If you’re looking for one of the best table saws on the market today, the Shop Fox W1888 is the best option. This device is a great asset in any woodworker’s shop. As a woodworker, getting the best possible results should be your main priority. The right type of tools will help you achieve your aim without any hassle. There are hundreds of brands and models of hybrid saws out there.
But Shop Fox is one of the most reliable brands that you can trust when it comes to either a cabinet or a hybrid saw. It was at the beginning of the century that Shop Fox evolved in the industry of woodworking tools. And since then, the brand has risen into one of the best manufacturers of woodworking tools in the world.
Shop Fox manufactures wood and metal bandsaws, shapers, wood and metal lathes, dust collectors, table saws, jointers, planers, sanders, mills, drills, and many other types of well-designed machinery. But today I’ll be taking a look at the Shop Fox W1888 review which includes the key features, benefits, specifications, and pros and cons.
Table of Contents
Shop Fox W1888 Hybrid Cabinet Table Saw Review
Review Summary
Shop Fox W1888 is a hybrid saw that consists of several components which make it unique and functional. It comes with a classic and distinctive body design. We all know the importance of effective, straight, and sharp cuts. That’s why the tool was equipped with a cabinet frame. This cabinet frame makes the cutting job easier for you. W1888 is an exceptional piece of equipment for your workshop, thanks to its built-in dust collection.
This built-in dust collection helps you to have a great working experience and a smooth cutting job. Every woodworker will have a lot of good moments to remember while using this device in their woodworking shops. I love the fact that it comes with an anti-kickback function, which helps to protect the blade from excessive sun-ray. You will be able to use this device for a longer period without spending extra money on repairs.
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional user, the Shop Fox W1888 is user-friendly and easy to operate. As a beginner, all you have to do is navigate the piece of wood to the blade for each cut. It is as easy as that! Professional users will find an advantage in the easy usability of this device. Any woodworker on the field would be satisfied with the single-faced design of this machine.
The Shop Fox has an arbor speed of 4000 RPM and an arbor diameter of 5/8″. This arbor speed will make all your cuts easier and more comfortable. You don’t have to be stressed out when using a hybrid saw. And that’s why it comes with 4000 RPM of arbor speed. That’s not all! This function makes way for multiple cutting works in few minutes, making it ideal for commercial woodworking shops.
The installation process of this tool is quite easy and straightforward. All you have to do is follow the installation manual carefully. Don’t assemble the machine without reading through the manual. If you want to cut lightweight lumber of wood without breaking it up, then the Shop Fox W1888 is your best choice. It comes with a 34” floor to table height which makes cutting swift and easier. Besides, the table saw size with extension is 27” × 40”. This sizing gives you the ability to control the wood from rough cuts.
I loved that there’s a Poly-V serpentine belt equipped with the machine. This belt helps to reduce the noise from the machine. With this function, you don’t necessarily have to disturb the peace of your neighbors during operation. For a fast and simple blade change, the machine comes with a driving knife and a quick-release spreader. The blade adjustment handwheels are made of heavy-duty and sturdy cast iron along with the table and the trunnions.
For enhanced durability, I was surprised to find out that the cabinet was equipped with pre-formed and durable steel. The motor mounted below the table is a good-sized 2HP and pre-wired for 115V. That’s not all! There’s more. You can easily convert the pre-wired 2HP motor to 230V.
What more? This hybrid saw boasts innovative features like a two-position fence system and a fully enclosed blade guard with an easy-glide and a separate dust port. The two-position fence system helps to swiftly convert for narrow ripping, delivering high-quality cuts and making the whole cutting process fun.
Lastly, the body design of this marching is quite elegant and outstanding. Just a glance at the body design of W1888 will make you fall in love with it. The body construction is well crafted and designed to bring beauty into your woodworking shop. The body design is almost similar to the concept of W1851, which is a well-known model on the market.
If you’re a fashionable person who loves products with elegant design, then this is just for you. You won’t have to sacrifice beauty for quality. It is a high-quality machine with a sturdy and stable base, which is made with cast iron. The only thing that I didn’t like about this machine is that it’s more of a hybrid table saw than a cabinet table saw and it’s quite heavy. Now, let’s check out its unique features to know maybe it’s worth every penny.
Highlighted Features of Shop Fox W1888 Hybrid Table Saw
Powerful Motor
A potential motor is an important component of a professional table saw. This electric motor helps to perform heavy-duty cutting tasks. The Shop Fox W1888 comes with a 2HP motor with a Poly-V serpentine belt design. With this powerful motor, you’ll be able to cut a variety of wood materials, including lumber, hardwood, plywood, and many more.
Thanks to its Poly-V serpentine belt design which helps reduce noise from the machine during operation. That’s not all! The near-zero vibration offered by the 2HP motor is second to none. It offers a great working experience and accurate, smooth, and straight cuts. The woodworking shop doesn’t have to be noisy during operation. With the reduced noise, you’ll be more focused on your cutting tasks.
Arbor Size and Speed
This machine comes with an arbor diameter size of 5/8″, which is a standard size for most models on the market. Moreover, the arbor speed is 4000 RPM, which is sufficient enough to provide enough speed to the blade to complete heavy-duty cutting tasks in few minutes.
Dust Collection
A lot of dust is unavoidable when you’re using a table saw to cut some of the largest lumber of wood. When dust accumulates, it can cause obstruction of view on the wood piece that you’re working on. And this will definitely slow down your work rate. Also, woodworkers who are allergic to dust will find a shop messed up with dust unbearable.
But all of these things can be avoided when you work with a table saw equipped with dust collection. I loved that the Shop Fox W1888 comes with a great saw dust collection function which is adjustable with industrial vacuums. With this function, your workshop will be clean and free of any dust.
Portable Blade
W1888 comes with a very powerful motor and a long blade that’s robust enough to cut through hard material with any hassle. The blade is quite easy to install. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a professional or a beginner, the manual will help you set it up within minutes. The blade is strong and it won’t tear and wear after a long time of use, thanks to the high-quality material used to make it.
Cutting Capacity
The rip capacity of the blade is 31-1/2″ right and 11-3/8″ left, which is considered as a standard cutting length for all levels of woodworkers. If you’ll like to work with a larger cutting capacity like 49”, this machine offers you just what you want. Your massive cuts will be accommodated with ease by the table saw base.
Specifications
- Floor-to-table height: 34-1/4 inches
- Arbor diameter: 5/8 inches
- Arbor speed: 4000 RPM
- Motor: 2 HP, 115V/230V
- Rip capacity: 31-1/2 inches right, 11-3/8 inches left of the blade
- Max width of dado: 13/16 inches
- Dust port size: 4 inches
- Dimensions of the machine: 63″ x 40″ x 48″
- Device Footprint: 19-1/2 inches x 20-1/2 inches
- Max depth of cut at 90 degrees: 3-1/8 inches
- Max depth of cut at 45 degrees: 2-1/8 inches
- Table Size: 40-1/8″ x 27 inches
- Distance from the front of the table to the center of the blade: 16-1/4 inches
What We liked
- Smooth and premium guide fence
- Separate dust port for roving knife
- Low noise working environment
- Comes with a cast iron table and adjustment wheels
- Can easily be converted from a pre-wired 2HP motor to 230V
- Highly durable construction
- Outstanding body design
- Sufficient arbor size and speed
- Powerful 2HP motor for heavy-duty cutting applications
- Comes with an installation manual
- Easy to install
- User-friendly
What We Didn’t Like
- Quite heavy
- More of a hybrid table saw than a cabinet
Final Words – wrapping it up!
We’ve come to the end of this review. I hope the Shop Fox W1888 review helped make a smart buying decision. This model is incredibly durable, reliable and would never disappoint you. Don’t forget to consider a few things before making a buying decision. Consider the interchangeable function of the driving knife on the saw, check the blade guard, power of the motor, and the maximum cut depth.
Lastly, knowing the size of the cutting task you want to do will help you go for the right table saw. If you want to foster your workload with technologically advanced table saws, then you should go for the W1888 today. It is equipped with all the functions and features you need for improving your cutting-edge experience and skills.
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