Cheap 1500W Chinese spindle, experiences?

[contactirfu]

Hi Folks,

interesting to know the interest around Asian spindles - I am planning to go for one before january.

Take a look at this thread
http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1008

the argument about the 2.2KW spindle being 80mm dia has even baffelled me ! but any way i am going to try.

A delta make VFD js going to cost me less than a Chinese imported so I am going for it.

The way they recomend a 2.2KW VFD tells me that the spindle is not a true 2.2KW one.

anyways if it works then ok

RGDS
IRfan

[tgrandahl]

Cool,

So I think this confirms my buy of a 2.2Kw with now VFD, i plan on building my own anyways. I just want the ER20 spec confirmed.

endgrainguy, not to use you as a ginue pig but i want to see you receive an ER20 colet first after being assured.

Does anyone know what size spindle waynec is using on that mech-mate forum? It looks like a smaller one, im also interested in the wiring connection, it looks like a round 4 pin connector that im hoping will be provided.

[sharbold]

I believe the spindle that waynec is using is from HomeshopCNC which is rated at 2.2Kw. In fact I just received my spindle from HomeshopCNC this week. It has a 4 pin connector on the spindle and comes with the mating plug. I purchased just the spindle from HomeshopCNC. I purchased a G2 VFD from Automation Direct. It will be about a month before I have my spindle in operation. I am in the process of gathering parts for my CNC build which I hope will begin around the beginning of January.

Sam
My new blog

[tgrandahl]

Hmm ok, i guess it just looked a little small in the pictures and it didnt have the black ends.

So has anyone here received a spindle from the ebay seller that was mentioned originally in this thread. I am trying to get beyond the fact that these spindles are half the price of the Homecnc and Kelinginc ones.

It does cost $45 shipping from china but i dont understand how it can just be marked up that much.

[tahustvedt]

Very interesting!

Is the rpm variable with these spindles? Do they try to hold the rpm constant?

[sharbold]

tgrandahl
I spoke with Rick at HomeshopCNC because the spindle I received looked a little different than the photo on the website. The photo on the website is an old model the new spindles do not have the black band around the ends. The spindle I received is stamped with 2.2Kw 7.6 amps 220 volts 3 phase.

tahustvedt
The VFD allows you to vary the speed of the spindle. This can be done from the front panel of the VFD or using a 0-10v signal fed to the VFD.

Sam

[tahustvedt]

Ok. Thanks.

[contactirfu]

Well the cost is all in the bearings - if you put in ceramic P4 bearings then the cost of the bearings is as much as the spindle!

its all a bit of compromise I think.

I just ordered a 2.2KW 8 AMPs from HK - China - cost me around 300USD, I am assuming it has steel ball bearing - ones those give up I need to move em upto something better P4 graded.

after all routers screaming at 24K rpm dont have ceramic ball bearing.

so I am assuming its worth a try.

I have ordered a Delta VFD to run the spindle.

RGD
Irfan

[Greolt]

This one is 1.5kw (2hp) water cooled, ER16 nose, 24000rpm, 400hz.

I use a Hitachi SJ200 VFD. It was only a little more money than a Chinese one and I decided to go this way.

I use a Homman Designs DigiSpeed to interface the control to Mach3. Works a treat.

It leaked a little water when I got it. Easily fixed. But the water leaked in a way that it went past the bearings. Will it reduce the life of the bearings? I don't know.

Another user here in Aus. got one with one winding shorted to the case. Again easily fixed but that is sometimes what you get from China.

Overall I am very happy with it. I would definitely buy one again.

Greg

[tgrandahl]

Originally Posted by contactirfu Well the cost is all in the bearings - if you put in ceramic P4 bearings then the cost of the bearings is as much as the spindle! its all a bit of compromise I think. I just ordered a 2.2KW 8 AMPs from HK - China - cost me around 300USD, I am assuming it has steel ball bearing - ones those give up I need to move em upto something better P4 graded. after all routers screaming at 24K rpm dont have ceramic ball bearing. so I am assuming its worth a try. I have ordered a Delta VFD to run the spindle. RGD Irfan

Hmm so can someone breakout the benefits of ceramic vs. steel bearings in this case (ebay chinees vs. homeshopcnc / others). I would imagine it would have to do mostly with efficiency(heat), duty cycle, and lifetime. Because i am simply building a hobby machine that wont be running 24x7. Is it worth twice the price?

I am assuming there is no difference in noise level, most router noise comes from the brushes and commutator.

I am looking forward to seeing some comparisons between the spindles from different sources once these are all up and running. Can anyone that has one running already compare to say a porter-cable or other routers when cutting?

[contactirfu]

The actual makita router I am presetnly running on my CNC cost me around INR 16000.00,

thats like 16000/48 = 333.33 USD, thats more expensive than a cheaply available chinese spindle without a vfd.

the difference in using steel ball bearing and ceramic is life of the bearings. If you dont mind replacing the steel ball bearings say every 4 months in a heavy duty work environment then I feel its more worth than the ceramic bearings which sometimes cost as much as the whole spindle itself.

In a home environment you probably may use a 1.5KW spindle - is usually worth the minimal noise it produces.

I am no expert here - so dont go here by my word.

RGDS
Irfan

[tahustvedt]

I wish it used ER20 collets instead of ER11. I want to use up to 12 mm and 1/2" shank end mills and don't want a watercooled machine.