June 7, 2020

Shop Fox W1849 – 14″ Resaw Bandsaw Review [UPDATED]

Resawing refers to splitting wood that you have already worked on, along its grain, into thinner slices, across the thickness of the wood.  For example, if you need to cut logs into lumber, you would need to resaw them. Are you considering the Shop Fox W1849? 

There are certain features that you will need to look for in a saw to make sure that you get the cuts you need. Precision is key. In the same breath, so is capacity.

Shop Fox W1849

You want to make sure that you do not ruin the piece of wood that you have already cut. This means that you will need to get a blade and a saw that are accurate, stable, and steady. 

Resawing is a type of rip cut. Ripping and resawing are different even though they are similar, which means that not all saws meant for rip cuts are the best for resawing.  

The Shop Fox W1849 14-inch resaw band saw is very versatile and is built to last. It has an amazing capacity to get you the cuts that you want when you need to resaw. It is a middleweight saw, with roller disc blade guides, meaning that you can not use it for heavier jobs. Let us look at all that this saw can offer you and why you can consider it. 

Aesthetics

One look at this saw, and you can tell that it is pretty compact. The computer-balanced cast iron wheels are not visible. First, they are safely and neatly hidden away. You will not need to worry about an ugly-looking band saw imposing in your workspace. It is mostly white, with some black components and a red switch that you can not miss. 

It has a 14-inch maximum cutting height. This is an important feature to look for or ask about because it tells you the maximum wood thickness that you can feed through the saw. For example, with this saw, you have a maximum cutting height of 14 inches. 

The table you will be working on is cast iron and clean silver. It is 76 inches high, which is a decent height for a band saw. The blade guides are visible and are fashioned after a European design. 

The levers to tilt the table are also visible. However, they are neatly placed under the table, so they will not be in your way. Instead, you only see them when they are needed. They are a deep charcoal grey color, which blends in perfectly with the cast iron table. 

The bottom part of the saw has a cabinet where you can store extra blades. This helps you keep them within reach and keep them safely locked up and out of the reach of any unauthorized users. This cabinet also keeps things neat and compact. You want this when you are working so that there aren’t any bits hanging out that could potentially hurt you or trip you.

Performance Review

The table has a table tilt of up to 45 degrees. You will not need to guess the degree to which the table is tilted, as there is a clear scale to measure. It is easy to read, so tilting the table will not have to be too much of a headache. 

It has a two-horsepower motor, which is effective for medium resaws. It will not do the heavy-duty work like some of the other saws by Shopfox. You may be disappointed and think that it is not doing a great job, but on the contrary, it does what it is meant to do, so you will need to make sure that you do not overload its capacity. 

Thanks to the motor on this bandsaw, you get a cool, dust-free smooth operation. The paddle stop switch is big enough for you to stop the power without concentrating on finding the switch. You also get dual 4-inch dust ports and a precision fence scale. 

The fence is easily adjustable and has a quick-release option. The table itself can tilt up to 45 degrees, giving you more range to resaw the way you need to. And then, when it comes to the blade, it has a blade tension quick release system. This will help you easily change the blade when you need to. 

These features help you be more accurate and efficient and get the cuts you need.

Safety

When operating this saw, as with other heavy machinery with the potential to cause fatal injury if not operated properly, you must read the manual first and follow it. Remember always to make sure that the saw is unplugged from the power source before making any adjustments or changes. It is also important to ensure that you put the machine in a dry and uncluttered space. 

Also, make sure to protect yourself when you use the saw. Protective clothing such as the approved eyewear, gloves, and dust masks can make a difference. It is essential to consider protection for your ears as you work. 

Also, make sure that you do not place the machine on an unstable surface. Any instability as you work can cause serious injury, and this is what you want to avoid at all costs.

Who is this product ideal for?

This saw is best suited for the professional woodworker. Only people who are trained to use this saw should use it. This is to avoid fatalities and possible injuries. 

Pros

  • It is durable
  • It is versatile
  • It has storage space for extra blades
  • It has great capacity. 

Cons

  • It can not handle heavy-duty work

Our Verdict

This is a durable band saw that you will not regret spending. It comes with a guarantee of 2 years. Happy shopping! See our Shop Fox W1729 – 2 HP 19″ Bandsaw Review.

David D. Hughes

Comments

Tom Kennedy

David I am curious what you mean by heavy duty work. I want to resaw Red Oak logs into planks along with other hard woods. Wood hardwood fall into heavy duty work?

David D. Hughes

Hi Tom. Good question. I mean that it can take on hardwood, and has a long runtime before heating up. Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes with the red oak.

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