Originally Posted by
ChuckC
I can really relate to Goemon's position- I am, whether unfortunate or not used to the method of on-line research to figure out my product issues and have had to learn how to discern between online posters as best I can. It's an unfortunate development of American society in some retail. So, I'm left with trying to gamble on quality versus price, looking for which model has the most viable/use-able on line info. from users having gone before.
The big names have the advantage of accurate documentation and usually better QC, as they worry more about reputation, no matter country of origin.
So what VFD's are out there, new that are less than, let's say $300 that can handle a 1.5kw spindle with a comfortable safety margin? I get HY-keeping in mind I'm going to be doing only simple on-off, speed control (that I know of), cutting wood and maybe 6061, T-6 aluminum.
Thanks for the banter, guys. It does help.
BTW, this isn't the only industry that's switching to mostly on-line, community support (I guess that's really old news). The drag is, it takes a whole ton of work on the consumer side to figure out electronic set up and it's not constrained to Chinese products. I've got a wonderful, Czech. RC radio that cost a bit over $1500, but the manual is only basic and doesn't touch 1/10th the programming capabilities that are about required to fly very complicated high end RC jets (one of my other hobbies). Therefore, I've spent some 100+ hours on line scratching through what should have been about a 20 hour straight forward study session. It's just how it is. I am wonderfully amazed by that manufacturer, with-brilliant engineers (Jeti).
So, knowing the above, where should we be for less than $300? Gotta be single phase, prefer 220v and probably around 2.2 kw capacity driving somewhere around 1.5 kw spindle. That's with future speed and work space in mind. If I could get a smoking deal (read high, name brand) on a smaller (sub 1 kw) spindle and VFD, then I'm open to to purchasing twice. My Isel only has a 12"x12"x3" functional work space inside the soft limits. Smaller may be more appropriate. Running very high quality ball screws and decent steppers, though I have upgrades standing by, should that be needed.