Last Updated on September 1, 2023 by Marc Smith The Shop Fox W1668 is an easy to operate drill press with plenty of power being supplied by the ¾ hp motor. This drill will handle any light to heavy duty drilling. A great added feature is that the W1668 converts into a sander for multiple sanding applications.
The ability to tilt the work table 45 degrees to the left or right is very handy and allow you to work at almost any angle. The Shop Fox features a swing of 13-1/4 inches and a spindle travel of 3-1/4 inches. This drill press can be set to 12 different speeds, from 250 rpm to a high speed of 3,050 rpm.
The W1668 can be converted from drilling operations to an oscillating sander in a matter of seconds without the use of tools. This drill press includes a 3-piece spindle sander drum kit with a mandrel and 80 grit sanding paper to fit the 1-inch, 1 ½ -inch and 2-inch drums.
When using a drill press, versatility is top of my list and this drill press really impressed me in that department.
Product Features and Specifications
- Height: 38 inches
- Motor: 3.4hp
- Weight: 122.4 pounds
- Dimensions: 23x14x38inches
- 12 Speed settings (250-3050rpm)
- Drill Chuck: 5/8 inch
- Oscillating spindle for sanding
- Work table can swing 360 degrees
- Work table dust port
The Reviews
The Shop Fox W1668 received mixed reviews from buyers. On Amazon, it has an average rating of 3.8 out of a possible 5 stars. A lot of customers said that it was easy to use with a lot of power. Users also noted that changing the speed was quite easy. One customer said: “ Better than expected, works like a dream”
Some customers weren’t as happy with the W1668 and found the manual inadequate and outdated which made the assembly process a nightmare. The finish on the product wasn’t to the satisfaction of buyers. There are quite a few reports of shipping problems and damaged parts on arrival. The weight of this drill press was a downer for some users.
One customer noted that he upgraded from the Skil 3320 drill press to the W1668 and was more than happy with the change. He commented that power and versatility was excellent.
The Verdict
The Shop Fox W1668 is a good, middle of the range drill press that will appeal to the woodworker or hobbyist that require a versatile machine for the workshop. There are quite a few niggles reported by customers that bought the W1668, but most of these are shipping issues or cosmetic damage, none of which affect the functionality of this drill press. The Shop Fox is one of the competitors of the JET 354165 JDP-15, which received excellent feedback from users.
If you are looking for the best drill press for woodworking at a reasonable price, the shop fox will have to be on your short list.
