[HereinCS]

I'd like to cut wood and aluminum. Seems that the only cheap spindles are those imports from China. I was going to get a 3-4kw unit and get the VFD else where. Then I started reading about all the problems with the bearings and thought that perhaps I'll look else where for the spindle motor as well. Can some one suggest a spindle for less than $1k?

[rowbare]

I don't think you will find anything in the 3-4 KW range for under $1000 that isn't made in China.

bob

[ger21]

Any thing comparable not made in China will cost 3-5 times more.

How many problem spindles have you actually read about? I think the number I've seen is fewer than 5, more like 2 or 3? And other than the ones with bearing failure, I've never heard of anyone who wasn't very happy with their purchase.

[ger21]

I'd look at it like this. With the 2.2Kw chinese spindles, you're paying around 1/5 the price of a name brand spindle. So, even if it lasts 1/5 as long, you're still getting your money's worth.

You can buy 1 spindle a year for 5 years for the same price as a single HSD or similar spindle. And there's a very good chance that the HSD will need a bearing replacement in those 5 years, at a cost which is probably between $1000-$1500. I've had a few 6.4Kw HSD's rebuilt, and they were never less than $2200.

So, I'd buy the Chinese spindle, and use it for what it is. A much better spindle than a handheld router for a similar price. If you're doing production work with it, then buy a spare.
Your still way ahead of what you'll spend on a "real" spindle.

[HereinCS]

Good advice. I'll see if I can negotiate a good price.

A couple of related questions:

1. What type of spindle motor do the Tormacs/Syils use?

2. Care to help me pick a good VFD? I heard to look for sensorless type? Not sure what to look for

Link to VFD.

[wcarrothers1]

One alternative that comes to mind (isn't exactly cheep but not way over priced) is spindles from Ekstrom carlwson.. I got my C73 before the china ones started apearing. Got the spindle from them but my electronics came from Automationdirect.com

Still I think I'd be almost as happy with the china one. But I do like my ekstrom.. Thing that bugs me the most is the small collets (er20).. Although since the ER25 does does not have a 3/4" collet (biggest er25 is 5/8 I think) I guess there is no real point in having an ER25 other then the fact that I already have a full set of them..

Perhaps the smaller nose of the ER20 would be nicer.. Hmmm

b.

[metalworkz]

Good advice. I'll see if I can negotiate a good price.

A couple of related questions:

1. What type of spindle motor do the Tormacs/Syils use?

2. Care to help me pick a good VFD? I heard to look for sensorless type? Not sure what to look for

Link to VFD.

Hello,
My Syil SX3 used a BLDC motor for the spindle. It worked very well up until the display board shorted out. Now I have implemented a single speed motor with countershaft to run the lower speeds for metal work and use a Craftsman (rotozip size) motor as a second spindle for higher RPM items like wood etc. It works fairly well but nothing like having speed control etc. from the program.

[HereinCS]

One alternative that comes to mind (isn't exactly cheep but not way over priced) is spindles from Ekstrom carlwson.. I got my C73 before the china ones started apearing. Got the spindle from them but my electronics came from Automationdirect.com

Still I think I'd be almost as happy with the china one. But I do like my ekstrom.. Thing that bugs me the most is the small collets (er20).. Although since the ER25 does does not have a 3/4" collet (biggest er25 is 5/8 I think) I guess there is no real point in having an ER25 other then the fact that I already have a full set of them..

Perhaps the smaller nose of the ER20 would be nicer.. Hmmm

b.

Boy, I really like the Ekstrom. Especially the c74. Ceramic bearings! $2100 is a distant dream though. The c73 is reasonably priced at $1400 or so, but still out of my budget. Seems like there is a market for something in the gap between a $300 chinese made motor and a $1300 - 1600 ekstrom/colombo, etc.

[gfacer]

I was looking at Hertz spindles out of Turkey. They are on Ebay.

More $$ than the Chinese, but I was leaning that way myself to replace a PC router on one machine (maybe 2 machines if it worked)....perhaps better than throwing the dart at Chinese suppliers and hoping you pick a decent supplier / part.