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Thread: Triton Router

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    925

    Default Triton Router

    I have just got hold of a new triton router and for the benefit of anyone else considering purchasing a new router here are my first impressions.

    I got the router from Bunning for $346. Their base price was $399 but true to their advertising they beat the best price I could find by 10% and I got a cheap router.

    I have had three other routers with which to compare the triton. An Haitachi TR12, a variable speed Makita and a Bosch. And I purchased the triton solely to live under a triton router table so that its operation as a hand held router is irrelevant to me.

    My first few hours of use of the thing has left me very impressed. It has plenty of power to run even large router bits. It is quieter than I had expected and is certainly quieter than my Haitachi. All the switches and adjustments work well.

    But what I like most is the ease of use when fitted to the router table. It mounts easily under the table, but the actual angle at which it is positioned is important. If rotated into the wrong position the depth adjustment knobs can be hard to get at.

    The spring which would normally be useful in hand held mode to control downward movement is a pain when the router is under a table as all height adjustments are resisted by the spring. But the triton allows easy removal of the spring.

    There are two plunge modes. One is the normal mode which would be familiar to all router users where the height of the router is controlled by pushing down on the router and locking the height with a locking lever. On the triton there is a second mode where the height is changed by rotating one of the router handles. In a router table this is very useful. I made a panel for a door with two CMT router bits, one for the rails and one to cut the coped profile on the ends of the stile. Setting the exact height was as simple as winding up the router to the approximate height by rotating the router's handle then adjusting the fine position with a second fine control knob.

    The best feature is the ease of changing router bits. With the router turned off and the window over the on/off switch closed the entire collet comes up through the top of the table and locks. A new bit can be changed in seconds with one spanner. No fiddling around under the table is required.

    The only inconvenience I encountered was with the dust collection shroud. There is a clear molded shroud which is screwed to the base of the router and which is designed to channel dust into a dust extraction port on the side of the router. This is fine with smaller router bits but for bits around two and a half inches or more in diameter the shroud fouls the bits. I had to remove it.

    If it continues to work as it has, over the long haul, it will prove to be a very good investment indeed. I am very impressed by it. But in consideration of my old Haitachi which has seen long and hard use reliably over many years the triton will have to be similarly reliable.

    The triton seems to have been designed by someone who sat down and asked, "What would I like a router to do if it was going to be placed upside down in a router table?" And they seem to me to have got it right.
    My age is still less than my number of posts

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
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    10,810

    Default

    Chook

    Your review is to the point - excellent. You have covered all the essential questions about a table-based router: accuracy (runout), power, ease of setting and fine adjustment, ease of bit change, and enviromental impact (dust control and noise).

    Regards from Perth

    Derek

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
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    Perth WA (Carine)
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    64
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    Default

    Chook,

    my first router purchased is the Triton - about 9 months ago. I have used it in the way you described. Really easy to use when mounted in the table. I thought all other expensive routers could do all this. Am I missing something ??
    Regards
    Les

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    I thought all other expensive routers could do all this. Am I missing something ??
    Hi Les

    No, only the Triton is specifically designed to change bits above the table. That is one of the reasons it is special. I have a large high-end router, an Elu 177e, which is fantastic is most areas, but has to be removed from the table to change bits. A Royal Pain in the Whatsit.

    The only other router that can perform this task (that I know of) is (or should I say was because it is no longer being made) is the GMC Fixed Base router. I wrote an article last year that covered these issues and offered a solution (using the GMC FB):

    http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ead.php?t=9559

    Regards

    Derek

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Castle Hill, NSW
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    74
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    23

    Smile

    Chook, Just out of interest/jealosy can you tell us where
    you got your best price for the Triton Router.

    Can anyone else suggest a better price in Sydney
    Bob S

  7. #6
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    Default Al's revue

    Mmm, router good.
    Buy it.
    Ugh

    Al

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
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    Default How did I get it at $346?

    Quote Originally Posted by BobS
    Chook, Just out of interest/jealosy can you tell us where
    you got your best price for the Triton Router.

    Can anyone else suggest a better price in Sydney
    Bob S
    I had checked out Carbatec and they wanted about $420 or something like that. I did an internet search and found a company in Melbourne (Just Tools) that was selling them for $385 plus delivery of about $40. Then out interest I rang the local Bunnings who quoted me $399. I told them that I had found a better price. I gave them the details which they checked. And in about 10 minutes they rang me back with the price I finally paid. I had heard that they would beat any cheaper price by 10% and they seem to have done so. I have not checked the calculation to see if they really did reduce it by 10% but I was very happy with the price anyway as it was way lower than I expected to pay.

    At one time I had considered saving my hard earned cash to buy a spindle moulder but to get a good one is expensive and then the price of the cutters is also more than my budget would normally handle. I got a new version of the triton router table,second hand but barely used very cheap ($200). With the new router and CMT bits I am very satisfied. My first project (as soon as I have finished the tiling) is to make raised panel doors for the new kitchen.
    My age is still less than my number of posts

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
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    Perth WA (Carine)
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    Default

    Derek,
    my comment about me missing something was tongue in cheek. I'm aware of the unique abilities of the Triton router bit changing above the table. I really love using this machine. It is powerful, smoothe and easy to use (change bits/adjust height). I am also aware of the other very good routers on the market, albeit at a much higher price. My second router is a GMC 1550W plunge. Not a bad router but is fiddly changing the bits. It does have a good course/fine adjustment for setting the plunge depth.
    Regards
    Les

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Jarrah Country, South Of Perth, WA
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    Default

    Gotta love that about Bunnings.

    The last hour or so I have been looking online for my first router. This is the model that I had selected at the online shops, and you've just confirmed it. Cheers for that. Now that I know where to get it I will on the weekend. This forum is great.

    J!
    J!

    My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked, and its price is competitive. If you like, I'll trade for one of yours.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Port Pirie SA
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    6,908

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by derekcohen
    Hi Les

    No, only the Triton is specifically designed to change bits above the table. That is one of the reasons it is special. I have a large high-end router, an Elu 177e, which is fantastic is most areas, but has to be removed from the table to change bits. A Royal Pain in the Whatsit.

    The only other router that can perform this task (that I know of) is (or should I say was because it is no longer being made) is the GMC Fixed Base router. I wrote an article last year that covered these issues and offered a solution (using the GMC FB):

    http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ead.php?t=9559

    Regards

    Derek
    I can change my bits above the table using a Mak 3612c, I still have to hold the shaft lock button under the table but its very easy to reach/find.
    The secret is not to have a thick wooden top on your table, use 3mm steel plate instead.
    ....................................................................

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Jervis Bay
    Posts
    18

    Thumbs up

    The Triton is a great unit and probably the best router available for under table use. After a HUGE amout of use, you'll find thaty she'll scream like a banshee - so if you find it quiet now, enjoy it while it lasts.

    The only real fault I've found is with the chuck. While the single spanner / through table setup is great, the intricacies of the chuck design render it inferior to that of the Makita 3612 and others. My makita seems to grip the bit better and with less effort on the spanner(s) than with the triton.

    My Triton is is about 4 1/2 years old, so the boys and girls at Triton may have upgraded the specs since then. As mine is on the way out, I'll be looking out to see what else is out there, but expect to replace it with another Triton.

    Cheers

    Pete

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Woodlice
    Gotta love that about Bunnings.
    My jaw fell to the floor in my local bunnings (WaurnPonds- Geelong) when they had the TRA 001 beastie (ex display) for$190.00 :eek: :eek: :eek: I stood guard next to it while getting the attention of the Tool shop storeman who came and released the precious cargo from it's 5 phillips headed captors.This was indeed a very good day. It has however left me with a serious problem. It's my birthday next Wednesday and I now have to change my present request. Wait somebody slap me I could have 2 Beasties they could keep each other company.NO!!NO!! thats selfish. OOOOH I'm so excited I'm losing my Triton mind
    wine and wood
    ahhhh yes life is good

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
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    5,513

    Default

    You should have 2 - you deserve it. One for permanent mounting in the table, one for handheld work (the biggie for the table, the baby for handheld).
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  15. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    526

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Harry72
    I can change my bits above the table using a Mak 3612c, I still have to hold the shaft lock button under the table but its very easy to reach/find.
    The secret is not to have a thick wooden top on your table, use 3mm steel plate instead.
    Don't want to hijack the thread but are you saying you can change the bit above the bench with a 3612 C? Do you know if this would be possible with a 3612 BR? Is there that much difference in the plunge tollerances? Mmmmm.... I'm going to have to go and have a look at this....

    Thanks Harry!
    Is it wrong to be in love with a sawbench?

  16. #15
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Port Augusta
    Posts
    37

    Default

    A quick comment to Derek, I was walking through local Mitre10 today fantasising about the tools when I saw the GMC fixed base router on display! According to their woodworking tools guy uit was new stock (a couple there) and a current model, Maybe they have been relaunched or were they ever discontinued? Perhaps Eagle could enlighten us all! Cheers all, Les.

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