Spindles & Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
A Premium Range by 3DTEK
What are Spindles and VFD’s?
Its a great starting point, or an excellent upgrade from traditional AC Routers like the Makita RT0700 or DEWALT 2600.
Variable Frequency Drives known as VFDs or VSD are technically speaking, Inverters which operate over a wide frequency range. An inverter can change DC current into AC, but for our purpose, we are taking a single phase in (your mains power), rectifying it to DC before inverting it back into AC split over 3 phases and from 0 to 400Hz. Most simply powering and managing the speed of a 3 phase spindle all from only a single-phase input. The VFD accepts a 0-10V signal from the CNC controller to manage the speed of the spindle.
Why is this important?
Automatic CNC of a spindle provides a smoother workflow.
Lower run out on the superior ER grade collets provides a better finish and longer tool life as well as offering a wider range of collets in metric and imperial sizes at up to 13mm (for ER20 series)
3 Phase spindles are designed for constant operation and so will run for many more hours in a day, over a trim router (Makite/DeWalt).
The comparably whisper quiet operation wil be appreciated by all.
Makita, dewalt and similar wood trimming routers are single phase brushed motors, which can produce a lot of both audible and electronic noise, require the brushes replacing at intervals and is actually only designed for short use. The spindle speed is so fast that cutting material like aluminium can become tricky. They do serve a purpose and are great to get cutting at a budget, but for longer, more precise jobs, a spindle and VFD are an excellent choice.
Make The Perfect Carve
To keep things simple, we have packaged together all you need to load your CNC machine with a Spindle set up. Included is Spindle, VFD, VFD cable and wiring diagrams, collet and locking nut. You just need to decide what size spindle your machine can take, by learning more below.
Get Great Detail
Our 3DTEK spec spindle solution is grounded, safe and highly reliable. Our VFDs are high quality European designed, produced, & approved for use worldwide. This ensures you have the best quality products to produce the highest of quality projects.
Take a step towards a professional set up. By selecting one of our Spindles and VFD’s, it ensures just that.
High Quality, High Reliability
There are many inverters options on the market. We have tried them all from the ‘Cheap Chinese’ to the super expensive versions. The best we find for value and performance is the Invertek series. Crucial to its performance is the onboard EMC filtering. VFDs and Spindles are inherently electronically noisy. with this in mind, quality components, good PCB layout and stable firmware result in a quality output meaning a quality finish in your work. These purple coloured drives have it all.
Finally, pairing with a heavily shielded specialist VFD cable ensures your jobs run uninterrupted and finishes how’d you expect.

Spindle Options
For all CNC Router set ups and the perfect carve
Machine Type
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Hobby use
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Makerslide
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V-Wheels
Nimble, 65mm diameter 3kg spindle. Perfect for lightweight, ‘DIY’ and any machines susceptible to flex under load, or with Z axis steppers unable to lift heavier spindles. Move away and upgrade from a wood router for precision finish, great control and reduced noise.
The 65mm spindle body allows this spindle to fit into all 3DTEK XYZ-Carve Machines and any other machine using a 65mm clamp or bracket. This 65mm Spindle shares exactly the same diameter body as the Makita RT0700 router. The ER11 collet system utilised by this spindle accepts endmills to Ø7mm
- 1.5kW VFD
- 1.5kW Ø65mm Grounded Spindle – ER11 Collet standard
- VFD Cable
- Setup Support
This Spindle and VFD requires a 15A powerpoint. We supply wiring diagrams and support, but the wiring of the VFD should be installed or signed off by a fully qualified electrician.
Machine Type
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Home use
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Shed or Garage
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Very rigid construction
80mm Spindle body weighing 4kg, well suited to more rigid CNC router machines like Shapeoko, Openbuilds, Heavymills, 4×8 CNC router kits etc. Helps reduce noise in or around workship. This spindle has an ER16 collet allowing for endmills up fo 10mm in diameter
- 1.5kW VFD
- 1.5kW Ø80mm Grounded Spindle
- VFD Cable
- Setup Support
This Spindle and VFD requires a min 15A powerpoint. We supply wiring diagrams and support, but the wiring of the VFD should be installed or signed off by a fully qualified electrician.
Machine Type
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Workshop
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Lite Industrial
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Heavy Duty
2.2 kW Ø80mm ER20 Spindle & VFD
The heaviest spindle in our range at 5.2kg is suited for rigid machines with a large stepper motor on the Z axis to control and support the weight with ease. The ER20 collet system accommodates Endmills up to 13mm in diameter.
- 2.2kW VFD
- 2.2kW Ø80mm Grounded Spindle
- VFD Cable
- Setup Support
This Spindle and VFD requires a minimum 20A power supply. We supply wiring diagrams and support, but the wiring of the VFD should be installed or signed off by a fully qualified electrician.
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