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Shop Fox W1668 — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Drill PressesShop Fox W1668

Shop Fox W1668 — image 1

Shop Fox

Shop Fox W1668

Expert Review Analysis

The Shop Fox W1668 is a versatile 3/4 HP benchtop drill press that doubles as an oscillating spindle sander, designed for hobbyist woodworkers and small-shop owners. It features a 13-1/4 inch swing, 12 variable speeds ranging from 250 to 3,050 RPM, and a tilting table with a built-in dust collection port. This 2-in-1 tool offers precision drilling and effective contour sanding in a compact, sturdy footprint.

✓ Best for: Hobbyist woodworkers, DIYers, and small-shop owners with limited space who need a compact 2-in-1 tool for precision drilling in softwoods/hardwoods and oscillating spindle sanding of curved edges, contours, or irregular shapes. Ideal for furniture making, model building, or cabinetry details where dust management and tilt-angle work are prioritized.✗ Not ideal for: Heavy metalworking tasks, production runs requiring high-volume output, or users needing industrial-level power. It is also not ideal for those who require a larger table surface for big workpieces or who need automatic speed changes and built-in lighting/laser guides for alignment.

Pros

✓Dual functionality as a precision drill press and oscillating spindle sander for contour work
✓Includes a 3-piece spindle sander drum kit with mandrel and 80-grit sanding paper out of the box

Best Seller Rank History

Now#134Best#53Worst#146 -75

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating4.3/ 5Reviews412+1 reviews

Specifications

Accessories

Included Sanding Drums1 in., 1-1/2 in., 2 in.

Included Sanding Paper Grit80-grit

Included MandrelYes

Design

Swing13-1/4 in. mm

Drill Chuck Capacity1/64 in. - 5/8 in. mm

Arbor TypeJT-33

Table Diameter12-3/8 in. mm

Table Swing360° degrees

Features

Depth StopYes

Dust CollectionYes

Tilting Work TableYes

Safety SwitchYes

Work LightNo

Performance

Number of Speeds12 count

Speed Range250 - 3,050 RPM RPM

Spindle Travel3-1/4 in. mm

Oscillating Spindle Diameter3/4 in. mm

Power

Horsepower3/4 HP HP

Voltage110V / 120V V

Amp Rating9 Amp A

Motor Speed1,725 RPM RPM

Sanding

Oscillating Spindle Diameter3/4 in.

Chuck

Arbor TypeJT-33

Table

Table Dust Port Size2 in. (some listings note 2-1/4 in.)

Dimensions & Weight

Height38.0 inches

Width14.0 inches

Depth23.0 inches

Weight63.0 pounds

Research Sources

factoryauthorizedoutlet.com

northerntool.com

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User Reviews

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4.5

(408 reviews)

$615.00$775.0021% off

W1668

✓Built-in 2-inch dust collection port effectively reduces workspace mess during drilling and sanding

✓Tilting work table offers 360-degree swing for angled drilling and sanding operations

✓Robust 3/4 HP motor provides sufficient power for softwoods and moderate hardwood tasks

✓Adjustable depth stop ensures precise and repeatable drilling depth control

✓Sturdy build quality and stable performance for a benchtop-sized tool

Cons

✗Lacks a built-in work light or laser guide for improved alignment and visibility
✗Manual speed changes require belt adjustments which slows down workflow efficiency
✗12-3/8 inch table diameter is small and limits the size of workpieces that can be supported
✗Moderate 3/4 HP power output limits capability for heavy-duty or industrial production tasks
✗Some users report noticeable vibration at higher speeds affecting smooth operation
✗Motor may strain when used for prolonged sanding sessions or dense hardwoods

From Expert Reviews

Praised by Experts

✓Excellent versatility combining precision drilling with surprisingly effective oscillating sanding capabilities
✓Good precision in drilling with reliable adjustable depth stop and safety switch features
✓Built-in dust collection system is a standout feature for maintaining a cleaner workspace
✓Includes necessary sanding drums out of the box, adding immediate value for contour work
✓Sturdy construction and easy assembly make it a robust choice for benchtop setups

Criticized by Experts

✗Absence of a work light or laser guide makes alignment difficult in low-light environments
✗Manual speed change mechanism lacks auto-feature, requiring time-consuming belt adjustments
✗3/4 HP motor power is insufficient for heavy-duty metalworking or high-volume production runs
✗Table size is considered small for larger workpieces, limiting versatility for big projects
✗Some vibration issues reported at high speeds may impact finish quality on delicate materials

From User Reviews

Users Love

✓Arrived in good condition and was easy to assemble with clear instructions
✓Highly effective for contour sanding curves and precise small-hole drilling in wood
✓Dust collection system works well to keep the workspace clean and reduce debris
✓Quiet operation and stable performance make it suitable for home workshop environments
✓Compact benchtop footprint saves space while maintaining a robust 3/4 HP motor

Users Complain About

✗No light or laser guide makes alignment harder in low-light shops or tight spaces
✗Speed changes require manual belt adjustments which slows down workflow efficiency
✗Table is too small for big pieces and some users experience wobble on uneven benches
✗Motor is adequate but strains on hardwoods or during prolonged sanding sessions
✗Some vibration at high speeds reported by users affecting smooth operation

Expert Opinion

Professional reviewers and editors praise the Shop Fox W1668 for its robust drill press function and surprisingly effective oscillating spindle sander, which handles tricky curves well. Experts highlight the 3/4 HP motor, 13-inch swing, adjustable depth stop, and tilting table as key strengths for hobbyists. While the tool is recognized for its versatility and value, reviewers consistently note the lack of a light, laser, or auto speed change as notable omissions for a tool in this category.

What Users Say

Everyday consumers generally praise the Shop Fox W1668 for its ease of assembly, quiet operation, and effectiveness in contour sanding and precise drilling. Users appreciate the built-in dust collection for maintaining a cleaner workspace. However, recurring complaints focus on the lack of a work light or laser guide, the inconvenience of manual speed changes, and the small table size. Some users also note that the motor strains on hardwoods and that the table can wobble on uneven surfaces.

Common Complaints

No light or laser makes alignment harder in low-light shops. Speed changes require manual belt adjustments, slowing workflow. Table too small for big pieces; some wobble on uneven benches. Motor adequate but strains on hardwoods or prolonged sanding. Some vibration at high speeds per feedback

What People Are Saying

“Arrived in good condition and was easy to put together”
4/5 ★YouTube user commentNov 2025

“Surprisingly effective spindle sander for smoothing tricky curves”
5/5 ★YouTube ReviewNov 2025

How It Compares

vs. WEN 4214

Advantages

✓Shop Fox has a more powerful 3/4 HP motor compared to WEN's 1/2 HP
✓Shop Fox includes oscillating sander functionality out of the box

Disadvantages

✗WEN offers a wider 17-inch swing compared to Shop Fox's 13-1/4 inches
✗WEN includes a laser guide and work light which Shop Fox lacks
✗WEN is significantly lighter (36 lbs vs 123 lbs shipping weight)

Choose Shop Fox for sanding versatility and power, choose WEN for budget precision and wider swing.

vs. Rikon 11-210

Advantages

✓Shop Fox offers 12 speeds vs Rikon's 5 speeds for greater versatility
✓Shop Fox includes oscillating sander feature which Rikon lacks

Disadvantages

✗Rikon is more compact and portable with a lighter weight (42 lbs vs 123 lbs)
✗Rikon is noted for being quieter in operation

Choose Shop Fox for multi-use sanding and speed options, choose Rikon for portability and quiet operation.

vs. Grizzly G7947

Advantages

✓Shop Fox includes oscillating sander functionality which Grizzly lacks

Disadvantages

✗Grizzly is significantly cheaper (~$500 vs higher price for W1668 implied by value comparison)
✗Grizzly has a slightly larger swing (13-3/4 in. vs 13-1/4 in.)
✗Grizzly is lighter (85 lbs vs 123 lbs shipping weight)

Choose Shop Fox for sanding versatility, choose Grizzly for similar drilling specs at a lower cost without sander.

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