SHOP FOX W1680 1-Horsepower 17-Inch Floor Model Drill Press, 34 Review
Our verdict
The SHOP FOX W1680 is a 17-inch, 1-horsepower floor model drill press priced at $1,225, with a 4.2-star rating from 44 owners. It targets dedicated home shops and light commercial settings that need a full-size stationary press without paying premium-brand prices.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Home-shop owners and serious hobbyists who want a full-size 17-inch floor drill press at a lower price than JET or Powermatic alternatives.
Skip if
Buyers who need published RPM ranges, chuck size, or feed depth specs before committing to a $1,225 machine, since the listing provides none of those details.
- Priced 49% below the category median ($2,399.99 across 7 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.2/5
4.2 average across 44 owner ratings
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Popularity5.0/5
44 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other power tools and workshop machinery we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The SHOP FOX W1680 brings a 17-inch swing and 1-horsepower motor to the stationary drill press category at $1,225, positioning it below the Powermatic and JET tier while still offering a floor-standing form factor suited to a permanent shop bay.
The listing does not publish speed steps, chuck size, or spindle travel, which makes comparison shopping harder than it should be at this price point. The 4.2-star average across 44 reviews shows a generally satisfied buyer base, though the sample is modest for a machine costing over a thousand dollars.
Shop Fox targets the home machinist and light-trade market, and the W1680 reflects that positioning. Buyers who prioritize documented specs and long-term parts support may want to weigh JET or Powermatic options, while those comfortable with the brand and willing to source a spec sheet directly from the manufacturer will find the price competitive for the swing size.
Pros
- 17-inch swing suits full-size shop workpieces
- 1-horsepower motor handles a broad range of drilling tasks
- $1,225 price is below comparable swing-size machines from Powermatic and JET
- 4.2-star rating from 44 owners reflects consistent satisfaction
Cons
- No speed range, chuck size, or spindle travel published in the listing
- Zero units reported bought last month, suggesting limited current demand
- 44 reviews is a thin verification sample for a $1,225 investment
Performance notes
The SHOP FOX W1680 is a corded floor drill press with a 1-horsepower motor and a 17-inch swing. No RPM range, chuck capacity, spindle travel, or weight data appears in the published listing. The 17-inch swing means the spindle sits 8.5 inches from the column, suitable for drilling center holes in workpieces up to 17 inches wide.
What buyers say
Owners who reviewed the SHOP FOX W1680 at 4.2 stars generally point to solid build quality and appropriate size for a dedicated shop space. A portion of critics note that documentation and after-sales support from Shop Fox can be difficult to access compared to larger brands, and some flag the sparse spec sheet as a pre-purchase hurdle.
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Frequently asked questions
What does the 17-inch designation mean on the SHOP FOX W1680?
The 17-inch figure refers to the swing, which is twice the throat depth from the spindle centerline to the column. It means you can drill the center of a 17-inch-wide workpiece.
How does the SHOP FOX W1680 compare to Powermatic or JET floor presses?
The W1680 is priced at $1,225, which is well below the Powermatic 20-inch at $3,035 or the JET 22-inch at $2,991. The tradeoff is fewer published specs and a smaller owner community for troubleshooting.
Need help deciding between the SHOP FOX W1680 and another stationary press?
Send your questions to hello@toolgalaxy.com and the ToolGalaxy team will help you compare options.