As a professional woodworker, investing in a high-precision and durable table saw should be your number one priority, as using such a saw will make your wood project quick and give you the best possible result. What’s more? It will provide the comfort and peace of mind that you need.
But here is the thing: Thousands of different table saws float around the market, with new saw brands emerging now and then. The chances of making the right choice of cutting saw are, therefore, slim. This leaves the buyer frustrated and perplexed on what to settle for.
That was the case for me the first time I searched for a portable saw for my woodworking projects. After coming across different brands, I ended up with Shop Fox W1837.
This Shop Fox W1837 review tells all about this table saw, explores its features, and explains why it is a perfect choice.
Table of Contents
Shop Fox W1837 Hybrid Table Saw Review
Review Summary
Hybrid saws are relatively unpopular compared to circular chainsaws and full-sized chainsaws. However, there are two things that they offer that others don’t – portability and flexibility.
Thankfully, Shop Fox W1837 is an innovative, powerful hybrid table saw that offers satisfaction to consumers. It combines the functionality of a table saw with that of a cabinet saw for improved cutting performance.
Shop Fox is known for its innovation and commitment to designing sturdy and high-quality chainsaws to satisfy consumers’ needs. This passion and objective reflect in all their products, and Shop Fox W1837 is no different.
This table saw has an impressive design, consisting of a powerful motor, sharp blade, high RPM, etc. that gives an incredible performance. Also, it is designed with cast-iron to maximize its durability.
Despite how portable the table saw is, it performs exceptionally well when used for medium-duty tasks.
The trunnions mounted to the robust cabinet are designed to provide superior performance. They absorb vibration and ensure proper miter alignment, making it easier to use. It also has tires beneath that allow you to move it from one point to the other, further confirming how portable the table saw is.
More importantly, the Fox W1837 is flexible, offering woodworkers cutting options to enhance their cutting projects. And it comes with safety features that will guarantee its safe and convenient use, making the table saw a unique option for professional woodcutters.
Let’s dive down into its overall features and see what this hybrid saw offers in this Shop Fox W1837 table saw review.
Outstanding Features of the Shop Fox W1837
Design
The mobile table saw manages to balance portability and its sturdy design. Users can cut with precision and still find it comfortable to roll the cabinet in its caster wheels. The hybrid table saw is one of the first few saws that has a wheelbase.
Despite this extra mobility, I find the table saw relatively heavy. It weighs slightly over 260 pounds, which is heavier than portable saws. Pushing it would require some strength. That’s somewhat scary, isn’t it? But wait for it, there’s a way you can use the table saw without moving the whole table.
Apart from the caster wheels embedded in the wheel’s base, there’s also an in-built feature that ensures the saw’s mobility. Rather than rolling the table, you can move the table saw to your desired location by pushing down on the foot lever, allowing for more flexibility and effortless cuts. Easy-peasy!
The table is made of a durable cast-iron material that measures 40 ¼ inches X 27 inches. I was pleased with Shop Fox’s decision to use the cast-iron material to reduce the amount of vibration produced from the motor.
For its portability and sturdy design, this table saw will last for a long time provided its used safely and with caution.
Powerful Motor
Shop Fox W1837 is powered by a 20A motor that runs at a speed of 3,450 RPM, powerful enough to cut through your material with precision. For a table saw, I’m impressed by its exceptional cutting speed delivery. The table saw cut through my hardwood with so much accuracy and finesse.
The hybrid table saw also comes with a 2HP motor for optimum efficiency. With Shop Fox, your wood projects will be carried out effortlessly. What’s more? There are 30-inch and 15-inch high rip capacity, capable of making your cutting projects bliss.
Whether you have small woods or large woods, the saw is limitless and capable of meeting all your requirements. All you need to do is adjust the rip capacity to the left (15 inches) or right (30 inches) for more accurate cuts.
You have the option of running the machine at 120v or 240v. 240v is best, as it provides more power and increases the motor’s performance. However, you’ll require a robust and heavy-duty circuit installed to run it. Else, it wouldn’t be enough to power the saw.
Speed-Cutting Blade
As previously explained in this Shop Fox W1837 Hybrid Table Saw Review, the table saw’s flexibility is second to none. With the speed-cutting 10-inch blade, you can maneuver through the bevel to meet your desired 45-degree or 90-degree angle easily. While you can do this on other table saws, the experience with W1837 is like no other – different and more practical.
The blade runs at a maximum of 3,450 RPM, further enhancing the efficiency of the cutting blades. Adding it to the robust 20A and 2HP motor will provide an exceptional cutting experience.
Due to its high blade speed or RPM and flexibility, the table saw can effectively cut different wood types with ease. Additionally, it can cut bevels, chamfers, miters, etc. Generally, the hybrid saw provides users the freedom to adjust the blade and the table for extra expedience.
Shop Fox added a riving knife to make cutting more accurate. Besides that, the combination of the riving knife and a quick-release blade guard keeps the blade from sliding unnecessarily.
Also, you can lock the tool at both ends for more cutting efficiency should you decide to adjust the T-fence.
Unlike other hybrid saws, I’ll say that its cutting performance is superior to both a table saw and a cabinet saw, making it an ideal 2-in-1 saw.
Vibration
It’s common for table saws to produce some form of vibration. However, what’s paramount is that it’s limited for ease of use. This is what makes Shop Fox a better table saw to use.
The table saw includes an induction motor and a pulley system to help reduce the motor’s vibration. Additionally, the cast-iron trunnions offer low vibration, ensuring that you use the saw with ease and convenience for accurate cuts.
Dust Control
Shop Fox is perfect at containing the specks of dust emanating from woodcutting. It features a cabinet bottom and a 4-inch dust port to keep your work area free from wood dust. This not only enables you to see your project clearly but ensures you have minimal contact with the dust.
The dust control function is an excellent feature, especially for consumers who are allergic to dust.
Additionally, Shop Fox W1837 provides an enclosed steel upper-stand that helps control wood dust to a great extent. The stand is flexible and can be adjusted sideways to curtail the dust spread on either side during cutting.
And here is the best part; You can connect your vacuum unit to Fox’s 4-inch outlet. This feature allows maximum containment of dust and helps to prevent the dispersion of the dust further. I’ll say this is handy and an incredibly innovative feature.
Compared to other table saws, I will say that Shop Fox performed better in this regard. The experience was magnificent.
Safety Measures
Like all table saws, there are substantial risks associated with using them. It’s not always 100% safe, especially when cutting through hardwood. However, you need not be bothered about your safety while using W1837.
What makes it different from the rest? Shop Fox includes a quick-release blade guard that allows you to see the blade through the material you are cutting. In other words, the blade guard enables you to keep track of your project to avoid any potential mistakes.
Also, the blade guard safeguards you from the flying pieces of wood from your cuttings, making the use of the saw safe.
Furthermore, I love that the table saw reduces overheating. Overheating is a common problem I witnessed on other table saws, and that’s why Shop Fox included thermal overload protection – to regulate current fluctuation to minimize overheating.
I was also impressed by the inclusion of the anti-kickback pawls. This feature provides extra security so that the user can safely cut through materials without having any kickback. Again, this feature is present in some table saws that I tested, but none were close to that of the Shop Fox.
Specifications
- Motor: 20 A
- Horsepower: 2HP
- Voltage: 120V or 240V
- Speed: 3,450 RPM
- Rip Capacity: 30-inch (maximum) and 15-inch (maximum)
- Blade Diameter: 10 inches
- Maximum Cut Depth: 2 ¼ inches (45-degree) and 3 ¼ inches (90-degree)
- Weight: 268 Pounds
- Dust Port – 4-inch
What We Liked
- Sharp-cutting and flexible blades
- Produces less vibration
- Budget-friendly
- Incorporates different safety measures to prevent overheating
- Produces remarkably accurate cuts
- Highly durable
- Prevents overheating
- Comes with a mobile base
- Can be connected to a vacuum cleaner to expedite the process of dust removal
- Flexible and easy to adjust table fence
What We Didn’t Like
- Slightly expensive
- Relatively heavy
- Somewhat difficult to assemble
Final Verdict
After testing Shop Fox W1837, I became delighted with its overall performance. It significantly made my cutting more comfortable, more accurate, and more than pleased with the efficient splitting blade.
Shop Fox is ideal for cutting through hardwood, softwood, and other medium-duty materials. It provided a seamless cutting experience via the safety features it came with.
The Shop Fox W1837 reviews have proven that this table saw will see you through your woodworking projects conveniently. If professionalism, flexibility, power, high precision, and portability are what you demand in a table saw, you have them in Shop Fox.
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