Is the Shop Fox W1758 a full-size lathe?

Yes — 16 inches of swing and 46 inches between centers is full-size capacity, enough for table legs, large bowls, and long spindles. The confusion comes from its price, which sits where most brands put their midi lathes.

How many speeds does the Shop Fox W1758 have?

Ten settings from 600 to 2,400 RPM with a digital readout. The 600 RPM floor is worth noting: very large or unbalanced blanks are safer started below 500 RPM, so rough your biggest blanks round before mounting them, or true them carefully at the lowest speed.

Who is the Shop Fox W1758 best for?

Turners who want full-size capacity on a midi budget: beginners who plan to grow into bigger work, and experienced turners adding a second machine. Buyers who turn large, heavy, out-of-balance blanks daily will outgrow its lighter build and should look at Powermatic or Laguna.

Can the Shop Fox W1758 run slower than 600 RPM?

No — the owner's manual confirms 600 RPM is the floor. That is fine for balanced work, but very large or rough blanks are safer below 500 RPM, so true big blanks carefully or rough them round before mounting.

What spindle does the Shop Fox W1758 use?

A 1" x 8 TPI spindle — the most common thread in mid-size woodturning, so chucks from Nova, PSI, Oneway (with the right insert), and faceplates are all easy to find.

LathesJune 22, 2023·Updated July 13, 2026

Shop Fox W1758 Review

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The Shop Fox W1758 is a full-size floor lathe — 16" swing, 46" between centers, 2 HP motor, ten speeds from 600 to 2,400 RPM on cast-iron legs — sold at a price most brands charge for a midi. That capacity-per-dollar ratio is why it keeps coming up in "most lathe for the least cash" threads. This review covers its features, the honest trade-offs owners report, and who it fits.

Quick take — full-size capacity (16" x 46", 2 HP, ten speeds) at midi-lathe money. The catch: a lighter build than the premium full-size brands, so it rewards balanced blanks and patient cuts.

Introduction to the Shop Fox W1758

Introduction to the Shop Fox W1758 on Amazon

The Shop Fox W1758 is a full-size lathe, not a mini — the confusion comes from its price, which sits in mini and midi lathe territory. It is larger and heavier than Shop Fox's benchtop W1704, and its 2 HP motor with ten speed settings gives it the capacity for table legs, large bowls, and long spindle work that no benchtop machine can match.

Performance

It outperforms any wood lathe in this tier due to the immense power output and reasonable price point. Other lathes have been known to struggle with performance due to their in-built motors, not the case for the Shop Fox w1758! The sturdy, heavy cast iron legs give it incredible stability unmatched by any other lathe.

Its specially designed swivel head makes the outboard bowl turn incredibly easily, impressing any woodturner on the precision ground.

The cast iron construction makes it one of the most solid machines in the current market, eliminating vibration problems common with wood lathes. Therefore far outperforming the Shop Fox w1704 or mini harbor freight lathe etc.

Specifications

Motor: 2 HP, 110v, single-phase
Full-load current rating: 14A
Swing over bed: 16"
Maximum distance between centers: 46"
Spindle bore: 3/8"
Digital Readout 10 speeds: 600-2400 rpm
0°, 60 °, 90 °, 120 °, and 180° headstock rotation
Overall dimensions: 76-1/2"l x 19w x 48-3/4" h
Warranty: 2 years

Pros

Heavy cast iron legs make it an incredibly sturdy and well-built piece of machinery.
Has 10 variable speed settings for better customization.
The quick release and quick locking features are useful.
Great for outboard turning.

Cons

The weight of the lathe is over 300 lbs, making it a disadvantage if you are needing to move it regularly.
The lowest rpm of the lathe is still quite a lot.

Features

These are the areas where the W1758 stands out from other lathes near its price.

Spec	Shop Fox W1758
Swing over bed	16"
Between centers	46"
Motor	2 HP, 110V single-phase
Speeds	10 settings, 600-2,400 RPM, digital readout
Stand	Cast iron legs

Sturdy сonstruction

One of the main plus points is when in full throttle its incredible sturdiness makes it purge all the vibration, so unbalanced workpieces aren't an issue here!

It's cast iron bed and sturdy iron legs weigh in at 338 lbs which is a must for minimal vibration during woodturning.

The ten variable spindle speed controls give extra control when doing very fast woodturning.

Power

The exceptional motor in the w1758 can provide 600 rpm to 2400 rpm, making it a top choice for modification and crafting. The performance grade motor with 2 horsepower far outperforms any mini lathe in the market without question.

When woodturning for a prolonged time, other lathes may tire and give up on you but this is not the case for the Shop Fox w1758.

Variable speed control

If you are just starting out woodturning, the Shop Fox w1758 is a great choice to fine-tune your skills, being a semi-professional lathe. More seasoned woodturners will appreciate the 10 exact spindle speed controls, that can curve out the wood in a customized and precise way.

Spindle tachometer and digital readout

A great addition to the Shop Fox unit is the digital tachometer, helping to show the user at what speed the spindle is spinning.

The tachometer will show the exact rpm of the lathe. The 10 different spindle speed variations, at different speeds, then change the reading, meaning the wood turner gets a more precise understanding of the operation of the lathe. This gives greater control of the power of the lathe.

Quick lock and release option

Praise should be given to Shop Foxs w1758's development team who seem to have carefully considered productivity and efficiency in every aspect when creating this machine.

The lock and release option in the headstock and tailstock center make the craft consistently steady when open for adjusting, making precision fitting adjustments. The three-way adjustable turning tool rest has an extendable option, giving extra support for turning the tools.

Out-board turning

Outboard turning is required when there is a change in the diameter of the stock to greater than 12" in the swing. An impressive feature of the Shop Fox w1758 is the outboard turning.

The headstock of the lathe can be angled from 0° to 90°. It can also be moved to 180° rotation for larger diameter pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Owner consensus — the 2 HP motor and the vibration-killing cast iron build earn consistent praise; the recurring complaints are the 600 RPM speed floor and small-part finish quality. Neither is a deal-breaker at this price.

Setup in three steps

Assemble the cast iron legs and bolt the bed on — a two-person job at this weight.
Check headstock-tailstock alignment with the centers almost touching; shim if the points miss.
Start at 600 RPM with a balanced practice blank before trusting it with a big one.

Final Thoughts

A great overall wood lathe giving a satisfying impression of good quality and efficiency. The 2 HP motor ensures that everything is done smoothly and the variable speed settings make it a great machine. Setting up the device requires an hour with the owner's manual or a couple of YouTube videos, but it is straightforward.

There are other accessories that can go with it as well, and a bench is included in the setup.

The Shop Fox W1758 delivers full-size capacity — 16" swing, 46" between centers, 2 HP — with the stability of cast iron legs, at a price closer to midi lathes than to its real competition. Keeping workpieces balanced is easy on a machine this sturdy. It fits beginners who want room to grow and professionals who want a second lathe without a second-lathe budget.

Check out our buying guide for the best wood lathes overall.

Written by Vince

Vince is a woodturner and the founder of WoodturningOnline. He writes tool reviews, buying guides, and turning tutorials to help woodturners at every level make informed decisions about their craft and equipment.