VFD vs Rotary phase converter

[cliffrod]

I've spent recent months adding 3ph equipment- 1hp milling machine, 1hp 14x40 lathe and 3hp Gairu (pullmax)- to my 1ph metal shop. been doing lots of searching & reading but have not found good clear info about how to match a vfd to each machine or the realistic costs of doing so. I'm also not clear if I will need any additional components to accompany a vfd for each machine. some China/internet prices are dirt cheap. USA (preferred) prices are higher, Surplus USA units seem like the best deal but not sure how to match specifications to buy the correct units if I can find them surplus.

speed control via VFD would be nice on my Gairu, but the lathe and mill are probably not as big a deal. Not much interest or room to add many more machines.

So I'm leaning towards doing a proper 5hp rotary phase converter with capacitor-balanced output that will provide a 3ph circuit in my shop to run an individual machine as needed. That should keep costs around $200-$300 total, versus what seems like at least $200-$300 per machine for vfd. What have others experienced as real costs of installing a vfd on each machine? I'm not talking about once in a lifetime deals, but normal prices/costs to be expected. I would like to get my machines going this winter.