New Teknatool NOVA Voyager DVR Drill Press

The deal on pre-production units ended some time ago. They were looking for feedback to make any improvements prior to the final production units.
 
Cool looking drill. I would be interested in seeing some reviews on this saw before I jump in.

While following Haxit's new shop rebuild and seeing his very nice equipment including his drill press, got me to start surfing the interwebz for info, I had never seen one like that before. Beautiful piece of equipment, but possibly a little steep for me at this time in my life. I do like to buy quality equipment once though, and don't mind saving up,to get the best I possibly can. The intent is to not have to replace it at a later date. In the meantime I can be saving up for another tool😀

In my surfing I also came across the Powermatic DP, which looks very nice. I would kind of lean that way until,this one has proven itself.

I like Haxits DP but from overseas, parts and support may be an issue, and the price tag for me as already mentioned.

Then Voyager is new and unproven. While the electronic wizardry is very cool, this could also be the Achilles heel. If the display or something goes down, it is going to be an expensive fix.

Powermatic or another traditional manual DP would be pretty much good to go, not much to go wrong. Sometime old school is best.

I would like to see some reviews on the Voyager, someone here with some first hand experience. Obviously it will not have been under use for very long as it what just released, but with some good hard use with different materials would be great. I would love for this to get some great reviews, it looks like a great tool.
 
Ironmantrev said:
Cool looking drill. I would be interested in seeing some reviews on this saw before I jump in.

While following Haxit's new shop rebuild and seeing his very nice equipment including his drill press, got me to start surfing the interwebz for info, I had never seen one like that before. Beautiful piece of equipment, but possibly a little steep for me at this time in my life. I do like to buy quality equipment once though, and don't mind saving up,to get the best I possibly can. The intent is to not have to replace it at a later date. In the meantime I can be saving up for another tool[emoji3]

In my surfing I also came across the Powermatic DP, which looks very nice. I would kind of lean that way until,this one has proven itself.

I like Haxits DP but from overseas, parts and support may be an issue, and the price tag for me as already mentioned.

Then Voyager is new and unproven. While the electronic wizardry is very cool, this could also be the Achilles heel. If the display or something goes down, it is going to be an expensive fix.

Powermatic or another traditional manual DP would be pretty much good to go, not much to go wrong. Sometime old school is best.

I would like to see some reviews on the Voyager, someone here with some first hand experience. Obviously it will not have been under use for very long as it what just released, but with some good hard use with different materials would be great. I would love for this to get some great reviews, it looks like a great tool.
Click to expand...

Surprised you mention Powermatic. Am I incorrect in reading numerous negative reviews?  Slipping belts. Run out. Deflection.

Let me know if I am under informed on the powermatic.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You may very well be right. I've not got as far to read reviews yet. I did just read one on another forum from an owner who loved his Voyager over a 2800b Powermatic that he owned. While it was a good drill (but with the belt issue you mentioned) he liked the Technatool much better.

Old school may be best, possibly a Beltless, geardriven variant.
 
Stowe Boy said:
Surprised you mention Powermatic. Am I incorrect in reading numerous negative reviews?  Slipping belts. Run out. Deflection.

Let me know if I am under informed on the powermatic.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

If you really delve into it the majority of the poor reviews of the PM2800 are the first version and early production PM2800b units (slipping belts). 

I am normally reluctant to dive into a new machine especially with the level of electronics and completely different motor technology BUT Teknatools has been using both on their lathes for years and pattern problems don't seem to have emerged.  I got to play with one of these for about 45 minutes at my local pusher and it quickly became my favorite drill press and is on my to-buy list as soon as I get my new shop finished.  The bells and whistles are actually things I will use.  I will replace the chuck with a keyless one and probably add a table more conducive to woodworking, the Voyager is better than many but Powermatic still has the best wwing table.  Plus, a table gets rid of one of the Nova's miscues (IMO) the round insert.  The PM has a rectangular insert in the b version and it makes it very easy to make them in the shop.  The Nova does come in a decent step up in price, it is $100 more plus shipping which the PM includes with liftgate for "free" with all their machines.  With me adding a table and keyless chuck the difference is even more significant but I still see the Voyager as the best woodworking DP on the market new, obviously there are better DPs at prices to match but those are built more in the metal working style. 
 
Any updates/comments from any more owners of this DP? There still doesnt seem to be much out there on it. Seems like not many have purchased them.
 
ben_r_ said:
Any updates/comments from any more owners of this DP? There still doesnt seem to be much out there on it. Seems like not many have purchased them.
Click to expand...

Thanks for bumping this Ben.  I'm in the market....as you've seen from my post on SMC.
 
Hey there all!  Much to my surprise, my better half surprised me with one of these for my birthday.  Just took delivery and got it assembled down in the shop.  I (secretly) splurged a little and got an accupro keyless chuck for it.  The chuck spins to within +0.0005" on my unit (as measured at the bottom of the chuck) and within +0.001 1.75" down the shank of brand a new endmill.  Very impressive.

I've looked at all the reviews and can't think of too much to add, other than I can confirm that GFI seems to be an issue [eek].  I have a basement shop (all below grade outlets are GFI by code) and need to do an "above grade" outlet for this beast.  Okay, fine.  I ordered a surge suppression 20A outlet and mounted a box near the ceiling (only 15A is required, I just happened to have a spare 20A breaker, and a roll of 12-2 laying around).

So... my question.  This is my first *real* drill press.  Table and fence? Woodpeckers? The Delta 18-901 Biesemeyer (will it fit)?  Just a thicknessed board clamped to the table?  1" ply or mdf base with t-track?  Most of my work is in wood, but I do some metal (mostly repairs).  I am more interested in repeatable and evenly spaced holes then any fancy gadgets... thoughts?

Also.. Lee Valley has a drum sander and bottom bushing for the drum.. any experience with it?  Is it worth the $100 or so for a set w/ bushing?  Or save it for a real spindle sander?

Overall I'm impressed.  Easy assembly, everything was true from the factory, no fidgeting required.  Can't wait to really use it in a project.

Best -
50-50

 
50-50 said:
Hey there all!  Much to my surprise, my better half surprised me with one of these for my birthday.  Just took delivery and got it assembled down in the shop.  I (secretly) splurged a little and got an accupro keyless chuck for it.  The chuck spins to within +0.0005" on my unit (as measured at the bottom of the chuck) and within +0.001 1.75" down the shank of brand a new endmill.  Very impressive.

I've looked at all the reviews and can't think of too much to add, other than I can confirm that GFI seems to be an issue [eek].  I have a basement shop (all below grade outlets are GFI by code) and need to do an "above grade" outlet for this beast.  Okay, fine.  I ordered a surge suppression 20A outlet and mounted a box near the ceiling (only 15A is required, I just happened to have a spare 20A breaker, and a roll of 12-2 laying around).

So... my question.  This is my first *real* drill press.  Table and fence? Woodpeckers? The Delta 18-901 Biesemeyer (will it fit)?  Just a thicknessed board clamped to the table?  1" ply or mdf base with t-track?  Most of my work is in wood, but I do some metal (mostly repairs).  I am more interested in repeatable and evenly spaced holes then any fancy gadgets... thoughts?

Also.. Lee Valley has a drum sander and bottom bushing for the drum.. any experience with it?  Is it worth the $100 or so for a set w/ bushing?  Or save it for a real spindle sander?

Overall I'm impressed.  Easy assembly, everything was true from the factory, no fidgeting required.  Can't wait to really use it in a project.

Best -
50-50
Click to expand...

I think Delta's table is one of the nicest out of the factory on a woodworking DP. It can be tilted in both directions to drill at compound angles. The edge if the table is flat on the underside allowing you to clamp anywhere you want. It has a removable sacrificial insert which is easily replaced.

If I could mount the Delta table on the Nova I would be happy, but I doubt the insert on the table would be centered under the quill.

Maybe someday manufacturers will offer their DPs with either a choice of tables for either woodworking or metal work.
 
I like the MK2 spindle. That is a great feature.

Wonder how they stack up against a Flott? I always wanted to buy one of those after using one many years ago.

Anyone carrying these in Canada? Did look on the dealer page, but none of them have them listed.
 
Tracky said:
Anyone carrying these in Canada? Did look on the dealer page, but none of them have them listed.
Click to expand...

KMS Tools had one in their Coquitlam store and on their website a couple months ago.
 
Bob D. said:
Maybe someday manufacturers will offer their DPs with either a choice of tables for either woodworking or metal work.
Click to expand...

I just mounted a Woodpeckers drill press table to my Delta metal working production table. If I need the tee slots to hold down material, I loosen 2 screws and remove the Woodpeckers table.

Actually, after I purchased the Heinrich vise, I can now do a majority of my metal working with the Woodpeckers table in-place. [big grin]
 

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Cheese said:
Bob D. said:
Maybe someday manufacturers will offer their DPs with either a choice of tables for either woodworking or metal work.
Click to expand...

I just mounted a Woodpeckers drill press table to my Delta metal working production table. If I need the tee slots to hold down material, I loosen 2 screws and remove the Woodpeckers table.

Actually, after I purchased the Heinrich vise, I can now do a majority of my metal working with the Woodpeckers table in-place. [big grin]
Click to expand...

Cheese, 

I see you opted for the mini-micro metal vise.

;^)

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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