AC spindle motor

Hi Group -
Thanks for all of the input on the spinning ball screw nuts. I'll
proceed with it and keep the group posted on any screw-ups (ha! I
kill me) or dramatic success stories.

New quandry: AC spindle motor and inverter. I'm loking at all of the
AC spindle motors on the market, and am overwhelmed by their
price/h.p. Are these for real? Am I over-spec'ing my needs? I just
want a variable speed, 5-10 h.p. or so motor that's quiet (not like a
porter cable or other router-based motor) and is able to accept an
industry standard manual collet system. The Columbo with it's
ceramic last-a-lifetime bearings are attractive so far. Anybody with
firsthand knowledge of its performance and price (including
inverter), and how it's controlled (e.g. can Mach 2 generate the
signals the inverter needs to see for direction, on/off and speed?)
I'll be using a Sound Logic breakout board (daughter board for
spindle control; not yet on the market, but is forthcoming in the
next couple of months, according to the manufacturer).
I'm open to other options/manufacturers if the Columbo or even any AC
spindle motor route won't cut it.
Dizzy Scott