Shop Fox Drill Press: Well, in this post, I would walk you through some of the best shop fox drill presses available on the market.
Moreover, I would also throw light on the important parameters that shouldn’t be neglected when it comes to buying the best shop fox drill press.
Lastly, I would be responding to the queries related to the shop fox drill press review in order to help you make an informed buying decision.
But, before that, allow me to ask a couple of questions in order to improve our product reviews as well as add more value to our readers and clientele.
So, which is your favorite drill press brand?
What is your budget for a Fox drill press or any other brand?
Moreover, what are the top three buying parameters for you in the case of a drill press?
Where Can I Buy Shop Fox Drill Press?
Well, we @izzysmarthomeguide.com recommends buying shop fox drill press from e-commerce websites.
Do let us know in the comment section where would you prefer to purchase one.
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Best Shop Fox Drill Press Review
In this section, we would be reviewing some of the best Shop Fox Drill Press to help you narrow down the option and buy the “value of money” drill press.
SHOP FOX W1680 | Best Shop Fox Drill Press For Small Shop
Well, the Shop Fox W1680 is a 17-inch floor model drill press and could be a perfect choice for a small machine shop as well as an average-size cabinet shop.
Moreover, it comprises a 1 HP aluminum finned motor that generates enough power to deliver an RPM of 1,720.
The manufacturer has inculcated almost all the essential features such as Solid cast iron construction, precision ground table, sealed ball bearings, and rubber-coated quick-adjust handles to make this model one of the most precise and accurate drill presses in its class.
Furthermore, for the larger direct mount bits, the Morse Taper #3 spindle is there to help you out.
This little beast also comes with a built-in light in order to help you tackle dim light conditions in an effective way.
It would be an injustice to the W1680 if I don’t talk about the tilting table.
The W1680 features a 14-inch diameter tilting table which has great importance especially if your project involves angled drilling.
With the help of the tilting table, you can expedite angled drilling in the range of zero to 90 degrees.
Furthermore, the worktable can be well-adjusted for parameters such as height, rotation, and angle in order to help you achieve an optimum result.
With its capability to drill to a maximum depth of 31-1/2-inch, W1680 places itself in a different league altogether.
Yet another thing to look for is the safety measures.
Definitely, the Shop Fox W1680 model is well-known for its safety measures.
To protect you from moving parts or flying debris, the manufacturer has inculcated a chuck guard.
Not only that but to enhance the user experience as well as convenience, the spring also loaded guard feature is added to this little beast so as to help you with easy tool change.
Furthermore, the machine also comes with built-in paddle switches which are known to provide better safety as compared to the traditional ON/OFF switches because of their over-size paddle and lock-out key.
Even though you’re a newbie you’ll not face any trouble in operating the drill press.
For example, you can switch off the power by simply slapping the paddle down.
All in all, the 178.1 pounds W1680 is worth buying because of its safety features, accuracy, precision, and special features.
So, what are you waiting for?
Features
- 1 HP motor
- 3-1/4-inch spindle travel
- RPM falls in the range of 140 and 3,050
- 17-inch swing
- 5/8-inch drill chuck
Pros
- Comprises of tilting table that is very useful for angled drilling
- Includes chuck guard that protects the users from flying debris
- Comprises of solid cast iron construction to enhance the stability
- Powerful motor provides sufficient power for drilling a wide variety of materials
Cons
- Doesn’t have a vertical for the chuck
- No dedicated place for the chuck key
SHOP FOX W1670 | Best Shop Fox Drill Press For Angled Hole Drilling
The W1670 floor radial drill press is one of the best offerings from the brand SHOP FOX.
Trust me, this radial drill press is well-known for its versatility as it allows you to drill any angle between the tilt of the head and tilt of the table which is definitely something to brag about, isn’t it?
Not only that, but you can also use it as a horizontal boring machine without any hassle.
With a 32-1/2″ swing and spindle travel of 3-1/4″, the W1670 is meant to deliver high performance.
The thing that really grabbed my eyeballs was the W1670’s ability to drill in the middle of the workpiece up to 34 inches in diameter.
Depending upon your project requirements, you can even increase the distance between the column and the drill chuck by up to 17 inches just by sliding the headstock in and out.
Furthermore, the W1670 Radial Drill Press comprises 5-speeds that fall in the range of 550 and 3470.
Changing the speed is easy and fast.
All in all, a great drill press with idiosyncratic superlative features at an affordable price.
Features
- 1/2 HP, 110V motor
- 1/16″ – 5/8″ drill chuck capacity
- 3-1/4″ spindle travel
- 5-speeds with RPM falling in the range of 550 and 3470
- 32-1/2″ swing
- The table is capable of tilting 90 degrees both left and right
- The head can be tilted 45 degrees left and 90 degrees right
Pros
- You can use SHOP FOX W1670 as a horizontal boring machine
- Comprises of a universal table tilt system
- Repetitive drilling of constant depth is made easy and less time-consuming with the help of the depth stop
- Includes 5-speeds to help you drill a wide range of materials
Cons
- Customers have complaint about the shipping and packaging in the past
Shop Fox W1848 | Best Shop Fox Oscillating Floor Drill Press For The Money
Well, the Shop Fox W1848 is a very popular floor drill press and comprises the idiosyncratic oscillating spindle for effective contour sanding.
Even though you’re a newbie, you can easily convert from drilling operation to sanding operation in an epigrammatic span of time.
All you need to do is to follow just tool-free steps.
Trust me, as per my knowledge and experience, I can affirm that the oscillating feature for sanding operation will definitely grab your eyeballs.
At the same time, the W1848 doesn’t compromise its versatility and performance.
Many of you wouldn’t be aware of the fact that the oscillating drill press is capable of tilting the table to 90 degrees both left and right, and thus, makes the angled drilling everyone’s cup of tea, isn’t it?
Not only that but also you can adjust the table to accommodate the workpiece as well as achieve special drilling.
The 2″ dust port helps in taking care of the dust and dirt in an effective way.
The W1848 comprises of 3/4 HP powerful motor and gives you an option of 12 speeds with RPM falling in the range of 250 and 3050.
Furthermore, with a 1/64″-5/8″ drill chuck and a 3-1/4″ spindle travel, the drill press is bound to deliver high performance.
All in all, a great oscillating floor drill press to take home, and the machine truly justifies its price.
Features
- 3/4 HP, 110V motor
- 13-3/4″ swing
- 1/64″-5/8″ drill chuck
- 3-1/4″ spindle travel
- 12 speeds
- 3/4″ oscillating spindle
- 2″ table dust port
Pros
- Comprises of an oscillating spindle that helps in effective contour sanding
- Can perform both drilling and sanding operations
- The oscillating feature reduces heat build-up
- Controls are newbie-friendly
- The machine is uniquely designed and possesses robust construction
Cons
- Well, you might find instructions a bit vague
- Assembling the machine might be a tedious and time-consuming task for the newbies
Shop Fox W1667 | Best Shop Fox Benchtop Oscillating Drill Press For Woodworking
So, finally, I’ve something special for you.
Yes, you heard it RIGHT.
The W1667 is a bench-top oscillating drill press and can serve as both a drill press as well as an oscillating sander.
Needless to say, this little beast is capable of a wide variety of sanding and drilling operations.
The manufacturer understands very well the importance of safety features and thus has inculcated a removal safety key in order to help prevent unwanted starts.
Not only that but also W1667 comprises a 1/2 horsepower motor along with a 1/2-inch drill chuck to help you achieve optimum drilling results.
If you’re planning to buy this benchtop drill press then definitely, you’ll find the oscillating spindle feature very useful.
You can use the sanding spindle with sanding drums between 1 and 2 inches in diameter and up to 4-1/4 inches long.
Moreover, the spindle will help you in achieving better finishing and long-lasting abrasives.
On top of it, the W1667 features a paddle switch that is known to provide a better level of safety than other types of switches.
All you need to do is to slap the paddle down to switch off the power.
Furthermore, the machine comes with an easy-to-read depth scale that will help you in locating the desired depth with an almost negligible chance of error.
The Shop Fox drill press allows drilling holes at a preset depth and it is made possible by the depth stop feature that the machine comprises.
Well, the benchtop drill press is also equipped with a 2-1/4-inch dust port, and as a result, you can connect the drill press to a dust collection system that will take care of cleanliness in your workshop.
Lastly, the machine comprises 7 inches x 7 inches square tilting table that can tilt both left and right and thus makes sanding surfaces at different angles possible.
Features
- 1/2 HP motor
- 8-1/2 inch swing
- 1-5/8 inch spindle travel
- 5-speeds and the RPM range in between 620 and 3100
- 360 degrees table swing
- 2-inches dust port
Pros
- Compact and portable benchtop drill press that wouldn’t occupy much of your space
- A wide range of speeds and RPMs gives you the flexibility to drill a wide range of materials
- A tilting table makes the angled drilling easy and hassle-free
- The presence of a dust port will help you in cleaning your workshop by connecting the drill press to a dust collection system
- Depth stop makes repetitive drilling so less time-consuming
Cons
- Quite a few of my clients have complained about the packaging of the machine
Shop Fox M1116 | Best Shop Fox Variable Speed Milling Machine For Home Use
Well, so here I come with a combo machine that would help you to expedite both the milling as well as the drilling process at the cost of one, interesting, isn’t it?
If you would’ve visited some woodworker’s or machinist’s arsenal, you would’ve definitely found the M1116 Variable-Speed Mill/Drill or its variant, right?
To be honest, I’ve been in the woodworking domain for more than a decade now, and I can affirm that the mill/drill combo has become quite popular not just because it can perform both drilling and milling but also because it occupies less space as compared to two separate machines.
To cut a long story short, let’s discuss some of the idiosyncratic features of this machine that would definitely grab your eyeballs.
The M1116 comprises a powerful 3/4 HP, 110V, 8A, single-phase motor that is capable of generating sufficient power to help you expedite your milling as well as drilling operations.
Moreover, the head can NOT only travel 11″ inches but can also tilt 45 degrees left and right to help you perform your operation in a convenient way.
With 15″ swing and spindle travel of 2″ Shop Fox M1116 is bound to perform as per your expectations.
On a personal front, I’m a great admirer of a 3-axis digital readout display as it allows you to mitigate errors and waste materials resulting in enhanced overall performance and accuracy.
Furthermore, you don’t have to worry at all about the speed, the powerful motor generates RPMs that fall in the range of 50 and 2250 so both high-speed and low-speed spindle operation can be expedited successfully without any hassle.
Lastly, the 160.7 pounds M1116 comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Features
- 3/4 HP, 110V, 8A, single-phase, motor
- 15″ inches swing
- R8 spindle taper
- 2″ spindle travel
- 3-axis digital readout display
- 2-speed gearbox
- Safety shut-offs switch
Pros
- A 2-year warranty shows the trust of the manufacturer in its offering
- Safety shut-offs switch enhances the safety measures
- You can use the shop fox M1116 for both millings as well as drilling purposes
- 3-axis digital readout will help especially the newbies in minimizing the error and thus, enhancing their performance
- A 50-2250 RPM spindle speed would suffice the precision needs of your complex projects
Cons
- Expensive
SHOP FOX M1110 | Best Shop Fox Variable Speed Milling Machine For Concrete Walls
The 21-inch variable speed mill and drill offering from Shop Fox is superlative in the sense that it is made in an ISO 9001 factory.
Moreover, the precision-ground dovetail column allows for fast and easy tool change without you worrying about re-registering the spindle centerline.
On top of it, the speed of the spindle can vary from zero to 2000 RPM to help you drill and mill a wide range of materials effortlessly.
Furthermore, the Shop Fox M1110 has a precision-ground cast iron milling table that not only can travel 5-3/4 by 15-1/2 inches but also, provides support and stability to the machine overall.
Well, the machine is uniquely designed to use drill bits, end mills, and face cutters that are 2 inches in diameter or less.
The thing that I really liked about the M1110 is its unique and simple control panel that even a first-time user can use without any confusion.
Moreover, an emergency stop button, motor speed dial, forward and reverse switch, fault indicator light, and main power switch are the control units present in the control panel to help you achieve better control over the machine.
Features
- 3/4 HP, 110 V single-phase, universal motor
- R-8 spindle taper
- 3-11/32″ spindle travel
- 18″ swing
- 60 mm quill diameter
- 14-7/8″ headstock travel
Pros
- The motor is powerful, quiet, and produces enough torque to suffice even the complex projects requirement
- Easy-access control panel enhances your control over the machine by completely negating operation-related confusion
- Also, comprises of push-button along with indicator lights to tackle unprecedented situations successfully
Cons
- Bulky and expensive
Buying Guide
In this section, I’ll walk you through all the essential parameters that a “value for money” drill press must possess, and if you’re a first-time buyer then I would request you to NOT skip this section rather than spend valuable time.
Horsepower
More horsepower would be required for drilling thick materials such as hardened steel or stainless steel.
On the other hand, a drill press with average horsepower would be able to drill soft metals and wood.
So, depending upon your requirement, you can opt for a powerful motor or a medium-power motor.
The more the power of the motor the lesser the drill bits would be.
Worktable
Always look for a worktable that is capable of swiveling.
Needless to say, the worktable comes in different shapes and sizes.
You can move the worktable up and down to suit your preference in order to make the entire drilling process a lot more easier and convenient.
Weight
The bulky and heavier models are more stable.
Not only that but also the heavier Shop Fox drill press models are more precise and vibrate less.
Mostly, the floor drill press is heavier and bulkier.
On the other hand, the benchtop drill press model weighs less and is compact and portable.
So, if your workshop doesn’t have enough space for a floor drill press then you can opt for a benchtop model.
Accessories
Well, if you’re buying a drill press for regular use then definitely I would say that you should look for accessories that come with various shop fox models before making a buying decision.
For example, some brands offer accessories such as heavy-duty stands with rollers, drill press clamps, etc.
Speed
Expensive have more speeds to choose from as compared to the inexpensive counterpart.
So, depending upon your budget and requirement you can opt for a drill press.
Moreover, the more the number of speeds the better the drill press will work against a wide range of materials.
I would prefer easy speed adjustment as well as variable speed.
Serviceability
Definitely, serviceability is important for me whenever I plan to buy a power tool.
Always look for drill press models whose parts are readily accessible.
And, also refrain from buying those models that need to be handled by only qualified experts as it may lead to spending a good amount of cash in the long run in the name of serviceability and maintenance.
Radial
I also prefer a drill press with the radial features as it provides a swing of NOT less than 24 inches which would definitely help me to tackle complex projects, isn’t it?
With the help of a wide swing, I can definitely slice through wide substances without any hassle.
And, I know very well I would be needing this feature because I frequently bore materials that are broader than 17 inches.
Poly-V Belts
Always go for the Shop Fox drill press models that come with Poly-V Belts as it will transmit energy to the motor in the best possible manner, and thus, you can expect a tangible improvement in gadget efficiency.
TEFC
The good thing about the TEFC motor is that it has an elongated lifespan as compared to other motors that lack TEFC.
TEFC can be abbreviated as Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled, and it is beneficial in the sense it prevents the motor from dirt and dust.
So, the engine working parts not only last longer but also performs well for a longer duration.
Built-in Light
Definitely, built-in light in your shop fox drill press would be a great add-on as it would solve the problem of dim light, isn’t it?
With the help of built-in light, you can work for hours without worrying about dim light situations.
Drill Bits
Drill bits play a significant role in final outcome of drilling.
Depending on your requirement, you can select from a wide range of drill bits available on the market.
Some drill bits are stronger, more robust, and last longer as compared to others.
Similarly, some bits are good for wood and other soft metals while the rest are perfect for materials such as stainless steel, etc.
Warranty
Well, the warranty shouldn’t be overlooked.
The brands which provide a longer duration of warranty are more confident about their offerings.
So, always look for products that have at least a 1-year warranty.
FAQs
Well, in this section, I would be responding to the queries related to the best shop fox drill press to help you negate confusion related to buying a drill press.
What are some of the important tips for drilling holes in metal?
- Protect your face, and eyes, with the help of masks and glasses against the flying metal debris and dust
- It is always advisable to lubricate the bits that you’re planning to use for metal drilling
- Always start with a small hole and don’t forget to deburr the hole
- When you’re drilling a hole in a metal sheet it is advisable to drill at a slower pace
- To prevent the drill bit from wandering always start with creating a small dimple on the workpiece with the help of a hammer and then expedite the drilling process
What are some of the things that you should avoid doing when using a drill press?
- Never leave your shop fox drill press running unattended
- Always avoid removing a broken drill with a center punch and a hammer
- Do not try to stop the rotating chuck or spindle with your bare hand
- Never place your hand under the stock being drilled
- Don’t apply extra pressure on the drill
- Also, never leave the chuck key in the drill chuck rather make adjustments and remove the key immediately
- Avoid wearing rings, bracelets, and watches while you’re working on a drill press
It’s A Wrap
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for spending your precious time on our post “Best shop Fox drill press”.
Trust me, I along with my woodworking team have put a lot of hard work to come up with this comprehensive buying guide on the best shop fox drill press.
To be honest, there isn’t anything like the best shop fox drill press.
In fact, the word “best” itself has a relative meaning, isn’t it?
The shop fox drill press that may be the best for you may or may not suffice my needs, right?
So, choose the model that is in your budget and caters to your needs.
I’ve already recommended the product that I think is best as per my own expertise and experience.
Lastly, share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
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