Purchasing Spindle Direct

[gamisano]

Hello,

I just recieved my new table this week and will begin assembly this weekend. When I ordered the table I decided I would go with the porter cable set up, but have since decided to go with the 3hp colombo. The trouble is, I went to order one from shop bot, and was told it will take from 6 to 8 weeks to ship. Far longer than I would like to wait. So I did some digging, and found that I can purchase one direct and have it in aroubd 2 weeks complete with the inverter, collets, wrenches etc. My question is, although I realize there are some wiring duties to be completed, is there anything else I need to do in order to make it function with my shopbot? Is there any programming involved, if so how difficult? And is this something that I can do, or will I be way in over my head, and should just wait the 6 to 8 weeks? Any and all comments or help is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Guido

[fleinbach]

It would probably be best to call ShopBot in the morning and find out what else is involved. If my memory serves me correctly the control box is set up differently for a spindle and a router.

[pete]

Guido, I also am changing from a Porter Cable to a 3HP Columbo. I have had the Alpha for about 7 months - way too noisy with the PC router working out of my garage. I have 4 deaf cats now. So, I ordered the spindle on 07/08 from ShopBot and I am scheduled to receive it tomorrow, 08/04. However, your wait time may be as they stated due to back orders - vacations, etc. The spindles are actually drop shipped from Precision Drive Systems (PDS). Well, the bad news is that ShopBot really wants you to ship your control box back to them for rewiring if you originally ordered the machine set-up for a router. There are wiring changes in the control box and I don't know if ShopBot has them documented well enough to allow a user to make the changes. I am going to call them tomorrow and ask if I can make the control box changes myself. I was told that the last control box a user tried to convert; ShopBot spent two hours on the phone with them talking them through it. They don't want to do that anymore.
But, if anyone else has done the control box wiring changes themselves, I think Guido and I would like to hear about your experiences please. Pete.

[Ryan Patterson]

I just bought A 3hp and was also told there was a long wait time, but ended up getting it in about 2 weeks. The wiring of the spindle is not a default task. If you buy from ShopBot the spindle will already be wire to the VFD. I had problems with my VFD. PDS shipped a new one to me but I had to change the wires. ShopBot also wanted me to send in my control box for rewire but I did not want to be down for the change. I am not sure what wiring change they need to make in the control box. The VFD will get power from the contactor in the control box you will need to change the jumper from router to spindle. (By changing the jumper the contator closes when you turn the control box on and hit the reset button) The spindle is turned on and off with low voltage Explained in the ShopBot manual.) There is some programming of the VFD and is well explained in the VFD manual and the Shop Bot manual. I bought the 3 phase 3Hp spindle I used the contactor in the control box 120v to close the coil to a 3 pole relay 120v coil.

[gamisano]

Cheers to you guys who gave me the input. Fortunately, I found out that I don't need the re-wiring for my control box because I purchased the PRT Standard table, and not the Alpha. Since the standard requires the manual control of the on/off and speed control, there is no wiring to do. So, I went ahead and made my purchase direct, and will have it in a couple of weeks...which is probably about the time I will be requiring it, as I am so busy I will work on assembly bit by bit.

Once, again I greatly appreciate those of you who took the time to offer your input/advice....I am certain it won't be the last time I will ask for it! ;0)

Best regards,
Guido