Shop Fox Drill Press Table: What to Measure Before Ordering a Replacement

Shop Fox presses have a following because they are well built and fairly priced for what they are, and the W1668 oscillating model is a shop favorite. The trouble starts when the table cracks, wears, or goes missing, and you go looking for a “Shop Fox drill press table.” That search treats the brand like a single part, when the table is actually tied to your specific model and its column. Measure first, match the model, and you order once instead of three times.

A Shop Fox drill press table is the work surface, cast or supplied top, that mounts to the column of a Shop Fox press. On a model like the W1668, with its 13-1/4-inch swing and oscillating spindle for sanding, the table, table support, and mounting are specific to that machine. The owner’s manual documents the specifications, the assembly, and the parts, which is where a replacement search should begin.

Short answer: before ordering, identify your exact Shop Fox model, measure the column diameter and the table’s mounting and slot pattern, and match the part to that model using the manual. For a woodworking upgrade rather than a repair, add a top on the existing slots instead of replacing the casting.

Why the model, not the brand, decides fit

Shop Fox makes several presses, and their tables differ in size, slot pattern, and how they clamp the column. A table for one will not seat on another. The W1668 in particular is an oscillating drill press, so its table and support relate to features a plain press does not have.

That is why the manual matters. The W1668 owner’s manual lists machine specifications, electrical requirements, assembly instructions, and maintenance, along with the base, column, and table support details you need to identify and match the right part.

Measure and identify before ordering

• Model number. Find it on the machine plate or manual; it identifies the exact table and support.
• Column diameter. Caliper the column, since the table bracket clamps to it and must match.
• Table size and slot pattern. Measure the surface and its slots or holes so a replacement lines up.
• What failed. Decide whether you need the whole table, the support, or just the insert or hardware.

The honest limitation

Even with a manual in hand, an exact factory table for an older Shop Fox may be limited or out of stock. When that is the case, your realistic options are a salvaged table from the same model, or skipping the original casting and mounting an aftermarket or shop-built woodworking top on the existing column and slots. For woodworkers, that upgrade path is often the better outcome anyway.

Replacement casting versus an upgrade top

Against an original replacement casting, an upgrade top wins for woodworking, adding a fence, stop block, and replaceable insert the plain casting never had, and loses only if you specifically need to restore the machine to original. A ready-made top like the WEN 24-by-12-inch, or a build from IBUILDIT or Woodsmith plans, mounts to the existing slots. You can compare a drill press table with fence and stop upgrade against generic drill press table replacement parts.

Setting up the replacement

1. Identify your Shop Fox model and pull its manual and parts list.
2. Measure the column, table size, and slot pattern.
3. Match a factory part to the model, or, if unavailable, fit a salvaged part or an upgrade top.
4. Mount the table flat and square it to the bit.
5. Clamp the work and wear eye protection, keeping clear of the chuck per CCOHS and OSHA.

Who should read this

If your Shop Fox table is cracked or missing, get the model number first, since the brand name alone will not find the right part. If your table works but is poor for wood, skip the replacement and add a woodworking top that fits the existing slots.

Bottom line

A Shop Fox drill press table is matched by model, not brand. Start from the owner’s manual, measure the column and slot pattern, and match the specific part, or add an upgrade top if the original is gone or you simply want a better wood surface. Measuring first turns a frustrating parts hunt into one correct order.

• Shop Fox makes several presses; match the table to your exact model.
• Use the W1668 manual to identify the table, support, and mounting.
• If the casting is gone, a salvaged part or an upgrade top is the realistic path.

FAQ

Are Shop Fox drill press tables interchangeable? No. Table size, slot pattern, and column fit differ between models, so match a replacement to your specific Shop Fox model.

Where do I find my model details? On the machine plate and in the owner’s manual, which lists specifications, assembly, and the parts you need to match.

What should I measure? The column diameter, the table size, and its slot or hole pattern, plus which piece failed so you order the correct part.

What if my table is discontinued? Look for a salvaged table from the same model, or mount an aftermarket or shop-built top on the existing column and slots.

Can I add a woodworking top instead of replacing the casting? Yes, and for wood it is often better. A ready-made or shop-built top adds a fence, stop, and insert on the existing slots.

Do I re-square after fitting a new table? Yes. After any table change, square it to the bit before precise drilling.

References

• Shop Fox W1668 Owner’s Manual: https://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/h0626_m.pdf
• WEN 24 x 12-Inch Drill Press Table with Adjustable Fence and Stop Block: https://wenproducts.com/products/24-by-12-inch-drill-press-table-with-an-adjustable-fence-and-stop-block-t
• IBUILDIT Drill Press Table Plans: https://ibuildit.ca/plans/drill-press-table/
• Woodsmith Drill Press Table Plan: https://www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/pw-drill-press-table/