Shop Fox W1758 Honest Review: (2024 Update)

Last Updated on January 7, 2024 by Larry

Hey, today it is going to be the Shop fox W1758 review from a different point of view.

If you are actually searching for a top-notch wood lathe to complete your woodworking projects and thinking about your wallet, this one is a game-changer.

The W1758 Shop Fox wood lathe is a great option with a hefty 2 HP motor with 10-speed variables for better woodturning capability. So you know it’s a big fish out there.

This is not like any other mini benchtop wood lathe. It is the bigger and heavyweight version of shop fox’s w1704.

So, the best part is that it outperforms any wood lathe in this tier for its unbelievable power output at a reasonable price point!

I saw lathes failing in performance when it comes to power in their in-built motors, but not in the case for Shop Fox W1758.

It has a special kind of swivel head that makes the outboard bowl turning super easy and can satisfy any woodturner on the precision ground.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. This means no extra charge to you.

The Shop Fox W1758 Review

The amazing Shop Fox W1758 lathe is one of the robust machines in the current market, unlike the shop fox w1704 or mini harbor freight lathe, and so on.

With the iron cast construction, it eliminates all kinds of vibration problems created by a wood lathe. Thus, overall performance is top-notch.

To know more about its impressive features, please go through the below-mentioned breakdowns for elaborated details.

Sturdy Construction

There are hundreds of wood lathes in the market which lack one basic feature that is the solidity factor of the lathe. Herein, the Shop Fox W1758 is pretty much considered to be a mid-level tier in the lathe’s category.

It is made from a premium cast iron bed and leg, and it weighs 338 pounds, which is a must for minimal vibration during woodturning.

We know that the Shop Fox W1758 features ten variable spindle speed controls when you are on the verge of doing very fast woodturning.

So, when the lathe is in full throttle, theoretically it should create quite a much vibration with an unbalanced workpiece on it.

But no, the Shop Fox W1758 build is so strong and sturdy that it is quite successful at purging all the vibration.

Powerful Motors

Do you want to do woodturning for a prolonged time meeting the deadlines of your clients, but you had to stop because the lathe you are using gave up on you? Not in the case of Shop Fox W1758 wood lathe.

Want you to know why? It is because the motor in the lathe is of performance grade with 2 horsepower.

These motors can outperform any mini lathe in the current market without any hassle. The machine can provide 600 RPM to 2400 RPM for fine crafting and modification.

Variable Speed Controls

As I mentioned in our previous reviews that I tasted a few lathes in the earlier days (well, sure I didn’t buy them all) with a price range starting from $300 to $3000.

Now some of them are pretty good with a higher price tag, but the lower-priced lathes seem to lack a bit with having a less powered motor with one variable speed of two-three at best.

But after using Shop Fox W1758, I saw the difference. That being said, the unit has 10 exact spindle speed controls that will curve out the wood in a precise and customized way. So it’s a good one.

Also, anyone who is just starting to woodturning can finetune his/her skill with the Shop Fox W1758 wood lathe as it a semiprofessional lathe.

The Spindle Tachometer and Digital Readout

There is another great feature of the Shop Fox unit, which is the addition of a digital Tachometer in the lathe. It helps to show the user at what speed the spindle is spinning.

As it has ten different spindle speed variations, at a different speed, the reading will change, and the tachometer will show the exact rpm of the lathe.

This way, a beginner woodturner can get a better understanding of the operation of the lathe. It gives the user the ultimate controlling power of the lathe.

Quick Lock and Release Option

Shop Fox’s research and development sector has thought about the customer’s efficiency and productivity in every aspect.

To make things more efficient, there is a lock and release option in the headstock and the tailstock center for making the craft always steady as it is open for adjusting; making precision fitting adjustments.

Everything is just as simple as the flipping of the level for all the changes.

There is also a three-way adjustable turning tool rest with an extending option which gives extra support for turning the tools.

Out-Board Turning

When there is a change in the diameter of the stock greater than 12 inches in swing, an outboard turning is required as the stock is larger to fit in the lathe.

Shop Fox has made an awesome feature in the W1758 model which is the outboard turning.

Also in this feature, the headstock of the lathe can be angled from 0 degree to 90 degrees. You can also take it to 180 degrees headstock rotation for larger diameter pieces.

This means now you can create a wider selection of items that can do more than one regular size.

You can also read this article about the Rikon 70-100. I call it the cute little beast! Small wood lathe in size but with capacity at its best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Can the Shop Fox W1758’s RPM go lower than 600 rpm?

Unfortunately, no. As per the w1758 owner’s manual, it cannot go below 600 rotations per minute.

Question: What is the size of the spindle included with the lathe?

The unit features a 1″ by eight threads per inch.

Question: How does the lathe handle vibration?

The vibration created while woodturning is eliminated as the construction of the lathe is from Iron cast, and comparatively, it is quite heavier than conventional machines in the market.

So, you will not face any vibration during faceplate turning even without a chuck on it.

Question: What is the diameter of the spindle?

The diameter of the spindle is 1″.

Wrapping Up

The Shop Fox W1758 is an overall great wood lathe with a very reasonable price point. Its construction with the iron cast has made it a solid structure.

From the construction to performance, everything seems to give you a satisfying impression while using the lathe. Everything is done smoothly with the help of its powerful 2 HP motor.

The operation is quite easy, and to set up the device, you can do it by watching some Youtube videos or just take the help of the owner’s manual.

A bench is also included with the setup, and if you want to change that, there are other options to go with it as well.

All these features at a great price surely can boost your turning game overnight!

Hopefully, this Review has changed your views and perception of this outstanding lathe. You can also see my article where I included some of the high-performing wood lathes of this modern era.

Turn Big, Turn Safe. Welcome to the turning world!