2.2 HP HSD spindle

[GioAttisano]

I'm considering getting one for my shopbuilt, "Buddy-like" machine, currently running a Bosch 12 amp router. I'm wondering if people out there running the HSD can tell me hoe the noise at full RPM compares to a conventional router, and how the power of this spindle compares to a 11 or 12 amp router, or even a 15 amp router. Thanks! See my work at www.alladd.com (http://www.alladd.com)

[magic]

The people on cnczone.com can answer that question better then we can. You have a machine that does not fit the permitters of our interest.

Nice web site, though. I'm glad you're not marketing to my customers because your prices do not reflect the quality... Time for a raise.

[cabnet636]

a spindle is quieter than a router and the power band is more even thru the use of a variable freqency drive therefore stronger (no bogging)

[carve_1]

My 2.2 HSD is the most quiet machine in my shop.
I have run conventional routers for thirty years ; the only way they will ever be as quiet as this spindle is to leave them turned off.
Concerning power,,, I have yet to stall this spindle, the force that would take, has been unnecessary,, so far.

Charles

[donclifton]

I just purchased a 4hp HSD spindle from shopbot. The fan makes more noise than the spindle and the fan is very quit. I was using a PC 3.25hp router before. No comparison.
Don Clifton

[sawdust535]

I agree with Charles, that the 2.2 HSD "itself" is the most quiet machine in the shop. Although, keep in mind that the noise level of the cutting process depends on the material, feed rate and other factors and will be the same as that of a router. The actual noise from the spindle running without actually cutting is insignificant.

[GioAttisano]

Thanks for these replies. Sorry for "crashing" the Bot board with an alien machine, but this forum has been a great resource for me, and you guys actually run these spindles in great numbers, so I thought I'd get a quick answer. Many of the Zoners, who have been very helpful to me in building my machine, run routers, being budget inclined.
I started planning my machine before I had seen a Buddy, and my machine was initially going to be a manual XYZ affair, modelled after the JDS Multirouter and WWsupply Matchmaker (which I have used for years), with spindle in the horizontal position. When I decided to make the spindle convertible into vertical position as well it quickly morphed into a CNC.
If I had it to do over again, I would probably buy a Buddy, though the spindle tilt mechanism is no simple affair, and my table is built to cut joinery, especially dovetails (through, half-blind and matched taper sliding) at the edge of a table, with work clamped right on to the table, as opposed to the more awkward and length limiting vertical, clamping with a combo of toggle hold downs, cam clamps, and gasketed compressor venturi drive vaccuum.
Thanks again for helping me with this spindle decision. Idling noise is pretty important, and my CNC'd stuff has a lot of light cuts, inlay with tiny cutters and Vcarving that shouldn't be too noisy.

[cabnet636]

al, you do some fun, nice work you should have a shop bot!!

[mike_ross]

Al, you do amazing work, are articulate and have a lot of knowledge you could share. Most of us do not care whether your machine is blue or not.

I too am considering a spindle and appreciate your post and the responses it has generated.

I would love to see pictures of your tilting spindle mechanism and your dovetail process.

Post away, that way I can keep lurking


Mike Ross

[mitch_prest]

I chose a spindle as I operate in a residential area... and my old craftsman vacuum make makes way more noise than the spindle.. but keep in mind that the noise is relative to the material being cut... when I do aluminum ..I don't do it at night and I want to leave the bot room.. but otherwise with most materials the spindle is way quiter.. and the warnings about checking to see if it is running before you stick your fingers in there are to be taken seriously

mitch

[butch]

Al
Fantastic work. I always appreciate the work of a craftsman.
I have the 2.2 Spindle. My dust collector is in another room ( 1.75HP Grizzly). If my dust collector is on, I can hardly hear the spindle running at 15K rpm. Also if my speed and rpm are correct there isn't as much noise during cutting as the dust collector. With that said, I still wear ear protection, as it is that loud. Some plywood when cutting with 1/4 upcutter does make enough noise I can hear it when I am standing outside with door closed about 20 ft from the shop, while cutting, but rarely is the cutting making enough noise to hear it outside the shop with the door closed.
As for working? I have cut 2 inch oak, with a 1/2 straight cutter at 1/2in deep, 14k and 1.5 inch per second, and the spindle didn't even complain. I have caused a 3.5hp router to slow down on the router table, but haven't yet had the spindle even complain. Makes me wonder what they are cutting with the 5hp spindles.
Also, a couple of dots of finger nail polish on the collet nut can save fingers. Makes a pretty line when the spindle is running, so pick some kind of pleasing shade and color. I always use the last color my wife used, so she can't tell I borrowed some polish. I also use it as lock tight, so I appreciate the reds and blues, but the bright and sparkley colors are not as nice.

Butch

[woodworx]

5hp would be great, but Thermwood machines have 18hp spindles and I am sure some larger. Won't the bits break if you are trying to chomp material as fast as an 18hp spindle could cut? I have seen them cut, and they cut fast! Anyone have experience running one of those big machines?

[blackhawk]

When I get the chance to upgrade from the router, I want to get either the 2.2 or 4 HP HSD spindle. Has anyone bought a 2.2 HP and wished they had bought a 4HP? If a 2.2HP could cut 3/4" plywood with a 3/8" bit in one pass, I would be happy. If anyone has done this with a 2.2, I would like to know how fast they are cutting.

I bought a Delta Unisaw a few years ago and struggled about getting the 3 or 5 HP motor. I went with the 3 HP and have never regretted it. I can cut 3" thick oak with the 3 HP like butter.

[blackhawk]

Does anyone know why Shopbot's prices on the 2.2 HSD spindle are the same for either 3 phase or single phase, but when you jump to the 4hp HSD the single phase version costs $400 more than the 3 phase version?

[harold_weber]

Typically, the 3 horsepower and below variable frequency drive (or inverter) units will accept either single or 3 phase power as input. (The VFD is the box that goes between your AC power source and the router spindle and provides the high frequency AC power to the spindle.)

But above 3 horsepower, the typical VFD units must be derated if you drive them with single phase power, so a larger VFD is needed. So Shopbot will probably send you a 7.5 or 10 HP VFD unit if you buy the 4 HP router spindle and want to drive the VFD with single phase power

[jsfrost]

I missed this post earlier, but there is one downside to a spindle upgrade worth mentioning.

If one is used to a a noisy router, especially wearing hearing protection, it is all to easy to think no noise means spindle off. After a near miss, I painted stripes on the spindle nut and visually verify no motion before attempting a bit change.

[blackhawk]

Thanks Harold, that makes sense.

Just wondering if anyone had any input to my question from an earlier part of this thread?

"Has anyone bought a 2.2 HP and wished they had bought a 4HP? If a 2.2HP could cut 3/4" plywood with a 3/8" bit in one pass, I would be happy. If anyone has done this with a 2.2, I would like to know how fast they are cutting."

[beacon14]

I have been using a 2.2HP HSD spindle for a year or more now and am still very happy with it. I use 1/4" bits so I can't answer about 3/8" bits but I cut through 3/4" melamine in one pass at 5 to 6 ips. I'm not doing mass production but I've cut close to 500 sheets so far this year. I also use it for V-Carving, solid wood machining, you name it. It's a very versatile, capable unit. I do wonder what my bearing life will be compared to a more powerful unit, but so far so good.