Variable Speed

[CoCoMedic]

How easy would it be to modify a drill press so that it has a variable speed system?

Specifically I am looking to purchase a large drill press with a milling X-Y table. The machine I am considering is heavy for a drill press, approximately 720lbs, but light for a mill. It appears to have a very similar head & quill design as those of the Rong Fu style (although a cheaper version I am sure). However it sits up high on a single shaft like that of a drill press, giving it a capacity for larger work pieces. This would be almost perfect for my future projects which will be of wood, sometimes aluminum, and occasionally light steel.

I would love to be able to dial up the spindle really fast for wood working projects (like cutting slots), but then I also want the flexibility of slowing it down to 100-150 rpm for working in steel. Now I have found one of these machines available in the Rex Supply Catalog and it states that it comes with a 3Phase 220V motor, and the Grizzly catalog has one with a 1phase motor).

If I were to make such a purchase, how could I build a variable speed system? Should I adapt one from another device (right now I have a heavy duty Delta Drill Press with a mechanical variable speed system which I could canibalize and use) or should I try to adapt the motor with a Frequency Drive system?

Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.

[Al_The_Man]

Do a search here (and elsewhere) for VFD on 240v 1 phase , using the 3 phase motor.
Al.