Nova Voyager - Aftermarket table

Caboose1966

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Joined
Jul 3, 2018
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Hello, folks!
I just recently purchased a Nova Voyager drill press and I see that there are a handful of owners of the same on this forum.  I have read a couple of real informative, extensive threads on here so thought I would pose this question...

I am looking at adding a bigger table to this drill press, which seems to be a pretty common modification for woodworkers.  I am strongly considering the Woodpeckers' offering, but wondering if any of you have any input on that.  I know building your own is a popular option, and I might do that... just have the same issue as many with time constraints.

The other issue I'm wondering about is interference between a larger table and the table height crank.  For those of you that have added a bigger table, what have you done to mitigate that?  I am considering replacing the crank handle with a 5" handwheel... just haven't found exactly the right option yet, and it will depend a bit on the table I add.

Thanks for any input/advice you may have.

Dean
 
I went with a hand wheel. I also have 30 or 40 pound cross slide table on the includesteel table and it’s not a problem to elevate. Not at the shop now but I think the hand wheel is below the table so a larger table would still work. Don’t hold me to that though...
 
Thanks, Michael.
Do you recall the manufacturer/model of the handwheel you went with?  I think I can go up to 5" - figured the biggest one that would fit would be best for leverage.  Also.  Looks like it's about a 1/2" bore which, surprisingly, was not easy to find on smaller than 6" diameter wheel.  Also, having an issue finding one with a set-screw or drilled for one.  How did you attach to the shaft?

Thanks,

Dean
 
I have a Woodpeckers drill press table attached to an older Delta metal drill that has a production, cutting fluid assisted table. The Woodpeckers table is attached with 2 SHCS that will allow easy removal if you need to swap it out. My typical work incorporates probably a 50/50 spread of metal vs wood projects. The Woodpeckers drill press table remains on the drill press for 95% of the tasks I perform. It’s very nice and I would highly recommend it. I’d also recommend purchasing both fences.

Prior to that, I installed a Rockler drill press table on the Delta and it was a real POS. It’s up for sale...anyone want to take a chance?  [smile]
 
I used woodpecker fence and adjustable T-track.  For the table, I purchased 3/4" phenolic and doubled it up and added inserts on the  bottom to drop into the slots of the OEM table.  For height handle adjustment, I cut out the corner of a phenolic plywood top to accommodate the handle revolution.

Go to post 28 in this thread for photos.  Plans are also there for the cabinet I made as well. http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tool-reviews/nova-voyager-drill-press/

Happy to share more if you have questions.

Neil

 
First, thank you for the hand wheel suggestion. This is something I never thought about.

My advice: Before making any decision make sure your NEW table will not affect the tilt feature. Not that you will use it often but it hurt when you limit a feature on such a nice power tool. I am currently playing with a design to run on my CNC and just before I start to cut a prototype I realized that the tilt option will be limited. So here again back to the design phase  [eek]

Neil show off his setup a month ago  [tongue] and that inspire me to start with his design.
 
Thanks, everybody, for the feedback and suggestions.  Sounds like the Woodpeckers is a good way to go.

Michael,
Thanks for the link to the other thread and the info on the chuck and handwheel.  I actually just ordered that same Llambrich chuck on Monday and received it yesterday.  Haven't mounted in yet, but will this weekend.  I will do some measuring and head-scratching this weekend to see if I can make that handwheel you suggested work with the layout on the Nova.  If not, perusing the McMaster site shows a lot of different handwheel options so I think I will be able to find one that fits the bill.

Thanks again for all of the great info.  Now it's time to start makin' holes in stuff  [wink]

Dean
 
[member=68306]Caboose1966[/member] 

    I used a socket  with extension and flex head ratchet (extra stuff I had) in place of the crank on this Delta. It works very well. Plenty of leverage, easy to reach with out contortions,  and works around any other objects that might be in the way.

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Seth
 

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Hey, Cheese... a couple of questions for you.
I’m usually pretty good at figuring out acronyms, but what are “SHCS”?
Also, you mention getting both fences... I’m looking at the Woodpeckers WPDPPACK2 that has the fence face at the rear. What fences did you buy? I’m seeing the DP3 fence, but what’s the other one?

Thanks,
Dean
 
I have plans to get the NOVA drill press soon. I have been thinking about replacing the table and wishing it had something like the Delta 18-900L which tilts L/R and F/B and has a flat edge for easier clamping plus the square sacrificial center is a nice touch too. IIRC the Voyagers' is round so not as easy to duplicate as it's probably some odd diameter that I don't have a hole saw to match and I can batch out a stack of square blanks from scrap in no time.

Reid Supply (now http://www.essentracomponents.com ) or McMaster-Carr are two sources with good selections of handwheels and cranks of all sizes/types. Not the least expensive options but I think the best selection.

Both are pretty easy to navigate and find what you need. My personal preference is McMaster, I think their online catalog, ordering, and search system is the easiest to use.

I believe there is a free fence available from NOVA until Dec 31, 2018. Might be worth go ing to their website and finding out the details.
 
Caboose1966 said:
Hey, Cheese... a couple of questions for you.
I’m usually pretty good at figuring out acronyms, but what are “SHCS”?
Also, you mention getting both fences... I’m looking at the Woodpeckers WPDPPACK2 that has the fence face at the rear. What fences did you buy? I’m seeing the DP3 fence, but what’s the other one?

Thanks,
Dean

Hey Dean, Ron's correct on both the acronym and on the fence questions.  [big grin]

Here's a shot of how I mounted mine. It's an easy 2 screws on and off, and no poking around under the table, yet stable as all get out when you crank down the fasteners. The SHCS threads into T-bolts that slide in slots in the Delta table.

The second shot is to give you an idea on how durable the surface of the Woodpeckers table is. That's a 35# Heinrich vise that's been slid around the table hundreds of times for workpiece alignment purposes. I just wipe the Woodpeckers table with some Goof-Off on a paper towel and it cleans right up.

What I've really used a lot in woodworking are the Woodpecker rail flip stops. They make repetitive tasks easy and FAST. I'd recommend the aluminum/stainless version over the molded plastic version.
https://www.woodpeck.com/ssflipstop.html

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  The Delta I have originally had  a crank. I replaced that with a hand wheel, it was steel , 5 or 6". That worked pretty well. But was still difficult when reaching around or under. Even though I need to ratchet instead of just spin the wheel, the ratchet set up is much easier and more convenient. It will depend on other objects next to and behind the press. If you can easily step in next to the press the wheel will be pretty good. But even when I had the press in a location with good access the hand wheel did not work as well as the ratchet.  It is simply a matter of the add on table being both relatively heavy and in the way.

Seth
 
Thanks for all the excellent info. We’ve got a Tacoma Screw branch fairly close by so I should be able to peruse their selection of SHCS (thanks for the education on the acronym, by the way  [smile]) to see what will work for me. Thanks, Cheese.
Taking a couple of vacation days next week so will have a little time to get this mod done...just have to do a little shopping between now and then.

I hope the hand wheel works out well. I definitely need to do some mock-ups before I decide on the size, to make sure I have the clearance I’m hoping to have. I want to go with as large a diameter hand wheel as possible, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to be limited to 5”. McMaster Carr definitely had a great selection and I think I found the right combo of wheel diameter, bore and set screw options to fit the bill. Definitely easy to navigate, like was mentioned - thanks, Michael and Bob.

I notice that the DP table is available with the standard hold-down clamps or with knuckle clamps. Has anyone had experience with both and/or can comment if the knuckle clamps are a better option? It’s only a $15.00 price difference, so worth it if they are better/more convenient.

Having a hard time finding the aluminum/ stainless flip stops for the drill press table... will have to do some digging to see if they are still available. Definitely trying to avoid plastic wherever possible. I’ve been spoiled a bit by some of my JessEm stuff... they seem to have a similar plastic allergy to mine  [wink].

Thanks again for all the great info. I really appreciate it!  I’ll digest a bit more of all y’alls informative posts and probably think of more questions.

Dean
 
Caboose1966 said:
Having a hard time finding the aluminum/ stainless flip stops for the drill press table... will have to do some digging to see if they are still available. Definitely trying to avoid plastic wherever possible. I’ve been spoiled a bit by some of my JessEm stuff... they seem to have a similar plastic allergy to mine  [wink].
https://www.woodpeck.com/ssflipstop.html  [smile]
 
Told ya’ I’d have more questions...

Cheese, what kind of setup do you have there with what I assume is a vacuum nozzle?  Does it pick up the shavings pretty well?

Bob. Yep, I’ve already sent in my rebate form for the free fence from Nova. Although, if I get the woodpeckers setup installed, I may not use it much.  Maybe I will reserve that fence for metalworking when I remove the woodpeckers setup...that will be reserved for woodworking.

Just did a little more measuring and ordered the 6” zinc hand wheel from McMaster.

Thanks,
Dean
 
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