|
I keep being tempted to treat myself to a replacement for my old and rattly 4-speed Denford Viceroy pillar drill and the recent mention of the Nova drills has restarted the internal debate. My current drill press enables me to make perfectly adequate holes so I'm having difficulty justifying a change, both to myself and SWMBA ... I think it's more wanting a new toy rather than needing to replace the existing one. Anyway, I'd welcome and comments and observations on the Nova Viking and Voyage drills because their sparkly gizzmos are calling to me ;-)
Dave (in the UK)
|
Dave: Thanks for the post, as I’m in a similar situation… I gave away an?old Delta 16” floor model, due to space constraints and that it was underutilized. I’ve recently expanded my shop, and am looking to purchase a drill press. Clausing is on my radar; though, they seem to lack much of the digital enhancements of the Nova offerings. I’m very interested in the Forum’s views.
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, 05:43, aero_qfi <davesawdon@...> wrote: I keep being tempted to treat myself to a replacement for my old and rattly 4-speed Denford Viceroy pillar drill and the recent mention of the Nova drills has restarted the internal debate. My current drill press enables me to make perfectly adequate holes so I'm having difficulty justifying a change, both to myself and SWMBA ... I think it's more wanting a new toy rather than needing to replace the existing one. Anyway, I'd welcome and comments and observations on the Nova Viking and Voyage drills because their sparkly gizzmos are calling to me ;-)
Dave (in the UK)
--
Mike D.
Annapolis, MD
AD951; K700S; N4400
|
I posted my thoughts about my Nova Voyager in a recent thread. I’ve used mine in a hobby shop environment for probably 6 years now.
I really like the DVR, auto-stop/electronic depth control, auto-reverse, and speed selection. Updates to the software that make that happen are a PITA, but I’ve not noticed any software flaws that would make an update necessary.
The big work table is a plus, but the lack of a work light is a negative.
It is a consumer-grade tool, and people will compare it unfavorably to industrial machines, but it does everything in need it to do.
I’ve been happy with mine even with the minor complaints I’ve had. I’n never get another drill press without DVR.
--
John Hinman
Boise ID
K700S and A941
|
I bought the Voyager and went from adequate to great holes because now I set the speed correctly every time - it takes a few seconds. The auto-stop and depth control were a timesaver during a large batch job. The auto-reverse is also occasionally useful. Somehow, I'm drilling more than before I bought it. I guess it raised drilling in the pecking order of options because it's so easy to use.
|
John, I agree with everything you said!? I really like it.? I will be great for me long term. Some extra thoughts..
- The stock chuck is the weak point.? I found an inexpensive replacement.
- The table height adjustment could be so much better,? It gets in the way with any table addition.? Mould be awesome to have an electric lift!
- Wish it had a built in laser for the center.
PK
|
Another happy owner here.
Agree with others on possible improvements.
Changing speeds is so easy I find that I always do it. This in my view is worth the premium price.
Only complaint I haven’t seen listed is that that lock on the table seems weak.
Would buy again
Anthony
|
I also like my Voyager and echo some of the limitations.? Consistent with my attitude that commercially available large equipment is a starter kit, not a fully complete tool fit for my purposes, I've done the following upgrades and now it is just what I wanted:
- precision matthews keyless chuck
- wixey post mounted laser
- magnetic LED lights (there is one on each side) wired into the main power feed.?
- new crank handle that does not interfere with the table.??
-- Joe Slater michigan
|
Joe,
??? Can you share some details regarding the crank handle?? I
regularly find the handle on my Powermatic runs into the fence on
the table.
On 7/13/2023 8:21 AM, joe slater wrote:
I also like my Voyager and echo some of the limitations.?
Consistent with my attitude that commercially available large
equipment is a starter kit, not a fully complete tool fit for my
purposes, I've done the following upgrades and now it is just what
I wanted:
- precision matthews keyless chuck
- wixey post mounted laser
- magnetic LED lights (there is one on each side) wired into
the main power feed.?
- new crank handle that does not interfere with the table.??
--
Joe Slater
michigan
--
Michael Garrison Stuber
|
Pretty simple, in that I just made it out of a piece of scrap oak, reusing the handle from the cast iron crank that came with the press.?
On Thu, Jul 13, 2023 at 11:58 AM Michael Garrison Stuber < mtgstuber@...> wrote:
Joe,
??? Can you share some details regarding the crank handle?? I
regularly find the handle on my Powermatic runs into the fence on
the table.
On 7/13/2023 8:21 AM, joe slater wrote:
I also like my Voyager and echo some of the limitations.?
Consistent with my attitude that commercially available large
equipment is a starter kit, not a fully complete tool fit for my
purposes, I've done the following upgrades and now it is just what
I wanted:
- precision matthews keyless chuck
- wixey post mounted laser
- magnetic LED lights (there is one on each side) wired into
the main power feed.?
- new crank handle that does not interfere with the table.??
--
Joe Slater
michigan
--
Michael Garrison Stuber
Sent from joe's iPhone
--
Joe Slater
michigan
|
This question about “which drill press” keep coming up here on about 18 month cycles. ?Makes me wonder if members here ever search the message archive.
I see the attractive features of the Nova, but like John Hinman mentioned, it’s definately “consumer grade”. ?If you’re looking for something more “industrial” what follows is a post I did on this previously:
If I really wanted and needed a a conventional floor standing drill press that is built to an industrial standards (rather than kitchen appliance standards), I’d most likely buy an Ellis drill press - family owned company, built in the USA.
I published this in about 2002. ?
Not much has changed since then in terms of quality drill presses for the woodworking market, and if I were needing a drill press today, I would still go the same route, but probably with a different mill/drill platform. ?Even if I had no interest in metal working - which was the case in 2002 when I got the machine shown at the above link.
Most likely I’d buy something like this. ?
And I’d add a vise and a Woodpecker drill press table (which is what I use on my mill currently when I need to drill wood).
David Best
DBestWorkshop@...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidpbest/collections/
https://www.youtube.com/@David_Best
|
Yes, agree with David Best, this topic will bring lots of content if searched from the website.
I will add at this point, having enjoyed the Voyager so much for what feels like 10 years, bought the smaller bench-top Viking 6-12 months ago, and it's still a joy for all who use either. There is a benefit to easy speed and depth selection that can't be overstated in practical use for a shop like ours with multiple small-batch prototypical jobs all with unique setups and settings. The Viking does have lights, laser, and a better 1st-level menu selection that is probably a result more of being the new model and the old Voyager being another generation or two back.
The statements about industrial vs. consumer grade are valid, though it wouldn't ever matter for the kind of work our business performs. I wouldn't deride these machine, mostly because I can't imagine anyone thinking a <300# DP in the $2k budget range will ever be competitive? with a heavy-iron drill/mill and budgets that are double and above. That said, the DVR I have always considered the vulnerable point of these machines, and they have yet to fail or glitch a single time. I've never torqued out or deflected or attempted anything either DP couldn't perform satisfactorily - but, we nearly never work in metal, and if it is, usually <1/8". I have also drilled holes with absolute crap tools and the performance was admirable. We also switch these in high-speed mode with sanding/buffing tasks and lateral forces to the chucks,? and encounter no runout complaints subsequently.
This question about “which drill press” keep coming up here on about 18 month cycles.? Makes me wonder if members here ever search the message archive.
I see the attractive features of the Nova, but like John Hinman mentioned, it’s definately “consumer grade”.? If you’re looking for something more “industrial” what follows is a post I did on this previously:
If I really wanted and needed a a conventional floor standing drill press that is built to an industrial standards (rather than kitchen appliance standards), I’d most likely buy an Ellis drill press - family owned company, built in the USA.
I published this in about 2002. ?
Not much has changed since then in terms of quality drill presses for the woodworking market, and if I were needing a drill press today, I would still go the same route, but probably with a different mill/drill platform.? Even if I had no interest in metal working - which was the case in 2002 when I got the machine shown at the above link.
Most likely I’d buy something like this. ?
And I’d add a vise and a Woodpecker drill press table (which is what I use on my mill currently when I need to drill wood).
-- Brett Wissel Saint Louis Restoration 1831 S Kingshighway Blvd (at Shaw Blvd) St Louis, MO 63110 314.772.2167 brett@...
|
In all the time I have used this drill press I have yet to burn a blade or wood. A few buttons to push, and you can set any type of drill bit, of any size, to turn at the ideal speed for different densities of wood (or metal). BTV (before the Voyager), changing speed belts was laborious, and so it remained at some arbitrary setting, either too slow or too fast.?
Regards from Perth
Derek
|
For my part, thanks for all of the responses. To David Best’s?point, I am unfamiliar with the message archives.
Thanks, agin.
On Thursday, July 13, 2023, 17:04, Brett Wissel <Brettwissel@...> wrote: Yes, agree with David Best, this topic will bring lots of content if searched from the website.
I will add at this point, having enjoyed the Voyager so much for what feels like 10 years, bought the smaller bench-top Viking 6-12 months ago, and it's still a joy for all who use either. There is a benefit to easy speed and depth selection that can't be overstated in practical use for a shop like ours with multiple small-batch prototypical jobs all with unique setups and settings. The Viking does have lights, laser, and a better 1st-level menu selection that is probably a result more of being the new model and the old Voyager being another generation or two back.
The statements about industrial vs. consumer grade are valid, though it wouldn't ever matter for the kind of work our business performs. I wouldn't deride these machine, mostly because I can't imagine anyone thinking a <300# DP in the $2k budget range will ever be competitive? with a heavy-iron drill/mill and budgets that are double and above. That said, the DVR I have always considered the vulnerable point of these machines, and they have yet to fail or glitch a single time. I've never torqued out or deflected or attempted anything either DP couldn't perform satisfactorily - but, we nearly never work in metal, and if it is, usually <1/8". I have also drilled holes with absolute crap tools and the performance was admirable. We also switch these in high-speed mode with sanding/buffing tasks and lateral forces to the chucks,? and encounter no runout complaints subsequently. This question about “which drill press” keep coming up here on about 18 month cycles.? Makes me wonder if members here ever search the message archive.
I see the attractive features of the Nova, but like John Hinman mentioned, it’s definately “consumer grade”.? If you’re looking for something more “industrial” what follows is a post I did on this previously:
If I really wanted and needed a a conventional floor standing drill press that is built to an industrial standards (rather than kitchen appliance standards), I’d most likely buy an Ellis drill press - family owned company, built in the USA.
I published this in about 2002. ?
Not much has changed since then in terms of quality drill presses for the woodworking market, and if I were needing a drill press today, I would still go the same route, but probably with a different mill/drill platform.? Even if I had no interest in metal working - which was the case in 2002 when I got the machine shown at the above link.
Most likely I’d buy something like this. ?
And I’d add a vise and a Woodpecker drill press table (which is what I use on my mill currently when I need to drill wood).
-- Brett Wissel Saint Louis Restoration 1831 S Kingshighway Blvd (at Shaw Blvd) St Louis, MO 63110 314.772.2167 brett@...
--
Mike D.
Annapolis, MD
AD951; K700S; N4400
|
Hi Dave and Mike
There is a fair amount of plastic around the Voyager drill press, but I have never bothered with the plastic guards as I feel the plastic doesn't provide much protection and the drill is significantly less dangerous than other machinery in the workshop.? Occasionally the drill will not work because dust has settled inside and affects the ?speed sensor.? It is relatively easy to fix though (but a real PITA as it only becomes apparent when I need to drill a hole!).
For many years (with my old drill press) I thought the poor quality of the holes drilled was because my drill bits were cheap/blunt/needing replacement however since using the Voyager and the old drill bits holes are near perfect and either never (or rarely do I) get any tear out.
So, in New Zealand (where they designed this product) it is a stupidly high price, but since setting it up, I've never regretted the purchase.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
David
|
Plastic? Guards around the chuck, perhaps?
Mine did not come with any guards, and I cannot quite picture what a drill press guard would look like.
--
John Hinman
Boise ID
K700S and A941
|
Mike D. Since you mentioned Clausing previously, I thought I'd chime in regarding mine. It's a floor model, a 15" I believe. I picked it up years ago from a hobby machinist who's niche was custom photography mounts and related equipment.? It's a metal machine, no holes in the table and a coolant channel all around the massive table. Probably 70's vintage I'd guess. It's got a Reeves drive for speed change. It has a super solid depth stop with a set screw we improvised as the original was missing. No going past it, ever. It did not come with a rack for adjusting table height. It went down great but bringing it back up was a two person job. I found an original crank/rack mechanism on Ebay. Paid nearly as much as I did for the machine, but it was worth every penny. It's not fancy, no bells or whistles or software. But it will drill through anything I throw at it accurately and I've got less than $1k into it.
Jason Jason Holtz
J. Holtz Furniture
3307 Snelling Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55406
612 432-2765 -- Jason J. Holtz Furniture 3307 Snelling Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55406
|
To David Best’s?point, I am unfamiliar with the message archives.
Then you are missing out on a lot of helpful information. ?Log into your FOG account online here: ?? /g/felderownersgroup
|
Hi John,
Sorry.? Yes, around the chuck.??
Also, I forgot to mention how much longer the quill is on this drill.? It seems I keep rotating the?handles and the chuck goes deeper and deeper.? (just checked spec and it is 150mm travel (~ = 6").
Cheers
David
|
Jason, I’m with you on the Clausing, those are nice drill presses for wood working and some metal working. I’m expecting to pay 2500-$3000 for one in good condition. Also trading some window work to a metalworking friend for a vintage Bridgeport in good condition for my metal shop.
|
I'm glad someone mentioned this. I have shop where I do mixed wood and metal work. I had a drillpress?and then I got a bridgeport clone. The drillpress?went so unused afterwards that I ended up selling it.?
On Thu, Jul 13, 2023 at 11:51?PM Joe Calhoon via <joecalhoon= [email protected]> wrote: Jason, I’m with you on the Clausing, those are nice drill presses for wood working and some metal working. I’m expecting to pay 2500-$3000 for one in good condition. Also trading some window work to a metalworking friend for a vintage Bridgeport in good condition for my metal shop.
|
Mike
PK
joe slater
David P. Best
Jason Holtz