Columbo vs. Perske

[phil_o]

Shopbotters who run spindle motors mention two brands, Columbo and Perske. How do they compare? Is one any better than the other? Are they essentially the same device made by two diffferent manufacturers, like Milwaukee and Dewalt? Are there other brands worth consideration?

[richards]

Colombo, Perske, and others make fine spindles. My decision to buy the Colombo directly from Shopbot was to eliminate the engineering design necessary with the other brands. Shopbot offers a complete package that includes all of the necessary parts to get a spindle up and running.

If you decide to buy from other suppliers, keep in mind, that you'll be responsible for the entire design. Unless you're VERY familiar with spindles, selecting the proper components, building the necessary cables, programming the VFD, fabricating the mounting plate, etc., is going to take time. In my case, even with twenty-five years as a process control computer designer/programmer, I was very happy to have a workable package from Shopbot. Solving the electrical noise gremlins was enough of a challenge without having to worry about whether my selection of parts and pieces was the cause of the electrical noise.

[phil_o]

Thanks Mike,
that's very helpful information.

[neal@lasertechalaska.com]

Colombo's are made in Italy, Perske's in Germany. I run both and they are both of excelllent quality, although I prefer the Colombo's mostly because the ER collets and cover nuts are less expensive, more readily available and I've found they hold bits better.

NSchlee

[tuck]

Are both or either of these type routers "reversible"? Can you reverse the spindle direction?

[harold_weber]

Yes, they are 3-phase induction motors and you can reverse their rotation by switching any two of the 3 wires feeding the motor. Also, the VFD that you use to drive the motor probably has a reverse option.

[tuck]

Thanks, Harold. What's a VDF? Also, are these routers multi-speed? I've been using the 3.25 HP Porter-Cable for 4 years now, but a new client is telling me I will need to be able to reverse my spindle to cut some of his work. I have found some used Perske spindle routers for sale but I know next to nothing about them.

[richards]

VFD is variable frequency drive. It's the unit that controls the spindle. The VFD is also the speed controller, giving you almost unlimited speed selection. On the Colombo, the VFD can be programmed in 1/10 of an RPM, although I usually change speeds by 1,000 RPM at a time.

The Colombo can be programmed to spin either CW or CCW. I've never tried reversing the direction because I don't have any reverse cutting cutters, although they are available.

[tuck]

Thanks, Mike. I'm wondering if you or someone can clue me in as to what advantage one may gain by reversing the spindle direction and using a reverse cutter??? My new client is telling me he will need me to cut some thick ( 3/4" & 1" ) acrylic and that I'll need a reversible spindle. I said..."Uh,..ok". So rather than look stupid to him, I decided to come here and look stupid. :-0

[harold_weber]

The Perske and Colombo spindles are two pole motors and will simply run at 3600 rpm if you connect them to 60 Hz three phase power. VFD is the abbreviation for a Variable Frequency Drive which is a box that is wired between the 60 Hz 3-phase input power and the router spindle. It will deliver up to 300 - 400 Hz to the router spindle (allowing it to run to 18000 - 24000 rpm). It comes with a 200 page manual on how to operate its internal programmable controller. See if you can get your local electrical supply house to let you read through one of these controller manuals. If you are not comfortable with what you read, then follow Mike Richards' advice earlier in this thread.

[tuck]

Thanks again, Harold. Again, the only reason I would buy a spindle router is to be able to reverse the spindle direction, but I'm still wondering what the advantage will be to be able to do that???

[gerald_d]

Mark, your client most likely means that you must be able to change direction of movement - cutting either clockwise or anti-clockwise while cutting out pizza platters.

Your Porter Cable should also be reversible in the hands of a good technician at the repair shop. But it is extremely unlikely that your client actually wants the cutter to turn backwards.

[tuck]

Thanks, Gerald. That being said, does this look like a good deal?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7599909202&rd=1&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[gerald_d]

If you know your way around spindles (how to check for bent shafts, bad bearings) and finding and connecting a VFD, $20 looks extremely attractive - but it could turn out to be a lemon.

The fact that it has grease fittings makes me worry that it has been modified - I don't think that grease fittings would be standard on a spindle that is supposed to have very precise amounts of grease......

I wouldn't mind having it for $20. Just as school fees to tear it open and get a feel for what it has inside. If it runs after that, it will be a bonus!

[tuck]

If it ran after I took it apart and put it back together, it would be a MIRACLE! LOL!

These kind of "deals" on used tools pop up all the time on eBay. I reckon I'll just wait and find out if I truly need one to mess with. Meanwhile, my old Porter Cable doesn't owe me a dime, and I'm not about to drop about $5,000.00 for a new Colombo spindle router.

You still swimming with the Great White Sharks down there in S. Africa, Gerald?

[gerald_d]

(Mark is referring to these (http://www.apexpredators.com/) pictures taken in our bay.) After a nasty incident (http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=49&fArticleId=2301298) in 2004, we now have a lookout (http://www.news24.com/Regional_Papers/Components/Category_Article_Text_Template/0%2C%2C1806-1810_1827123~E%2C00.html) system and don't venture too deep.

[tuck]

OMG! Well, at least the old lady died doing something she loved to do! Beats dieing in a friggin' car wreck!

Gerald, since I have your attention, and not to get off topic, here's a question. Do you ever use tabbing?... and if so, what is the best method you have found?

[gerald_d]

See this (http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/30/1391.html) thread on tabbing. We now use Sheetcam to insert tabs into the dxf file.

[tuck]

Interesting. It's SOOO interesting (SheetCam), I can't figure it out! LOL!

I have found (invented) a simple yet easy and effective way of doing tabs and I guess I'll stick with that for now. If I told you how I do it, you'd know I'm nuts. Thanks, man.

[dishawcues]

Can someone offer any information in regards to cooling fans, Shaft driven or electric fan cooling?
Which configuation is most efficent and which has the lower db levels?

[patricktoomey]

Dan, the electric fan versions are quieter and it is also nice that they keep running after you shut down the spindle so it keeps cooling it. The only drawback is that the fan could fail. I had a fan that went out but luckily I saw it and replaced it before any damage.