Thread: Table saw V's Triton

A triton is a reasonable tool but it just doesnt compare to a mid range sawbench. A good high powered table saw with an induction motor will leave a Triton for dead.

I have never owned a triton but a good friend has had one for years. After using my homemade sawbench a few times he is building one like it.

Like you i have a Triton table thats done heaps of work,but also have a table saw jointer combo i picked up second hand(mainly for the jointer),but find i use both saws still.
The old Triton mainly for light ripping and the table for the accurate fiddly stuff,mate any cast tilting table with the option for Daddo blades and a quick height adjustment turns the Triton into a poor relation,but i wouldn't get rid of it,you can't have too many saws.
regards Andre.

I used a Triton Mk3 for many years and used it so much for such a wide variety of uses everything from furniture making to believe it or not cutting sand stone tiles and thick steel box tubing and it performed really very well, I still have it , but it rarely gets used, the table is now so thin you can easily flex it with your finger.

Space is a big issue with a table saw, they aren’t portable, even the light contractors saws are a pain to move from job site to job site. Most cabinet saws weigh in the region of 200kg.

Cutting panels 2.4 x 1.2 will unless you buy a sliding panel saw still require outriggers of some sort. I use 3 roller stands for the purpose. A panel saw would be great but they cost $$$$ and take up even more space.

The accuracy is another thing a nice heavy base is a good foundation for any saw, meaning that once set the blade (should) stay parallel to the fence and miter slot. You can also tilt the arbor on a table saw which is something the triton can’t do without cumbersome jigs etc, if you make sure you get a good fence with your table saw it is much quicker to set up than the Triton system .

The induction motor used on most table saws is so much quieter than the brush motors used in portable saws, this means happier neighbors, living in the burbs next to a very keen woodworker with a Triton and a router must be a bit of a trial.

So it’s down to cost, space, portability, noise and accuracy in my opinion.

Cheers

Dave.

quieter, safer, more accurate, more real saw for your money.

If you are going to do a lot of 8 x 4 sheet work a real sliding table is good but that a long way past a triton.

$1000 buys you something that will put a triton in the shade, build in feed & out feed tables as required.

I had a triton ( second hand) as a first bench it was a reasonable choice at the time. but the best thing I ever did was sell it.

Own a Triton 2000, have owned Triton gear since a Mk1.
Triton Cons
Worst one - can't tilt the arbor.
Noisy
The height winding kit is a must.
Sometimes a bit slow to setup.

Triton Pros
Moveable, even portable.
Bit less expensive
Large extension table is very cheap compared with similar facilities on most table saws.

Neither pro or con
With care accuracy is as good as you need for woodwork.

If I had the space I would own a table saw but I would not get rid of the Triton.

Cheers

I have had both and wouldn't consider a Triton again, unless portability/space was a major issue. In that area, it is good, but in all other aspects, it is a poor relation to a table saw.

As far as large sheets are concerned, why would you want to handle them on a table saw anyway ? I still break mine up on a couple of saw horses outside, and then take them to the saw for final cuts. This is mainly due to a lack of spare space inside my shop, and I don't find it a major inconvenience.

You are really comparing a motorised bicycle to a motor bike, so in many respects the comparison is not even fair.

Do the math apples for apples the triton isn't cheaper.

I know a couple of ex tritoners who had to be prompted to be rid of their dust gathering tritons after purchase of a real bench.

Its an emotional attachment, an affliction.

With my old Triton it's more a case of that no sane person would be willing to buy it (I’ll post a picture one day) it owes me nothing though and deserves a quiet retirement.
A mate of mine borrows it occasionally maybe I’ll let him have it on permanent loan.

Dave

OK, perhaps a naive question, but why can't you adapt a triton sliding table to a table saw, especially if you already have it lying about ?

Thankyou all for your replies so far, keep them coming

They have helped me to understand the debate a little more. Space is a slight issue for me, but with a little creative thinking I may be able to incorporate the saw into some workbenches to overcome the non portability issue. The whole arbor tilt thing is a huge bonus though.

Kenmil you are right in me cutting bigger sheets outside, I guess I was just hoping from a accuracy - and laziness - point of view that it might be an easy thing to do on a tablesaw.

The general feel I am getting so far is that if the funds and space are available, then a tablesaw is something I will never regret investing in, but there are still advantages to be had by having the triton as well. I have some stuff to mull over at least.
Cheers.

Shannon,

having owned a triton MK3 for some 14years approx and making many projects with it. Even earning part time money from it making all sorts of furniture and large projects including kitchens. I have plenty of praise for the Triton. My equipment list back then consisted of MK3 triton and extension table and the then Triton router table and a few hand tools. I have recently been on a spending spree and bought many more pieces of equipment ( enough to start a cabinet shop ). My first new piece after some thought of buying a table saw was a series 2000 Triton with the dust extractor and winding mechanism along with Triton saw. Soon after I relented and bought a table saw (KS12-K) and now I wish I hadn't bought the second triton. There is no comparison between the two. I am not bagging the Triton here (I still believe it serves a very good purpose to a segement of the woodworkers out there) it is that until you use a table saw that you realise the limits of the Triton. Don't forget that you don't need to have all the bells and whistles on these devices. A sliding table is great but why wouldn't a home made extension table similar to the original Triton one not surfice for the large sheets. It sure would be cheaper.
My advice for you would be if space is a problem then go for the Triton but if you have the space go for a table saw. Keep in mind that a new Triton with the Triton saw and winding mechanisim will cost you as much as a good bottom end table saw like mine. The Triton is noisy and has a small depth of cut but it is light and movable around your garage/workshop.
Hope that you keep on woodworking regardsless of the equipment you have.
Regards Vasco

I never went down the Triton route - just couldn't stand the noise. I value my hearing and I figured on not constantly fueding with my neighbors

I bought an $1,100 contractor style (open base frame) table saw about 3 years ago - 12" blade, 2hp motor, single belt drive with cast iron top. The fence was rubbish, bought a Biesemeyer for $700 or so. Then built a base cabinet with dust extraction and an extension & outfeed table. Of course these days you can buy a reasonable cabinet saw with decent fence for that sort of money.

One day I'll upgrade it to a Jet. For now it does the job nicely. Takes a dado set. Rips 3+ inches - never had it bog down unless I'm doing something stupid. Decent blades are a must of course.

Handles sheet rips up to about 1200mm wide - though I don't have the space to handle full sheets in my workshop anyway, so I have the sheets cut to 1200 x 600mm or 1200 x 400mm, which does 99% of what I want to build. If I need a larger section I have that cut by my supplier. Generally costs little to nothing extra but the time to wait for it.

Take a look at my site below - it sits right in the middle of my workshop. Though it's mobile if needed, it stays put 99% of the time. It generally gets used as a work/assembly table when I'm not cutting. Lots of storage space below for the thicknesser etc.

I've thought about a sliding table, and if I had stacks of space it wouldn't be bad - but the extension table allows me to handle sheet goods in minimum space, and does all I need. I use the CMS to dock long narrow stock to length and a sled on the tablesaw to square up panels etc.

It hooks up to the DC using 100mm pipe, which gets most of the sawdust.

As kenmil says, it's like comparing a motorcycle to a motorised bicycle - both will get you there, but for utility, operator comfort and versatility they're in a totally different league.

I've used the Triton saw bench quite a few times and was reasonably impressed, considering its cost and portability. Accuracy is a bit of a fiddle, but more than possible, just look at some of the work produced on them.

I've also used a considerable number of quality table and panel saws. Yes there is a difference, but you don't pick up a panel saw and take it over to the neighbours to help build a pergola. Accuracy is not guaranteed (though it is easier to produce) on even very expensive gear.

Having weighed it all up I needed portability and wanted quality, flexibility and accuracy. Result? I have recently purchased a Festool Basis 1A/AT55E. A little like a Triton, you can take out the saw to use separately. Huge difference in quality and accuracy though. Adding home-built fences and extentions is easy, thanks to well machined, solid channel in the table. There are add-ons to creating a sliding panel saw but I have purchased two of the guides. I can take the saw to the work and make beautifully accurate cuts on anything from narrow planks to breaking down full pannels.

The downside? Costs a damn site more than the Triton. Is it worth it? I love it but only you can tell worth from cost, it's a personal thing.

Cheers,

Originally posted by kenmil
You are really comparing a motorised bicycle to a motor bike, so in many respects the comparison is not even fair.

Motorised bicycle!! I like it.

OK lets build this motorised bicycle together.

Saw $350
Workbench $460
Height winder $100 (??)
Bevel Ripping Guide $100 (???)
Dust bag $90

Total $1100

No way!