I have a brand new VFD that's "rated" for 5hp. This is a Huywang (amazon) VFD with the terrible instructions. I haven't wired it yet but have bookmarked enough threads and youtubes that if I do, it should work. There seems to be a crap shoot with these VFDs. I need it to power a 5hp 3phase powermatic planer.

I'm debating sending it back and going with a 40hp rotary phase converter. The benefits are I can add a milling machine and lathe down the road as a 40hp has like 90 amps to play with.

A 40hp 3 phase motor with the correct capacitors can be powered via 220 right? I found a couple cheap 40hp 3 phase motors and ebay has 40hp phase converter panels for $200-$300. This way I can route a breaker panel and just plug in machines.

The only negative is a 40hp motor is massive and likely loud. I will have to figure out where to place it in my 2 car garage that's pretty packed already.