post inserts, additional self-centering chucks, spare steel gears, original Bernardo accessories and spare parts available from stock with 3-5 working days shipping. Customer support in Italian available.
Who the Hobby 350 VD is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Advanced hobbyist / small craftsman |
Recommended |
Digital display for speed + carriage, quick-change tool post with 4 inserts. Fast tool changes during machining. 350 mm center distance and Ø 80 mm chuck for medium to large workpieces. |
| Technical school / professional training laboratory |
Recommended |
Digital display for modern teaching: students learn digital reading of carriage movements. Robustness suitable for intensive use by multiple operators. |
| Workshop with unique piece production |
Suitable |
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 + inch threading (the Hobby 500 with 11 metric + 11 inch is the correct choice); intensive continuous professional use (the Hobby 500 with 130 kg robustness is correctly sized); very large workpieces (over Ø 180 mm on the bed; the Hobby 500 with Ø 220 mm is the correct choice).
Working capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Distance between centers |
350 mm |
| Center height |
90 mm |
| Swing over bed |
Ø 180 mm |
| Swing over cross slide |
Ø 110 mm |
Spindle
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle bore |
Ø 21 mm |
| Spindle taper |
MT 3 |
| Self-centering chuck |
Ø 80 mm |
Speed and feeds
| Specification |
Value |
| Speed range |
100 - 1,200 / 100 - 3,000 rpm (dual range, continuous adjustment) |
| 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 |
60 mm |
| Tailstock taper |
MT 2 |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.35 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
0.5 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) |
770 × 300 × 310 mm (without base) |
| Weight |
44 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/EC |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo Hobby 350 VD Lathe
- Self-centering chuck Ø 80 mm
- Spindle guard
- Quick-change tool post (size 5-4) with 4 inserts
- Spare steel gears
- Splash guard
- Digital speed indication
- Digital display for cross slide 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 0.35 kW (S1) - 0.5 kW (S6) motor is sized for continuous use at 230V single-phase. The machine is sized for advanced hobby use and small craft 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 (preferred over a 'Schuko' domestic socket for professional use). For workshops with other simultaneous loads (compressors, extractors), check the available power at 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 workpieces can I machine with the Hobby 350 VD?
Typical workpieces: cylindrical turning of shafts and cylinders up to Ø 180 mm and 350 mm length between centers, facing, grooving, chamfering and radiusing, 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 21 mm (maximum limit for through bars). For larger workpieces, higher models in the range or industrial lathes are correctly sized (Profi range 200-500 kg or Goliath 1,500-3,500 kg). For hobby/small workshop use, it is correctly sized for most standard needs.
Is the machine already complete or do I need additional accessories?
The machine comes with standard equipment sufficient for immediate use: Ø 80 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 workpieces, steady rests for long workpieces, 4-jaw chuck for non-cylindrical workpieces, additional turning tool sets (roughing, finishing, threading, drilling), live center (if the machine has a fixed tailstock). For most standard hobby machining operations, the basic equipment is sufficient; for specific productions or particular workpieces, consider dedicated accessories.
How is the dual speed range (100-1,200 / 100-3,000 rpm) selected?
Selection between the two ranges is done via mechanical gearbox (selection lever on the headstock of the lathe): low range 100-1,200 rpm for high torque on hard materials or large workpieces, high range 100-3,000 rpm for fast finishing on soft materials and small workpieces. Within each range, the speed is continuously adjustable.
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 operation (roughing lower speeds, finishing higher speeds). For regular productions, it is recommended to record optimal speeds on a job sheet for reference.
Can I install the Hobby 350 VD on any workbench?
Yes, on robust workbenches with a load capacity greater than the machine's weight (44 kg) plus the workpieces being machined. The workbench must be stable and level: workbench instability causes vibrations during turning, which compromises work precision.
For home workshops or schools, a robust carpenter's workbench (e.g., WB 1500 Hobby or WB 2000 Hobby from the Bernardo range) with a solid beech wood top is recommended. For advanced hobby use, consider a dedicated lathe base (made of steel sheet) for greater stability. Important: the machine must be fixed to the workbench with through bolts in the provided base holes to prevent sliding during machining.
