Wow! Awesome write up and documentation. I really appreciate it since I plan to do this same upgrade sometime later this year. Plus, this is one of the cleanest and detailed posts I’ve seen on the forum about this.
I didn’t even know an 800W version existed. I’d just heard about the 1.5kW and the 2.2kW version.
great docs on this where did you get the kit? I saw a couple on ebay that were air cooled and some were 80 mm body, what would be the difference with water cooled over air if you know? I may look at doing this on my machine in the future.
Looks like the spindle is available on Amazon:
Huanyang Water Cooled CNC Spindle Milling Motor 110V 800W 24000RPM 400hz ER11 Collet
A complete set too:
I bought my kit on Amazon.ca as I’m in Canada. From what research I did the water cooled is quieter than air cooled because your not pushing air through the turbine. It is very quiet, if running and not cutting the wood you don’t even know its on. When cutting its only the tool noise you hear.
thank you for the info best of luck with your new setup
Thanks for the info. If I decide to return to cutting with my SO3 instead of just using it for diamond drag engraving, I’m definitely going to go with this setup. I think that the 1.5kw spindle on my XXL is a bit overkill.
Your 800 W spindle is likely significantly more powerful than the “standard” “1.25 HP max/peak” trim routers. It should be capable of more power than standard Shapeokos can support. IMO you made a wise choice.
For others considering these spindles, [This Delta inverter might be worth considering (https://www.wolfautomation.com/ac-drive-1hp-115v-single-phase-vfd-el-series/)]. If has a 2 year warranty and much better documentation than the Chinese version. Also, It’s maximum output frequency is 600 Hz (for 36 kRPM) whereas the Chinese version is only 400 Hz with 50 Hz input power (for 24 kRPM) (apparently only 333 Hz [for 20 kRPM] with 60 Hz). Higher speeds reduce cutting forces and usually improve performance.
OOPS - I just noticed that the spindle in this post is 110V, so it’s not compatible with the referenced Delta inverter - which has a 220 V output. This spindle is though.
So if I buy this and a Chinese spindle, I can run the spindle to 36k RPMs? What’s the upper limit of the spindle itself?
The inverter should be able to drive the spindle that fast, but there’s no guarantee that the spindle can handle those speeds since its only rated for 24000 RPM at 400 Hz. Has anyone even run one at 24000 RPM?
Hmmmmmm, 36k? @gmack, you’ve piqued my interest.
Bare spindle about the same cost as a brushless Makita. Be interesting to see if the spindle is comfortable at 36k.
It’s likely considerably more powerful too.
If you (and/or others) are interested, I can provide info on how to relatively easily and inexpensively measure real AC input power to your Brushless Makita power supply and/or AC routers. That should provide a pretty good estimate of cutting power and enable calculation of both cutting forces and unit horsepower.
The VFD inverters apparently provide motor currents, so that may not be necessary for them (but it might prove useful as a “sanity check” anyway.)
I’m intrigued then. I need to dig into spindles and see if any can handle that speed. It seemed like any results online we’re spotty.
If you have deep pockets, you might want to consider the liquid cooled version of this spindle that ShopBot sells. Both have ER20 collets - which support 1/2" endmills (less force for high MRRs). But the liquid cooled version is specified for operation at 30 kRPM (vs 24 kRPM for the air cooled version.)
Ouch! My kidney I just sold for that spindle! 
Yikes! I don’t have deep of pockets. That cost more than my entire CNC did. That’s really cool that’s available though. I figure a 1.5kW to 2.2kW spindle would be more than enough for what I want to do. I just need to save up for it.
While not quiet, a more affordable spindle option (which is also 110V) is the AMB (formerly Kress) spindle: https://mctinfo.net/amb-spindle/800-fme
Huh, what are the benefits of this then over a trim router? A little more precision? I also didn’t see a price on their site.
Narrower body, so reduced lever effects; longer cord (though that is equaled or exceeded by the new Carbide Compact Router); only precision collets available and lower runout — one model offers an interface for direct control, but no idea on what would be involved in integrating with the Carbide Motion board.
Maybe the Carbide folks should get a few 120V versions in and offer them for sale along with collets and a mount.
I think they’re not inexpensive, though, right?
And doesn’t Bosch make something nearly identical or re-badge this model?
Looks like the 120V has a 2x lower speed range (10k), so what we really need are MAFELL FME 1000 units.
