Shop Fox W1819 and W1824
If you are a professional contractor, or if you really want to get serious about your work and produce the best possible results, getting a cabinet (or at the very least) a hybrid saw could be your best bet.
Hybrid saws are similar to cabinet saws because they often have enclosed cabinets and most of the features you may find on a cabinet, but they are built more like contractor saws hence the name. This combines the best of both worlds. Cabinet saws, on the other hand are very powerful. You want results? You’ve got them, but it comes at a price.
I’ve decided to take a look at two table saws made by the same manufacturer that look nearly identical to the untrained eye, but they are in fact significantly different. The table saws in question are the Shop Fox W1819 3 HP cabinet saw and the Shop Fox W1824 hybrid saw.
Now, it was really hard for me to understand the difference between the two until I got a good look under the hood. Remember the part about hybrid saws I just told you? Well, the 1824 is a full 150lbs lighter than the 1819 (believe it or not). To find out their differences, similarities and how each of these fare in my review take a look below.
Specifications
Now, when it comes to the 1819 this unit is all-business. It is interested in nothing other than delivering pure performance. This fact is evident in the heavy cast iron construction which houses a real beast of an engine, a 3hp Leeson motor which uses a belt drive to deliver all that power to the blade. Next, there is the massive cast iron table and wings.
The unit is also equipped with a camlock T-fence and riving knife which follows the movement of the blade, heavy cast handwheels, magnetic switch with thermal overload protection, T-slot miter gauge, 4-inch dust port, and plenty of other features. Some say the miter gauge is a bit flimsy but unless you’re an absolute pro I think it’s solid and precise enough (and if not, well, there are plenty aftermarket miter gauges to be found).
The rip capacity of this bad boy is 29-1/2 inches, and the measurements are 40 x 45-1/2 x 62 inches. The surface of the table is mounted 34 inches above the ground, and it weighs about 530lbs. The table dimensions are 27 x 40-1/4 inches and with the extension in place, 27 x 53-5/8 inches. The no-load speed of the blade is 4,300 RPM with a maximum cutting depth of 3-1/8 inches at 90 degrees, and 2-3/16 inches at 45 degrees.
The 1824 has some of the same features, but they’re not quite “up there” alongside the 1819. For example, it has a 2hp motor with a no-load speed of 3850 RPM which is less than the other model. Floor-to-table distance is the same on both, but the table with extension is slightly bigger, measuring 27 x 55 inches.
Depth of cut is identical, while this unit’s rip capacity is 30 inches. Overall dimensions of the unit are 58 x 36 x 40 inches. This hybrid table saw weighs 380lbs which is clearly a lot less than its cabinet cousin. The rest of the features are pretty much the same including the fence, 10-inch blade and so on.
Safety Features
The Riving Knife and Blade Guard with Clear Shield
Both table saws feature a blade guard that is comprised of a clear polycarbonate shield, and anti-kickback pawls. The fact that the guard is made of clear polycarbonate provides the operator with a maximum level of visibility while still providing plenty of protection.
Also, the guard won’t get in the way of the material sheet as it is designed to lift as the piece is being cut. However, the guard stays in contact with the material the entire time the cut is being performed. As for the spreader, well, basically it is a metal plate that prevents the wood from getting pinched by the backside of the blade (the most common cause of kickback).
You also get anti-kickback pawls as another safety measure that allows the wood to move forward only. In case the work piece gets pinches the pawls will latch onto it, and stop it from shooting back at the operator. There is still a riving knife which basically means triple protection from kickback.
Miter Fence
The Shop Fox Miter Fence
The 1819 has a miter fence as well as a flip stop which is a step-up form your regular miter gauge as it allows for better support of sheet material during fabrication. The flip stop, on the other hand, is really useful if you are intent on making several cuts of the same width. While you are working on full-sized sheets of wood, you can put the flip stop aside, and put it back in place to make multiple cuts.
The 1819 also provides you with the ability to make bevel and compound miter cuts. Once you loosen the blade tilt lock, you can change the tilt angle of the blade anywhere between 0 and 45 degrees by simply operating the handwheel.
Overall
If you are not about making compromises when it comes to power and performance, the 1819 is the perfect cabinet table saw for you. The 1824 is right up there with it, but it does offer some flexibility because it weighs less and isn’t as heavy-duty and uncompromising as the 1819.
Other than that, both are crammed full of features that all professionals will look for in a table saw. The powerful motor, massive rip capacity and extensive safety features are just some of the things to like about these two units.
If you want to find out more about it and eventually buy the, I recommend you look them up on that “old faithful” online retailer Amazon. Click here to be taken to the Shop Fox W1819, but if you want more rip capacity you should also check out the Shop Fox W1820. It’s basically the same as the 1819 but the extension gives you a rip capacity of 50 inch! Finally, if you don’t need a professional powerhouse but still want a quality DIY hybrid, you can find the Shop Fox W1824 here.
