Would this Monster VFD Spindle Work on a ’5 Pro?

CNC Machines Shapeoko 5 Pro
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This 5.5kw VFD spindle kit looks very similar to the two spindle kits offered by C3D. I would always prefer to order stuff through CD3 because the customer support is incredible whereas buying this surely would be “at your own risk” . I also imagine there’s a point where adding more power to a spindle is pointless without also getting larger motors.

Just curious what strapping this thing on would be like…

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I’m sure you could make it work but 5.5kw seems like a bit of overkill. You would need a 240v circuit to use this. Also, that is not a kit. It is just a spindle motor. You would need to get a VFD, some sort of water cooling system and wiring. Then you would need to put it all together and configure the VFD. Unless you really know what you are doing and have a need for 5.5kw I would look elsewhere. Carbide 3D has their kit but it is software locked (personal opinion: If you can’t do anything you want with hardware you bought, including break it, you don’t own it. You just rented it for a one time payment.). PwnCNC sells a kit that isn’t locked down, it just costs a little more for a similar config. If you want to diy it, Gpenny spindle kits from aliexpress have been known in the past to be pretty good.

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I clicked on your link and the spec is it is a 125MM diameter. That would require you to make a custom mount. From what I read here on the forum the SO5 would likely handle it but might be an overkill. However overkill is usually fun. That is a big honking spindle so what will you be machining with it? As you also stated you would be on your own because the price is in Yuan so if there is ANY support it would likely be from China. I did a quick internet search and it looks like it would be about $7600.00. I am not an international currency expert and am assuming it is Yuan and some other currency. For the price and the support you might be better sticking with C3D. Both are expensive but the peace of mind and support might make up for any anxiety you might have about a Chinese Spindle.

On the advertisement I did not see a VFD included so that would be an additional cost and additional support.

If you want a large spindle I would recommend a combination spindle/VFD. Buying a separate VFD can be very complicated to program. A VFD is not a plug and play device. There are hundreds of parameters. Unless you are an engineer with experience programming a VFD I would not attempt it. You can but there are a lot of things that go wrong if you program it wrong. C3D locks down their VFD for that very reason. C3D does not want people monkeying around with the parameters of their VFD.

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Here’s my take from having every machine from C3D Since 2017, and most spindle/router combos. :slight_smile: I prefer to match the spindle power to the motion system capability. Any part of the system being way more powerful than another doesn’t equate to any performance gain since there is another limitation.

For the S4 and SPro, that means the 1.2kw 65mm. The spindle stall is slightly more than the motion system stalls at. It also fits in the original spindle mount and is not much heavier than a router. Anything above 1.2kw doesn’t get you any advantage. Even a ER20 collet doesn’t do you much good since larger shank tooling doesn’t offer much of an advantage on that motion system.

For the HDM and S5Pro, the 2.2kw, 80mm is the way to go in my opinion. The motion system is better matched to the extra weight and power. That gets you up to 1/2" shank, which these machines can more effectively use.

The 5.5kw looks like a beastly unit. Honestly I just don’t know if it offers any advantage on any machine other than a fully industrial machine used in a big time production shop. You also have to source a VFD, the wires, connectors, etc, etc, etc. and make a mount. And with the extra diameter, you might have to make a new Z plate as well.

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As others have observed, it may not be your best choice

  • It’s a honking big spindle that would need a custom mount
  • If you’re going this big, might be better to go with a spindle that has a flat mounting surface so that the adapter mount is easier to make something like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001313892297.html
  • Definitely try to buy a combined VFD and spindle combination so you’ve got reasonable confidence they’ll work together
  • I would avoid no-name vendors from India and go with one of the more established Chinese manufacturers such as G Penny ( assuming you don’t want to pay German or US money )
  • If going to a monster of a spindle, the question is why, do you want more low RPM torque, more high RPM power? This impacts the type of spindle, number of poles etc. More power doesn’t necessarily mean it will do more of what you need. Further as Josh says, it may just overwhelm the machine structure and motion system too
  • If spending the extra money, I’d strongly consider a spindle with quick change tool holders such as a BT30 or BT40 or Tormach TTS, changing tools gets old really fast, I’d trade the extra kW for tool holders in an instant
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I can agree that overkill can be fun. When I ordered my S5P, I had just returned to my studio apartment after having a couple cocktails. I had a 15" x 15" CNC at the time but had been watching a lot of videos on larger CNC’s. I remember telling myself I had better order that shapeoko right now before regaining my marginally better judgment. This is one of the only hammers drunk decisions I can think of right now that I did not regret as soon as sobriety smacked me in the face. i

I would not consider myself an international currency expert either however, I believe the price there is in Indian Rupee which is equivalent to about $650 here in the states.

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thank you for your thoughtful response. the advice completely makes sense.

regarding the "why " question - honestly it’s probably for the same reason why I bought a chainsaw but have no trees on my property, why i can’t help stopping at the fireworks store whenever im driving through Pennsylvania, or why i keep my “personal pump” within reach at all times…yeah thats my bag baby… But seriously, I do find that when cutting aluminum it is the power of the spindle that is the limiting factor…even when I do a good job blowing chips away, and I am not being greedy with the speeds and feeds. It would also be nice to cut a bit faster when working on larger projects with juicer workpieces.

A tool changer would be next level. I am currently building an enclosure right now for my CNC and one of the top three reasons I am doing this besides noise reduction, is because the joints in my legs have never hated me more for all of the squatting and crouching I have subjected them to with this thing on the floor.

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