Nova Viking has workshop tools for those of us looking for capabilities at prices that don’t scare us away. Drill presses stands out for their appearance alone. They look serious right out of the package.
Heavy duty frames and cast iron bases says they’ll last but won’t cost as much than an industrial name. It’s easy to think that if the machine looks solid and is cheaper, it’ll just work forever without any fuss. This is where most folks running this machine new gets in trouble.
Knowing the oddities of a machine will save time and keep you from getting frustrated ahead of time. Before you load the dough into a machine or set one up, here are some things you should of know about it so you can be prepared and avoid unnecessary headaches. They aren’t always deal breakers but they are just a reality of design and will impact your method of use.
Knowing what it won’t do allows you to adjust instead of fighting the hardware. This makes it a manageable aspect of your workflow and not a headache. You get what you pay for without falling into any traps that you might not have been aware of had you knew better.
Common Nova Viking Drill Press Problems
Spindle Runout Issues and Fixes
Spindle run out is the most frequent issue. Spindle runout is how much the drill bit wobbles off the center of the chuck. On a high end Grizzly, or a Bridgeport you’ll notice less spindle runout then you will on a Nova Viking machine.
Why does this matter? Every time your spindle rotate with any kind of twist, even a small one, it enlarges the hole being drilled. In precision parts, this is bad news.
In parts that get assembled together, this can cause fit problems. What is the solution? Generally pretty easy.
Tighten up your drill chuck correctly. Get a good drill chuck. Soft jaw inserts helps grab the bit equally and really reduce the runout.
Adjusting Quill Play for Precision
People also comment about the quill play. When you turn the handle, the chuck and quill sleeve move together as one piece up and down. Some say that the fit between the column and quill feels looser then normal for Nova models straight from the box.
That’s because the factory setting is adjusted conservatively to help prevent binding. You’ll want to adjust the set screws in the rear of head and tighten them. Don’t crank ‘em down too tight, though, or the mechanism will jam.
You must find the sweet spot where it move smoothly without spinning the quill itself when released. Takes a few minutes but it makes a huge difference in how the machine feels.
Reducing Motor Vibrations
Another item to inspect for is vibrations caused by your motor.
Most of the motors is belt drive and have plenty of power for most of the jobs in the shop. If you subject them to heavy usage they can causes the mounts to come loose. It transmits a vibration to the work piece which shows up as a little tear out in the wood or a ragged edge to the hole.
Check the tension of the idler pulley and occasionally look at the motor bolts holding the bracket down. A slipping belt will slip when under load, causing the motor to search for grip. Tighten all down and keep the cut clean.
Ensuring Table Stability
Another area that might cause debate is the table stability. With a cross slide mechanism, you can position the table forward, backward, left, and right. That’s nice when positioning work but it do create some weak spots unless the table is locked down.
Before starting your drill, make sure the locking handles is engaged tightly. An unstable table will mess up your accuracy and can be hazardous if the workpiece shifts unexpectedly. For heavy jobs some users bolt their table directly to the base with T nuts as well.
It’s one more step, but it helps with accuracy later.
Managing Dust Collection
And lastly, take into account the dust collection ports. Yes, there are usually some, although they’re frequently undersized for heavy duty use and not located well.
So you’ll have to have a shop vac or vacuum handy to prevent the buildup of chips. The buildup of dust will cause increased wear in the moving parts as well as clog up the ways. Many owners fail to do this but keeping it clean is also part of machine maintenance.
Regular wiping down and a bit of grease on the column go a long way. Understand these machines’ personalities; they really deliver big time on value. Not perfect but capable beyond belief in the home/small shop.
Secure the table, tighten the quill and set the chuck. Now go to work. Treat them with a little extra care and they’ll work hard for you.