Hi everyone!

In my desire to build a reasonably nice device, I have all of a sudden decided I want to build an closed-loop RPM counting and spindle speed controller... I want this to work with my 1.75HP Porter Cable 6902 Router Motor..

I have seen a digital device on comemrcial routers.. a VFD I think.. Something like that. I have also seen these devices on ebay. They are almost aways 220v though, and much lower than 1.75HP. I was wondering if anyone has any advice!

I have a basicX chip and board(like basic stamp, faster, cheaper). I went to make a simple encoder based RPM counter, as a first step, and of course, the chip seems dead! Ugh. So ive ordered a new chip. In the meantime I was wondering if anyone has any advice or notes or hints? I have a $50-$100 budget on this project.