If so why or why not?
2 Likes
That is user dependent.
- Compared to the 65mm spindle or a router?
- Do you run production or want to push thru material fast? AKA, do you need the power?
- Do you want to run a max tool diameter of 1/4" (router), 3/8" (65mm spindle), or 1/2" (80mm spindle)?
- Which machine do you have? On the S3/S4/SPro I think the 65mm is the superior choice as it’s power and weight match the belt-driven motion system much better. On my S5Pro and HDM, I personally would only run the 80mm as I often need the extra power, 1/2" tools, and the motion system is matched well to it’s power and weight.
So for one person, the answer may be no. For another (like myself) the answer was definitely on my S5Pro. On our SPro at work, I would stick with the 65mm spindle we have on it…and I wouldn’t go back to a router.
2 Likes
Unless you need maximum power, which most people do not, the biggest advantage of the 80mm is the 1/2" shank maximum compared to the 3/8" on the 65mm. If you’re cutting very thick parts, maybe over 1.5 or 1.75", that might be a benefit.
For most cases, I think the 65mm is better because it’s easy to plug in everywhere, and 3/8 tooling is pretty substantial.
2 Likes
PwnCNC has an 80mm spindle that runs on 110 instead of 220. I started thinking about that and was a little concerned about whether that would have issues, but then again, the router in my router table is 110v and beefy.
So, good idea or not?
As @SLCJedi said above it depends. Heavy use the 80MM but for general 65MM. The 80MM has to have 220vac. The 65MM has 120vac. The 80MM has a water chiller that adds to your power consumption and is a potential spill waiting to happen. The cooling is important in a production environment but for home use it might be more than needed. You do have to perform maintenance on the water cooling and change the cooling fluid periodically.
So a direct answer is maybe? It all depends on what you are planning to machine. Wood the 80MM is likely a overkill. Metal the 80MM would be best. However Overkill is a lot of fun.
2 Likes
I don’t want to say anything definitive about another company’s product, but look at the math:
The most you can safely expect to pull out of a 110V outlet is 15A = ~1.5kW. Regardless of a 65mm or 80mm spindle, it’s the same power. Maybe the 80mm motor’s windings have a teensy bit more torque or something, but the power is the same. The only practical difference is if you value water cooling. If you don’t need that, what’s the point? It’s a heavier unit that’s gonna push you to also upgrade to the gas strut kit on the Z-axis, assuming you have an S5.
2 Likes
Apart from raw power though it does give you the ability to use the 1/2” bits. Admittedly you couldn’t push them as hard as you could on a 220 unit.
1 Like
The PWNCNC 80mm 110v spindle is the same 1.5kw as their 65mm spindle. So you aren’t going to have the ability to push it like you would the 2.2kw 220v spindle. So in my opinion going with an 80mm 1.5kw just to get the use of 1/2 bits that you aren’t going to be able push isn’t at all advantageous.
4 Likes