[Swede]

Years ago, finding a decent spindle for a home-brew machine was a genuine hassle. On one end of the spectrum, there were fine quality (but very light) ER and MT spindles for machines like the TAIG and Sherline. There was also the option of ripping off an R8 spindle from a mini-mill.

The next step up, though, leaped right into very heavy and pricey CAT30 and similar spindles. You are going from a couple of pounds (and fractional HP) right up to 50+ pounds and 2 or 3 HP. Bridgeport-sized. Not too much in between.

There was one final option, using a very high-speed HF spindle. These are three-phase (usually 0 to 400 Hz) monolithic devices; a motor + spindle in one unit, typically with an ER nose. I bought a KaVo spindle plus power supply for my own build, and while not cheap, it is exceptionally fast, smooth, and accurate. German-made. These spindles are ideal for PCB routing, HS machining, engraving, and the like.

KaVo HF spindle in mounting block:

Browsing eBay recently, I discovered there are now a HUGE number of Asian HF spindles, at looow prices. They are all over the place - look like this, come in packages from 500w to 2.5kw, both air and water cooled.

Some are advertised as having "German Bearings!"

An equivalent HF spindle from Europe or the U.S. is going to cost $2,500+ with the essential power supply/freq. converter. These cheap spindles can be had for a few hundred bucks, maybe 15% to 20% the cost.

They LOOK good. The big question, are they an utter waste of money? Has anyone put one to work? And is the "German Bearing" option worthwhile?

Comments on spindles for small metalworking machines in general are welcome. Finding a nice spindle for a pet machine can be tricky.

[ger21]

There are lot's of threads about them here. People have been using them on their routers for 2-3 years now.

A lot of people have had very good luck with them. But more recently, it seems, there are more "lemons". However, the main sellers will exchange them if you get a bad one, but the shipping costs can be very high.

And I'm pretty sure the"German Bearings" are cheap chinese bearings, with the word "German" etched on them.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cn...periences.html

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cn...e_spindle.html