Nova Viking DVR 16” bench drill press

[08G8V8]

I didn’t pay any attention to the joule specification, just used an ordinary surge protection outlet strip. Guess I’ve been lucky.

I don’t even know what a higher or lower joule rating means. Can anyone explain?

A joule is a measure of energy.  The joule rating of a surge protector is how many joules it can absorb.  Anything above the 3900 joule requirement from Nova will meet their specs.

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[Michael Kellough]

So the Nova DVRs can tolerate more “surge” or less?

 

[deepcreek]

So the Nova DVRs can tolerate more “surge” or less?

Since they're specifying a surge protector rated to 3,900 joules, I suspect they're pretty sensitive or being exceedingly cautious.

[member=297]Michael Kellough[/member] & [member=71544]08G8V8[/member]

Thanks for the recommendations on the surge protectors from Amazon basics.  I didn't even see them when I looked there.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I didn’t pay any attention to the joule specification, just used an ordinary surge protection outlet strip. Guess I’ve been lucky.

I don’t even know what a higher or lower joule rating means. Can anyone explain?

A joule is a measure of energy.  The joule rating of a surge protector is how many joules it can absorb.  Anything above the 3900 joule requirement from Nova will meet their specs.

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This “absorb” didn’t sink in till now. Thanks.

 

[festal]

Those that got the Viking what are your thoughts?  I can't decide between Viking and Voyager. 

 

[Michael Kellough]

The Viking is not simply a Voyager at a lower cost and a short leg.

The Voyager has valuable features that the Viking lacks. Compare carefully, but if you can afford both the floor space and cost, get the Voyager.

 

[threesixright]

The Viking is not simply a Voyager at a lower cost and a short leg.

The Voyager has valuable features that the Viking lacks. Compare carefully, but if you can afford both the floor space and cost, get the Voyager.

Any idea where we can find a function matrix, so we can compare  [tongue]?

Will be available in Europe?

 

[08G8V8]

The Viking is not simply a Voyager at a lower cost and a short leg.

The Voyager has valuable features that the Viking lacks. Compare carefully, but if you can afford both the floor space and cost, get the Voyager.

Any idea where we can find a function matrix, so we can compare  [tongue]?

Will be available in Europe?

Besides the difference in motor power, stroke and table size, the Viking doesn’t have the (4) speed presets and it also doesn’t have the menu system to select bit type and material type to get the recommended speed. You need to figure out the speed and turn the dial manually.

The manual depth gage is different between the 2 as well, but the electronic depth gage is so easy to use and so precise, I would imagine that would be the method used to set depth.

It does have the electronic depth control, reverse functionality, self start and it has a crosshair laser built in.

The user manual shows the Europe part number as 83703 and the UK part number as 87304. I guess you would need to inquire with a vendor that sells the Voyager to see if they will be selling the Viking.

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[threesixright]

[member=71544]08G8V8[/member]

Thanks for the explanation!  [thumbs up]

 

[08G8V8]

For those of you who have bought the Nova, what is the height of the bench you have it mounted to?

The Viking spindle to base measurement is 22.66” per their website, and the Voyager same dimension is 40.94”, so a difference of 18.28”.

I am going to build a cabinet using 8020 material, as I bought extra material when I ordered material for my MFT-style workbench.  But in order to be able to use the drillpress, I wanted to get a cheap temporary stand from Harbor Freight, but both local stores did not have it in stock, so I ordered a similar stand from Amazon for a little bit more $$.

This stand is about 31” high, and I put a laminated stack of 3/4 plywood making a final height of about 32.5”.  This worked for temporary usage to drill all my 8020 material, but it puts the spindle about 14” higher than where a Voyager spindle would be.

I know the height would be user preference, but just wanted to see what other owners have used and what you feel is preferable.

Thanks

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[Michael Kellough]

IMPORTANT - I just read in the manual (page 8) that you MUST use a surge protector rated to at least 15amp 115v and a joules rating of at least 3900J to protect the DVR motor.

Also on page 9 it says for a GFI to be compatible with the DVR motor it must have a leak current threshold rating of 30mA.  Normal household GFI devices are typically rated at 5mA which may trigger when using the drill press.

While at Costco yesterday I saw a pack of surge protectors. Couldn’t remember the joule spec for the Voyager so looked up the manual online. The official Voyager manual simply says “ A Surge Protection Device must be used, rated to at least 15 amps“ and notes that “ Ground Fault Interrupters (GFI's) are generally not compatible with Variable speed motors. If you wish to use a GFI or RCD, select a unit that is confirmed for use with a Variable speed motor using capacitor charge.”

You’d think they would update the Voyager manual since they now have such specific requirements for the Viking.

 

[Bob D.]

The same warning appears in the manual for the Rikon 14" bandsaw DVR motor upgrade which is made by Striatech, the same people who make the DVR motors for Nova lathes and drill presses.

 

[jarbroen]

Any feedback on using the Viking?  I see comments about chucks, but am wondering about ease of use, height, etc.
I'm strongly considering adding one of these to my workshop.  Mostly for woodworking and possibly light metal work some day.

 

[08G8V8]

Any feedback on using the Viking?  I see comments about chucks, but am wondering about ease of use, height, etc.
I'm strongly considering adding one of these to my workshop.  Mostly for woodworking and possibly light metal work some day.

I do like mine, but as I asked a few posts ago, I am curious to what height folks have theirs mounted as it is tall for a “bench top” press.

I do wish it had a little more ability to configure like the Voyager, but I understand the price point and limited options. I do wish you could configure the options on what happens when depth setting is met. It will always reverses direction of the bit when the depth is hit, and don’t always want that. Also, wish it had a mechanical depth stop like the Voyager, for this reason.

It would be nice if it remembered the RPM it was set to after it is turned off. Not sure if the Voyager does, but it returns to 950rpm after it is turned off and back on. Maybe it doesn’t, which is why the Voyager has the 3 preset speed buttons that the Viking doesnt.

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[Jiggy Joiner]

[member=71544]08G8V8[/member]  I think the height is a personal thing, especially with the traditional machines that have belt drive, as easy access to the belts had to be considered.

I could take measurements from my Voyager, like the height of the chuck from the floor, or centre of control panel/screen from the floor if it helps?
Mine is slightly higher than standard though, as I made a mobile base for it.

 

[08G8V8]

[member=71544]08G8V8[/member]  I think the height is a personal thing, especially with the traditional machines that have belt drive, as easy access to the belts had to be considered.

I could take measurements from my Voyager, like the height of the chuck from the floor, or centre of control panel/screen from the floor if it helps?
Mine is slightly higher than standard though, as I made a mobile base for it.

I looked at the specs online for the Voyager and Viking, and also saw both at a Woodcraft store recently, and I think it I remember it being like an 18” difference between them.  I have mine mounted on a stand with plywood on top of that, putting it on a stand about 33 high, so dropping it 18” won’t work. 

Think I’ve got it worked out to build a stand about 25” high, dropping it to a more comfortable level, and work with the amount of 8020 material I have on hand.

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[jarbroen]

I really appreciate the feedback.

The laser would be nice, but the lack of other features as compared to the Voyager might drive me away from the Viking.
Saving $600 sounds great, just have to decided if I would really miss any of those options that aren't included.

 

[derekcohen]

The laser would be nice, but the lack of other features as compared to the Voyager might drive me away from the Viking.

It is surprising that the Voyager does not come with a laser or light. I would not purchase the Viking just to get these.

I added a Wixey laser to my Voyager ...

.. and a rechargeable bicycle light for extra illumination ...

Even so, I could live without these.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[jarbroen]

If I do end up purchasing a drill press in the near future I'm pretty certain it will be the Voyager.
The Viking is really appealing, but I think the missing features would make it less appealing for a long term tool.

 

[08G8V8]

I was mistaken, you can change the functionality of what happens when the depth stop limit is reached. I missed it in the manual.

I emailed tech support about this and the rpm issue, and they told me how to change the reverse functionality. They also said they will look into allowing a user defined startup rpm, instead of the 900 it is currently.

Not that this will sway your opinion but just following up with updated info.

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