February 22, 2020

The Best Shop Fox Table Saws [Reviewed]

Are you looking for the best Shop Fox table saw? Table saws are an asset in any woodworkerโ€™s shop. Although not everyone sees the absolute need for these, they are a fixture in a workshop that will make a difference in your work.ย 

The typical table saw consists of several components that make it functional.ย Traditional table saws consist of an electric motor mounted below a table. It drives a circular saw blade projecting through an opening in the tableโ€™s surface. The average table saw will rip and crosscut wood.ย 

As a professional contractor, you will want to ensure you get the best tools to produce the best possible results. A cabinet saw or at least a hybrid saw is what you will need. There are brand names that you can trust for table saws.

ImageName & Key FeaturesLink
Shop Fox W1837 10" 2 hp Open-Stand Hybrid Table Saw CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Shop Fox W1851 Hybrid Cabinet Table SawCHECK CURRENT PRICE
Shop Fox W1819 3 HP 10-Inch Table SawCHECK CURRENT PRICE
Shop Fox W1820 3 HP 10-Inch Table SawCHECK CURRENT PRICE
Shop Fox W1811 10-Inch 5 HP Sliding Table Saw CHECK CURRENT PRICE

Shop Fox is one such brand. This brand first came on the scene at the beginning of the century. Over time, it has developed into one of the Americasโ€™ top brands of woodworking and metalworking equipment.

Shop Fox machines include:

  • Table saws,
  • jointers,
  • planers,
  • bandsaws,
  • shapers,
  • lathes,
  • sanders,
  • dust collectors,
  • mills,
  • drills,
  • and many other types of specialized machinery.

In this article, we look at the best table saws made by Shop Fox. The company does not make many models. Their saws are sold via dealer chains.

Do you need a quick guide to buying the best Shop Fox table saws? There are a few things that you will need to consider. Think about the riving knife on the saw and check if it is interchangeable. Also, check on the blade guard. This will keep you safe as you work. Also, check on the cut depth and the power the motor pulls.ย 

Make sure that you know the size of the job that you will want to do. This will help you decide the type of work surface space you need. Some saws have expandable work surfaces, which come in handy when working on different projects.

Our Top Pick for Shop Fox Table Saws Reviewed

Our Winner!

We have researched and found our favorite saw to be the Shop Fox W1819 3 HP 10-Inch Table Saw. It has a precision ground, polished cast iron table, wings, and massive cast iron trunnions. It also has a quick-release riving knife, blade guard, and splitter assembly. The t-fence system has a wide span and glides very easily with positive Camlock, phenolic face, and smooth gliding nylon runners. The adjustable T-slot miter gauge has an anodized fence extension and flip stop. This saw also has a magnetic switch with thermal overload protection.

Shop Fox W1819 3 HP 10-Inch Table Saw

Shop Fox W1837 10โ€ณ 2 hp Open-Stand Hybrid Table Sawย 

Shop Fox W1837 is a 10-inch 2-hp open stand hybrid table saw. It runs on a single-phase motor prewired on 120 V. It has a 20 amp circuit. At the bottom of this cabinet is a 4-inch D sport. This makes it easy for you to collect the dust while working and not get through the bulk of the cleaning at the end. The table is made out of precision ground cast iron. Twin large working space, a pair of steel wings measure 40.5โ€ x 27โ€.

To give you an idea of what sort of power and performance you can expect from this, it has a rip capacity of 30 inches to the right and 15 inches to the left. The fence is of a lift-off variety. It has a locking ability. Once you have it in the right place, you can lock it there and be assured of precise results when you start cutting.

Without mentioning the interchangeable to arrive in life, we cannot get through this. This knife offers you protection from now through cutting operations, requiring you to remove the blade guard. The mobile base is kickstand operated and built onto the table. This machine has powerful cabinet-mounted trunnions. They deliver incredible performances all around.ย 

What we love is the ease with which you can move this machine. This is mainly courtesy of the pair of wheels stationed at the bottom. You can also lock these wheels for safety to ensure they do not move while youโ€™re working. This heavy machine is challenging to move without the aid of the wheels.

Prosย 

  • You can use it in small spaces.
  • It is easy to move from one area to another.
  • It cuts very accurately.
  • Offers a large working area.
  • The table is strong, made out of cast iron.
  • Comes with a dust removal system.
  • Offers excellent value for money.

Consย 

  • It may require tuning and setup.
  • It is cumbersome.

Shop Fox W1851 Hybrid Cabinet Table Saw

The Shop Fox W1851 hybrid table saw is another two-hp table saw. It also runs on a single-phase motor tuned to run at 110 V. It is a one-piece cabinet frame mounted to cast iron trunnions. As with the device above, this one also comes with a built-in dust collection Stroud under the blade. This makes it efficient to keep your workspace clear of dust accumulating while youโ€™re working.

This is an incredible table saw for contractors and those that want to use this saw at various locations. It is designed to deliver to the needs of most woodwork. The fence is positioned to make it easy and functional to execute most cutting operations.

It performs well under most circumstances. You can adjust it easily to give you a perfect Pyro blade with the jewel position with the fence. There is a quick-release guard on the blade to enhance safety when working.

You can tilt the blade between zero and 45ยฐ. This makes it ideal for cutting bevels, compound miters, or chamfers. There isnโ€™t much effort required to adjust the cutting angle. You need to loosen the bladeโ€™s tilt lock and turn the blade. Once youโ€™ve got the angle right, you can lock it in that position and use it until you require a different angle.ย 

Weโ€™ve already mentioned the blade guard. It is a transparent one that is made out of polycarbonate. This is what saves you from injury in the event of a kickback. There is also a spreader metal plate designed to stop a kickback.

Pros

  • Has great anti-kickback features.
  • The machining is of very high quality.
  • It comes with an easy-to-follow manual.
  • It is a mighty table saw.
  • It can tilt between 0 and 45 degrees.
  • The blade guard is perfect.

Consย 

  • Getting parts can be a mission.
  • It takes time and effort to mount.
  • It does not come with a conversion kit

Shop Fox W1819 3 HP 10-Inch Table Saw

Here is a top pick. If you fancy 3hp instead of the 2hp motor that most table saws have. With such a powerful motor, you are guaranteed higher performance. This is enhanced by a triple belt drive that runs to the cast iron table. To expand the working space, you have extended wings.

A cam lock T-fence, a riving knife, cast handwheels, a magnetic switch, a T-slot miter gauge with a fence extension, and a flip stop. With the material that has been used to manufacture this product, it is built to be durable. That means even at a slightly higher price point. It is justified, as it will last.ย 

As with the other devices, this has a 4-inch dust collection port. This makes it much easier to keep your working area tidy. You can funnel the dust from the port directly into a collection bin. We liked that the riving knife can tilt and adjust upwards and downwards. This gives you an impressive 29 and 1/2 inches rip capacity.

The polycarbonate blade guard is a great addition. It is a clear shield that provides a protective barrier from kickback pawls on both sides of the spreader. You can keep track of the position of the blade during operation. This is a safety feature.ย 

You will notice that the guard rises as the workpiece runs through. It maintains contact with the workpiece at all times. Another incredible feature is the W1819 miter fence with a flip stop. It supports the workpiece more than the miter gauge would do on its own. This comes in handy when you have a long workpiece.

Pros

  • It works well with long pieces
  • This is a heavy-duty table saw.
  • It is a robust and durable machine.
  • Comes with a blade guard.
  • Has great safety features.
  • The dust collection port makes cleaning easier.

Consย 

  • It may require adjustments.
  • They are often dispatched in different packages.

Shop Fox W1820 3 HP 10-Inch Table Saw

Suppose the idea of a 3hp machine sounds excellent to you. Here is another one. This is a single-phase table saw that runs at 220V at 12.8 Amps. It has a rip capacity of 50 inches. There is a miter fence with a flip stop, as we encountered on the machine listed above this one. This is a fence that is great for working on long workpieces.ย 

It provides a more steady workstation than just the miter gauge on the workpiece. It maintains its position better than most features would. You also can pivot it to avoid interference from more extended pieces of work. As an additional feature, you also have the flip stop you can use when making multiple cuts without changing the width.

You will also appreciate the ability to tilt the blade from left to right. You can tilt it between 0 and 45 degrees. This incredible feature is for cutting bevels, compound miters, and chamfers. You can also adjust the cutting angle with great ease. You can do this by loosening the blade tilt lock and tilting the blade to the angle you want to work at.ย 

The blade is tilted using the blade tilt handwheel. Once you have adjusted to that angle, you can lock it again. This table saw gives you 40 by 45-1/2 by 82 inches as a workspace. The floor-to-table height is 34 inches.ย 

To summarise, you will be pleased to find that this is a well-made table saw. The performance lives up to the expected standard for the brand and artistry. It is made out of cast iron, which is famed for longevity. As the previous table saw, this one has a clear polycarbonate shield. There are anti-kickback pawls on either side of the spreader.

Prosย 

  • It is easy to put together.
  • Comes with a blade guard.
  • It works right out of the box.
  • It is a potent machine.
  • Both dial gauge and fence work well.
  • The body of the saw is solid.

Consย 

  • Replacement parts are expensive.
  • It may require a lot of adjusting.

Shop Fox W1811 10-Inch 5 HP Sliding Table Sawย 

Now that we have covered the 3hp, how does 5hp sound? This is a single-phase device that provides you with a 3450 RPM. It has a 19Amp capacity. A metal plate is designed to stop freshly cut pieces from pinching the backside of the blade, which would result in kickback.ย 

The blade is adjustable. You can also adjust the kerf thickness by changing the height of the scoring blade. This machine has a ripping width of 33 inches at maximum. The blade diameter is 10 inches.ย 

Not many table saws come close to this one regarding how comprehensively put together it is. This table saw comes with everything you could want from such a machine. One of the key selling points of this machine is that it is designed to be fully functional in confined spaces.ย 

There is a 10-inch sliding table saw that works to minimize cross-grain tear-out. That delivers more polished end products. You can use this table saw to cut wide panels when there isnโ€™t much space. The telescopic crosscut fence makes it much easier to get great accuracy when cutting. Two rock-solid flip stops back this.

These flip stops come with a miter fence that you can adjust. It also has an extruded aluminum rip fence. The presence of the riving fence also goes a heck of a long way. It is protected by a large blade guard that runs over the top. There is a great dust port to accompany it.ย 

The table saw is a 10-inch workspace with a 63-inch long crosscut, making it easier to deliver accurate cuts. You can use all sorts of 10-inch places with this table saw. For ease of cleaning up when you are done working, a dust port measures 2-1/2-inches.ย 

Prosย 

  • This is a mighty table saw.
  • It is sturdily built.
  • It comes ready to work straight out of the box.
  • Has a good dust port.
  • The workspace is quite large.
  • You can use 10-inch blades on this.

Consย 

  • Some customers did not receive all of the listed parts.

Buyerโ€™s Guide

How many types of shop fox table saws are there?

Shop Fox makes four basic types of saws, and these are the W1820โ€”10โ€ณ 3 HP Cabinet Table Saw with Riving Knife and Long Rails, the W1819โ€”10โ€ณ 3 HP Cabinet Table Saw with Riving Knife, the W1851โ€”2 HP 10โ€ณ Hybrid Cabinet Table Saw with Extension Table and the W1837โ€”10โ€ณ 2 HP Open-Stand Hybrid Table Saw.ย 

What do you use a table saw for?

Table saws are normally used to cut large panels and sheet materials like plywood. They are made by different companies and make your job cutting wood much easier.ย 

What safety features should I adhere to when using a table saw?

Ensure that you are wearing the right gear. A saw consists of a blade as one of the components. This means you will need to be extra careful when using it to avoid being cut. Protect your eyes and your ears, and also make sure that you are not wearing anything with sleeves that have the potential of getting snagged in the machine.

Ensure you understand how to use the machine and the precautions you need to take, such as ensuring the saw is unplugged before setting it up and adjusting the blade, the miter gauge, the fence, or anything close to the saw.

As you cut your way through the different pieces of wood, ensure that you have a guarded blade and that you guide the wood using a push stick. This is much safer than pushing it through with your hands. Also, check that the fence is secured and in place to get the straight cuts you are after.ย ย 

What is kickback?

Kickback is when the wood is propelled backwards, suddenly at high speed. It almost looks like something has been yanked off the back of a truck at full speed. It is mainly caused by trauma from the wood striking the woodworkerโ€™s head, chest, or torso. It can also be caused by the wood moving so fast that the saw operatorโ€™s operator does not have time to take their hand off it, and it gets pulled across the saw table.

ย Injury from kickback can be fatal. When wood is put against the fence and pushed across the table, it can lose pressure against the fence. As it drifts from the fence, the wood can get caught on the backside of the saw and then get jerked in the direction of the blade. Knowing how to prevent kickback stems from understanding it.

Final Thoughts

Saw Fox makes table saws and other machinery to make the woodworkerโ€™s job that much easier. Thanks to a proven track record, it is a renowned brand trusted in many workshops. We have reviewed their work, and we hope this helps you pick out the saw that matches your skill level and the projects you work on. Happy shopping!

David D. Hughes

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