Product Review: Nova Voyager DVR Drill Press

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Lots of tools cross our paths, and every once in a while a tool really grabs our attention. The Nova drill press is a great example of that.
WHAT MAKES IT COOL?
Let’s jump right into one of my most-loved features on this machine; electronic variable speed. No step pulleys, no belt to move…Changing speeds is as easy as turning the dial on a dimmer switch. You know what that means? You’re actually going to change the speeds when you’re supposed to. And the digital readout tells you exactly what rpm you’re using. Gotta love that. But wait, there’s more:
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- 6” long stroke
- Easy to use depth stops, mechanical and electronic
- On board rpm guide based on type of drill bit, diameter of drill bit, and material being drilled
- Auto shut off when the bit hits your preset depth of drill
- Self start. The machine is capable of auto starting just above your work so you don’t have to hit the on switch
- Pilot setting. Great for round stock. The drill press starts on a low rpm, and automatically ramps up to the proper speed once the hole is started. No need to center punch.
- Capable of running in both forward and reverse
- Presets available (like buttons on a radio) that will take you to a specific rpm
- Brake. Big drill bit in the machine? No problem. The electronic brake will stop the bit when you shut the machine off so it doesn’t free wheel forever.
- Large table, great for woodworking.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To learn more about the Nova Voyager Drill press visit www.novatoolsusa.com or call 727-954-3433. You can also view the drill press on www.Amazon.com.
Be sure to also have a look at our drill press safety info, and our additional product reviews.
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[@mikefarinella5268]

WOW, what a tool. Thx George.

[@GraditelMacedonia]

AWESOME! Every honor for drill press

[@drmkiwi]

Something else I've found is it drills much cleaner holes compared to my old drill press. There may something about the load sensing technology in that I have not had any blow out happening when drilling through boards. It was good to learn a couple of things on how to better use my drill from your review, so all good, thanks. Cheers, David

[@wb_finewoodworking]

Great demonstration. You did a good job explaining and showing the features of the Voyager. I’ve been wondering what this drill press will do. The Voyager is a tool that I’d love to add to my shop. I’ll just have to save the cash.

[@masters40]

I've owned this drill press a few years now. Absolutely love it! Just after I purchased this drill press I had a couple electrical issues with the depth sensor and I got a loose fitting casting that slides up and down the column, but these issues were all resolved quickly. My only complaint about the machine is when you have a keyless chuck, you need to lock the spindle to open and close it. The machine has feature called "Power Spindle Hold". This locks the spindle so you can open and close the chuck without the spindle turning. That's all fine, but it sure would be nice to have a hotkey to quickly lock the spindle. It sounds trivial, but if you do a lot of tool changes, there are too many knob twists and button pushes to get into the spindle hold mode. I would think there would be a way to do this.

[@user-md6qp9mp4g]

Great Mashine!

[@pmelchman]

Hello George, great video. I am thinking to add this tool to my shop. thanks

[@jason4547]

Do us all a solid bro and go be a sexual predator somewhere else !

[@johndeaux9987]

I know this is an old video, but just picked up my Voyager. What type of runout are you or anyone else seeing with stock chuck?

[@QwertyGrodnoWood]

good machine )

[@phillipja2010]

Do a video on the Nova Viking.

[@TomKirkman1]

Bought one a year ago. Haven't looked back. No other drill press comes close to this thing.

[@bobbg9041]

You've saved a lot of money too. Look at what they cost now.

[@ronhochhalter3491]

Nice review, I would enjoy owning one of these in my woodshop. Is this drill press marketed towards wood working or is it just as effective with metals? I would imagine that it has a high quality chuck, I prefer Jacobs, but I'm sure there are others that are as good.

[@xConundrumx]

It does both. and you can even upgrade the firmware although that I would say is maybe more for people who have some IT working knowledge. The controller board is made around a standard STM32 microprocessor which is super common for anyone familiar with micro controllers. In fact the board is the same as in their DVR lathes (the newer ones or those with the upgrade control panel) but of course with a different firmware and display/control interface.

[@CrustyCurmudgeon]

Am I correct to understand that the table on this only tilts 45 degrees either way - not 90? Its not all that often that I need that, but when I do, I don't want to try and Rube Goldberg some workaround. The Powermatic goes full 90 degrees, I can't believe these guys didn't match that spec. If I'm missing something here, I'd love to know my error.

[@Wwgoa]

The table tilts 45-degrees left and right. Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America

[@lunacyworks]

My rotor button broke, anyone know where to get a replacement?

[@user-oe3pu1hm2v]

отличный станок

[@bobbg9041]

Trade ya!

[@MintStiles]

Very cool features. While I am all for a gearbox, I am not for too many electronic “goodies.” These are just failures waiting to happen - unless you engineer them like the Japanese engineers their bidets.

[@s.g.devries8557]

I could really use that building the toys shown in my videos...going to take a while to save up...

[@phillipja2010]

Do a video showing the Voyager milling aluminum.

[@davidt8438]

My experience with customer service isn’t so great. It took me over four tries to finally get a replacement part. The chuck it is supplied with isn’t the greatest but it will do the job. The beep to indicate you’ve reached the proper depth is completely useless because it is inaudible during most operations especially if you have some hearing loss due to working in a shop for instance. The display works but is rather primitive. The speed chart seems like they could have done more and given it more thought. For instance there are 14 spots for choosing drill bits but only 12 are used. Of the 14 spots one has an X and one is just empty. There are two spots for spade bits with one being for spade but with spurs. That was really stupid. They could have used that and the other unused spots for say…. Wire wheel, small buffing wheel and sanding tube. I’m sure there are more but just leaving them empty wasn’t the best choice. I for one would love to have a way to tilt the table using an easier method with and some kind of index system for quick return to 90 degrees. All in all it’s better than the competition except for customer service.

[@nealfoxworthy5840]

While it has a number of interesting features it lacks a couple of important features of drill presses in this price range such as LED lights and laser crosshairs.

[@jc51373]

laser cross hairs are single handedly the most useless gimmick on a drill press. You can very easily mount an LED light to this thing. I'd rather have a solid dp first than afterthought gimmicks.

[@daveklein2826]

JC you said it PERFECTLY

[@RFC3514]

@@jc51373 - There' no "rather" involved. They're not mutually exclusive. And if you think laser cross hairs are useless, I'm going to guess you've never used (well designed) ones.

[@bobbg9041]

Running a Tap is enough. Do you know how much a good tap-o-matic costs, let me put it this way. The drill press is cheaper. The only thing this dosnt have or he didnt show was auto feed. And I dont know why they didnt add that most industral drill presses made for metal working have an auto feed setting. I used to run a 3 head drill press , I'd have all 3 heads running at the same time or 2 and tap with the third head.

[@daveklein2826]

No need for the masses

[@mrxmry3264]

does it do metric units?

[@Wwgoa]

Yes! You can find metric conversion charts on our website OR you can use the metric conversion tables on various web browsers (such as Google).

[@mrxmry3264]

@@Wwgoa conversion charts? I don't want no *BEEP*ing conversion charts, i want tools that do metric because the metric system is superior. That's why the whole world (except a few stone age countries) uses it

[@daveklein2826]

Mrx......GET A LIFE

[@mrxmry3264]

@@daveklein2826 life would be better if everyone used the same units. Then stuff like the Gimli glider just wouldn't happen.

[@daveklein2826]

Then stop using metric 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MohammadAlshahrani]

How much does it cost?

[@adamb2619]

$1,400 give or take by the seller

[@Wwgoa]

It costs about $1400. You can find it here: amzn.to/2rvZcYh. Paul

[@templedentist]

It’s $1700 now

[@bgm1911]

How tools progress with technology.....but honestly, the number one thing that ANY tool should do is be accurate for it's described function, and that was never mentioned in this video; what is the runout?

[@TomKirkman1]

Mine is dead nuts accurate. Holes are cleaner and better sized. I attribute that to the direct drive and good quality chuck.

[@jimbol8695]

I'm not being negative or a troll just stating facts, but that would be great IF you're in a climate controlled workshop. I don't see the electronics lasting too long here in Florida with the heat and humidity and a garage workshop. By the time you go through all those menu items, the belts can be changed. Sorry, give me a mechanical machine any day, I know it will work when I want it to.

[@xConundrumx]

Unless you were to leave it out in the rain that would seriously surprise me. But to each his own. Fairly sure you would have rust issues loooooong before you would have electronics issues and this from someone who has repaired his fair share of old vintage computers and modern electronics.

[@templedentist]

I just bought the Jet jdp-17 and it has a lot of issues. I’ll take my chances with the electronics on the Nova Voyager. A lot of people thought the same about electronics in cars and look where we are now.

[@RFC3514]

I expect you're posting that from a mechanical computer. Surely you wouldn't use something with over a million electronic components, any of which can fail at any moment.

[@morgandavidpatton]

DO NOT BUY NOVA! I just bought a Viking drillpress and the left, front LED light has never worked. I've contacted Nova 4 times and Woodcraft (where I bought it) and no one will take care of me. If they won't even support a brand new machine, I can guarantee that Nova isn't ever gonna help you with any of their products. Once they fail, they will become useless!

[@lostdirtknifeandtool]

Just got mine and the beep feature doesn’t work. No sounds from the machine at all to indicate getting near depth or anything like it’s supposed too. Rockler won’t assist. Manufacture says leave a message, then their system hangs up without letting you leave one. We will see if the respond to emails.

[@daveklein2826]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@daveklein2826]

BEST DRILL PRESS EVER. YOUR ISSUES ARE USER ERRORS

[@SteifWood]

But does it understand metric (kind of the scientific standard for everything, not that hillbilly sea) ???

[@drmkiwi]

Yep, sure does. (and obviously it drills metric holes much better!) Cheers, David.