Triton router table shims - what used for?

[NathanaelBC]

I bought a second-hand RTA001 last year and just got a pair of microadjuster knobs, which is nice because tapping the fence with a rubber mallet was a little barbaric.

Anyway, I've still no idea what use these shims are for!

387183

[Optimark]

They are planing shims. They do work, but as I now have a planer on my Triton workbench, I hardly ever use these on the router any more. That said they do work and work well. Be careful as they are reasonably fragile, one of mine split as I pulled it out slightly sideways, still works, but......

Page 16 of this should explain.

http://www.triton.net.au/Helpers/GetImage.ashx?type=InstructionManual&size=&name=330100_Manual.pdf

Mick.

[NathanaelBC]

Ah excellent, thanks! I was just planning on having to make a jig for planing. Wouldn't have figured out how to use the shims without the user manual. Though hopefully I'll also have a jointer soon.

[NathanaelBC]

Played with the shims today to plane a board; have a nice big 1" straight bit so that'll do fine for planing some boards for gluing up a table top, though eventually I'd like a 6" planer.

[Optimark]

Fantastic.

With regard to your desire for a 150mm planer, if you could stretch to a 200mm unit, I think you'll find it makes a heap of difference.

At my Men's Shed, we ran with a low end 150mm Carba-Tec benchtop unit.

https://www.carbatec.com.au/machinery-and-accessories/jointers/jointers/jointer-6-benchtop-single-carton

It was great, but by jingo it often just wasn't quite wide enough, so necessitating a work around. Easily done, but a single pass makes life easier.

Eventually we ended up with one of these, with the spiral head upgrade.

https://www.carbatec.com.au/machinery-and-accessories/planer-thicknessers/planer-thicknessers/10-planer-thicknesser-combo-1-skid-202kg-115-53-95-cm

It really is desirable, my eyes have been opened up with what it can and does do, plus, as a bonus, it is very quiet.

If you can, get a unit with a long bed, or as long a bed as you can afford or fit into whatever space you have, it does make a difference. You can make in-feed and out-feed tables, but to avoid sniping, they really have to be accurately aligned with the bed top.

Then, once you have decided to get a jointer/planer, there is the issue with regard to having two or three blades, or one with the superior and much quieter spiral head job. Every step up costs more, the smile on your dial though, usually gets wider with each incremental upgrade. :D

Me, I live with my 75mm handheld two bladed planer attached to my Triton saw bench, such is life.

387705

Mick.