The Bernardo Hobby 500 (400V) bench lathe is sized for advanced hobbyists, small craft workshops, and workshops requiring threading and automatic feeds. Distance between centers 500 mm, center height 110 mm, swing over bed Ø 220 mm, spindle bore Ø 20 mm with MT 3 taper, speed range (6 steps) 140 - 1,710 rpm. Longitudinal feeds (4) 0.05 - 0.2 mm/rev. Metric threads (11) 0.4 - 3 mm, imperial threads (11) 8 - 28 TPI. Self-centering chuck Ø 100 mm, motor 0.55 kW (S1 100%) - 0.8 kW (S6 40%) at 400V three-phase, weight 130 kg, machine dimensions 1,150 × 480 × 420 mm (without base). Distributed in Italy by Krollit as an official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Distance between centers: 500 mm
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Center height: 110 mm
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Swing over bed: Ø 220 mm
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Spindle bore: Ø 20 mm MT 3 taper
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Speed range: (6 steps) 140 - 1,710 rpm
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Self-centering chuck: Ø 100 mm
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Longitudinal feeds: (4) 0.05 - 0.2 mm/rev
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Metric threads: (11) 0.4 - 3 mm
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Imperial threads: (11) 8 - 28 TPI
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Motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.8 kW (S6) - 400V three-phase
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Weight: 130 kg
Who uses the Hobby 500 (400V) and for what
The Bernardo Hobby 500 is the top of the Hobby range: 500 mm distance between centers, 110 mm center height, Ø 220 mm swing over bed (the largest in the Hobby range), 130 kg weight. 6-step speed transmission from 140 to 1,710 rpm via mechanical gearbox (vs continuous adjustment of lower models): a decisive feature for professional use where the precision of the set speed is important. Ø 100 mm self-centering chuck with Ø 20 mm bore and MT3 taper. Distinctive features compared to intermediate Hobby models: 4-step automatic longitudinal feeds (0.05 - 0.2 mm/rev vs 2 simple steps for intermediate models), complete metric threads 11 steps (0.4 - 3 mm) and imperial threads 11 steps (8 - 28 TPI), traditional 4-position tool post, cross slide with top support. Motor 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6). 400V three-phase version: industrial power supply with greater voltage stability and better motor efficiency. Practical difference from the 230V version: identical mechanical characteristics and performance, but the three-phase motor has less vibration and greater durability under continuous load. Suitable for small craft workshops with industrial 400V three-phase line, vocational schools with industrial electrical cabins. For intensive daily professional production, industrial lathes from the Bernardo Profi or Goliath range (with higher capacities and 1.5-9 kW motors) are correctly sized.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo Hobby metal lathe range is organized by progressive dimensions 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, complete 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 500 (400V three-phase) has identical mechanical characteristics to the 230V single-phase version but industrial 400V power supply: motor with less vibration, greater durability under continuous load, better energy efficiency. For workshops with a 400V three-phase line, it is the correct choice. The 230V version is significantly simpler to install in home workshops without a three-phase line. For intensive daily professional production, Profi or Goliath lathes are correctly sized.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days to the South). With a weight of 130 kg, it requires a pallet truck or two-three people with care for unloading. The machine is supplied WITHOUT a base: for positioning, a dedicated Bernardo base or a robust workbench (capacity 200+ kg) is recommended. Inserts for tool post, additional self-centering chucks, spare gears, original Bernardo accessories available from stock with 3-5 working day shipping. Customer support in Italian available.
Who the Hobby 500 (400V) is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Advanced hobbyist with home workshop |
Recommended |
Top of the Hobby range: 4-step automatic feeds, complete metric and imperial threads, 6 stepped speeds for stability. 400V three-phase power supply for industrial workshops with a longer-lasting motor under load. |
| Small craft workshop |
Recommended |
130 kg robustness for daily use, Ø 220 mm swing over bed, 500 mm distance between centers. Complete threading (11 metric + 11 imperial) for producing standard threaded parts. |
| Vocational school / training laboratory |
Recommended |
Professional lathe with all standard features of an industrial lathe (stepped speed change, complete threading, automatic feeds). For intensive use by multiple students, the 130 kg robustness is adequate. |
Not suitable for: industrial production of large parts (over Ø 220 mm over bed; Profi or Goliath range is correctly sized); programmed CNC (the Hobby 500 is a manual lathe); home workshops without a 400V three-phase line (the 230V single-phase version is correctly sized).
Working capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Distance between centers |
500 mm |
| Center height |
110 mm |
| Swing over bed |
Ø 220 mm |
Spindle
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle bore |
Ø 20 mm |
| Spindle bore taper |
MT 3 |
| Self-centering chuck |
Ø 100 mm |
Speed and feeds
| Specification |
Value |
| Speed range |
(6 steps) 140 - 1,710 rpm |
| Longitudinal feeds |
(4) 0.05 - 0.2 mm/rev |
Threads
| Specification |
Value |
| Metric threads |
(11) 0.4 - 3 mm |
| Imperial threads |
(11) 8 - 28 TPI |
Tailstock
| Specification |
Value |
| Tailstock quill travel |
45 mm |
| Tailstock taper |
MT 2 |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.55 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
0.8 kW |
| Voltage |
400V three-phase |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
1,150 × 480 × 420 mm (without base) |
| Weight |
130 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/EC |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo Hobby 500 (400V) lathe
- Ø 100 mm self-centering chuck
- Spindle guard
- Steel spare gears
- Fixed tailstock center
- 4-position tool post
- Cross slide with top support
- User manual in Italian
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Hobby 500 available in both 230V and 400V?
To cover both needs: the 230V single-phase version is sized for home workshops and small workshops without an industrial three-phase line; the 400V three-phase version is sized for workshops with an industrial electrical cabin. The mechanical characteristics and performance of the machine are identical; only the motor's power supply differs.
Advantages of the 400V three-phase version: motor with less vibration (three-phase motors rotate more smoothly than single-phase), greater durability under continuous load, better energy efficiency (lower electricity consumption for the same work), smoother start-up. For workshops with a 400V three-phase line, it is the correct choice. The 230V version is significantly simpler to install in home workshops where the meter is domestic.
What parts can I work with the Hobby 500 (400V)?
Typical parts: cylindrical turning of shafts and cylinders up to Ø 220 mm and 500 mm length between centers, facing, grooving, chamfering and filleting, threading (11) 0.4 - 3 mm metric. Typical materials: mild steels (Fe360, S235), alloy steels (C45, 39NiCrMo3), aluminum and light alloys, brass, bronze, technical plastics.
Working limits: maximum Ø on bed 220 mm, spindle bore Ø 20 mm (maximum limit for through bars). For larger parts, the higher models in the range or industrial lathes (Profi 200-500 kg or Goliath 1,500-3,500 kg range) are correctly sized. For hobbyist/small workshop 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, 4-position tool post, fixed tailstock center, spindle guard, splash guard.
Optional accessories typically purchased separately: self-centering chucks of different diameters for specific parts, steady rests for long parts, 4-jaw chuck for non-cylindrical parts, additional turning tool sets (roughing, finishing, threading, drilling), live center (if the machine has a fixed tailstock center). For most standard hobbyist machining, the basic equipment is sufficient; for specific productions or particular parts, dedicated accessories should be considered.
Are the 6 stepped speeds sufficient for all materials?
Yes, for hobbyist/small workshop use. The 140-1,710 rpm range covers all typical needs: low speed (140-280 rpm) for threading and hard materials, standard speed (470-720 rpm) for turning on mild steels, high speed (1,130-1,710 rpm) for finishing and soft materials.
Practical difference from continuous adjustment (Hobby 350/400 models with continuously adjustable speed): the mechanical stepped gear change has greater stability of the set speed under load (the speed does not drop when the tool encounters resistance), an important feature for precision threading. Continuous adjustment is simpler to use but can experience speed variations under load. For professional use, the stepped gear change is preferred; for simple hobbyist use, continuous adjustment is more intuitive.
Do I need to buy a separate base?
Yes, if you want to install the machine in a fixed position in the workshop. The Hobby 500 (400V) is supplied WITHOUT a base: it is typically installed on a dedicated Bernardo base (purchased separately) or on a robust workbench with a load capacity exceeding 200 kg.
The dedicated Bernardo base for the Hobby 500 range includes: folded steel sheet structure, height adjustment for operator ergonomics, integrated chip tray, oil collection tray under the machine, possibly tool drawers. For hobbyist use, it is possible to install the machine on existing robust workbenches (e.g. WB 2100 Profi from the Bernardo range); for daily professional use, the dedicated base is recommended for greater stability during machining.
