Nova Viking Floor Model Version

[Doug Walls]

I'm looking at getting a Nova Viking for my garage mainly for woodworking use.
I'm probably going to go with the floor model version because of the extra height adjustability, but the base seems kind of narrow for a floor model drill press!

Has anyone had any problems with the Viking floor model version being unstable?

Doug

[Larry Frank]

I have had no problems with mine. You can always bolt it to a wider base

[Brian Tymchak]

The full height version is called the Voyager. The base and column are quite heavy. I had no issues with stability while I had it directly on the floor. I've since put it on a mobile base which makes it a tiny bit less stable but well worth it to have the mobility in my small shop. If you want it on a mobile base, I'll suggest assembling the DP on the mobile base instead of moving the fully assembled DP onto the base as the assembled unit is quite heavy and awkward to maneuver. Think your assembly process thru before starting, especially with how you will install the head on the column.

[Doug Walls]

The full height version is called the Voyager.
The Voyager is a whole lot beefier unit with more power & added features.

I've thought about the Voyager also, but I'm not sure if the added features are worth the extra cost?
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The Viking I'm looking at comes in a bench model & a floor model version.
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Doug

[Brian Tymchak]

The Voyager is a whole lot beefier unit with more power & added features.

I've thought about the Voyager also, but I'm not sure if the added features are worth the extra cost?


The Viking I'm looking at comes in a bench model & a floor model version.


Doug

Ah, I didn't realize they had made a floor model of the Viking. I wonder why as I remember when the Viking came out it being touted as the bench version of the Voyager. Well, everything I said is irrelevant. Sorry about that.

[Doug Walls]

I have had no problems with mine.
Thanks!
Are you using it with just the standard table, or do you have an auxiliary top on it?

I'm probably going to make a wider table-top for it with T-tracks & hold-downs.
With a wider top I imagine it could be a little unstable.



You can always bolt it to a wider base
Yeah, that would probably be a good idea.

I currently have an older 17" Deta that I'll probably end-up parting out once I get the new Viking.
The base is really heavy & has a wide footprint.

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[Derek Cohen]

Brian, the Viking is a different drill press from the Voyager - smaller motor, less features. T originally came out in bench top version only, but no doubt the lower price made it popular, and Nova probably extended the choices as a result.

I have the Voyager, and I imagine (do not know) that the bases would be the same. Mine rests on wheels, and the stability factor has been fine …

https://i.postimg.cc/q0x8f5MF/4.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/Dn1DrGf4/DP12a.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

The Voyager has been a wonderful addition to the workshop. The Viking at the time of purchased was only in bench top version. I would be happy with either.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Doug Walls]

I have the Voyager, and I imagine (do not know) that the bases would be the same.

No there not the same, I got these dimensions from their website.

Voyager Base Size (L x W): 22 1/4” x 17 1/2″ (565mm x 445mm)

Viking Base Size (L x W): 18.45” x 10.63” (468.7mm x 270mm)

Doug

[Kent A Bathurst]

Easy solution - buy the Voyager. Enthusiasm will abound for the rest of your long life, and you'll have no worries about the base's stability.

Slap on the Llambrich keyless chuck I got for mine, and you'll be inventing tasks for the drill press.

[Mike Goetzke]

Thanks!
Are you using it with just the standard table, or do you have an auxiliary top on it?

I'm probably going to make a wider table-top for it with T-tracks & hold-downs.
With a wider top I imagine it could be a little unstable.



Yeah, that would probably be a good idea.

I currently have an older 17" Deta that I'll probably end-up parting out once I get the new Viking.
The base is really heavy & has a wide footprint.

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I had a Voyager on order or should I say backorder for a long time. I saw Nova had a deal on a Viking drill head (no post or base) and I was able to adapt (needed to add a sleeve to the post) this to my old Ridgid floor model drill press. Right after I put this together my Voyager came in stock so I sold the Viking. I know the Voyager is a beast compared to the Viking but I liked the simpler user interface on the Viking.
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[Tom Bender]

My DP is another brand with a 10" wide base. It seemed easy to tip so I added a 12" wide plywood base. Much better. And as a bonus it runs quieter.

[Rich Markiewicz]

Agreed w/ Kent, the Llambrich keyless chuck was a bit spendy, but well worth it. One of those smile every time you use it things. cheers ...

[Doug Walls]

Easy solution - buy the Voyager.
I thought about that, but the Voyager's are currently all on backorder. Most of the added features on the Voyager I would not use anyway.

[Alan Lightstone]

Slap on the Llambrich keyless chuck I got for mine, and you'll be inventing tasks for the drill press.
Which is the correct model number for the Voyager?

[Rich Markiewicz]

I have a 2017-build Voyager DVR. I got the Llambrich JK-130-MT2. I don't know if all Voyagers have the same spindle design.

[Kent A Bathurst]

Integrated 2MT Shank JK-16 MT2 Is the model I got. There’s an equivalent chuck which uses a separate MT2 shank, but I had no use for that feature, and figgered fewer parts was better

[Doug Walls]

I have had no problems with mine.
Will the Viking head rotate 180/360 degrees like many other drill presses?

I can't seem to find a Viking floor model that's in stock!
The Viking floor model & the Voyager are currently on backorder.

My local Rockler store has the Viking bench model in stock, So I'm thinking I could always make a stand somewhat like this that would give me a larger working depth if needed.
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[Derek Cohen]

Doug, I think that is a good idea. In reality, I cannot recall the last time I needed to drill something that was higher than 12”. Many with floor standing models - and I am one - have or plan to fit a cabinet to the base for bits, etc. And this then creates a “bench top” machine from a floor standing one.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tom Bender]

I usually install rubber feet on furniture. To keep the feet in place I drill recesses into the bottom of the legs, best done after assembly. A bench top DP is not good for this.

[Derek Cohen]

Tom, I suspect that there may be better ways to do this than a drill press. :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Patty Hann]

Will the Viking head rotate 180/360 degrees like many other drill presses?

I can't seem to find a Viking floor model that's in stock!
The Viking floor model & the Voyager are currently on backorder.

My local Rockler store has the Viking bench model in stock, So I'm thinking I could always make a stand somewhat like this that would give me a larger working depth if needed.
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I intend to upgrade my little craftsman bench model to the Viking bench model.
I plan on reversing the base also, and building a stand similar to your cabinet, but yours is better than any ideas I came up with.
Thanks for posting the drawing.

[Doug Walls]

I plan on reversing the base also, and building a stand similar to your cabinet, but yours is better than any ideas I came up with.
There are plans for that stand online somewhere, but I can't remember where!
I believe it was originally in one of the Woodworking magazines.

[Doug Walls]

My DP is another brand with a 10" wide base. It seemed easy to tip so I added a 12" wide plywood base. Much better. And as a bonus it runs quieter.

I just pulled the trigger on the Viking floor model 9/30/23 & it looks as though I just beat an October price increase by Teknatool! :D
Amazon, Grizzly, Rockler, & Woodcraft increased their prices $100 on both models of the Viking & the Voyager.

The Viking floor model is currently scheduled to ship mid Oct. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Doug Walls]

I intend to upgrade my little craftsman bench model to the Viking bench model.
If you can do it & still find one at $1199.99 I would grab it!
Acme Tools & a couple of E-Bay sites look like still have the old price, but I'll bet tomorrow (Monday) they will also increase their price.
Amazon, Grizzly, Rockler, & Woodcraft all raised their prices as of Oct. 1st.

[Doug Walls]

The Viking floor model is currently scheduled to ship mid Oct. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Well it looks like Viking floor model has magically came back in stock after the Oct. 1st. Price increases. 🤔

[Doug Walls]

Got my Nova Viking today. :D
It was brought by ABF Freight on a 45' semi-trailer which surprised me being I'm in a residential neighborhood. :eek:
Luckily it was delivered early (9:30AM) so the street wasn't filled with parked cars!

Acme Tool told me that I would need to provide a way to unload it from the back of the delivery truck, or
I assumed that it would arrive by a regular delivery truck! I have a heavy-duty appliance dolly with retractable/tilt support wheels, I figured I could just slide the box out & onto the tilted dolly.

The package was strapped to a narrow pallet which would have made it a little tricky to slide out!
The trailer had a liftgate & even though I didn't pay for or request liftgate service the driver unloaded the pallet & pulled it up my driveway with a pallet-jack. :cool:


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I'm going to make a wider "sub-base" with leveling feet for it before I pull it fully out of the packaging.

Doug

[Larry Frank]

Congratulations

[Doug Walls]

It finally stopped raining here, so I was able to weld up a sub-base for the Nova Viking.
Being welding/grinding sparks & sawdust doesn't mix well :eek: I always do any welding or grinding outside.

I used some 3/8" X 5" & 1/2" X 2" flat stock I had on hand and made a sub-base that's about twice as wide as original base.
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The weight of the steel & the wider width really makes the drill press stable.
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Now all I need to do is make some room for it. :o