The new hybrid tablesaw from Shop Fox is an impressive saw for the money, with features rivaling those on some high-end cabinet saws.

The fence, for instance, is well designed. It has slick nylon faces, slides very easily, and locks down securely. The cast-iron top and wings are nicely ground and very flat. The extension table is a flat laminate-covered board that could easily support an undermounted router. Both blade height and angle adjustments are very smooth and easy. The riving knife and blade guard are both easy to remove and adjust. The dust collection works well.

Though the 2-hp motor won’t keep pace with a 3-hp cabinet saw, it has plenty of power for most home shops. I was able to rip 5/4 hickory and cut 3⁄4-in.-wide by 3⁄4-in.-deep dadoes in spruce, though at a slow pace. The saw isn’t without flaws. It had a bit more arbor runout than I’d like; fortunately, performance wasn’t compromised. The included miter gauge is flimsy (just buy a better one), and it has a short power cord (6 ft.). The insert plate, though stiff, is thin, making it difficult to make your own zero-clearance plates. However, you can buy blanks to fit this saw (grizzly.com, model No. T23279, $25). But these shortcomings are small potatoes. If you’re a hobbyist in the market for a serious tablesaw, this one packs in the value.

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