Guide · Spindle kits
Carbide 3D 65 mm VFD spindle: ER11 (V1) vs ER16 (V2)
What changed when Carbide 3D moved its 65 mm VFD kit from ER11 to ER16 in May 2025, which collets fit each version, and which Shapeokos it fits.
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Short answer
Carbide 3D changed its 65 mm VFD Spindle Kit from ER11 to ER16 in May 2025. The current kit (V2) takes ER16 collets with an ER16M nut; the earlier kit (V1) shipped with a 1/4 in ER11 collet. Buy collets for the system your spindle has, and never apply the V2 ratings to a V1 spindle.
The May 2025 change
Carbide 3D updated its 65 mm VFD Spindle Kit in May 2025 to use an ER16 spindle in place of the earlier ER11 spindle.[1] Carbide 3D keeps a separate guide for the ER11 version.
V2 (ER16): what Carbide 3D lists
- 110 V, 12 A, 1,200 W rated, air-cooled, 8,000-24,000 RPM plus or minus 5%.[1]
- 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 in ER16 collets and an ER16M collet nut with an M19 thread.[2]
- A maximum cutter diameter of 3/8 in (10 mm).[3]
- 110 V only: it does not work on 220 V power and does not work on a GFCI outlet.[3]
V1 (ER11): what we can say
Carbide 3D's earlier ER11 65 mm VFD kit shipped with a 1/4 in ER11 collet pre-installed in the spindle.[4] The V1 page we read does not state power, voltage, speed or a machine list, so we do not give them. Do not assume the V2 figures apply.
Which machines
Carbide 3D says the 65 mm VFD kit should fit the Shapeoko 3, Shapeoko 4, Shapeoko Pro and Shapeoko 5 Pro, and is not compatible with other CNC machines.[3] The conditions:
- Not recommended on a Shapeoko 3 with the original belt-driven Z axis, because of the spindle's weight.[1]
- Shapeoko 3 machines with a V2.3 or older controller, shipped before November 2019, need Carbide 3D's updated controller board with enclosure.[1]
- The Shapeoko 5 Pro needs an adapter cable between the kit's communications cable and the controller.[1]
So will it fit your Shapeoko 3? The Shapeoko 3 is on Carbide 3D's list, but Carbide 3D does not recommend the kit with the original belt-driven Z axis, and a V2.3 or older controller needs the updated board first.
Collets that do not fit
Carbide 3D's precision collets fit only the Carbide Compact Router; they are not compatible with its ER-11 Compact Router or its VFD spindles.[5]
How to tell which you own
| Check | V1 | V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Collet system | ER11 | ER16 |
| Collet shipped | 1/4 in ER11, pre-installed | 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 in ER16 |
| Nut | ER11 | ER16M, M19 thread |
Look at the collet and nut on your spindle. An ER16 collet is larger than an ER11 collet, and the V2's nut is an ER16M. If you are unsure, ask Carbide 3D with your order date.
Collets for each version
No ER16 collet is approved in our catalog yet, so we have no V2 pick. For a V1 (ER11) spindle, standard ER11 collets apply:
Picks that fit1 product
For the earlier ER11 (V1) spindle only, never the ER16 V2. Choose the 15-piece set (101-63-ER11) if you want the 1/8 and 1/4 in sizes; the 7-piece set is metric only.
ER11 set with metric and inch sizes
Genmitsu ER11 precision spring collet set, 7 or 15 pieces (1‑7 mm; 15‑piece adds 1/8 in and 1/4 in)
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Questions
Which collets fit my Carbide 3D VFD spindle?
The current kit (V2, from May 2025) takes ER16 collets with an ER16M nut; the earlier kit (V1) uses ER11 and shipped with a 1/4 in ER11 collet. Carbide 3D's precision collets fit neither.[1][4][5]
Can I buy ER11 collets for the new spindle?
No. The V2 spindle is ER16; it ships with 1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 in ER16 collets and an ER16M nut with an M19 thread.[2]
Will the VFD kit fit my Shapeoko 3?
Carbide 3D lists the Shapeoko 3, but does not recommend the kit with the original belt-driven Z, and machines with a V2.3 or older controller (shipped before November 2019) need its updated board.[1]
What is the largest bit the ER16 kit takes?
Carbide 3D lists a maximum cutter diameter of 3/8 in (10 mm) for the current 65 mm kit.[3]
Does the kit work on a GFCI outlet?
Carbide 3D states it does not, and that the kit is 110 V only. Never remove a GFCI; ask a qualified electrician.[3]