Mini Me said:
In Europe I believe 3 phase power is standard to every house. Maybe Australia too? But in the USA, 3 phase power is only available at commercial sites. And even then I am sure the electric company charges a few extra thousand dollars to have it installed. I am not even sure you can have 3 phase power from the electric company at your residential house. Just commercial, industrial sites. Yes, you can get 3 phase power with a VFD or a phase converter. But these are, can be, expensive. A VFD would only power one machine. With a phase converter, you would need to run a whole new electrical system of wires if you were trying to power more than one machine. In the USA, single phase power is the standard. Unless you are willing to spend the big bucks for big motor machines with 3 phase and spend the big money to power them. If you are thinking $50 thousand dollars for shop machines, then sure, go 3 phase. But I doubt too many on this forum or any recreational woodworking forums are willing to write a check for $50,000 on the spot. Not saying many people have not spent $50 thousand for Festool and other woodworking machines. But it likely was not in one payment. They worked up to $50,000 over decades. $2,000 per year for 25 years is easier to swallow.
