[motoeng]

And don’t forget to add in a phase converter if you don’t have 3 phase hookup - 2k to 5k additional depending upon which brand you go with.

[Goemon]

And don’t forget to add in a phase converter if you don’t have 3 phase hookup - 2k to 5k additional depending upon which brand you go with.

Why would you need a phase converter? Don't the Tormach spindle motors all run from a VFD that accepts 1ph in - 3ph out?

[motoeng]

Why would you need a phase converter? Don't the Tormach spindle motors all run from a VFD that accepts 1ph in - 3ph out?

I was referring to the 3 phase HAAS. Tormachs work with standard 110/220 outlets.

My main point is that a comparably tooled up minimill will cost somewhere in the range of $35K-$40K. So not quite as close to Tormach pricing as the other poster suggested.

[Goemon]

I was referring to the 3 phase HAAS. Tormachs work with standard 110/220 outlets.

My main point is that a comparably tooled up minimill will cost somewhere in the range of $35K-$40K. So not quite as close to Tormach pricing as the other poster suggested.

You could run a Haas machine with 220 1ph power through a VFD (which is also what Tormach does). You might struggle with their 20hp motors but their 7.5hp motors can easily work on 1ph. I run a 3ph 7.5hp spindle from a 240v 1 ph outlet here. You just need to install a large enough breaker. A 50a breaker covers it easily and costs $10. My VFD draws 34a 1ph to output 20a 3ph.

I see what you are saying on the price difference but I still think that, in the context of a money-making production CNC machine that is paid off monthly, the difference is small. The difference would matter for a hobby level user paying cash up-front but, IMO, neither machine is priced for non-money making purposes.

It is worth reiterating that we aren't talking about a comparably tooled up machine when we compare a Haas mini mill to a Tormach 1100. The Haas offers a meaningfully superior capability in speed, work envelope, stiffness / accuracy - all things that increase the earnings potential and matter for a production machine. That is how a smart business man (or woman) would look at it. How much can I make vs how much does it cost per month.

[jeffrey001]

You could run a Haas machine with 220 1ph power through a VFD (which is also what Tormach does). You might struggle with their 20hp motors but their 7.5hp motors can easily work on 1ph. I run a 3ph 7.5hp spindle from a 240v 1 ph outlet here. You just need to install a large enough breaker. A 50a breaker covers it easily and costs $10. My VFD draws 34a 1ph to output 20a 3ph.

I see what you are saying on the price difference but I still think that, in the context of a money-making production CNC machine that is paid off monthly, the difference is small. The difference would matter for a hobby level user paying cash up-front but, IMO, neither machine is priced for non-money making purposes.

It is worth reiterating that we aren't talking about a comparably tooled up machine when we compare a Haas mini mill to a Tormach 1100. The Haas offers a meaningfully superior capability in speed, work envelope, stiffness / accuracy - all things that increase the earnings potential and matter for a production machine. That is how a smart business man (or woman) would look at it. How much can I make vs how much does it cost per month.

My Haas use 240V single phase

[mountaindew]

Not sure why that myth persists. They run on single phase.

My Haas use 240V single phase

Maybe because Haas told me just a few years ago they would not warrantee the machine if run on a phase converter. I guess it could have been sales people that didn't want to sell or support a machine in a residential setting. They were not helpful and turned me off to purchasing their product real fast.

[CadRhino]

Maybe because Haas told me just a few years ago they would not warrantee the machine if run on a phase converter. I guess it could have been sales people that didn't want to sell or support a machine in a residential setting. They were not helpful and turned me off to purchasing their product real fast.

Check out the Haas website. They make their mini ills and tm-1 machines in single phase

[Goemon]

Maybe because Haas told me just a few years ago they would not warrantee the machine if run on a phase converter. I guess it could have been sales people that didn't want to sell or support a machine in a residential setting. They were not helpful and turned me off to purchasing their product real fast.

As others here have said, there is no need for a phase converter with a machine that runs through a VFD. So it's a non-issue. Most of us here run 3 phase spindles from 1ph outlets. You just need the right size VFD.

I run a 7.5hp 3ph spindle through a VFD from a residential 1ph 50a 240v outlet.

If I was prepared to invest more cash in buying a larger main breaker, some 125a individual breakers with an industrial receptacle, I could power a far larger 3ph motor from a 1ph outlet.

[Spinnetti]

And don’t forget to add in a phase converter if you don’t have 3 phase hookup - 2k to 5k additional depending upon which brand you go with.

Not sure why that myth persists. They run on single phase.