Home Products DRILL PRESSES NOVA VOYAGER DVR 18″ VARIABLE SPEED DRILL PRESS (SKU 58000)
NOVA VOYAGER DVR 18″ VARIABLE SPEED DRILL PRESS (SKU 58000)
The world’s first smart drill press combines the best features of drill presses with state-of-the-art technology to make your project work more efficient, fun, and safer. The NOVA Voyager DVR (Digital Variable Reluctance) Drill Press is the most versatile drill press on the market, easily able to handle wood, metal, plastics, and glass. Features Adaptive Control™ software that determines and creates optimum conditions for your specific project.
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Product Description
- Unique DVR (Digital Variable Reluctance) technology
The direct-drive motor powered by STRIATECH is incredibly smooth with no pulleys or belts to vibrate.
- Intelligent Digital Control
Easy to operate, the NOVA DVR range of machines are the only SMART machines on the market to automatically adjust the speed for the application.
- High Torque Power
Instant power when you need it. With its 1.75HP(110v)/2HP(220v – plug change required) high torque motor, exceptional structural strength, and smart design, the NOVA Voyager has the power and capacity to handle a wide variety of projects with ease.
- Faster, more efficient drilling
With no belts to cause vibration, a computer that automatically adjusts performance, and solid cast iron construction, the Voyager is one smooth and quiet operator. Drill faster and more efficiently.
- Plug n’ Play
Easy to use, with a push-button electronic variable speed with forward and reverse.
- Power saving
Smart computer-controlled motor only draws as much power as it needs for the project being worked on. The Striatech DVR motor can save up to 50% energy and emissions over conventional motors.
FEATURES
- Low Maintenance
- Intelligent Speed Selection to get the correct speed for the application
- Variable Speed 50 – 3,000 RPM (option in settings to increase to 5,500 RPM)
- No belts. Quiet and smooth operation.
- Slow Start Pilot Hole Function
- Tapping Assist Function
- Digital speed readout
- Electronic Braking
- Load Readout
- Self Starting Function
- Digital Quill Depth Readout
- Precise speed adjustment with knob
- Forward/Reverse Functionality
- 6” of quill travel in 2 revolutions of the handle
- Sensors for superior safety, use and maintenance
- Adjustable mechanical stop coupled with digital readout for accurate and repeatable actions
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Power output: 1.75HP / 2HP
- Power Supply Input: 110V, 10A (For 1.75HP output)
220V, 10-15A, 2HP (2HP output requires plug change)
Spindle:
- Distance to table: 23 1/8” / 587mm (Max.)
- Distance to Base: 40.94” / 1040mm
- Travel: 6”
- Taper: Morse Taper #2 (MT-2)
Table:
- Size (wood working)(L x W): 16 1/2″ x 16.1/2” (419mm x 419mm)
- Table Tilt (Deg.): -45° to +45°
- Table Rotation (Deg.): 360°
- Column Diameter: 3.62” / 92mm
- Base Size (L x W): 22 1/4” x 17 1/2″ (565mm x 445mm)
- Chuck Size: 5/8” (3-16mm)
- Striatech DVR High Torque Motor
Warranty:
2 Year Full Replacement motor and controller
5 Year Full Replacement on all other parts
10 reviews for NOVA VOYAGER DVR 18″ VARIABLE SPEED DRILL PRESS (SKU 58000)
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
SKU:
USA and Canada – 58000
58008 – Voyager Drill Press with Telescoping Guard Bundle
Australasia – 58001
UK – 58002
Europe – 58003
- Striatech DVR Motor and controller
- Woodworking Table (but able to hold other materials)
- 2MT Drill Chuck
- Fastenings
- Instructions
Voyager Product Information Sheet
California Residents Proposition 65
WARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other safeguards for personal protection.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals (Rust Prevention Oil) which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. Always wash your hands after unpacking the product for first use and use in a well ventilated area. Dispose of packaging bags thoughtfully.
For more information go to: P65Warnings.ca.gov
Hugh Monaghan –
I am 64 years old and have been a toolmaker, model maker, tool designer and prototype maker. This is the best drill press on the market. It has features other machines for thousand of dollars more do not have. I never thought I would buy a drill press because I used my Tree vertical mill or drilling operations. Purchased the Nova 4/2017 and it is my go too machine for hole drilling. Outstanding features are variable speed 50-5,000 rpm (amazing) 1-3/4 hp (more than my vertical mill) highly accurate and quick digital depth control and extremely long spindle stroke.
Three modifications I’ve made added a LED magnetic base light, Albreght keyless chuck and the biggest improvement was replacing the hand knobs with 1-3/4 diameter ball knobs from McMaaster Carr 63075K21. The machine to human interface was drastically improved.
Larry A. Frank –
I have had mine for well over a year and like it more everyday. The chuck has very low run out and the stroke of the quill is very long. The variable speed and speed selection menu are great. I never changed the speed on my old Jet Drill Press as it was a hassle figuring out which pulleys to use and moving the belt. Now, I change every time I use it. It is easy to move the table up and down but with the long quill stroke do not have to move it as much.
There are two things which could improve the Nova Voyager
1. Add a threaded place on top of the head so one could screw in an eye in to use for lifting the head up on the column. It is heavy and not easy to manhandle during assembly.
2. I would like to see some type of auxiliary on off switch. I really do not like the membrane type switch on the head, it is a bit awkward to push, and hard to find if you need to shut off the machine in a hurry.
Would I buy this machine again….Yes as it is one of the best tools in my shop.
Richard Hyer –
I replaced a Powermatic Model 2800 with this drill press. The features take a little getting used to and a learning curve to get good at. It may be hard for you to send a newbie over to the drill press to drill a hole without some coaching. I also did not like the drill chuck that came with it soI replaced it with a keyless chuck that chucks down to 1/32″ up to 5/8″ and I also added a larger table with t-tracks onto mine that I got from woodpeckers.com not that there was anything wrong with the stock table. One feature that I wish was on the drill press is a laser crosshair and a light system of some kind. I did get the magnetic base gooseneck light and like it because of the amount of light it puts out but it has to be plugged in separately and fished through the side of the headstock. I would recommend the company make instructional cards to keep with the machine to help the operator use the advanced features that don’t get used very often. The auto start feature will get used a lot as well as the drill size and speed chart. I agree with others that the beeps are way to quiet to be useful.
Greg Myrick –
This is an amazing machine. My previous drill press, which is a Taiwan product, I purchased about 35 years ago. Did you ever have a tool that you just lived with its idiosyncrasies because you didn’t know any better, or couldn’t afford a better product? When I started the Nova Voyager DVR, I couldn’t believe the difference in quality. Between 50rpm and 3000rpm, there is almost no vibration, with a little at 3000rpm. Being able to go into the menu, and tell the machine what kind of bit you are using, and what material you are drilling into, and it coming up with the drill speed, is so handy. The “User Set Depth” is also a great feature, where the drill will stop at the depth you indicate, after you have previously lowered the drill point to touch the object being drilled, and zeroed it. Just the speed change dial is a fantastic improvement. I saw some reviewers complained about the hard to hear beeper, and found that I can’t hear it at all. I have lost a large amount of my high frequency hearing, so that is understandable. But even with the drill running at 50rpm, and me up on a stool with my head near the grill on the back, I can’t hear it. There you have it, this drill press is not perfect. I can live with it.
The fit and finish of this machine is excellent. Everything fits together well, and I had no problems with assembly. I am 68 years old, but in good shape, and I had no problem moving most pieces. I did have to rig the machine head from the floor joist above, using a come-along and nylon rope. I should say that I have rigging experience, and did so, so that the ropes hung on the metal parts of the head only. The head slipped onto the post without problems. After installing a GFI-free line, and a surge protector, I plugged it in, and went to that big green “ON” button on the front of the machine and pushed it. Nothing. I pushed it again. Nothing. I checked everything, and there was power to the cord. Just my luck I got a bad unit. I get out the manual and call customer service. While I’m standing there waiting for them to answer, I’m looking at the drill press, and notice something down the right side, toward the back, and it’s a familiar red and yellow, which turns out to be the real ON/OFF button. Lift it up, and the lights come on. Nowhere in the manual does it discuss the ON/OFF switch. I just got it in my head that it was the big green button, which is actually the motor on switch.
I’m very impressed with this machine. I don’t think any other drill press in its price range even comes close to performing as well as this one.
Robert Reinecke –
Excellent machine. Comments in earlier reviews are appropriate and worth reading.
I would like to comment about the company’s Customer Service.
My Drill press was DOA in that I could not calibrate the height sensor – kept getting an error message. I contacted customer service via email in the late evening with complete details. I had an email response the next morning stating that my problem had been referred to an engineer. About 10pm the same evening I had a response from the engineer with complete, easy to follow instructions for a fix — including a multi-page pdf with full color photos. Anyone who has waited days to get any response from a computer or software company knows that this was a superb reaction by customer service.
Bottom line. Great machine. Read all the reviews.
Excellent customer service.
Paul A –
Pretty Good Drill Press
The drill press arrived in good condition and the packaging was first rate. Assembly was straight forward but the motor is heavy and one needs either additional hands or some mechanism to lift and place the motor properly and safely.
The machine is well designed and built with sufficiently robust components. Instructions were better than most though there is still some room for improvement. The machine turned on and ran as advertised with one exception. At rpm greater than about 1800 the machine would make an unsettling noise out of the blue and then disappear and then return, etc.. In other words, the sound was unprovoked, happened randomly and went away randomly. The sound was like noise a fan might make when it has bad bearings. This noise was not some sort of harmonic and did not scale with rpm. My retailer, Toolnut, put me in touch with a Teknatool guy who was suppose to know all about the mechanics of the machine. Turns out he did not as he was more of a marketing guy, though one who was easy to deal with. We decided to put some hours on the machine and revisit the issue in about a month.
After several days with little improvement I undid the cap of the machine and got a better idea where the sound was coming from, The sound appeared to be coming from the electronics board near the back of the machine which was mounted to a substantial heat sink. I checked the mounting of the components on the board and then did a reseating of the heat sink. That reduced the vast majority of the noise. With subsequent use the noise has almost completely disappeared. I am hopeful this is now a non issue, though the warranty is in place in any case.
Not happy that the chuck will not take anything smaller than about 1/8 inch bit. Teknatool should address this and provide some means of using small bits. Teknatool provides an audible alert when a hole being drilled is near the set depth, but it is too weak to be heard above both the sound of the motor and the drilling noise and is thus useless. A volume control should be added and/or increased volume should be provided. The human interface is pretty good, but the touch switches often have to be pushed twice to work, being a bit too stiff out of the box. The display is readable, but unappealing – they could do better. Another potentially useful feature that is not implemented well is the feature of the drill reversing when the set depth is reached. It reverses, but only for a few revolutions and then stops leaving the bit in the work especially with deeper holes.
In terms of the actual drilling operations the drill press works great. The holes are clean and true, the power is great, the table is substantial, the base is sufficient and vibrations are low. The best drilling machine I’ve owned or used and I’ve used quite a few. It works well on metals, plastics and wood.
Future features that might be nice to include are a small led light or provisions for powering/mounting one, a keyless chuck, accomodation of small bits, and a reduction of the delay between powering on and having the machine operable.
Gene White –
I am very satisfied with the Nova Drill Press and would highly recommend it. The advanced features are useful for repetitive operations.
I would like to have the ability to relocate the control panel and display as they are located too high to be compatible with bifocal glasses. An extension cable and housing for the controls and display would be great and I would purchase it, if available.
Also, the audible tone volume is not loud enough to be useful, unable to hear it when machine is operating.
Gene White, Wichita, KS
Gene White –
I am very satisfied with the Nova Drill Press and would highly recommend it. The advanced features are useful for repetitive operations.
I would like to have the ability to relocate the control panel and display as they are located too high to be compatible with bifocal glasses. An extension cable and housing for the controls and display would be great and I would purchase it, if available.
Also, the audible tone volume is not loud enough to be useful, unable to hear it when machine is operating.
Great machine!
Gene White, Wichita, KS
David W –
I’ve owned this about two weeks, and have drilled ~300 1-2″ diameter 2″ deep holes with Forstner bits, plus hundreds of smaller holes, in hardwood. So I’ve broken it in for a few hours already. There is zero vibration, and the motor is incredibly powerful not bogging down in any of that, and it’s solidly built. Love that there’s no pulleys to slip, and that the speed is infinitely variable. There are a few nits that could make this a 5-star drill press, however; since two of the three points are potentially software upgradeable, I am optimistic that a future enhancement will address this.
– The beeping upon nearing a pre-set depth is hard to hear; ideally the volume could be adjusted
– The optional auto-reverse upon reaching a pre-set depth is a great feature, but the reverse only goes for a second or so, which doesn’t give enough time to back out of a 2″ hole; ideally this too could be configured
– The chuck doesn’t hold very small bits (~1/16″ or below), though I have a smaller drill press I can use for these
Jim –
Ok folks, here is my first impression after having owned this drill press for a few days.
1) The “beep” used for depth sensing and other warnings is WAY, WAY, WAY too soft. The motor noise, plus the sound of drilling in most materials drowns out this beep and makes it useless.
2) The chuck sucks. I make small boxes and frequently need to drill holes down to #33 and 1/16″. No way. This chuck only goes to 3mm.
3) Calibration is not well explained. How are we supposed to ACCURATELY set the quill travel to 1″, 2″, 3″,etc. The manual is no help.
Those are the “CONS”, the “PROS” are:
1) Smoooooth power. No vibration, No belts, speed change is absolutely awesome
2) The depth stop is really great, except that you can’t hear the warning “beep”. You have to wait until the drill stops.
3) I love the speed table and it even includes the “fly cutter”.
The PROS outweigh the CONS so far. I’ll update this review after a few months of use. I’d have given this a “5” is the beep was audible and the chuck would hold small drill bits.