The Bernardo HCL 600 P wood lathe is sized for experienced artisans, semi-professionals, and professional craft workshops with continuous use. It features a heavy cast iron structure and a powerful motor. The distance between centers is 600 mm (extendable to 1180 mm with optional extension), turning diameter over bed Ø 370 mm, over support Ø 270 mm. Spindle speed 250-3,550 rpm (continuous, 3 ranges). Spindle thread M33 × 3.5 mm, tailstock taper MK 2, tailstock quill travel 95 mm. Motor 0.75 kW (S1) - 1.1 kW (S6) at 230V single-phase, weight 125 kg, machine dimensions 1,500 × 540 × 1,180 mm. LED display for digital speed visualization. Distributed in Italy by Krollit as an official Bernardo distributor since 2007.
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Distance between centers: 600 mm (up to 1180 mm with extension)
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Turning diameter over bed: Ø 370 mm
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Turning diameter over support: Ø 270 mm
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Spindle speed: 250-3,550 rpm (continuous, 3 ranges)
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Spindle thread: M33 × 3.5 mm
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Tailstock taper: MK 2
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Tailstock quill travel: 95 mm
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Motor: 0.75 kW (S1) / 1.1 kW (S6) - 230V single-phase
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LED display: Digital speed display
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Weight: 125 kg
Who uses the HCL 600 P and for what
The Bernardo HCL 600 P is a wood lathe from the HCL category (High Cast Iron Lathe), a professional range with a heavy cast iron structure for superior stability. The HCL 600 P: weight 125 kg, distance between centers 600 mm (extendable up to 1,180 mm), turning diameter Ø 370 mm over bed and Ø 270 mm over support. A distinctive feature of the 600 P: a powerful and quiet DC motor with continuous speed control in 3 RANGES (250-720 / 550-1,700 / 1,200-3,550 rpm). Suitable for experienced artisans with daily professional use but a need for compactness (medium-sized workshops). Spindle thread M33 × 3.5 mm, standard MK 2 tailstock taper. Thru-hole in the tailstock for long workpieces, quick-locking lever. In Krollit customers' workshops, the HCL compact range is chosen by professional artisans with regular production, vocational technical schools with dedicated turning workshops, semi-professionals producing high-quality decorative items.
Its place in the Bernardo range
The Bernardo wood lathe range is organized into 4 progressive categories by weight and features: DM (Drechselbank Mini, 20-38 kg) entry-level for hobbyists; DB (semi-pro 36 kg) compact with standard professional accessories; VDM (semi-pro 50 kg) intermediate with 3 speed ranges; HCL (High Cast Iron Lathe, 125-212 kg) heavy professional with cast iron structure and integrated Delta frequency inverter.
The HCL 600 P is the compact model in the professional HCL range: 125 kg, DC motor with 3 speed ranges. Difference with HCL 620: the 600 P has a DC motor and 3 speed ranges, the HCL 620 has a Delta inverter and 2 speed ranges with higher torque at low speeds. For larger workpieces (over 1 m in length), the HCL 1200/1200 Top is correctly sized.
Logistics and Krollit support
Bernardo shipping in 5-9 working days (7 days for Southern Italy). With a weight of 125 kg, it requires a pallet truck or two to three people to unload carefully. The machine is supplied WITH an integrated base (a distinctive feature of the professional HCL range). Additional tool rests, faceplates of different diameters, live centers, bed extensions, original Bernardo external turning accessories available from stock with 3-5 working days shipping. Customer support available in Italian.
Who is the HCL 600 P for?
| Profile |
Compatibility |
Reason |
| Professional craftsman with daily production |
Recommended |
Professional lathe weighing 125 kg with a heavy cast iron structure for continuous use. DC motor with 3 speed ranges. |
| Vocational technical school |
Recommended |
Professional machine with full features suitable for advanced teaching. Robustness for intensive use by multiple students in dedicated workshops. |
| Carpenter specializing in decorative turned pieces |
Recommended |
Distance between centers 600 mm (extendable up to 1180 mm) and diameter Ø 370 mm over bed for medium-sized pieces. For very long pieces (over 1,200 mm), the HCL 1200/1200 Top is correctly sized. |
Not suitable for: occasional simple hobby use (oversized; the DM 305 V/450/450 V range is significantly cheaper); three-phase 400V power supply (Bernardo wood lathes are only 230V single-phase); CNC programmed for turning (Bernardo lathes are manual); environments without adequate chip extraction (woodworking produces abundant chips and dust that require adequate extraction).
Working capacity
| Specification |
Value |
| Distance between centers |
600 mm |
| Distance with extension (optional) |
1180 mm |
| Turning diameter over bed |
Ø 370 mm |
| Turning diameter over support |
Ø 270 mm |
Speed
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle speed |
250-3,550 rpm (continuous, 3 ranges) |
| Low range |
250-720 rpm |
| Medium range |
550-1,700 rpm |
| High range |
1,200-3,550 rpm |
Spindle and tailstock
| Specification |
Value |
| Spindle thread |
M33 × 3.5 mm |
| Tailstock taper |
MK 2 |
| Tailstock quill travel |
95 mm |
Motor and power supply
| Specification |
Value |
| Motor type |
Powerful and quiet DC motor |
| Motor power S1 100% |
0.75 kW |
| Motor power S6 40% |
1.1 kW |
| Voltage |
230V single-phase / 50 Hz |
Additional features
| Specification |
Value |
| LED display |
Digital speed display |
Dimensions and weight
| Specification |
Value |
| Machine dimensions (L × W × H) |
1,500 × 540 × 1,180 mm |
| Weight |
125 kg |
Compliance
| Specification |
Value |
| Marking |
CE |
| Directive |
Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC |
Standard equipment
- Bernardo HCL 600 P wood lathe
- 200 mm tool rest
- 100 mm faceplate
- Drive center
- Live center
- LED speed indicator
- Tool set
- User manual in Italian
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the HCL 600 P and the lower/higher models in the range?
The Bernardo wood lathe range is organized into 4 categories: DM (entry-level mini, 20-38 kg), DB (semi-pro 36 kg with light and 24 indexing positions), VDM (intermediate 50 kg, 3 speed ranges), HCL (professional 125-212 kg with inverter or DC motor and heavy cast iron structure). The HCL 600 P is positioned in the HCL COMPACT category: a compact professional model in the HCL range with a DC motor and 3 speed ranges.
Distinctive features of the HCL 600 P: Powerful and quiet DC motor with continuous control in 3 ranges. Heavy cast iron structure (125 kg) for stability in continuous work. To choose the right model, consider: workpiece weight, frequency of use, precision requirements, availability of dedicated accessories (light, indexing positions). For most craft workshops, a mid-range model (VDM 500 or HCL 600 P) balances capacity and price.
What spindle speed should I choose for each type of wood?
General guidelines for spindle speed based on wood type and workpiece diameter: softwoods (pine, fir) and small pieces at high speeds (1,500-3,000 rpm), hardwoods (beech, oak, cherry) and medium pieces at medium speeds (700-1,500 rpm), very large pieces (Ø over 200 mm) or exotic woods at low speeds (300-700 rpm) for rotation control. The HCL 600 P covers with its range 250-3,550 rpm (continuous, 3 ranges).
Important: safety in using a wood lathe requires lower speeds for large or unbalanced pieces. An unbalanced rough piece at high speed causes vibrations and the risk of the piece being thrown. Standard procedure: start at low speed to balance the piece (roughing), then gradually increase speed as the piece becomes more cylindrical. For exotic woods or pieces of uncertain origin (branches, stumps), always start at minimum speed.
Is the machine already complete or do I need additional accessories?
The standard equipment includes: complete machine, tool rests (one or more standard sizes), faceplate, drive center, live center, LED display, turning tool set.
Optional accessories typically purchased separately: bed extensions for longer pieces (compatible with models that allow it), tool rests of different lengths, faceplates of larger diameters, self-centering wood chucks (compatible with M33 thread), additional turning tool sets (roughing, finishing, coves, specific profiles), external turning accessories (for pieces that do not fit between centers). For most standard operations, the basic equipment is sufficient.
What does M33 × 3.5 mm spindle thread mean and why is it important?
M33 × 3.5 mm is the standard spindle thread for the Bernardo wood lathe range. Dimensions: 33 mm diameter with 3.5 mm pitch. It is the European market standard for hobby and semi-professional lathes, compatible with most woodturning accessories available on the market.
Practical advantage: M33 thread allows you to purchase self-centering chucks, faceplates, external turning accessories, and other accessories from different suppliers (Bernardo, Holzmann, Record Power, Axminster) without compatibility issues. For lathes from other brands with non-standard threads (e.g., 1" × 8 TPI American, M30 × 3.5 of some industrial lathes), accessories are limited to those from the original manufacturer. All Bernardo wood lathes in the DM/DB/VDM/HCL range have the same M33 × 3.5 mm thread: accessories are interchangeable between different models.
Do I need a dedicated extraction system for the lathe?
Recommended yes, especially for continuous use. Woodturning produces chips and dust of varying diameters (from coarse chips to fine wood dust). Coarse chips fall into the area under the machine, fine dust disperses into the workshop air.
For occasional use (a few hours a week), manual cleaning may be sufficient. For continuous use, a filter bag extractor (e.g., Bernardo DC range) connected to the integrated extraction port on many lathes (or positioned near the turning area for ambient capture) is correctly sized. Important: fine dust from hardwood (beech, oak, mahogany) is carcinogenic if inhaled for prolonged periods; effective extraction is recommended for operator health. For exotic woods (rosewood, ebony) even greater care is needed: also use FFP3 masks in addition to extraction.
