Nova Viking on sale ever?

[whacky]

Hey all,
I was looking at acquiring a new drill press for a drilling/pocket hole workstation I plan on putting together.

I was looking at the popular Nova Viking benchtop model.

I am in no rush to get this ordered, and was curious if anyone knows if these ever go on sale for any occasion/holiday?

Any other recommendations certainly would be considered as well.

Thanks all

W

 

[luvmytoolz]

I've only ever seen it reduced slightly on sale a couple times over the years here in OZ, but I will say even at full price it is a sensational drill. Pure joy to use, quiet and powerful, and the auto start and auto depth are incredibly useful features. The only possible negative I could say about it, is that the centre of the drill isn't centred exactly on the table insert, it's a couple mm forward from memory which I think is a bit poor design. I'll be machining my table at some point to get it centred perfectly.

 

[Mini Me]

The only possible negative I could say about it, is that the centre of the drill isn't centred exactly on the table insert, it's a couple mm forward from memory which I think is a bit poor design. I'll be machining my table at some point to get it centred perfectly.

My understanding is the being off centre is a deliberate feature so the insert can be turned to avoid damaged areas.

 

[luvmytoolz]

The only possible negative I could say about it, is that the centre of the drill isn't centred exactly on the table insert, it's a couple mm forward from memory which I think is a bit poor design. I'll be machining my table at some point to get it centred perfectly.

My understanding is the being off centre is a deliberate feature so the insert can be turned to avoid damaged areas.

If that's the bogus line the manufacturer is throwing out then that's really poor! Being ~1.5-2mm out, it isn't going to be of any benefit in rotating after just a couple of plunges. What it does do is stop you removing the insert and putting a chuck or any other device nicely centred to hold things so you can drill dead centre. I love the drill but to me this is just shoddy engineering or pure laziness.

Inserts are meant to be replaced anyway. I've machined up an MDF template that when I get time I'll align and route out the centre slightly to take a chuck snugly. This will help me and my work flows immensely, and will reduce the need for using the lathe for a lot of things as that's the only means I have for doing anything dead centre currently.

 

[festal]

Email them and ask if they have any refurbs available.  I was able to get a refurb one at a big discount and free shipping.  Came in, was missing few items that support sent over. Looks and works as new

 

[cider]

I've never seen them on sale, but I'm not a very savvy shopper.

BTW, I personally don't care if the chuck is perfectly centered over the table insert, but it bugs me that it doesn't have a quill lock.  Otherwise, it's a nice tool.

 

[serge0n]

On sale? No, but sometimes a Zoro 20% off coupon would work on it.

Good luck buying it though. I spent over TWO YEARS trying to buy Nova Viking at full price! Everyone kept cancelling my order telling me it's out of stock and that I have to wait because there is a whole line of pre-orders before me. Even though the web page states that it's available, it's not.
I've tried Zoro, Acme, Beaver Tools, some other place - no dice. Been waiting for over 2 years and then finally was able to grab one when Teknatool was having a refurb sale. It cost considerably less, it was even a better deal than Zoro +20% off coupon. The only downside is that the warranty is 1 year vs 3 and I had a few dents on the motor housing cover. Other than that it looked brand new.

Awesome tool, best drill press for the money even at full price.
Like someone suggested above, email or call Teknatool and ask if they have a refurbished Viking.

 

[Mini Me]

If that's the bogus line the manufacturer is throwing out then that's really poor!

I thought it was a substantial far more than a few mm so ignore me. What problems does a few mm off centre present, my Arboga has no reference to the centre and I have never missed it.

 

[Cheese]

My understanding is the being off centre is a deliberate feature so the insert can be turned to avoid damaged areas.

I've heard that claim before but I'm not so sure about that statement. If that were the case, this implementation may be troublesome.

Besides, drilling with any drill larger than 5 mm (1/4") would negate that rotated insert advantage.

[attachimg=1]

 

[nclemmons]

I've never seen them on sale, but I'm not a very savvy shopper.

BTW, I personally don't care if the chuck is perfectly centered over the table insert, but it bugs me that it doesn't have a quill lock.  Otherwise, it's a nice tool.

It has a quill lock - It’s the handle in the front of the quill right above the hand in the photo.

Rockler used to carry these and they would offer them at maybe $100 to $150 off from time to time. 

 

[cider]

It has a quill lock - It’s the handle in the front of the quill right above the hand in the photo.

I think that's a Voyager, not a Viking?  In any case, my Viking doesn't have that apparatus.