I have had my Nova Voyager for several years with no problems. It is a tool that I really like. Before it, I rarely changed speeds but now I change it with every bit change. The run out is almost zero and long stroke very useful.
It's Drill Press Time in So Cal, Nova?
I have owned a Craftsman Drill Press for about 30 years. It's a floor model. But, as is typical, nothing special. It has performed well for me all these years. But, it's time to upgrade… It still works, it's rattled, and the run out has never been all that great. It's worked, and done just about everything I've ever asked of it.
We are just a small shop, two of us. We build cabinets, built-ins and furniture. I would say 40% of our drilling is cabinet hinges. The other is all over the place. But, 98% wood working. It's also a small shop… crowded and kinda tight.
I like a lot of the features of the Novas, and see me using a good number of them… Thread tapping, the auto-run bit… Etc. The electronic depth stops and stuff all just seems way too appealing!
I am thinking the Viking is the one for us. We don't do a lot of long drilling, not sure we need (but, would certainly like) the 6" travel of the Voyager. We are also thinking of putting it on a rolling cart. We have a rolling cart, that used to house my lathe and thickness planer…
But, my real question… is Nova still the thing? Have they held up over the years? I have just begun a real search and haven't found much negative press. Any opinions?
Is there something else I could be looking at?
We are just a small shop, two of us. We build cabinets, built-ins and furniture. I would say 40% of our drilling is cabinet hinges. The other is all over the place. But, 98% wood working. It's also a small shop… crowded and kinda tight.
I like a lot of the features of the Novas, and see me using a good number of them… Thread tapping, the auto-run bit… Etc. The electronic depth stops and stuff all just seems way too appealing!
I am thinking the Viking is the one for us. We don't do a lot of long drilling, not sure we need (but, would certainly like) the 6" travel of the Voyager. We are also thinking of putting it on a rolling cart. We have a rolling cart, that used to house my lathe and thickness planer…
But, my real question… is Nova still the thing? Have they held up over the years? I have just begun a real search and haven't found much negative press. Any opinions?
Is there something else I could be looking at?
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
I have the Nova Viking which I got earlier this spring. There are plenty of bells and whistles that are nice to have. Mine is the bench top version. I would suggest getting a floor standing version since there isn't a lot of room if you need to work on something tall.
Writing a review is on my to-do list.
Writing a review is on my to-do list.
Thanks guys, I went ahead and ordered the Viking, bench top version, from Grizzly. I'll make sure I post a review when she gets here… Suggested delivery date is late June. I am not sure I buy that. But, we'll see.
The cut-run feature, the laser…. All of it points towards fitting into our semi-production shop like a French fries and ketchup!
I went bench top for a few reasons. The first, and biggest driver is that I have had a floor model drill press for so many years, and can only remember two or three times when I needed anything beyond about five or six inches thick, at the most. I literally do most of my drilling into 3/4 material (well, 18 and 20 mm). I would say that I do literally 97% of my drilling and machining needs is below 4/4 material. 2.8% is on 8/4 and under. But, mainly because we can keep it mobile…. Just gonna add casters to the bottom. The kind that flip down and lift the cabinet up.
I went Viking partly due to the bench top option. But, I thought, for about two minutes, about going Voyager to get the extra 2" Quill throw, but, then, I referred myself to my earlier percentage statements.
Seemed like an easy choice. Kinda like never even considering the big Domino machine. Never need it.
But, if anyone has anything, good or bad, to say about the Novas, I'm more than willing to listen! I have at least a month or so before I can't cancel my order.
The cut-run feature, the laser…. All of it points towards fitting into our semi-production shop like a French fries and ketchup!
I went bench top for a few reasons. The first, and biggest driver is that I have had a floor model drill press for so many years, and can only remember two or three times when I needed anything beyond about five or six inches thick, at the most. I literally do most of my drilling into 3/4 material (well, 18 and 20 mm). I would say that I do literally 97% of my drilling and machining needs is below 4/4 material. 2.8% is on 8/4 and under. But, mainly because we can keep it mobile…. Just gonna add casters to the bottom. The kind that flip down and lift the cabinet up.
I went Viking partly due to the bench top option. But, I thought, for about two minutes, about going Voyager to get the extra 2" Quill throw, but, then, I referred myself to my earlier percentage statements.
Seemed like an easy choice. Kinda like never even considering the big Domino machine. Never need it.
But, if anyone has anything, good or bad, to say about the Novas, I'm more than willing to listen! I have at least a month or so before I can't cancel my order.
How do you like the Viking so far?Thanks guys, I went ahead and ordered the Viking, bench top version, from Grizzly. I ll make sure I post a review when she gets here… Suggested delivery date is late June. I am not sure I buy that. But, we ll see.
The cut-run feature, the laser…. All of it points towards fitting into our semi-production shop like a French fries and ketchup!
I went bench top for a few reasons. The first, and biggest driver is that I have had a floor model drill press for so many years, and can only remember two or three times when I needed anything beyond about five or six inches thick, at the most. I literally do most of my drilling into 3/4 material (well, 18 and 20 mm). I would say that I do literally 97% of my drilling and machining needs is below 4/4 material. 2.8% is on 8/4 and under. But, mainly because we can keep it mobile…. Just gonna add casters to the bottom. The kind that flip down and lift the cabinet up.
I went Viking partly due to the bench top option. But, I thought, for about two minutes, about going Voyager to get the extra 2" Quill throw, but, then, I referred myself to my earlier percentage statements.
Seemed like an easy choice. Kinda like never even considering the big Domino machine. Never need it.
But, if anyone has anything, good or bad, to say about the Novas, I m more than willing to listen! I have at least a month or so before I can t cancel my order.
- Axis39
You know they offer the Viking in a floor standing model too? I was waiting soooo long for the Voyager (I still have it on order) that I thought "wonder if I could purchase just the Viking drill head and put it on my 20+ year old Ridgid floor stand?" so I could have an improvement right now. Well I couldn't believe it when I contacted Nova and they had refurbished Viking drill heads. Then I found a tube and only needed to have the OD machined to use as a sleeve over my current DP post. This worked out great.
I still have the Voyager on order because I still have a want for it. Don't know if I really have a need for it. Just wondering if the added features of the Voyager are worth the $ difference. I know I can easily recover the cost I have in my hybrid DP. I don't use a DP everyday and have seen a few comments that as far as a turn on and just start drill that the Viking is superior.
I have played around with it a little and the dial-in speed with speed control is excellent. Next comes the electronic depth stop and self-start.
I have found the built in laser is nice but not perfect. It doesn't have a "Z-axis" adjustment and the beams are a little wide. I added a Wixey laser to it because it was for a Voyager if I ever received it and it works much better than the built-in one but unfortunately blocks the nice built in LED light somewhat.
I added the Albrecht keyless chuck (again bought for the Voyager that I have yet to receive) and it only shows less than 1/2 a thousand runout. The chuck had absolutely no readable runout on my wood lathe.
Very smooth running until you hit 4000rpm+ then there is some noticeable vibration although it still passes the nickel test but who runs a DP that fast?
Mike
I ordered my Nova Voyager on April 5, 2021. Today, I finally received it. I hung on so long without canceling the order because I had an old Delta drill press that would suffice while I waited for the Nova. Also, ordering back when I did it was cheaper than they are now plus I paid a ridiculously low $15.75 for shipping…still quite don't get that charge but wasn't going to argue. I probably won't be able to get it together for a few weeks but really looking forward to it. I also bought a Woodpecker DP-Pro Drill Press Table that came in a long time ago that I am also looking forward to getting set up on the Nova.I still have the Voyager on order because I still have a want for it. Don t know if I really have a need for it. Just wondering if the added features of the Voyager are worth the $ difference. I know I can easily recover the cost I have in my hybrid DP. I don t use a DP everyday and have seen a few comments that as far as a turn on and just start drill that the Viking is superior.
Mike
I love my Nova Voyager. Take care getting the head on t th e post. It is heavy and awkward to handle.
I will most likely have my son and one of his friends come over and help me put it together. They will be over in a few weeks to help me install my DC ducting system so will probably knock it out at the same time.I love my Nova Voyager. Take care getting the head on t th e post. It is heavy and awkward to handle.
- Redoak49
Still waiting here….
I ordered May 19th. Originally, Grizzly said June 15th. It's now a month later. Last time I asked (because they sure weren't gonna tell me), they told me mid-August.
So, I will continue to live vicariously through some of you.
MBG, I do know they have a floor standing model. But, in the 30+ years I've owned my Craftsman DP, I can only remember needing more than the top few inches once. That was easily 25+ years ago, and it was work I haven't done since. I would rather pout the DP on a bench, to store DP type stuff, and also to keep it on wheels in my small shop. But, I do appreciate the suggestion!
I ordered May 19th. Originally, Grizzly said June 15th. It's now a month later. Last time I asked (because they sure weren't gonna tell me), they told me mid-August.
So, I will continue to live vicariously through some of you.
MBG, I do know they have a floor standing model. But, in the 30+ years I've owned my Craftsman DP, I can only remember needing more than the top few inches once. That was easily 25+ years ago, and it was work I haven't done since. I would rather pout the DP on a bench, to store DP type stuff, and also to keep it on wheels in my small shop. But, I do appreciate the suggestion!
In case some folks missed the "year" I ordered, it was 2021 so I waited more than 15 months to receive it. As Axis39 mentioned, I also had to constantly contact the company and ask what the status was with a normal "should ship out next month" answer. This is without a doubt the longest I have ever waited for something. Oh, there was also about a month delay as it was "held up in customs" in Vancouver, B.C.Still waiting here….
I ordered May 19th. Originally, Grizzly said June 15th. It s now a month later. Last time I asked (because they sure weren t gonna tell me), they told me mid-August.
So, I will continue to live vicariously through some of you.
MBG, I do know they have a floor standing model. But, in the 30+ years I ve owned my Craftsman DP, I can only remember needing more than the top few inches once. That was easily 25+ years ago, and it was work I haven t done since. I would rather pout the DP on a bench, to store DP type stuff, and also to keep it on wheels in my small shop. But, I do appreciate the suggestion!
- Axis39
Yeah, this may be my last purchase form Grizzly, if I have a choice to purchase anywhere else. If I didn't think it would just add more time to my wait, I'd cancel this order. I'd rather pay more money and feel like I am at least appreciated as a customer….Still waiting here….
I ordered May 19th. Originally, Grizzly said June 15th. It s now a month later. Last time I asked (because they sure weren t gonna tell me), they told me mid-August.
So, I will continue to live vicariously through some of you.
MBG, I do know they have a floor standing model. But, in the 30+ years I ve owned my Craftsman DP, I can only remember needing more than the top few inches once. That was easily 25+ years ago, and it was work I haven t done since. I would rather pout the DP on a bench, to store DP type stuff, and also to keep it on wheels in my small shop. But, I do appreciate the suggestion!
- Axis39
In case some folks missed the "year" I ordered, it was 2021 so I waited more than 15 months to receive it. As Axis39 mentioned, I also had to constantly contact the company and ask what the status was with a normal "should ship out next month" answer. This is without a doubt the longest I have ever waited for something. Oh, there was also about a month delay as it was "held up in customs" in Vancouver, B.C.
- Steinbierz
I waited a long time for my Incra TS-LS system. But, they were very clear up front about how long it would be. They were also very clear when there was a delay. Very proactive. In the end, I knew the wait would be worth it. I am hoping the same is the case wiht this drill press.
Supply chain issues are wearing me out, man. I called severally nd then had to drive to six different paint stores to get the single gallon of a specific paint I needed… Including buying the gallon of paint at one vendor, then taking ti to a different vendor to get it mixed.
Tiresome….
Don't want to get too far off topic but I have ordered maple bench tops from Grizzly in the past because they are of high quality and the price was better than anywhere else. One order about 5 years ago, I ordered two bench tops and had to pay only the shipping as if I was buying only one. I am currently working on my wood shop and need two more and contacted Grizzly to see if I could get combined shipping since I was ordering the same two exact bench tops and was told, "nope…$179 for each." If they would have said, "$50 for the second one" I might have placed the order but full-price shipping times the number of tops all coming from the same spot was, quite frankly, BS to me.Yeah, this may be my last purchase form Grizzly, if I have a choice to purchase anywhere else. If I didn t think it would just add more time to my wait, I d cancel this order. I d rather pay more money and feel like I am at least appreciated as a customer….
I waited a long time for my Incra TS-LS system. But, they were very clear up front about how long it would be. They were also very clear when there was a delay. Very proactive. In the end, I knew the wait would be worth it. I am hoping the same is the case wiht this drill press.
Supply chain issues are wearing me out, man. I called severally nd then had to drive to six different paint stores to get the single gallon of a specific paint I needed… Including buying the gallon of paint at one vendor, then taking ti to a different vendor to get it mixed.
Tiresome….
- Axis39
Amazon shows the Nova Viking benchtop "In Stock" for $1200.
I just got mine in May (from another vendor) and like it a lot.
I just got mine in May (from another vendor) and like it a lot.
I love old drill presses! I like the old Delta that is in a lot of the Woodpecker videos.
It is crazy how we have to shop around, and one vendor has it, and another takes a year. Off topic here, but I bought my Jet drill press about 6 months or so after that 25% tariff kicked in, but before all the covid delays. Back then it had gone up to $950, with the 10% black Friday deal. Got it at homedepot.com free delivery to the store in about 8 days for $720.Amazon shows the Nova Viking benchtop "In Stock" for $1200.
I just got mine in May (from another vendor) and like it a lot.
- Paradox
And the whole Amazon thing. I could not get 8 spark plugs, and a couple other items for my truck in all of Las Vegas earlier this year. But got all of it in a day through Amazon.
I try to shop local, and tends to cost more, which drives us to online options. But now everyone is out of stock.
I too had an old Craftsman, about 50 years old. Served me well for about 35 of those years, but the run out finally got me.Thanks guys, I went ahead and ordered the Viking, bench top version, from Grizzly. I ll make sure I post a review when she gets here… Suggested delivery date is late June. I am not sure I buy that. But, we ll see.
- Axis39
I ended up with the Jet 17" JDP17, floor model. I don't remember the Nova Viking. Been a few years ago though. I did look at the Voyager, and it was a little out of budget, and way more features than what I wanted.
But looking back today. It was a waste to get the tall floor model. Just as you stated, on my old Craftsman, most everything would fit fine on a table top version. Wish I had seen that Viking model. I did get 5" spindle travel with the Jet, But the Viking has 4.5", and the Electronic depth stop is going to be a great feature. I still struggle with the depth stop on the Jet. More so that I forget how to use it. Maybe I sell that Jet.
Its crazy, just like my spark plug and coils I mentioned above. amazon says you can have that drill press this Wednesday, same price.
Grizzly, Rockler, and Acme are all oversold.
https://www.amazon.com/NOVA-83700-Viking-Drill-Press/dp/B07Z4LGWQM
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
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