Thread: Triton Router broken?

Which Triton router do you have?
1. My MOF001 will wind it's way down when using, especially if a wide router bit is used, unless I use the plunge lock. This has been discussed in earlier posts. With the plunge lock on, the bit stays at the same height when using but will drop when you release the plunge lock as the adjustments has wound its way down due to vibration. This appears to be a common problem with the larger Triton routers.
2. With the power switch off, the router should wind the whole way up so it locks the router for bit removal. Make sure that the plunge height step setting rod is fully up or loose so it can move while winding up the router.

What happens if you manually depress the lock plunger?

Yanis

To do a bit change on the Triton you have to turn the switch on the router to the OFF position THEN it will let you go to the above table position to change the bit. I hadn't used the router table for sometime and it took a long while to remember the sequence of operation (Senior moment)

Did you take the plunge spring out before mounting in the table. The spring exerts enough force to raise the whole motor assembly against gravity when using upright and plunging. If you invert the router for a table and do not remove the spring, the spring force acts with gravity rather than against it. Then the height adjuster has to generate enough force to overcome the weight of the motor plus the spring, or around 2.5 to 3 times the motor weight. That can be tough on the winder mechanism.

Also, unless you taped over the bottom of the plunge guide rails before mounting on the table insert, it is possible for dust to get into guide tubes and work it's way down into the guide tubes and compact preventing the unit from raising. Again, not good for the lift mechanism.

Thanks guys . The collet wasn't depressed enough to lock . I managed to get it working. But the router still drops due to vibrations

I use the plunge lock otherwise it moves during use.

The plunge spring must be removed for table use and the plunge spring cap should be left OFF, otherwise dust and debris (especially MDF dust) can and will compact in the spring cap sufficient to prevent fully raising the router. The router should not vibrate and certainly not enough to cause unintended height variance. If it is vibrating it is either loose in the table mounting or the bit is of poor quality. Leaving the spring in situ is the most common and likely cause of height variance in a table situation. Use of the plunge lock prevents this, but to be sure that it's the router height and not the bit that is moving, run the router with the adjustment handle left inserted and see if it turns. If it does, use the lock, if not it must be the bit moving.

Crud on the collet lock plunger will also stop the router from going to full compression mode, and its a PITA to get into that tiny space to get it out. Basically the lock pin freezes and the cam surface that is supposed to push it into place can't get past - I nearly got patchy baldness from that, thinking there was something wrong with the power switch.