New Spindle

rodm · #1 14th Sep 2011, 12:00 AM

In my attempts to find the perfect spindle I have tried various combinations including one of those little model engines that rev to 30,000 RPM.

This is my latest but credit must go to the maker who sells these with a 110 volts sewing machine motor. All I did was source a 220 volt ac sewing machine motor for $16AUS and request a pulley bored to the correct shaft diameter for this motor.

Due to the change in voltage to 220 volt the spindle operates at far higher RPM and watts than the 110 version. Top speed of the spindle is 21,000RPM but I intend to run it at a more conservative speed. The setup is a lot quieter than a 3 phase spindle and VFD combination.
Here is a link to Paul's site and I found him easy to deal with and I can highly recommend his work.

The good news is you can put this together for under $200 AUS and it has many advantages over a Dremil type of spindle. For starters it has a ER11 collet chuck, with excellent run out tolerance and it is light and came with a machined mount. I was really lucky that the spindle tube was exactly the same diameter as the mount I had on the Chinese machine so it was slip in for me. The photos show it mounted on the Chinese mounting ready to be fitted to the machine. The motors are throw away and at $16 you can afford to have a spare waiting on the shelf. The dual belt drive is a safe guard so that if one belt brakes you continue cutting and put on a new belt when it is convenient. The three stage pulley has enough speed ratios to not bother with a electric speed control but the sewing machine motor did come with a foot speed control that could easily be utilised.

This setup isn't meant for a serious aluminum cutting CNC machine but it is very suitable for PCB work and light acrylic and timber work. In a week or so I should have the Chinese machine running with this setup.

I have a 60 VDC servo motor with a speed controller kindly made by our Bubinda mate so will trial that at some stage..

This post is something different to get your grey matter thinking outside the box.

Greolt · #2 14th Sep 2011, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the report Rod

I have sent an email to Paul.

Do you have a link for the sewing machine motors?

Thanks,

Greg

rodm · #3 14th Sep 2011, 11:04 AM

Hi Greg,
Got them off ebay and here is a link to one. Just make sure you get the 220 vac.
There were a few listings when I got mine but this is the only one I can find today.

Shaft size is 6mm and the motor bolts that his stems screw on to are 4mm.

epineh · #4 15th Sep 2011, 07:36 PM

Nice idea Rod, I am keen to hear how this turns out, if I ever finish the current 5000 projects I am doing I intend to try put together an "el - cheapo" machine design that can be built for under $1000 bucks, this would make a nice spindle for that beast.

Cheers.

Russell.

rodm · #5 15th Sep 2011, 09:05 PM

Hi Russell,
Yeah I have a big wish list of projects as well. Had a shed clean out of sorts and still have enough gear to build another machine and a couple of small mills but not the inclination to do it. The machines coming out of China are worth looking at seriously if one is price consious.

The ER11 collet is the key to this spindle being able to fit from 1 to 7mm shank bits.

Anything else in this size and price range is limited to what size bit can be used.