Nova Voyager DVR Drill Press

The Nova Voyager DVR Drill Press is the world's first smart drill press, featuring an incredibly smooth-running direct-drive motor that is controlled by a sophisticated microcomputer and digital screen with push-button controls. The computer features DVR (Digital Variable Reluctance) technology, which automatically adjusts and maintains the speed and power of the machine based on resistance. That, coupled with the fact that the Voyager's motor has no belts or pulleys, results in a machine that is incredibly smooth and quiet. The computer also optimizes efficiency so that the motor only draws as much power as is needed, saving up to 50% in energy usage over conventional motors. With its 1-3/4 HP high torque motor, cast iron construction, exceptional structural strength and smart design, the NOVA Voyager has the power and capacity to handle nearly any drilling operation with ease.
Features:
- Easy-to-use variable speed controls with digital speed readout and dial for precise speed adjustment
- Variable speed range from 50-5500 RPM (default RPM is 50-3000, with option in settings to increase the maximum to 5500)
- Sensors for drilling depth, motor load and vibration provide ease-of-use and real-time feedback to the user
- Powerful 1.75HP motor handles wood, metal, plastic and glass
- Direct drive motor is incredibly smooth with no pulleys or belts to vibrate
- Intelligent speed selection ensures the correct speed for the application
- 6'' of quill travel with 2 revolutions of the handle
- Adjustable mechanical stop coupled with digital readout for accurate, repeatable drilling
- Adaptive Control software is updatable via thumb-drive
- Screen is customizable for metric or imperial measurements
- Forward and reverse
- Slow start pilot hole function
- Tapping assist function
- Electronic braking
- Load readout
- Digital quill depth readout
(1) Drill Chuck
(1) Table
(1) Hardware/Fastenings Pack
(1) Owner's Manual

With the Rockler Protection Plan, you'll get accidental damage coverage immediately upon purchase of your tool. Plus, we will extend the manufacturer's warranty for your choice of an additional 1 or 2 years. We'll take care of all parts and labor for any repairs, with no deductibles and no hassles. If your tool can not be repaired, we'll gladly replace it. Available in the US only. Click here to learn more.
Standard Manufacturer's Warranty: 24 monthsBrand | Nova |
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Manufacturer Part Number | 58000 |
Weight | 310.0000 |
Tech Spec |
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I would definitely buy it again.
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First, the shaft/gear that raises and lowers the fable had come out of the table support arm. Didn't know what it was at first as it is not mentioned anywhere in the instruction book but finally figured it out. It was easy to put back in but the fix is also easy: it's called "tape."
Second, it comes with the collar and the worm already assembled on the column. There is nothing about this in the instructions. You have to remove the collar to put the table support arm on the column, but when you remove the collar the worm falls off so be ready for that. From that point you can follow the instructions.
Third, and last, there is an item in the package which in the instructions is called a chuck drift. There is nothing else in the instructions about it that I could find. Finally found out online, after some searching, that it is actually the chuck removal tool. You put the small end in a slot in the spindle with the angled side down, tap it with a hammer and the chuck falls out (recommend you have a piece of wood on the table to protect the chuck when it falls).
Once I got it set up, it performs very, very well. I love the fact that you don't have to move belts around to change speeds. That, to me, is the biggest plus for this drill. All the holes so far have been straight and even, with no runout that I can see. It is very quiet, the action is smooth and all the parts fit together very well.
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Display: Quality is sub-par. Sure, it's unfair to compare against smart phones/tablets but moving up to a better display would greatly increase the user experience.
Keypad: Ditto, the membrane keypad is the biggest drawback to user interface. Nearly NO tactile feedback, often do not know if keypress took. And the “sound” feedback… see below.
Sound: Many have criticized this shortcoming. I cannot hear it at all given the ambient noise level in my shop (air filtration on ceiling nearby). Gives me a “What were you thinking” moment towards the designers. This could be mitigated/replaced by a LED that blinks with each chirp.
After updating the firmware, the display would badly corrupt 5-10 minutes after power-on. I downgraded to prior version which resolved corrupt display. Later I upgraded again. The display still occasionally corrupts requiring a power cycle but not often enough to justify down-grading again.
Did I say I would buy again? ;)
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It was packaged properly for shipping and everything came through OK. Went together well it didn't take too long to figure out the controls.
My only complaint is that it does not have a built-in light. You would think a $1500 drill press would have it's own light. There's a lot that you can do with LEDs now days.
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- 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
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My Nova Voyager replaced a very capable and equally powerful floor standing drill press from a well known large tool manufacturer. I hated changing belts and decided to give the Nova Voyager a try.
Let's start with the good:
* The motor is powerful and very quiet, compared to my previous drill press.
* Not having to change belts is a dream come true.
* So far, the software has done a respectable job of selecting appropriate recommended speeds for drilling, for both wood and metal.
* It is easy to manually set your own rotation speed, if you prefer not to use the recommended speed setting.
* The fit and finish of the drill press are reasonable good, with no sharp edges anywhere.
* The DP was packaged really well and arrived in excellent condition.
* There is a port on the DP to allow firmware updates (I have not performed one of these yet).
* Quill travel is an honest 6 inches and is easy to set both mechanically and digitally.
The Neutral:
* The chuck is okay; it is no better or worse than the chuck in my previous DP, although that DP was considerably cheaper. I anticipate upgrading the chuck someday, not out of necessity but out of preference.
* Assembling the DP can be done by a single person but would be very challenging, due to size and weight. My son helped me install the direct drive motor on the shaft. Overall, assembly is not difficult.
The not so good:
* The LCD screen is just too small (1.25 inches high and 2.75 inches wide). My old eyes just are not what they used to be and a larger screen is almost mandatory. This is my single biggest dislike of this drill.
* If you install a third party table (Rockler's excellent DP table and fence, or Woodpeckers table and fence, etc) then the crank that raises and lowers the table height will hit your table. I cut the back right corner out of my table, to accommodate turning the hand crank. I could have built a sliding mechanism but cutting the corner was just quicker and easier and got me up and running sooner.
* The user manual is "okay," but could be MUCH better. I did get one of the earliest production units and they may have already improved the manual. It is not in any kind of booklet form, just printed sheets of paper (printed in 2 colors) stapled together. Explanations are basic and illustrations are okay (not good or great) though sometimes too small.
* The mechanism for rotating the table could have been made easier with a levered handle. As it is, you need to get a wrench and allen key to loosen a hex nut and allen bolt (under the table) in order to rotate the table. Fortunately, this is not something I need to do often and is not a major factor.
* The stickers on the side of the DP keep falling off. I laminated mine and taped them back onto the DP.
* The warranty on the motor (the single most expensive part of this DP) is only 2 years (5 years on the other parts).
Taking into account the cost of this DP (price of unit, extra shipping charge for weight, taxes) would I buy this DP again? ..... Maybe!
For me, it comes down to longevity. If this DP gives me many years of trouble free service, then I will consider it worth the price that I paid (I did not get it on sale).
While I really dislike the tiny (non-touch) screen, I really do love using this DP. It is so much quieter than my previous DP, it has plenty of power and not having to deal with the belts has been an absolute joy.
If Nova Corp addresses the issues that I mentioned above (especially the screen size) then I would consider this DP a much better value.
If Rockler will permit it, I will update this review at the 2 year mark (when the warranty on the motor runs out) to add further comments with respect to the longevity.
I hope these comments were helpful to prospective buyers.
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Second, the depth control software uses a beep that tells you how close you are to the set depth. Problem, you can't hear the beep. The sound of the motor, and the noise of drilling completely drowns out that wimpy beep.
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- Inaccurate
- Mark L on Jan 24, 2017
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- Mark L on Jan 24, 2017
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- Inaccurate
- Matthew R on Feb 8, 2017
- Purchased on Nov 28, 2016
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- Inaccurate
- Matthew R on Feb 8, 2017
- Purchased on Nov 28, 2016
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- Inaccurate
- Matthew R on Mar 13, 2017
- Purchased on Nov 28, 2016
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- Inaccurate
- Steven G on Dec 1, 2016
- Purchased on Oct 29, 2016
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- Inaccurate
- MikeF on Mar 22, 2017
I'm not sure that it was designed for excess horizontal pressure.
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- Selka S on Aug 28, 2018
- Purchased on Mar 7, 2017
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- Inaccurate
- Wayne R G on Mar 8, 2019
- Purchased on Apr 25, 2018
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- Inaccurate
- Tom D on Oct 11, 2017
- Purchased on Oct 11, 2016