Drill Press thoughts

[Greg Parrish]

I need to get another drill press. In my prior setup I had a Nova Voyager. It was nice but I can’t justify $2K this time around. I’m looking at the Nova Viking bench top and floor standing, as well as the Jet 15” bench and floor as well as the jet 17” floor standing. Any thoughts on these 4 options? I really like the beefy looking build and large table of the Jet’s. They are belt drive but that seems a less complex approach than the DVR of the Nova’s. However, I see common complaints on the new jets of the light and laser board burning out early. I don’t care too much about those features as long as its reliable to drill.

Any thoughts on these. Thank you.

[Patty Hann]

I need to get another drill press. In my prior setup I had a Nova Voyager. It was nice but I can’t justify $2K this time around. I’m looking at the Nova Viking bench top and floor standing, as well as the Jet 15” bench and floor as well as the jet 17” floor standing. Any thoughts on these 4 options? I really like the beefy looking build and large table of the Jet’s. They are belt drive but that seems a less complex approach than the DVR of the Nova’s. However, I see common complaints on the new jets of the light and laser board burning out early. I don’t care too much about those features as long as its reliable to drill.

Any thoughts on these. Thank you.

Watching this thread with interest... I decided (on paper) to go with the Nova benchtop Viking....but no money shelled out yet.

[Jeff Roltgen]

I'm on something like year 8 on my Jet JDP-17.
- No need to build a supplemental table - ZC insert and slots are in place
- Lighting systems still work just fine
- Belt change- easy enough
- Rotary depth stop is easier and more accurate than threaded rod I've had on others.
Favorite feature: 5" quill stroke.
In general, I really like it and would recommend.

jeff

[Greg Parrish]

I'm on something like year 8 on my Jet JDP-17.
- No need to build a supplemental table - ZC insert and slots are in place
- Lighting systems still work just fine
- Belt change- easy enough
- Rotary depth stop is easier and more accurate than threaded rod I've had on others.
Favorite feature: 5" quill stroke.
In general, I really like it and would recommend.

jeff


I looked at the 15” bench top and the 17” floor model recently. I like that feature regarding the table insert and slots. Plus it’s a huge table for sure. Another nice thing is that I can order them through my local Home Depot with free delivery to the store. I also like the fact that its a simple on/off switch and belt system where the electronic control in the nova always worried me on my voyager and would as well on the Viking. They probably are well tested for long life but if that control goes out it would probably be a big deal and would incapacitate the drill. I’m leaning towards one of the jets for the moment.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Doug Colombo]

+1 - Mine is also around the same age and fully agree with Jeff’s assessment.


I'm on something like year 8 on my Jet JDP-17.
- No need to build a supplemental table - ZC insert and slots are in place
- Lighting systems still work just fine
- Belt change- easy enough
- Rotary depth stop is easier and more accurate than threaded rod I've had on others.
Favorite feature: 5" quill stroke.
In general, I really like it and would recommend.

jeff

[John Kananis]

I have the benchtop viking. The only thing I dislike is the mechanical depth stop. It's much larger than other benchtop models, just fyi.

[Bill Dufour]

https://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/d/orlando-delta-industrial-double-drill/7564846447.html

Sell the cast iron legs and get enough money to buy two 3 phase motors and a couple vfd's.
Bill D

[Michael Burnside]

I recently got the Powermatic 2820EVS and absolutely love it. It replaced an older Jet 15” which I also really liked and had zero complaints. Like the 2820 the Jet always worked reliably and helped me make beautiful furniture.

[Patty Hann]

https://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/d/orlando-delta-industrial-double-drill/7564846447.html

Sell the cast iron legs and get enough money to buy two 3 phase motors and a couple vfd's.
Bill D
...because you can't have too many DPs :D

[Christopher Charles]

+2 to Jeff’s experience with the Jet 17”. Does what it’s supposed to for a decent price.

[Patty Hann]

I have the benchtop viking. The only thing I dislike is the mechanical depth stop. It's much larger than other benchtop models, just fyi.
What don't you like about the mechanical depth stop?

[John Kananis]

The mechanism is much like the old delta benchtop dp's where there's a turret on the crank handle. I much prefer the rod type stop like on the floor model.


What don't you like about the mechanical depth stop?

Edit: it has come loose on me more than twice so I have to be mindful. Really not cool, I expect things to work as they should. That aside, I can't fault the machine further. It's really great otherwise.

[Bill Dufour]

...because you can't have too many DPs :D
I have seen similar with up to six Dp's on one large cast iron table. One for the centerdrill, one to drill the pilot hole, big hole drill, counterbore, countersink with out changing bits. Or get a burgmiester.
They also make DPs with no table. They bolt to the ceiling so they take up no floor space. Just roll a work table underneath to use them.
Bill D

[Dave Sabo]

So , it seems to be a question / decision point around :

Do I like the Jets slightly bigger (but thinner) table with slots -vs.- the instant and nearly infinitely variable speed of the Nova ?

I’m leaving the fear factor out of it cause that’s not a rational consideration, and one might fear this or that with any tool / brand.

I’ll take the easy variable speed everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. A new table is easily bought or made exactly to my needs and wants - I prefer a round insert that affords lots more fresh surface area for backing than a square that can only have 4. However , adding electronically variable speed is an expensive and laborious endeavor to add to a drill press.

YMMV

[Jim Becker]

Go floor standing...it doesn't take up bench space and is easy to tuck away when not in use with a mobile base. I have an older Jet 17" (my only remaining Jet tool from the 2000s when I made my initial stationary tool purchases) and it works fine. But it's basic. There are lots of similar, if not nearly/exactly identical units on the market. If I were buying today, I'd seriously consider a true variable speed via VFD/DVR type, such as the Nova.

[Greg Parrish]

I know it will lack some functionality over the floor model but I think I’ve decided to go with a bench top nova Viking. I think it will cover most of my needs and in the spot I plan to mount it, it should be able to handle some longer/taller needs by rotating the head over the edge. Having had the Voyager model before I’m familiar with the control setup already. Thanks for the feedback. Will share a picture once I get it.

[John Kananis]

It's a nice machine overall. I've learned to live with the depth stop and just be careful, I really like it otherwise.

[Patty Hann]

I know it will lack some functionality over the floor model but I think I’ve decided to go with a bench top nova Viking. I think it will cover most of my needs and in the spot I plan to mount it, it should be able to handle some longer/taller needs by rotating the head over the edge. Having had the Voyager model before I’m familiar with the control setup already. Thanks for the feedback. Will share a picture once I get it.

Don't just share the picture.... I'd really like your opinion about it, kind of like a review, pros and cons, etc. maybe after a few months use.

[Greg Parrish]

Just got home after a long day of driving. Don’t feel like unpacking it tonight but will try to get it put together over the weekend. I’ll give some pictures and feedback after a little use but don’t expect any type of in-depth or formal written detailed review. I’m not that guy. :)

It’s been over 2 years since I sold my Nova Voyager so i don’t remember enough about it to do any real comparison. From what I can see on the basic controls though, this looks to be very, very similar. Not sure what the actual differences are.

Thanks again for the input above.

[Patty Hann]

Just got home after a long day of driving. Don’t feel like unpacking it tonight but will try to get it put together over the weekend. I’ll give some pictures and feedback after a little use but don’t expect any type of in-depth or formal written detailed review. I’m not that guy. :)

It’s been over 2 years since I sold my Nova Voyager so i don’t remember enough about it to do any real comparison. From what I can see on the basic controls though, this looks to be very, very similar. Not sure what the actual differences are.

Thanks again for the input above.

OK, no review,;) just some pros and cons as they occur to you.
My purchase is several months away, but it will be helpful to know how it operates in the "real world." Thanks

[Greg Parrish]

OK, no review,;) just some pros and cons as they occur to you.
My purchase is several months away, but it will be helpful to know how it operates in the "real world." Thanks

I’ll do my best. LOL. :)

[Chris Parks]

Go floor standing...it doesn't take up bench space and is easy to tuck away when not in use with a mobile base. I have an older Jet 17" (my only remaining Jet tool from the 2000s when I made my initial stationary tool purchases) and it works fine. But it's basic. There are lots of similar, if not nearly/exactly identical units on the market. If I were buying today, I'd seriously consider a true variable speed via VFD/DVR type, such as the Nova.

I put a bench DP on a stand made from RHS steel channel, RSJ or similar and welded top and bottom plates all bolted to the floor will also work. The advantage of this approach is the DP can be any height you choose. My belt linisher is on a stand made from high density chipboard flooring that resembles a RSJ and it is rock solid.

[John Kananis]

Greg, the only real difference in the controls, from what I can remember (between ours and the floor standing model), is the voyager can calculate speed for you based on the bit, bit size and medium being drilled. The viking can dial in the speed but there's no digital reference.

[Chris Parks]

I wonder if the same software works in both drills......MMM, maybe

[John Kananis]

I bet you a dollar they didn't spring to have 2 different boards designed. There's a usb hookup so with which knowledge and access to the voyager's files, I'm sure it could be done. I'm sure that anyone that owns the viking would be interested. Seems like a handy piece of software.


I wonder if the same software works in both drills......MMM, maybe

[Tom Bender]

How will you swing to the side for taller objects?

[Greg Parrish]

How will you swing to the side for taller objects?

I didn't say it would be easy or all that effective, but I have the press mounted on the front corner of a bench. If I loosen the set screws on the head, I can rotate it over the edge. From there, I'd have to build a jig to hold the work piece at the necessary spacing and height. Not something I would do often but if I ever needed to for some reason, where there is a will, there is a way. 99.99% of the time, my press will sit in it's normal configuration for sure.