Thread: Is someone killing Triton ?

Triton was generally a bunch of add-ons,
They musta been feelin the pinch for quite a while due to all the cheap imported tools, Their DIY stuff now has a limited marketing porthole

Hi Bob
I tend to agree with your thoughts on the 'porthole' theory.

My idea is to buy something that will outlast me, not something I have to take back to the store and exchange part-way thru a job... time, cost, travel, inconvenience etc. I am still using some of my Dad's machines.. Durden Junior Joiner (1960's?) and a Walker-Turner 'Drive Line' Bandsaw (probably older than the Durden).... both still going strong... but will one day need replacing, maybe.

I think as the younger generation come up and the older ones go out the idea of actually making something is disappearing... I was looking for another spoke shave last year.... I asked around at work to see if someone had one they didn't need anymore.... anyone under about 50 didn't even know what I was talking about !
If it breaks, throw it out and get a new one... For me - if it breaks fix it.....

I just want something that will last and at least cope with the next task of building an 18' wood boat.....

Aberdeen

If you want to buy something that will out last you, go to Carba-tec, Hare and Forbes or someone like this and get a tablesaw. A good one will set you back the same monay as you would spend buying a Workcentre and Saw.

George,
Might take a look at them, but are they as portable, storeable?
I have the saws.....

Portable - er.......NOPE but awesome for what they do - far better quality but if you're after portable, go the Triton.

Triton killed Triton.

Great product, innovative, but very poor retailing for as long as I can remember.

Originally Posted by dazzler

Triton killed Triton.

Great product, innovative, but very poor retailing for as long as I can remember.

I'd say that what's really killing the triton more than poor retailing or back up is the price compared to alternatives. It (the workcentre etc) was a great idea which had a good market when you simply couldn't buy any form of tablesaw for less than 2 to 3 times the price of a triton. Portability is it's only advantage now, and how many people need portability in a table saw? And for those who really need portability there's a number of job site benchtop style table saws available now from Makita, Hitachi and De Walt etc.

Mick

That long? Or was it more when Hills, then GMC owned it? (Before then is pre-history for me, so I don't have an opinion)

Hey if I was retired (not far away), I wouldn't mind opening a 'TRITON' shop, somewhere central.... I have a few mates with bits'n pieces, one has a hell of a time just finding 9" sandpaper discs..... waited 3 months for some thru the Big Green Shed and ended up giving up.

Years back stores had regular demos, product nights etc...
I agree, if they or someone decided to actually actively promote the product then maybe, just maybe more would be sold, more stores would stock it, more happy woodworkers

I own a Mk3 work bench and love it, but i think the comments above are pretty spoton. I worked in hardware stores during high school and UNI, unfortunately i rarely got the opportunity to work in the tool shop section but when i did i was able to push the triton and quite often after spending the time telling a customer what they can do they would quite happily hand over the money and buy one. But to many stores simply put them on the shelf in a box and didnt demonstrate how to use them, or even set one up so people could have a look and a fiddle. Consequently they sat on the shelves and collected dust.

I recently herd from someone who does alot of wood working that GMC have bought Triton, im not sure if its true or not though. Matt

Matt,
Spot on! If people don't know what a good unit can do, don't see it in action they will most likely leave it on the shelf to gather dust and buy some cheap rubbish...

I have just tracked some info on the net for my old, and still used quite a bit, Walker-Turner 12" Driver Line bandsaw - probably made about 1940 !

The following is as valid today as it was nearly 70 yrs ago

Behind Walker-Turner Tools is an efficient organization of trained specialists... men who know their jobs and like their work... whose sole aim is to develop the finest machines possible and to produce them in quantity at reasonable prices.
These days of irregular production programs, short working hours, and keen competition call for low-cost modern power tool equipment. Walker-Turner Equipment... because Walker-Turner Power Tools have demonstrated in thousands of shops that they have wider application, cost less to buy and less to operate. They fill today's exacting requirements better than many tools selling at considerably higher prices. There are savings in store for you-- with Walker-Turner machines.

From the 1938 Walker Turner Power Tool Catalog

Gidday Matt - GMC bought Triton about 2 1/2 years ago (or so)

As to demos etc - we've had the program stopped until further notice, so that's why demos seem short on the ground. That is true for Victoria, can't speak for other states.

The demos themselves are not as well attended as once they were, so that discourages the active program there once was. Once upon a time they were standing 3 deep.

Stuart
Plus I've noticed a lot of blokes these days don't even have a shed or anywhere they can fit in anything other than maybe a golf bag.... the shed is becoming a piece of history also I feel.... but not yours of course!
Even a basic tool kit is becoming a thing of the past.... when my son moved interstate with work I gave him some basics... hammer, pliers, screwdrivers etc... at least when I visit things might get fixed without having to take tools on holidays with me )

The Triton brought me back to woodwork as a retirement hobby 6 years ago, got the router and table still but dont need the portability so now got a tablesaw.