Originally Posted by Cartierusm  The only problem is for wood routing you need at least 20,000 RPM. |
No, you don't. Unless you're cutting at over 500 inches per minute, or using very small bits. At work we have 10HP spindles and never run them any faster than 18,000 rpm. With 1/2" bits, about 15,000 rpm at 400 ipm.
Originally Posted by Cartierusm
Next is Colombo spindles, I know nothing about them but they are about $3000 and up.
Next is a inexpensive import spindle from homeshopcnc.com and it's $900. Again I know nothing about it.
Now I have heard good things about http://www.ekstromcarlson.com/ but again they are imports and start at $1200 for 1.34 horsepower.
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Most all high end spindles are imports, with most made in Italy I think. The homeshopcnc spindle is made in China.
The bearings in these spindles are far more expensive than the ones you priced for your DIY spindle. Rebuilds on our HSD spindles was over $2000. But they both lasted about 8 years of heavy daily use.