do you have a 2 post lift running from domestic?

[Wendelspanswick]

Some helpful information there. Glad to hear from someone who has programmed a cheap VFD to suit their needs.
I have one on my mill but it's just on the default settings, a 5 second ramp up to full motor speed and a 1 second ramp down.

 

[Wedg1e]

I bought a 4KW VFD from China at sub £100 delivered.

I suspect some of us might like a bit more info on this deal!

 

[Wedg1e]

I'd say you are probably spot on with that - I've toyed with the idea but I keep coming back to the height thing - in a std garage you haven't really got a usable height

After modifying one to provide a lifting arm for a 100Kg X-ray head a couple of years back, I'm on the lookout for a single-post lift... this sort of thing:

http://www.garageequipment.biz/nordlift.asp

The one we used was a Chinese-built thing sold by some company around Nottingham, I forget the name. It was ex-demo and I think we paid £1200 for it. It was (is) single-phase hydraulic and rated for 2.5T.
There's a version of it that can be moved around with a pallet truck!

 

[SteveK9]

I suspect some of us might like a bit more info on this deal!

I got mine through Ali Baba but had to wait 3 weeks and took a chance on VAT etc. If I was buying again I would get one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261584714520?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT it looks exactly the same as I bought but from the UK for £115 delivered so probably a lot faster and safer. Programming was a bit of a nightmare with the Chinglish manual that didn't even include some 'essential' info, like you have to select the speed before rather than at the same time as the operation (was going to use double pole buttons to do both rather than separate switch for speed) and the factory settings were not as described and the motor would not run with the unit 'as out of the box' Would also suggest anyone setting one up makes sure they have instant access to an isolator before trying it, it may not do what you expect and a way of stopping it immediately is VERY important.

 

[Wedg1e]

I got mine through Ali Baba but had to wait 3 weeks and took a chance on VAT etc. If I was buying again I would get one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261584714520?_trksid=p2060353.m2763.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT it looks exactly the same as I bought but from the UK for £115 delivered so probably a lot faster and safer. Programming was a bit of a nightmare with the Chinglish manual that didn't even include some 'essential' info, like you have to select the speed before rather than at the same time as the operation (was going to use double pole buttons to do both rather than separate switch for speed) and the factory settings were not as described and the motor would not run with the unit 'as out of the box' Would also suggest anyone setting one up makes sure they have instant access to an isolator before trying it, it may not do what you expect and a way of stopping it immediately is VERY important.

Check out the contact details towards the bottom of the ad, it may claim to be located on Portsmouth but the seller is in China