Shopping for a Nova Voyager Drill Press? Start With Size, Speed, and Support

The Nova Voyager is not like other drill presses, and that is the whole point. Where nearly every press on the market drives its spindle through belts and pulleys, the Voyager uses a computer-controlled direct-drive motor with no belts at all. Turn a dial and the speed changes instantly, from a crawl to fast, with the motor holding constant torque the whole way. It is genuinely different technology, and it is expensive. So if you are shopping for one, the right approach is to look hard at three things: the size you need, whether the smart variable speed earns its premium for your work, and how support works. Here is that breakdown.

The Nova Voyager DVR (SKU 58000) is an 18-inch floor-standing drill press with a 1.75-HP direct-drive DVR (Digital Variable Reluctance) motor, electronically variable speed from 50 to 3,000 RPM (programmable up to 5,500 RPM), a 6-inch quill travel, an MT2 spindle taper, a 5/8-inch chuck, a 16-1/2-inch square tilting-and-rotating table, and Smart Adaptive Control with tapping capability, weighing about 306 pounds.

Short answer: buy the Nova Voyager if you want belt-free, dial-instant variable speed with a very low 50 RPM floor, deep 6-inch quill travel, and smart features like tapping and a digital display, and your work justifies the premium. Skip it if a conventional belt-drive press covers your drilling and you would rather put the money elsewhere. Here is how to decide on size, speed, and support.

Size: the 18-inch floor press

The Voyager is an 18-inch floor-standing machine, meaning it reaches the center of an 18-inch workpiece and stands on the floor rather than a bench. That is genuine floor-press capacity, suitable for larger work. Key dimensions:

• 6-inch quill travel: Among the best available. Deep holes, through-tenons, and long boring without repositioning the work.
• 16-1/2-inch square table: Large, tilts -45 to +45 degrees, and rotates 360 degrees for angled and offset work.
• MT2 taper, 5/8-inch chuck: Standard, capable tooling.
• About 306 pounds: Heavy enough to run smooth and stay put.

If you want the same technology in a smaller footprint, Nova also makes the Viking in a 16-inch benchtop and floor version. Our Nova Viking review covers that option, and our Nova drill press lineup guide compares the whole range.

Speed: what the DVR system actually does

This is the Voyager’s reason to exist. The direct-drive DVR motor is controlled by an onboard computer that:

• Varies speed electronically from 50 to 3,000 RPM (and can be set up to 5,500 RPM) with a turn of the dial, no belt changes, ever.
• Holds constant torque across the range by monitoring motor performance hundreds of times per second and delivering the power the cut needs.
• Runs vibration-free because there are no pulley clusters or belts, which also means quieter operation.
• Enables tapping with electronic reversing, so the spindle can back a tap out of a threaded hole.
• Shows a digital display of speed and settings, with programmable presets.

The practical payoff: the 50 RPM low end is extraordinarily slow, ideal for large bits, metal, and tapping, and you never open a cover to change speed. For a shop that varies bit sizes and materials constantly, this is a real daily convenience.

Support and buying

The Voyager is sold through Nova/Teknatool and its dealers (advmachinery, glencomachinery, and others), and demand often outpaces supply, so it may be on backorder. For current availability, the manufacturer’s site is the place to check: teknatool.com. Warranty is strong: 2 years on the motor and electronics and 5 years on all other parts. Because the value lives in the electronic control system, support for the motor and controller is the part that matters most, and the warranty reflects that.

The honest flaws

Price. The Voyager costs a multiple of a conventional belt-drive floor press. The DVR technology, smart features, and 6-inch stroke are what you are paying for.

Electronics dependence. A belt-drive press can be fixed with a belt and pulleys anywhere. The Voyager depends on its motor and control electronics; if those fail out of warranty, repair is a specialist job. The warranty is long precisely because this is the critical system.

Availability. Backorders are common. If you need a press this week, the Voyager may not be available immediately.

Overkill for basic drilling. If you drill wood at a few set speeds, the smart variable speed buys convenience you may not fully use.

Who should skip it

If your drilling is occasional and conventional, a belt-drive press covers it for far less. A JET JDP-17MF or a WEN benchtop gives you capable drilling without the electronic premium. The Voyager earns its price for shops that value instant dial speed, the very low 50 RPM floor, tapping, and vibration-free operation, and use those daily.

The verdict

The Nova Voyager is the most technologically advanced drill press most shops will consider: belt-free direct drive, instant 50-to-3,000 RPM dial control, a 6-inch stroke, tapping, and a digital display, all in an 18-inch floor package. If that capability matches how you work, and you can accept the premium, the electronics dependence, and the possible backorder, it is genuinely excellent and backed by a strong 2-and-5-year warranty. If your drilling is basic, put the money into a conventional floor press and spend the difference elsewhere. Decide on size (the 18-inch is plenty for most), be honest about whether smart variable speed earns its keep, and buy through Nova or an authorized dealer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Nova Voyager drill press? An 18-inch floor-standing drill press with a 1.75-HP direct-drive DVR motor, electronic variable speed from 50 to 3,000 RPM (up to 5,500), a 6-inch quill travel, and smart features including tapping and a digital display. It has no belts or pulleys.

How fast does the Nova Voyager go? From 50 to 3,000 RPM by default, adjustable with a dial, and programmable up to 5,500 RPM in the settings. The 50 RPM low end suits large bits, metal, and tapping.

Does the Nova Voyager have belts? No. It uses a computer-controlled direct-drive DVR motor, which eliminates belts and pulleys and the vibration that comes with them.

Can the Nova Voyager tap threads? Yes. Its electronic reversing lets the spindle back a tap out of a threaded hole, so it can tap without a separate tapping head.

What warranty does the Nova Voyager have? Two years on the motor and electronics and five years on all other parts.

Where can I buy a Nova Voyager drill press? Through Nova/Teknatool and authorized dealers. Check teknatool.com for current availability, as the Voyager is often on backorder.

Is the Nova Voyager worth the price? For shops that value instant dial speed, the 50 RPM low end, tapping, and vibration-free operation and use them regularly, yes. For occasional or basic drilling, a conventional belt-drive press is far better value.

References

• Teknatool, NOVA Voyager DVR 18-inch drill press (SKU 58000): https://www.teknatool.com
• Pro Tool Reviews, Nova Voyager DVR drill press 58000: https://www.protoolreviews.com
• Woodworker’s Journal, NOVA Voyager drill press features: https://www.woodworkersjournal.com