The Bernardo TB 16 T / 230 V bench drill is the entry-level model in the TB range with a drilling capacity of Ø 16 mm and MT 2 taper, capable of drilling in steel up to Ø 16 mm. Technical specifications: MT 2 Morse taper spindle, 1-16 mm / B 16 keyless chuck, 12 spindle speeds 300-2,550 rpm with belt drive, 245 × 245 mm cast iron table with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable from -45° to +45° and height-adjustable with rack and pinion, base treated with T-slots for clamping large workpieces, Ø 58 mm column. IP 54 compliant aluminum motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 230V, spindle stroke 65 mm, weight 36 kg. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as an 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 16
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Morse taper mount: MT 2
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Spindle speeds: 12 speeds 300-2,550 rpm
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Spindle stroke: 65 mm
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Table: 245 × 245 mm with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable ±45°
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Max. spindle to table distance: 445 mm
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Spindle to base distance: 600 mm
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Column diameter: 58 mm
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Motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 230V
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Weight: 36 kg
Who uses the TB 16 T / 230 V and for what
The Bernardo TB 16 T / 230 V is a compact bench drill from the TB range (professional entry-level), sized for craft workshops, advanced hobbyists, and small laboratories needing precision drilling in steel up to Ø 16 mm. Key design feature: the TB model is the simplified version of the BM range, with a significantly lower price while maintaining Bernardo's build quality. Differences compared to the corresponding BM: no digital display, standard belt drive without additional components, simplified ergonomics. The 12 step speeds of 300-2,550 rpm allow adaptation to standard materials. The IP 54 compliant aluminum motor (0.55 kW S1 / 0.80 kW S6) at 230V provides the necessary power for normal daily use. The 245 × 245 mm cast iron table, inclinable ±45° with T-slots, allows for angled drilling. Typical areas of use: metal hobbyists with standard precision needs, craft workshops with occasional use, model makers for building small frames and mechanisms, basic educational laboratories for technical schools.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo range of bench and pillar drills 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 stroke display and step speeds; BM Vario (BM 16/20 Vario) intermediate with continuously adjustable speed + centering laser; SBM Vario (SBM 16/20 Vario) pillar drill with greater height than BM Vario; B 430 Vario medium-heavy pillar drill with 360° swiveling table and MT 3 spindle; SB 30 Profi heavy-duty pillar drill with 2-stage power motor, Ø 32 mm capacity. The TB 16 T / 230 V is the entry-level model in the Bernardo bench drill range. Features: standard MT 2 taper, 1-16 mm keyless chuck with B16, step speeds. For daily use without the need for a digital display, the TB is economically preferable to the corresponding BM. For digital spindle stroke display requirements, the corresponding BM is correctly sized.
Krollit Logistics and Support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days to the South). Weight manageable by one person or two with controlled lifting. HSS drill bits, milling chucks, tapping devices, LED lamps, original Bernardo spare parts (belts, motors, keyless chucks, taper shafts, T-nuts) available from stock with 3-5 working days shipping. Customer support in Italian available.
Who the TB 16 T / 230 V is for
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Metal hobbyist with occasional use |
Recommended |
Compact machine at an affordable price, standard Bernardo construction, sufficient capacity for hobby applications. |
| Craft workshop for non-daily use |
Recommended |
Ø 16 mm capacity covers most occasional applications. 36 kg weight manageable in a compact workshop. |
| Workshop with digital display or higher precision needs |
Adequate |
For digital spindle stroke display, the corresponding BM is correctly sized. The TB is economical but without advanced features. |
Not suitable for: drilling diameters larger than Ø 16 mm; daily professional use with higher precision requirements (BM/SBM/B 430 are correctly sized); applications requiring digital display or continuous speed adjustment.
Working Capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Drilling capacity in steel |
Ø 16 mm |
| Chuck |
1-16 mm / B 16 |
| Morse taper mount |
MT 2 |
Speed and Stroke
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speeds |
12 speeds 300-2,550 rpm |
| Spindle stroke |
65 mm |
Table and Working Dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Table dimensions |
245 × 245 mm |
| Table T-slots |
16 mm |
| Table inclination |
-45° to +45° |
| Spindle to column distance |
155 mm |
| Max. spindle to table distance |
445 mm |
| Spindle to base distance |
600 mm |
| Column diameter |
58 mm |
| Base surface area |
185 × 200 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 × 570 × 920 mm |
| Weight |
36 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/CE |
Standard Equipment
- Bernardo TB 16 T / 230 V Drill
- 1-16 mm / B 16 keyless chuck
- MT 2 / B 16 taper arbor
- 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 the TB and the corresponding BM?
The TB is the entry-level version: no digital display, simplified ergonomics, significantly lower price than the corresponding BM.
For occasional hobby use or craft workshops without higher precision needs, the TB is economically preferable. For daily professional use with digital spindle stroke display requirements, the corresponding BM is correctly sized. The basic construction quality (cast iron frame, bearings, IP 54 motor) is the same for both lines: the TB only eliminates advanced features (display, laser, ergonomics).
Is the nominal drilling capacity realistic?
Yes, for soft and standard steels. The Ø 16 mm capacity is sized for structural steels (S235, S275, S355) and soft engineering steels (C45, 11SMnPb30): for these materials, the machine can perform drilling at the nominal diameter with adequate quality.
For hard alloy steels (42CrMo4, 39NiCrMo3), the effective capacity is reduced by 20-30%: for the TB 16, the actual capacity on hard steels is Ø 11 mm. For stainless steels (304, 316), the rotational speed must be reduced to 60-70% of the standard value to avoid work hardening of the material and degradation of the cutting edge. For applications with tough materials, the BM/SBM models with higher S1 motor power are correctly sized.
Are the step speeds sufficient for standard use?
Yes. The 12 step speeds of 300-2,550 rpm cover standard materials: hard steels 220-500 rpm, soft steels 1,000-1,500 rpm, aluminum and brass 1,500-2,840 rpm. For each tool and material, there is an adequate step speed.
Speed change: open the transmission cover, move the belt to different pulleys, close the cover. Typical time: 30-60 seconds. For workshops with frequent speed changes (more than 5 changes/hour), the Vario system is preferable to reduce time. For workshops predominantly using a standard material, step speeds are completely adequate.
Can I tap with the TB?
Only with hand taps: the standard TB does not have dedicated R/L rotation. For precision tapping with a mechanical tap, the BM 25 T 400V or SB 30 Profi are correctly sized.
Tapping with a hand tap (no machine rotation): the operator mounts the tap in the chuck, aligns it with the hole, manually rotates it with a tapping wrench. This procedure is suitable for occasional tapping on soft steels, M under M10. For precision tapping, M above M10, or frequent tapping, mechanical R/L rotation is a crucial feature.
Is the TB truly professional or just for hobbies?
Professional entry-level. The TB is manufactured according to the same construction standards as the BM/SBM Bernardo range (cast iron frame, IP 54 motor, quality bearings) but with simplified features to reduce the price.
For craft workshops with standard daily use, the TB is completely adequate: the hole quality and machine durability are comparable to the corresponding BM. The differences (no digital display, basic ergonomics, step speeds) impact work efficiency but not the technical quality of drilling. For advanced hobby use, the TB is the correct choice in terms of quality/price ratio. For intensive professional use with efficiency requirements, the BM Vario or SBM Vario are correctly sized.
