Thread: Nova Viking Drill Press

Yes, I saw that video yesterday and it looks amazing. Hard to justify $1600 for something that just drills holes but I really want one. It's hard to find a variable speed, bench drill press in Australia. Most if not all are floor models. I wonder what the run out's like and the quality of the chuck?

Originally Posted by barri

..........It's hard to find a variable speed, bench drill press in Australia.

Have you checked out the Bosch PBD40? It's definitely not in the same class (hobby grade) but it's a lot cheaper (I paid $250, normal RRP = $405) and it has an accurate digital depth readout, laser sights, keyless chuck, LED light, built-in clamp, and electronically variable speed. It's certainly not perfect but a lot of its shortcomings (handwheel, flex in column under heavy load) can be overcome.

PBD40 should not be discounted. Andy at Manor Wood Design was using one for large scale commercial work until recently. (He has upgraded to the Nova Voyager!)

Originally Posted by RossM

........Andy at Manor Wood Design was using one for large scale commercial work until recently.

Thanks for the link. It's good to know that this little drill is so capable. It's not even part of Bosch's "blue" range of tools !! I'm very happy with mine and I can't recommend it enough.

I have seen the Bosch in action and it's not in the same league as the Nova's. I already have a Hare & Forbes drill press (Paul Jenkins described it as total crap) and it has many short comings, putting it kindly, and I'm not willing to compromise again.

Can someone with modern geek speak knowledge please tell me what the DVR actually stands for.

Digital Variable Reluctance

Originally Posted by barri

I have seen the Bosch in action and it's not in the same league as the Nova's. I already have a Hare & Forbes drill press (Paul Jenkins described it as total crap) and it has many short comings, putting it kindly, and I'm not willing to compromise again.

I saw the Nova at Carbatec yesterday and I agree 100%. It's in a completely different league. I reckon a Nova is in your future if you're not looking to compromise.

I also saw it at Carbatec, Melbourne, and it was love at first sight.

Bought one of these. Love the electronics-driven features and, in particular, the >100mm quill travel.

However, after nearly a year of use, here are a few observations:

1. Lasers not aligned and not adjustable in the Z-axis. Intersection wanders forward/backward with changes in table height.
2. Adjustment of lasers with fingers very difficult without blocking beams. Needs a tool to fit around knurling.
3. Table cannot be rotated by 90 degrees or more due to collision between "nodules" underneath table and the table support arm.
4. Column base support too high for pedestal drill. Reduced table-to-chuck/spindle distance. A hassle if using a cross-slide vice or even a thick work piece.
5. Display (or whole system) needs a timer to turn off after period of inactivity.
6. Safety shield design needs a rethink. Difficult to fit and coiled lead interferes with laser beam.
7. Not normally a problem but quite a lot of play in the quill when extended.

My lasers were indented/damaged during manufacture and could not be accurately adjusted. Bought a Wixey.

All the above points have been communicated to Teknatool.

I got the first Viking that Carbatec got in stock and I was assembling mine while they were still putting the shop demo rig together. I was keen on it's big brother but only like using a bench drill so I was very keen when the Viking was released.
Is it any good? - love it to bits! My drill press has always been the most used machine in the shed, strategically positioned between my woodworking area and the metalwork bench as it gets so much use for both.
The only downside for me is the reduced range of table height from the overly tall column support, but I can learn to live with that - plenty of blocks around to support the no-mans land between the base and where the table bottoms out.
I don't use the lasers or the safety guard so they are not an issue for me.
What I do use a lot is the depth setting - so quick and easy and so accurate - magic!
And just last week I found something else this machine does brilliantly - It might not have the chip-breaker mode of its big brother, but if you've ever used those combination drill-taps, you'll know how difficult they can be due to the change in speed/control between drill and tapping. On the Viking I can just zero the bit on the work, set the depth stop to 12 or 13mm (for the M5 tap), and it drills the hole at normal speed, starts cutting the thread, then stops and reverses the bit out - way too easy - I found myself just tapping holes in 3mm plate for fun
Was it worth the money?? As with any of my machinery, I only remember the price when it fails on me, so as long as it does what I expect it to do, I'm as happy as a pig in mud. The drill has made life more pleasurable in the shed, improved the accuracy in my work, and reduced the noise levels . . . yes it was worth the money!

I bought one a few months back. I strongly considered the Bosch but in the end I was just sick of compromising; and that's what I thought the Bosch would be, for me.

The Bosch has definite use-cases. The money in particular is a definite thing. I certainly would not criticise a decision that was made because that's what you could afford.

I do not regret buying this machine.

Pending this years tax return this will be my next drill press, can't justify the price of the Voyager for my use.

Question for the people who own one, does it have a quill lock?

There is no way i will buy another drill press with belts and pulleys as I certainly don't adjust speeds for drilling as i should.

Originally Posted by Aussiephil

Pending this years tax return this will be my next drill press, can't justify the price of the Voyager for my use.

Question for the people who own one, does it have a quill lock?

There is no way i will buy another drill press with belts and pulleys as I certainly don't adjust speeds for drilling as i should.

We don't do things if they are difficult or hard and if it was easy you most probably would change speeds. I used to own a DP with belts and pulleys for a very short time for that reason and gave it the flick when the opportunity to buy a gear head DP came along.