Understanding the Shop Fox W1667 Oscillating Drill Press: Setup, Limits, and Support

The Shop Fox W1667 does something most benchtop drill presses cannot: it oscillates. That single feature turns it from a pure drilling machine into a drilling-and-sanding machine, because when you swap out the drill chuck for a sanding drum kit, the oscillating up-and-down spindle motion prevents burning and loading on the sandpaper. For a small shop looking to do both operations without buying two machines, that is a legitimate argument for the W1667. This guide covers the W1667 specifically, its specs, its setup, its honest limits, and what owners need to know about support and parts.

The W1667 is a current Shop Fox benchtop machine (Grizzly’s Shop Fox brand, sold at Grizzly and major retailers including Lowe’s) with 8-1/2-inch swing, 1/2 HP single-phase 110V motor drawing 5 amps, five speeds from 620 to 3,100 RPM, a 7-by-7-inch cast-iron table that tilts 90 degrees left and right with four 5/8-inch T-slots, JT33 spindle taper, 1/16-to-1/2-inch chuck capacity, 1-5/8-inch spindle travel, and 1/2-inch oscillating stroke when in sanding mode. The dust port on the table is 2 inches in diameter.

Straight answer: the W1667 is a well-made current machine from an established brand with strong parts and support through Grizzly. Its oscillating feature is real and useful for spindle sanding; its drilling capacity is typical of an 8-1/2-inch benchtop press. It earns its place in small shops where spindle sanding work otherwise needs a separate machine.

Setup

Setup follows standard benchtop drill press assembly: column into base, head onto column, table bracket attached at the desired height. The oscillating mechanism is built in and requires no additional setup for the sanding mode; you switch between drilling and sanding by changing the spindle attachment. The D2677 Shop Fox Spindle Sander Drum Kit (sold separately) includes rubber sanding drums in three diameters for 1-, 1-1/2-, and 2-inch sleeves.

Level the table after assembly and verify the table is perpendicular to the spindle using a small square against the quill before drilling your first precision hole. Tighten all column and table locks firmly. The 5A motor circuit is standard single-phase 110V and does not require a dedicated circuit for most shop loads.

Capacity and honest limits

Drilling capacity in mild steel is 1/2 inch, which is standard for an 8-1/2-inch benchtop press. The 8-1/2-inch swing (4-1/4-inch throat) limits you to workpieces that fit that reach; anything wider needs a larger press. The 1-5/8-inch spindle travel handles most through-hole drilling in workpiece thicknesses up to about 1-1/4 inches before you need to reposition.

The oscillating mode’s 1/2-inch stroke is effective for spindle sanding. This is a real feature, not marketing; the oscillating motion distributes sandpaper wear and reduces burning in wood significantly compared to a non-oscillating spindle sander.

Honest flaw: the table is 7 by 7 inches, which is compact. For larger workpieces you may want a shop-made auxiliary table surface clamped to the T-slots. The spindle travel at 1-5/8 inches is also on the shorter end for a benchtop press, which limits drilling deep into thick stock without repositioning.

Parts and support

Shop Fox is Grizzly’s brand, and Grizzly carries parts for current Shop Fox machines directly. The W1667 is a current model, so belts, the chuck, switch, and model-specific parts are available through Grizzly. The JT33 spindle taper means a 5/8-inch keyed chuck with a JT33 arbor is a direct replacement, and a universal ratcheting chuck key covers a lost key.

Who the W1667 is for, and who should look elsewhere

The W1667 is for the small shop that does woodworking or light metalwork and wants to add spindle sanding capability without buying a dedicated spindle sander. The dual-purpose capability in a compact footprint is its genuine value proposition.

Look elsewhere if you need more than 8-1/2-inch swing for regular work, need more than 1/2-inch drilling capacity in steel, or do not need spindle sanding at all. A standard 10-inch or 12-inch benchtop press at a similar price gives you more drilling headroom without the sanding feature if pure drilling is the priority.

Conclusion: a compact dual-purpose machine that earns its place

The Shop Fox W1667 is the right choice when spindle sanding matters alongside drilling in a compact benchtop footprint.

• 8-1/2-inch swing, 5 speeds (620-3,100 RPM), 1/2-inch oscillating stroke, JT33 chuck.
• Current Shop Fox machine with full Grizzly parts and support.
• Real oscillating sanding mode reduces burning and sandpaper wear compared to a fixed spindle.
• Best for small shops doing woodworking; limited by 8-1/2-inch swing and 1-5/8-inch spindle travel for larger work.

FAQ

What is the W1667’s swing? 8-1/2 inches, giving a 4-1/4-inch throat from spindle centerline to the column.

How does the oscillating mode work? The spindle moves up and down 1/2 inch while rotating, distributing sandpaper wear and reducing burning. You switch from drilling to sanding by changing the spindle attachment to a sanding drum.

What chuck does the W1667 use? A 1/16-to-1/2-inch keyed chuck on a JT33 spindle taper. A 5/8-inch keyed chuck with a JT33 arbor is a standard replacement.

Are parts available? Yes. The W1667 is a current Shop Fox model, and Grizzly carries parts for it.

What is the drilling capacity in steel? 1/2 inch in mild steel.

Can I use standard sanding drums? Yes, with the separately available Shop Fox Spindle Sander Drum Kit, which includes drums for 1-, 1-1/2-, and 2-inch sleeves.

Does the W1667 need a dedicated circuit? No. It draws 5A on standard 110V single-phase, which is compatible with a standard shop circuit.

References

• Shop Fox W1667 8-1/2” Benchtop Oscillating Drill Press, Grizzly Industrial: https://www.grizzly.com/products/shop-fox-8-1-2-benchtop-oscillating-drill-press/w1667
• Shop Fox W1667 Owner’s Manual (PDF): https://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/w1667_m.pdf
• Shop Fox W1667, Lowe’s product listing: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Shop-Fox-5-Amp-5-Speed-Bench-Drill-Press/5015570891