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Product Ranking

The W1668 is 12th among 72 in the Drill Presses standings. It is sixth among 39 Bench-Top Drill Presses. The average price of is $199.76 and the Shop Fox W1668 is 21th in price. It is 28th in Drill Presses at $395.12. It is the 1st ranked product among 34 in the Shop Fox brand.

More Information

Click here for more information on the Shop Fox W1668 Benchtop Oscillating Drill Press including user reviews, product features, descriptions. Let us know what you think of W1668 by writing your own user review. Your purchase from our listed sources helps support Toolcritic.

You can get more information on Shop Fox products by clicking here. For parts, manuals or other information visit the brand's site, www.woodstockinternational.com.

grade B
WHAT'S THIS?

Impressive Both As a Drill Press and Sander
Wood Magazine, Volume 152, 2003-11

The reviewer discussed how this one tool functions both as a drill press and oscillating spindle sander. The transition from drilling mode to sanding mode is fairly quick: an extra belt is placed onto the drive pulleys to create the oscillations, the spindle and drum go into the chuck, and the table is adjusted to fit the drum. It is also desirable though not necessary to remove the quill-feed handles for this transition. The drill press has plenty of power, and can power a 2" Forstner bit into solid oak. The spindle sander is equally impressive, and will not slow regardless of how hard wood is forced into the drum. The tool has 12 speeds that apply to both the drill and sander. The total oscillation distance is only 3/4", however, and the column and small table limit the size of the workpiece. Shop Fox has another similar model, model W1667, with an 8 1/2" swing instead of a 13 1/4" swing, and a 1/2-hp motor, at $125 instead of $245.

grade B
WHAT'S THIS?

A Drill Press Doubling As an Oscillating Spindle Sander
Wood Magazine, Volume 180, 2007-11

The reviewer said the performance of this drill press is average, so the real value would be if the user also needs an oscillating spindle sander, as which this tool also functions. Three drums come with the drill-sander, where each drum measures 1-2 inches in diameter. The price is high, the speed range is good, and the depth stop is reliable. One low point is that the sanding relief hole and dust port make it difficult to clamp workpieces to the right side of the table. Another low point, although minor, is that the power switch on the side would have easier to reach if it had been positioned in front.

grade B
WHAT'S THIS?

Both a Drill Press and a Strong Sander
Wood Magazine, Volume 152, 2003-11

The drill press model W1668 is given strong sentiments as both a drill press for round tables and also as a modified spindle sander. With swing capabilities and a powerful drill, the press is definitely one of the better of its kind, though it does not easily clamp to jigs since it does not have a wide, flat rim. The tool, if modified into a sander, can be easily used to sand different types of wood with its 12 different adjustable speeds.