Thread: Triton Router for flattening redgum slabs..?

1400mm x 3000mm is a large amount of wood, and redgum isn't the softest wood.

Personally I would go the bigger router.

Not a lot to go on in the original question other than the size of the area to be worked. I think that the MOF is capable of doing the job at a slow rate, ie a modest sized bit (25mm or so planer bit or similar) but it will obviously take longer than hitting it with a bigger router and bit. There is probably not a huge difference time wise going to a TRA, you could increase the bit size and coverage 30 to 50%, but the bit will cost a lot more and you will be down the money for the router as well. I guess it depends on three factors, do you consider yourself time rich/money poor or vice versa, and do you expect to have other uses, needs, or sheer desire to have a shiny new TRA in your shop, and do you need a project that the other half is invested in to justify buying a new tool.

Personally, I have the JOF and TRA Tritons and a Makita 1500W available and would go with the TRA for that job. But as I suggested, other factors that I don't know about might come into play in your circumstances.

How are you proposing to flatten such a large slab with a router? The power of the router is secondary to the method of flattening and the jig that you use.

I did this a couple of years ago, slab was 1500 x 1000 x 60, I used a 3 hp ( 2223 watts approx ) using a 50 mm cutter i don't think I would have wanted to use any less hp

Thanks for the replies.

I have a number of redgum and ironbark slabs.
I've attached a couple of pics (I hope) of the 3m piece,.It has some slight cupping (15mm) at one end and I am investigating whether it is feasible to make a router sled and flatten that way.
I realize that it would be a slow process. My other option is to find someone with a woodwhiz or slab master in Melb and get the slab to them. I don't own any routers and have been offered the 1400w MOF001 Triton router at a very good price. Hence the question about whether the more experienced routers on the forum think it can do the job.

Cheers,
Tim

I would say it would do the job, just may have to take slow with light cuts