Popular Post JohnG Posted July 18, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 18, 2022 I recently upgraded from a HF benchtop drill press to the Voyager. I’m creating this thread as an ongoing review and Q/A about it. It’s expensive compared to the most common woodworking options out there, but it’s also easy to find more expensive drill presses. It has some really nice features. There are some I’ll probably never use, but I’ve tried out a couple features that I didn’t expect to use and it’s been a nice surprise. I’ve used it on several small projects so far and it’s been a joy to use. Especially coming from the HF benchtop model. It’s smooth, quiet, and precise. Adjusting the speed on the fly is great, too. Assembly and setup is easy, apart from the weight of it. A hoist or other assistance is strongly recommended for lifting the power head onto the column. The rest of it is fairly manageable. I placed it on a simple mobile base I had made, and I plan to build a set of drawers to go under the table. I’m also looking at keyless chucks and drill press tables to go on it. Don’t mind the mess! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 That’s sweet John! Mind me asking the approx cost? Right now I have the HF floor model and it leaves a little to be desired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted July 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 It's gone up slightly since I bought mine, now at $1,999 most places. Just remember, it's still a bargain compared to Powermatic drill presses! They also have the benchtop version, the Viking, for $1,199. I ordered mine 2-3 months before I got it, and had expected to wait longer. There was someone on the waiting list ahead of me that had ordered 8mo before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted July 19, 2022 Report Share Posted July 19, 2022 14 hours ago, JohnG said: A hoist or other assistance is strongly recommended for lifting the power head onto the column. John, can you give a little more detail how you managed this? I found that power head was not only heavy, but had no attachment points for a hoist. As I recall I ended up putting mine together on the floor with the column horizontal, then hoisting the whole thing upright (still with difficulty). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted July 22, 2022 Report Share Posted July 22, 2022 On 7/19/2022 at 9:00 AM, Mark J said: As I recall I ended up putting mine together on the floor with the column horizontal, then hoisting the whole thing upright (still with difficulty). That's how I did it with my drill press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted July 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2022 On 7/19/2022 at 10:00 AM, Mark J said: John, can you give a little more detail how you managed this? I found that power head was not only heavy, but had no attachment points for a hoist. As I recall I ended up putting mine together on the floor with the column horizontal, then hoisting the whole thing upright (still with difficulty). I should have assembled it on the floor and the tipped it up. I hefted the powerhead onto my stool, then got under it and did a goblet squat to partial overhead press. Luckily I’m taller so I didn’t have to lift it much past the goblet squat to reach the top of the column. Hoisting it would probably require a couple straps and someone to keep it balanced/guide it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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