Thread: Triton or not

I posted pretty much the same question in the Triton forum have a look there and you will get some ideas and much info especially the 300 table

Mick,
I've had the table and router for just over 12 months now, and I couldn't be happier. Everywhere on this BB you'll see the comment that you get what you pay for. That's very true but, you have to weigh up the return on your investment.
I'll add two other obseravtions:
(1) You don't miss what you never had, and
(2) A poor tradesman always blames his tools.

Sure there are limitations to it's accuracy, but if you are aware of them you can compensate, take your time, and still produce a very satisfactory result.
I've used the table/router combo as a jointer, planner, I also have the biscuit jointer and finger jointer. The beauty of these is that they all work together with a minimum of fuss. I've made cabinets and coffee tables, wall units, done a bit of renovation, and made my own mouldings, banged out a few boxes and drawers - all with the router table. By the way, it used to have a GMC 1200 watt plunge router fitted but I talked the Chancellor of the Exchequer into the real thing - a big orange bugger!!

Overall I'd say that the Triton gear, as you've already found with the workbench, is entry level and above. If you're crap at woodwork then the best gear in the world isn't really going to help, but if you have some hidden talent then this gear is at about the right price and quality to give you a leg-up and encourage, rather than discourage, you.

Oh, and just one more thing I'm in the IT trade, so woodworking is a hobby rather than a living for me. A hobby is something you must enjoy and this Triton stuff just makes it that much easier without breaking the bank.

Go for it, and good luck

I recently posted re the rta300, in the Triton forum. There's certainly no need to read between the lines in my post, I had a serious go at Triton about the levels on the unit.

I have now sorted everything out, and did not need to resort to any of the major mods that have been posted in the forum. In fact, if I had to 'fix' another one, it would only take a couple of hours (aint hindsight great). I am now delighted with the unit, and am happily learning to use it, In fact, I have now achieved things that were out of my reach before.

I love my Triton gear. As a wannabe hobby woodworker, my Triton gear lets me do a range things that I couldn't afford to do otherwise.

I stand by my posted comments re the levels on the rta300, but will still continue to recommend Triton.

I have a triton respirator and a triton 3hp router.

The dust respirator has a dicky switch (no big deal).

Personally I love both items.

The router is just plain awesome especially in the home made "poor mans wood wizz" It kicks a#$e in levelling hardwood slabs - hugely impressed.

Two remaining items I am curious about are jaws of death and the new 18V drill - wonder how good that is?

hey Mick

This is the way that I went

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...dazzler+router

My decision was based on the fact that I had had top squareness issues with my previous triton router table and I did not need the portability which is TRITONS major bonus over other tables.

Good luck


dazzler

Originally Posted by TEEJAY

I have a triton respirator and a triton 3hp router.

The dust respirator has a dicky switch (no big deal).

Personally I love both items.

The router is just plain awesome especially in the home made "poor mans wood wizz" It kicks a#$e in levelling hardwood slabs - hugely impressed.

Two remaining items I am curious about are jaws of death and the new 18V drill - wonder how good that is?

1. The switch on older models can generate a problem (due to dust getting into it). The new ones have a soft, clear plastic covering. Talk to Triton- you may get it fixed for free, or at worst be able to get a replacement (sealed) switch to replace the existing one with.

2. The jaws of death (aka Superjaws) are brilliant- no question. I have 2 (one bought, one won), and both gets used continually. Was using one to chainsaw up firewood just yesterday - on location and fully stable- superb.

3. I was initially unsure about the drill, until I got one to play with. The plunge looked like a bit of a fad. It isn't. It is an excellent concept that works so much better than I would have expected, on so many more jobs than I would have believed. If I was in the market for a drill tomorrow, I'd buy one. It may sound like I am, but I'm not easily pleased. I have to be impressed with a product to go on about it.

I did a writeup on the drill for House & Home magazine (current edition). It may seem one-sided, but it is a valid review of the plunge drill. I love the fact it has so much torque that it has pulled out of my hand more than once! (Got to remember to hold on tighter!!)

Despite Stuart's obvious bias towards Triton, I must agree with his reply on both the Plunge Drill and the Super Jaws.

Plunge Drill The only comments I would have on this item are;
1/. The battery owing to its design type always manages to go flat just when I want it. Unlike NiCads there is very little warning, it just stops.

2/. The LED light at the front really is a bit gimicky as there is insufficient light to really see your centre punch mark in the dark and is easily turned on by accident without being noticed. Maybe thats where all the power from the batteries is going.

3/. The plunge bracket would be nice if it could be removable as sometimes it limits the access and you have to work out how to lock the plunge in place so that it doesnt flick out unexpectedly.

On the plus side this is the best drill I have ever owned. The above comments are mostly easy to overcome with the exception of removing the plunge assy but I have other smaller drills for getting into tight corners.

The Super Jaws On the down side;

Be careful they can crush your work. You will need to try them out and experiment with how much force to exert on a give object before it gets damaged.

They are not light in weight. But then in comparison to a work bench, I can't put a bench on my shoulder and carry it around.

The foot pedal will slam back when you activate the release handle. Keep your foot on the foot pedal during release or tightening.

Again this is a great product. The work bench is always better to work with but you can't always get things into the garage and onto the bench. This is the portable work bench. I don't use mine all the time as I prefer my bench, but when I need the jaws then there was no other way to get the job done.

All excellent points by Mark.

I use the Superjaws to press turned pens together, so they can be used subtly, and it is pretty easy to do - just press slow

Thanks for the words folks I value your opinions, but dont get me wrong I want the Triton RTA300 and the finger and biscut jointer that look very easy to use what I have misgivings about is the number of people who have had to do a modification to there table to get the surface level.
My current table is a 2000 and I have no trouble but I am not sure if I could do the mods on a RTA300 if I had to.
do I spend the money on the new table plus the attachments 450$+ or are there altermatives out there on the joiners
Mick

PS love the home made set up Dazzler I love the room for something like that

Originally Posted by TEEJAY

Two remaining items I am curious about are jaws of death and the new 18V drill - wonder how good that is?

Sorry Mickspry
It was an answer to TEEJAY's request for info as above.

With regard to the RTA300, I assembled mine as per the instructions and its as flat as a tack. BTW I dont always use the plastic inserts as a number of my bits that I use are quite large so I just leave the insert off. But it goes back on when the smaller bits are used with small stock.

To review the table;
1/. Would have been nice to have through the table adjustment but then you're normally replacing the bit when you need to adjust. As this involves reaching under for the lock/switch you might as well be under there for the adjustment. (assuming you have a Triton Router ).

2/. A depth stop on the carriage would be helpful. An 8.5mm hole on the frame with some 8mm threaded rod works just as well.

This is again a very good product; Hey my middle name's not Stuart . I purchased this because of the micro-adjustable fence and the ease of fitting to Triton power tools. To manufacture my own table would have been a lot of stuffing around when I needed to build things rather than build tools. I would have also had to buy a lot of bits and pieces, ie a fence, aluminium rails with screw dogs etc to come up with the same result. Dazzler's table is great, but I didn't have the time. I do like what I have.

BTW My WC2000 and TRA300 both have permanenty attached tools Triton Saw & Router and Dewalt Planer. They don't come out and I maintain accuracy. The saw fitting is modified to remove play or movement permitted by little red plastic things (don't like them :mad: )

Oh Forgot to mention as Stuart said, the Jaws can be used safely and on delicate items, you just need a delicate touch. Try them first on scrap before you commit that pen cap though.

Hi Mickspry

Just going on a little more from the conversation on the thread I would say that if you are after portability then go the triton path.

the only issues i had with the router top is that it never remained dead flat which gave me a noticeable step when doing chamfers etc. Not a big prob for trenching etc. but one nonetheless for finer stuff.

Others have not had this problem so it beats me why that happens.

If I needed a portable router table to go from job site to site and wasnt using it for fine joinery I would still have mine no worries.

My view is make your own top to fit the WC2000 so that you have a larger area to use and it will stay flat. Bit of engine new et t making it fit and bobs your uncle.

The gifkins jig is a great product and works well either way. Far more upgradeable than the finger joiner IMO.

The new ryobi biscuit jointer is also great. Or an elcheapo GMC will still do the trick.

Pushing me own barra here I would go with my ryobi ERT router with mods, xtreme xtension collet, my top made to fit the WC2000.

Buy a gifkins jig and a portable biscuit joiner.

dazzler