Shop Fox W1820 Review 10″ 3 HP Cabinet Table Saw Review [UPDATED]

Last updated on July 18th, 2022 at 08:51 pm

Are you looking for quality and efficiency? You should know that every part of the ShopFox W1820—10″ 3 HP Cabinet Table Saw says quality and performance. It’s a very effective and efficient blade designed for heavy-duty use. 

While you will need to transport it from the shop to your shed in pieces, that is not much of a problem because assembly will not be too complex. The riving knife has a quick release, and the blade guard and splitter are easy to assemble. 

This table saw features an extra-wide 49-inch rip capacity, more than enough to rip to the center of a standard sheet of plywood­. It also has a long extension table with adjustable legs making it more convenient, with a square steel tubing frame and dimensionally stable extension table. This table might be the safest out there. 

Shopping for a table saw can be both exciting and challenging. You need to keep in mind several factors if you are to get an efficient saw to give you the type of cuts necessary for your project. 

Table saws are great for making angled cuts and doing this accurately. The W1820 10inch 3HP cabinet table saw has several features that you should find helpful in your projects. The table has more than enough space for you to work on, as it has expandable wings, giving you a massive table. The motor is a powerful 3HP motor. 

It has a wide-spanning and easy glide Camlock t-fence system, a phenolic face, and smooth nylon runners. The t-slot miter gauge on this saw is adjustable and has an anodized fence extension and flip stop. It also has a magnetic switch with thermal overload protection. 

While you will need to transport it from the shop to your shed in pieces, that is not much of a problem because assembly will not be too complex. The riving knife has a quick release, and the blade guard and splitter are easy to assemble. 

This is a big piece of machinery, and it can not be shipped without being taken apart. You must know how to assemble it when it does arrive. This sturdy saw will deliver the quality you need it to. 

This is a table saw built to last. It has cast iron wheels for easy movement around your space because attempting to move is approximately 567 pounds. Other than wheeling it around, any other way is asking to throw you back out. It has heavy-duty cast iron trunnions and a 4-inch dust collection port. 

It has an impressive 49-inch rip capacity, allowing you to rip to at least the center of a regular sheet of plywood. You will not have a problem when it comes to power and connection. The extension cable is extended. Also, you can adjust the height of the table to your comfort level.

Pros 

• Is hard wearing and durable and will last a long time
• It is easy to use, and the manual is easy to  understand 
• Can cut through any wood type (soft and hard)
• It comes with very sharp blades 
• It is adjustable
• It has an adjustable height to have the table at your preferred height. 
• It is durable

Cons

• It is not as cheap as other blades to buy
• Quite harmful if one is not careful when handling it
• The manual is not very clear, and this can make set up difficult

Specifications from manufacturer 

• Motor: 3 HP, 230V, single-phase, 12.8A
• Blade tilt: 0°-45° left
• Arbor size: 5/8″
• Arbor speed: 4300 RPM
• Max. depth of cut @ 90°: 3-1/8″
• Max. depth of cut @ 45°: 2-3/16″
• Max. rip capacity: 49″
• Max. dado width: 13/16″
• Cast-iron table size: 27″ x 40-1/4″
• Table size with extension: 27″ x 74″
• 4″ dust port
• Table height from floor: 34″
• Includes 10″ x 40-tooth carbide-tipped blade and extended-reach push stick
• Precision-ground and polished cast-iron table and wings
• Massive cast-iron trunnions
• Miter gauge with adjustable T-slot and anodized fence with extension and flip stop
• Camlock fence with HDPE face
• Powder-coated finish
• Includes standard & dado table inserts
• Quick-release blade guard with independent-lifting sides and retractable pawls
• Wide-span easy-glide T-fence system
• Knurled knobs for fine fence adjustments
• Nylon runners inside fence head assembly
• Sloped inner cabinet floor for efficient dust transport
• Accessory hooks on cabinet
• Magnetic switch with thermal overload protection
• Overall size: 82″L x 45-1/2″W x 40″H
• Approximate shipping weight: 567 lbs.

Detailed Features 

Accessory hooks on cabinet

The W1820 features a 50-inch rip capacity, more than enough to rip to the center of a standard sheet of plywood. The extension table features adjustable legs, a square steel tubing frame, and an all-around stable top.

Miter Fence With Flip Stop

The W1820 features a miter fence with a flip stop. The flip stop comes in handy when making multiple cuts of the same width. It can be flipped out of the way to allow longer workpieces to be cut and pivoted back down to make additional cuts at your desired cutting width.

Blade Tilt

This saw allows the operator to tilt the blade to the left anywhere between 0 and 45-degrees. Great for cutting bevels, compound miters, or chamfers. Easily adjust your cutting angle by loosening the blade tilt lock and turning the blade tilt handwheel to position the blade at the desired angle.

What are the Key Features of a Table Saw?

Weight

The weight of a machine is an important consideration. The heavier it is, the more stable the machine uses, and you will keep vibration to a minimum. It also provides a good indication of the quality of the internal components used during the manufacture. Unless a portable machine is required for site use, a cast iron table saw is far better for supporting large sheets or heavy, solid timbers.

Blade Rise, Fall, and Tilt

Using a table saw safely, accurately and to its full capacity means that it is necessary to adjust the height of the blade and its angle. Most machines feature separate handles and mechanisms with acme threads for precise, easy height adjustment and accurate blade tilt.

Internal Construction and Trunnions

The trunnions on a table saw are crucial as this mechanism supports the motor and saw unit. It should be robustly constructed to provide the strength and rigidity to carry the considerable weight of the motor and both the saw blade adjustment mechanisms. 

Cast iron is the material of choice as it meets all the requirements while adding extra weight to the saw. The trunnions are machined for accurate and smooth operation when tilting the saw blade. They are bolted to the frame to further isolate the table from any vibration and provide added support.

Rip Fence and Rails

Accurate ripping or straight cutting requires a dependable and precise rip fence. It should be sturdy enough to support the wood and provide adjustment to ensure accuracy concerning the blade and table. You should be able to adjust the fence so that it ends just past the center position of the blade. This will avoid the timber binding against the fence, which may be ‘kickback.’

Mitre Fence and Slots

Table saws are provided with twin slots, one on each side of the blade, which means that you can use the miter fence in either. All table saws are provided with miter fences, and you can upgrade these if you deem them necessary. You will improve the accuracy of the cut if the sliding table accessory is used with the saw. This is due to the movement tolerance of the miter fence in the slot being removed.

Sliding Tables

This is either a built-in beam, which is part of the table itself and runs close to the blade’s edge, or an optional sliding table accessory. Both of which will enable more accurate miter cuts and give more support when sawing sheet materials.

Aesthetics

This is a precision ground and polished cast iron table. This is a heavy-duty table saw and has a wide-spanning table that is great for performance. It has iron trunnions as well as a square tubing frame. This table is dimensionally stable. One look at it, and you get the sense that it is a sturdy table that will do the job. 

The table has a powder-coated finish and a sloped inner cabinet floor so that the dust from your project is transported efficiently. It has the Shop fox logo on the side. It has knurled knobs so that you can make fine fence adjustments. The cabinet has hooks for any accessories you may want close to you. 

This massive table weighs a total of about 567 pounds. It’s 82 inches long, 45-1/2 inches wide, and 40 inches high. The height from floor to table is 34 inches. The Camlock fence has an HDPE face.

Performance Review

With a 3HP 220volt motor, this table saw packs quite a punch. It also has a miter fence with a flip stop, giving you more support for the wood you will be working on. It is more than you would get if you used a miter gauge alone. It is an excellent choice for longer pieces of wood. 

If you are making multiple cross-cuts of the same width, this feature will become your new favorite. When you want to cut longer pieces, you can flip them out of the way. You can tilt the blade to the left between 0 and 45 degrees, which helps you cut bevels better. You can easily adjust the tilt t what you want it to be.

Safety

Before you set out to use a table saw, you must take heed of certain safety features the saw comes with and how you can protect yourself. This table saw has a blade guard, which is necessary for keeping you safe as you work. 

This guard has a clear polycarbonate shield, the spreader, and the anti-kickback pawls on each side of the spreader. This guard will help you see the blade as you work. It will slowly lift as the wood gets closer to the blade, and it stays in contact with the wood as you cut.

There are other ways to ensure that you are personally protected when you use this or any other table saw, such as making sure that you protect your eyes with safety goggles.

You can also make use of gloves for your hands and earplugs to prevent you from damaging your ears with the very loud sounds the saw makes. 

You should also ensure that you feed the wood piece in the opposite direction of the blade’s rotation. You also want to make sure that the piece of wood that you are working on has enough support.

This is especially true if the wood is longer than the table. You will need to ensure that you get the necessary support and maintain control as you work.

Who is this product ideal for?

When operating a table saw, a certain level of expertise is necessary. Safety is always a huge issue with table saws, and this is why you must know what you are doing when you use this saw.

An absolute novice should not be using one. You will need to have all the necessary safety information before using it.

Pros

• It is adjustable
• It has an adjustable height to have the table at your preferred height. 
• It is durable

Cons

• The manual is not very clear, and this can make setup difficult

Our Verdict

For many woodworkers, having the ability to perform many different tasks is essential. The correct table saw is indispensable in the workshop.

It is probably the first machine that many would contemplate purchasing. The most important consideration is to understand exactly what the ‘correct’ table saw should be for any given application.

This table saw is powerful and will give you the cuts you need. It is also a powerful table saw and will last you through the years. We think this is a great buy. Happy shopping! Have you read our Shop Fox Table Saw Review?