[skypoke]

I'd appreciate some input from folks with spindle experience. I'm finishing up a Mechmate 6 X 20' table and want to use an approx 5 hp 230V 3p spindle. While I hear about lots of different brands, the only ones I have been able to find actually for sale are Ekstrom/Carlson and Colombo. A few Q's...

Can anyone offer a learned opinion on which brand is better and why? The EC goes to 18K rpm, the Colombo to 24K though I don't really see a need for the higher speeds.

Does anyone know of a US distributor for HSD spindles? Are any of the water cooled spindles available in the US in this 5hp size range?

I have not found a spindle with electric cooling fan on it. The mfg reps are saying that the shaft mounted fan really doesn't make that much noise but this is hard for me to believe.

Thanks for the help, Chuck

[ger21]

HSD USA. You can find there number from the italian website. Try www.hsdusa.com

and click on Worldwide. The USA office used to have a website, but now it redirects you to the corporate page.

[Art Pentz]

Check out the Elte spindles from:

http://www.fps-spindles.com/products.html

Very good price/peformance spindles from Italy (like Columbo and HSD).

Probably the best value in non tool changer spindles - get the ER collet size you need. Some of these units have built in VFD's.

I have a 5 HP Elte spindle w/ ER 32 collet (18,000 RPM) that will handle a 3/4" shank tool.

The guys at Fischer Precision are quite knowledgeable.


Art Pentz