Thread: Triton Router height knob wont grip

Formite rayintheuk has some great instructions on dismantling the Triton routers. This is for the TRA001

Dismantling the Triton TRA001 3¼HP Router

I believe he also sells Triton spares?

Ray's instructions are first class.
You need to examine the orange knob for wear in the teeth, and if you have a white nylon height winder post then replace it with a metal one.
Parts are affordable form Tool Spares Online in the UK.

Thanks guys, I have had a couple of reads of Ray's instructions.
I'll decide what parts I should order.

The height winder will be first on the list. I might seek some recommendations or if the full plunge handle assembly is a better option.


When they arrive I'll go about replacing them.
I don't want to be without the router while waiting for the parts.


Thanks

Scally,
I have a practically new TR001 (out of warranty, but barely used) with the same problem of the adjusting knob not holding position. I can watch it steadily unwinding while the router is running. I have to rely on the plunge lock to hold the router at the selected height. It wasn't like this out of the box.

Lappa,
Thanks for the link. Hopefully I can find the problem using those instructions.

Scally,
any update on your TRA001?

I bought a Rotozip, needing to cut a 3mm track maybe 30mm deep in wood.
I figured that it would best be done in 2 passes and that absolute accuracy wasn't necessary (rough stage of a wood carving).
There's a crude cage sort of fitting to set the depth. Adjustment set wing nut would not hold. 100% genuine plastic.
Scary when it failed at 20,000rpm.

I don't know the name of them but they function as lock washers.
Flat circle of metal, quite thin, actually, ring of 20(?) twisted teeth around the outside edge.
Little ones have the teeth on the inside sometimes. 3mm to 25mm, maybe bigger.
Took the cage apart and fitted one of these lock washers.
Absolutely solid.

I havent ordered new parts yet I have been busy trying to keep out of this hot weather.

Robson it sounds like you have a solution but I can't picture your flat circle of metal or where to place it..Could you put up a pic or a link please?

The depth cage is supposed to slide up and down on a guide rod on the tool.
The wingnut/bolt is supposed to clamp those two slippery smooth plastic pieces together.
Bulltweet.
I put the tooth washer between the rod and the cage. The original wingnut/bolt crushes everything together.
I'll try to get some pictures.
Most of the time, all of my pictures get deleted so I get really pi$$y and quit.

Are you talking about a Triton router, or something completely different?

Something quite different. The thin lock(?) washer was a good fix to stop parts sliding agianst eachother where there was a lack of friction.
If this is an unsuitable plan, so be it.

I believe they are called star washers- you can buy internal tooth and external tooth types. I have pulled my MOF001 adjustment apart and you couldn't use one on it. I'm looking at packing an O ring in the adjustment to add a little friction to the adjustment.
At the moment, I use the plunge lock then gently tighten the height adjustment so it's lightly loaded. It generally won't wind down then.

There is no benefit in replacing the handle assembly, as the wear will be totally in the worm shaft. Just replace that with the alloy version and you'll be fine. REMOVE THE PLUNGE SPRING and leave the plunge spring cap off when using in the table. This prevents dust compaction in the spring cap which - in turn - prevents full height adjustment and spindle lock.

Ray

Ray,
I replaced my nylon shaft with the metal one, and that fixed the problem at the time, But later I found wear in the orange handle assembly, and replaced the worn part.
You can't know where all the wear is until you disassemble and take a look.
One thing that definitely stops movement is to always use the lock lever.
regards
Chris

"...and leave the plunge spring cap off..."

Still learning something new every day!

Thanks Ray!