I'm looking to add the capability to both drill and do rigid tapping in aluminum and thin gage steel to my router(DIY CNC Router) I know I will need full control of the spindle through either one of the methods Mach3 can use to this, analog voltage or step/direction control of the spindle. I want to use a Sherline Spindle like this Sherline Spindle with a timimg belt drive and a drill chuck.
The main question I have is about the choice of motor for this set up. I've considered three options and hope someone with more experience could offer some advice.
Option 1: Purchase the Sherline Spindle and Motor and convert that motor to a servo by adding an encoder, and a Gecko 320X servo drive, plus a power supply. This would use the v-belt drive.
Option 2: Use this Sherline Spindle with timming belt drive and a custom mount for a NEMA 34 motor. The motor would be a servo motor and gecko drive from Automation Technoligies Inc NEMA 34 Servo and this would be controlled through mach3 step/direction spindle control.
Option 3: The same spindle from Sherline as option 2 but use a Brushless DC Motor and drive again from Automation Tech. This would use the analog VFD contol from the G540 I already have and Mach3 for control again.
I think any of these will handle drilling no problem but for rigid tapping whats the best bet? Is a servo going to be any better then the brushless dc motor at the low speeds needed for tapping?