The Bernardo TB 20 T / 400 V bench drill is the upgraded entry-level model in the TB range with a three-phase motor and R/L rotation for tapping, with a drilling capacity in steel up to Ø 20 mm. Technical features: MT 2 Morse taper, 1-16 mm / B 16 quick-release chuck, 16 spindle speeds 220-2,840 rpm with belt drive, 290 × 290 mm cast iron table with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable from -45° to +45° and height-adjustable with a rack, treated base with T-slots for clamping large workpieces, Ø 72 mm column. IP 54 compliant aluminum motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 400V three-phase, 80 mm spindle travel, 54 kg weight. Right/left spindle rotation for tapping. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as an official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Drilling capacity in steel: Ø 20 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: 16 speeds 220-2,840 rpm
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Spindle stroke: 80 mm
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Table: 290 × 290 mm with 16 mm T-slots, inclinable ±45°
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Max. spindle-table distance: 415 mm
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Spindle-base distance: 605 mm
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Column diameter: 72 mm
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Right/left rotation: for tapping
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Motor: 0.55 kW (S1) / 0.80 kW (S6) at 400V three-phase
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Weight: 54 kg
Who uses the TB 20 T / 400 V and for what
The Bernardo TB 20 T / 400 V is a compact bench drill from the TB range (professional entry-level), sized for artisan workshops, advanced hobbyists, and small laboratories requiring precision drilling on steel up to Ø 20 mm. Key constructive feature: the TB model is the simplified version of the BM range, with a significantly lower price while maintaining Bernardo's constructive quality. Differences compared to the corresponding BM: no digital display, standard belt drive without additional components, simplified ergonomics. The 16 step speeds of 220-2,840 rpm allow adaptation to standard materials. The IP 54 compliant aluminum motor (0.55 kW S1 / 0.80 kW S6) at 400V three-phase develops the necessary power for normal daily use. The 290 × 290 mm cast iron table, inclinable ±45° with T-slots, allows for angled drilling. The right/left rotation allows for tapping with a tap without the need for manual spindle stops. Typical application areas: metal hobbyists with standard precision requirements, artisan workshops with occasional use, model makers for constructing frames and small 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 travel 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 duty 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 20 T / 400 V is the entry-level model in the Bernardo bench drill range. Features: standard MT 2 taper, 1-16 mm quick-release chuck with B16, step speeds. For daily use without digital display requirements, the TB is economically preferable to the corresponding BM. For digital spindle travel display requirements, the corresponding BM is correctly sized.
Krollit logistics and support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 business days (7 days to the South). Manageable weight for two people with care. HSS drill bits, milling chucks, tapping devices, LED lamps, original Bernardo spare parts (belts, motors, quick-release chucks, tapered shafts, T-nuts) available from stock with 3-5 business day shipping. Italian customer support available.
Who the TB 20 T / 400 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. |
| Artisan workshop for non-daily use |
Recommended |
Ø 20 mm capacity covers most occasional applications. 54 kg weight manageable in a compact workshop. |
| Workshop with occasional tapping needs |
Recommended |
Right/left rotation for tapping with a tap. |
| Workshop with digital display needs or higher precision |
Adequate |
For digital spindle travel display, the corresponding BM is correctly sized. The TB is economical but without advanced features. |
Not suitable for: drilling diameters larger than Ø 20 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 20 mm |
| Chuck |
1-16 mm / B 16 |
| Morse taper mount |
MT 2 |
Speed and stroke
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speeds |
16 speeds 220-2,840 rpm |
| Spindle stroke |
80 mm |
Table and working dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Table dimensions |
290 × 290 mm |
| Table T-slots |
16 mm |
| Table inclination |
-45° to +45° |
| Spindle-column distance |
180 mm |
| Max. spindle-table distance |
415 mm |
| Spindle-base distance |
605 mm |
| Column diameter |
72 mm |
| Base surface area |
205 × 205 mm |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.55 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
0.80 kW |
| Voltage |
400V three-phase / 50 Hz |
| Protection standard |
IP 54 |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
380 × 620 × 1,000 mm |
| Weight |
54 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery 2006/42/EC |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo TB 20 T / 400 V drill
- 1-16 mm / B 16 quick-release chuck
- MT 2 / B 16 tapered arbor
- Right/left spindle rotation function
- 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 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 or artisan workshop use without higher precision requirements, the TB is economically preferable. For daily professional use with digital spindle travel display requirements, the corresponding BM is correctly sized. The basic constructive 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 mild and standard steels. The Ø 20 mm capacity is sized for structural steels (S235, S275, S355) and mild mechanical construction 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 20, the real capacity on hard steels is Ø 14 mm. For stainless steels (304, 316), the rotation speed must be reduced to 60-70% of the standard value to avoid material work hardening and tool degradation. For applications with tough materials, the BM/SBM models with higher S1 motor are correctly sized.
Are the step speeds sufficient for standard use?
Yes. The 16 step speeds of 220-2,840 rpm cover standard materials: hard steels 220-500 rpm, mild steels 1,000-1,500 rpm, aluminum and brass 1,500-2,840 rpm. There is an adequate step speed for every tool and material.
Changing speeds: 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 for time reduction. For workshops primarily using one standard material, the step speeds are completely adequate.
Can I tap with the TB?
Yes, if it has R/L rotation (TB 20 T 400V), otherwise only with hand taps. For precision tapping with a machine tap, the BM 25 T 400V or SB 30 Profi is 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 with a tapping wrench. This procedure is suitable for occasional tapping on mild steels, M under M10. For precision tapping, M over M10, or frequent tapping, mechanical R/L rotation is a key feature.
Is the TB truly professional or just for hobbyists?
Professional entry-level. The TB is manufactured according to the same constructive standards as the BM/SBM Bernardo range (cast iron frame, IP 54 motor, quality bearings) but with simplified features to reduce the price.
For artisan 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 hobbyist use, the TB is the correct choice in terms of quality/price. For intensive professional use with efficiency requirements, the BM Vario or SBM Vario are correctly sized.
