Are you looking for a powerful wood lathe at a competitive price? This Shop Fox W1758 Wood Lathe review not only goes into detail about all the features of this popular lathe but will let you in on its pros and cons as well.
Featuring a powerful 2 horsepower motor and 10 speeds, this lathe outperforms many others in its class and at its price point. It has a swivel head to make outboard bowl turning easy, as well as a digital tachometer so you can easily see the speed of the spindle.
It comes with its own stand so you don’t have to spend extra and has a bed, legs, tailstock and headstock made of cast iron to make it extra stable.
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FAQs
Is it easy to assemble?
It’s actually very simple to assemble, but the parts are very heavy, making it cumbersome. Luckily, once it’s up, you don’t have to do it again.
What is the spindle diameter?
The spindle diameter is 1”
What is the distance between centers?
The distance between centers on this model is 46”
What is the size/thread count of the spindle?
It’s 1” by 8 threads per inch
Can I get the speed to go lower than 600 RPM?
Unfortunately, 600 RPM is as low as this lathe goes. While most users do not see this as a disadvantage, some prefer lower speeds for rough cutting work when they’re starting a project.
No products found.How is the vibration?
With many lighter weight machines, turning a project can be difficult because they’re not heavy enough to prevent a lot of vibration. This one however, weighs in at over 300 pounds, so user reviews say it’s nice and stable.
Since it’s made out of cast iron, it not only looks sturdy, it also proves to be so when working with it. In fact, one user review says even before he weighted it down, the lathe didn’t vibrate at all when turning a few non-symmetrical five-inch vessels.
What if my lathe is vibrating?
There are a couple of things that can cause excess vibration in a wood lathe. The biggest one is that you haven’t centered the piece of wood you are turning, so it’s a bit wobbly.
This is especially true and will be much more noticeable if you’re turning at a higher speed. While this type of vibration isn’t usually dangerous, it can be more than a little annoying. The best way to remedy this is to shave a bit off one side of your project or to make sure the piece is centered if you can.
The other reason the lathe can vibrate more than it should is that you might be working at an RPM that is too high. It’s a good idea to slow down the RPM in this case, as the high rate of speed could cause your project to be thrown from the machine.
Also, make sure you’re applying even pressure to your wood. If you’re new at turning, you might be a little tentative or hesitant at first until you get the hang of it, so try to apply even pressure with a steady hand.
How does it compare with the Grizzly G0462?
These two machines look virtually identical, so it would seem they are very close in features as well. In fact, Grizzly and Shop Fox are the same company, Grizzly being the main retail line and Shop Fox catering mostly to wholesalers. Primarily, these are the same machine.The Shop Fox brand generally offers a longer warranty than the Grizzly brand.
What if my lathe makes a grinding noise?
If your lathe is making a grinding noise, it’s not normal. The most important thing you can do in this case is to make sure the machine parts are cleaned and lubricated properly. Oftentimes, a drop of oil is just the trick to stop the noise and get it back to running smoothly. As with any machine that has gears, bearings or seals you’ll want to be sure to keep it well maintained with a good lubricant.
What if my wood splinters or I have tear out?
Some people who aren’t old hands at turning experience these issues when they first start out. If you’re making a bowl and it tears out at the end grain on the inside edge of the wood, it could be the type of wood you’re using. Soft woods are much more prone to tearing out than harder varieties. Sometimes this can also be caused by dull tools, so make sure the ones you’re using are nice and sharp.
If your wood splinters, the first thing to check is that the lathe is set at the right RPM. Splintering can sometimes be caused by a speed that’s too slow. Another thing that can cause this, again, is dull tools. Dull tools can snag on the wood, causing it to splinter.
Specs
• Motor: 2 horsepower, 14 amps, 110 volt single phase• Headstock Spindle: 1” x 8 TPI RH• Tailstock and Spindle Tapers: Morse Taper No.2• Spindle Bore: 3/8”• 10 Speeds from 600-2400 RPM• Dimensions: 76.5” x 19” x 48.75”• Headstock Rotation (degrees): 0, 60, 90, 120 and 180• Warranty: 2 years on parts
Pros
• Heavy stand with shelf brackets• Good power (2HP)• Large headstock• Large turning diameter• Digital Readout
Cons
This is a really sturdy wood lathe that’s handy for a vast number of projects. The one feature that could improve it would be a reverse option, which it does not have, and you can’t reverse it at the motor. Most users don’t miss this, as you just need to turn your project around manually to sand in the opposite direction. Shop Fox are known for their high quality tools, check out their W1819 table saw for instance.
Conclusion
Shop Fox is a good quality brand, and the Shop Fox W1758 Wood Lathe doesn’t disappoint. It can swing a full sixteen inches over the bed and comes with a digital readout and a powerful two horsepower motor. It’s easy to change speeds, and the construction is solid cast iron, making it extra durable. It’s easy to set up and use with the included bench, and there are even shelf supports if you’d like to add your own custom shelf. At this price point with this power and features, it’s a bargain.
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Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
