3 phase dual voltage will only run on 240 through an inverterThree phase only ?
Yes, like a VFD. Alternatively, 240V single phase could be connected to one winding, plus a capacitor to one of the other windings, but you'll get nowhere near 3-4hp out of it.
I’ve converted a start rite pillar drill and a wolf 8” grinder with capacitors. Plenty of power. Very useable and not full of complicated stuff I don’t have any interest in.More like 1 HP, waste of a decent motor - Cheap VFDs (inverters) can do clever stuff like variable speed, dynamic braking, almost-instant reverse, not that spendy either!
If there's a chance you'll buy lots of 3-phase stuff, it's worth putting together a rotary phase convertor (basically a bigger 3-phase motor, bunch of capacitors and contactors) which can run multiple machines - you lose the clever stuff a VFD can do, but the VFD can only do it for one motor at a time and needs programming for it.
Dave H. (the other one)
... you lose the clever stuff a VFD can do, but the VFD can only do it for one motor at a time and needs programming for it.
You can run multiple motors from a VFD, for example the spindle and coolant pump on a lathe. If you slow the spindle down, of course, the pump slows as well... but most of the time it's not an issue.