I have converted my drill press to variable speed using a 3-phace motor and a VFD. I have a digital speed readout using a Hall Effect sensor and a magnet on the quill shaft pulley. Right now, I have a speed range of ~60 to 2650 RPMs. Will this be adequate for most woodworking tasks? I still have a couple of changes using the step-pulleys but I haven't measured the speeds available.

Edited November 24, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
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That sounds pretty good. If you small diameter twist bits, you could probably go up to around 3000 to 3200 rpm

Here is a posted speed chart from Wood. Mag.

speedchart.pdf

I did the same with a treadmill motor and speed control. Except for small diameter drill bits which run at high speed I find that most tasks require only speeds of about 100 rpm. One has to spend high dollar for those drill presses that have a lowest speed of 140 or so.