Thread: Probably a very dumb question

That depends on what you intend to be doing.

The Workcentre needs a 235mm saw so you have to option of a Trion (recommended) or a something cheaper GMC which you can buy at Bunnings for $99. Then you've got a setup for making much better projects, furniture etc. You've aslo got the option of all the attachments, router table which fits on it, bevel ripping guide, extension table etc.

Some would say and it's hard it disagree, that by the time you buy all that, you may as well look at a dedicated table saw for around $1300. That's a different ball game altogether and you go on buying more attachments for that as well.

The powered table you mentioned has only been around since last year and to be truthful, I don't know anybody who has bought one. The only use I could see is to be able to do the sort of projects you have been doing but a bit easier. If you want to get into some better or even beginner standard woodworking, I wouldn't think this unit will satisfy you. You'd be upgrading in no time. At least the WC2000 would keep you happy for a year or 2, after which time you can sell it and upgrade to the dedictaed table saw mentioned. Lots of people in here have gone (or are going) down that path.

Like the rest of us, it's all about the budget !

Initially I just want to make a better, squarer job of the things I am already doing. Being able to cut things to length and square would be a good start. I want to make a couple of wooden boxes for my kids to contain papers, their drawings, certificates, school reports and that kind of special stuff. I have some interesting very old timber that I salvaged that, when sanded, filled and varnished, will look good with brass hinges and a lock.

Also, join lengths of timber along their edge, planks to posts, maybe some daring stuff with routers and biscuits.

Most of all I'd just like a bench that will hold wood at reasonable height while I work on it. I've had enough of kneeling on lengths of timber to stabilise it.

If a saw bench won't do that I've probably answered my own question.

Zundfolge

A bench to hold the wood while you work on it is a different thing again. It sounds like you need to start by building a nice solid workbench like this one:

http://www.woodsmithstore.com/weekendwkbench.html

That's the bench I made from some old oregon carport beams and it's like my second home

As to the other stuff, it sounds like you should be at least going for the Wc2000. Why not see if you can pick one up second hand. That saves a fair bit, you'll probably get some extras too. then, when you want to sell t, you'll get almost all your money back again. There is a good market for them.

Originally Posted by zundfolge

Most of all I'd just like a bench that will hold wood at reasonable height while I work on it. I've had enough of kneeling on lengths of timber to stabilise it.

Do you have a dedicated space where you can do your woodwork?

If so, then why not start out with a failry cheap Slide Compound Mitre Saw which can be had for around $250 - 300. Buy a cheap "worknmate" to mount it on as well (about $25).

This will crosscut timber up to 300mm wide. You won't be able to do any rip cuts with it of course but it will also do straight and compound angles.

Then use that to make yourself a workbench. There are any number of (free and priced) plans around for making one.

Then once you've done that you'll be in a better position to decide what you really want/need in terms of machinery.

Just my $0.05.

Good luck

Originally Posted by craigb

Just my $0.02.

Good luck

Craig, mate, please get with the times............you have to round it up so it's "just my $0.05"

Originally Posted by Gumby

Craig, mate, please get with the times............you have to round it up so it's "just my $0.05"

Oops sorry. Mea Culpa

At the risk of being overwhelmed by the orange people I would say save your frustration and money and buy a table saw (that is provided you have the space). It is also provided that you want or need that level of accuracy with limited setup and fuss.

The workcentre is awesome in some respects (ie for people with limited or no shed space, like myself... for now) but...As Gumby said by the time you buy all the the bits you are looking at a price of a reasonable saw. Also because of the unorthodox track setup making jigs for the thing is more difficult (having said that if you do a search on this board, you will find that most of us cope!).

The fence can be problematic and so can setting up the saw. It is also time consuming if you want good results all the time. The saw is also LOUD compared to a table saw with an induction motor. If you are prepared to live with that buy the Triton, but do not expect perfect results 100% of the time without fiddling with it.

I would not buy the little table saw from Triton for many reasons but mainly depth of cut and your limitations for jigs, accessories, etc. I would also not buy the workcentre without a Triton saw unless you are a sucker for punishment.

Buying a sliding mitre saw is an OK idea but you cant rip wood with it which is the biggest advantage of the triton/table saw.

Hope that clears up a few things

Marios

PS in terms of their other stuff, the triton router, table and biscuit attachments are very good.

Triton saw benches or Triton workcentre?


How much would you pay to learn a lesson? $290 or $840?

At the risk of being overwhelmed by the orange people

You'll still find a few of them around, if you look

I have never regretted buying my Triton Workcentre. It served me well for many years. When I bought it, it was the perfect machine for what I wanted. I already had a saw and the Triton allowed me the benefits of a stationary tablesaw with the convenience of being able to move it around the house to where I was working without needing a crane. I could also pack it in the car and take it to other sites easily.

I bought a TSC-10HB last year and also have not regretted the decision. I still have the Triton and I will keep it for use as a portable table saw.

Like the others have said, it depends on what you want to do with it. Think carefully about it first so that you don't end up regretting it like some have.

Zundfolge
I started out the same way as you - hand cutting the timer adding a work bench to hold the wood. I then bought a cheap(£129) table saw with a stand.What a difference -much better cuts but i was not as fit. I travel from the UK to Paris to do work on my daughters apartment. This is were I found the saw most usefull. I was starting to do more detailed work and I found the saw was not upto the job. The saw packed up just before the warrenty was about to expire and on getting a refund of £99 I clapped eyes on a Triton work centre (£299) and saw for £219. I was about to spent 4 times the amount and got cold feet and left. Over the next few weeks I checked out the Triton kit on the web and decided to buy. What a difference -watched the video and read all about the setup and joined this group.
I then caught the Orange bug.
Bought the Blade hight winder kit(WCA390) - must to buy with the original purchase else you have to resetup.
Retractable wheels(ACA200) very usefull
My best purchase was the Sliding extension table(ETA300)
The dust then got to me and I bought the Dust collector(DCA300) and the dust bag(DCA250). I did the cyclone mod to the bucket(A must)
Finally I bought the Bevel ripping guide(BRA200)
At this point I had doubled my investment in Triton and was very impressed with my tools.
I have now added a Router(TRA001), table(RTA300) & stand(RSA300)
and am just starting to use them
The main advantage to me is the movablity on the kit( can use the garage for other things if i want - Travel to Paris and work - setup next to the work in the garden etc)
Buy Triton.

Originally Posted by Gumby

Craig, mate, please get with the times............you have to round it up so it's "just my $0.05"

Actually 2 cents is still fine, except you have to collect payment by cheque or credit card for if money was offered you have to round it down to nil.

Like SilentC I have also recently upgraded from the Triton after many years and I've never regretted the Triton setup. However when I bought mine the price comparison beteen the TS and WC was totally different then now. Also the various add ons came over the years rather than being available all at once.

My advice would be to buy the TS if you have a dedicated space and it does not have to be moved and packed away every time and you can afford it. Else buy the Triton basic unit and add ons as required. Avoid the planer kit like the plague and if you buy the dust bucket use my modification to convert it into a mini cyclone.

Peter.

Thanks for all this generous advice to a struggling newbie. Space is an issue for me, my workshop being quite small, and for larger projects I would still need to work outside. So while I appreciate the advice about a dedicated table saw, portability is an issue, and I will start with a s/h triton workstation and upgrade later if necessary. So, if anyone knows of one for sale in Adelaide, please contact me directly.
Zundfolge

Zundfolge,
I am a Triton demonstrator, the workcentre is better for doing the projects you have mentioned. Go the the Working with Wood Show when it comes to a city near you and see them both in use alongside each other. I think the workcentre is so good I have two of them, the router table I have 3 of(6 routers - 3 of which are Triton). You can always put a cheap saw into the workcentre, you aren't just limited to a Triton saw. You never know, with the take over by GMC, they might put the alignment cam holes in the bottom of the 9 1/4 GMC saw.
Woody

I know this comes a bit late but I spent a lot of money to get to the point Im at now. A total f'n lunatic.......

I had the Triton, one of the earlier models. While I liked the setup when I first got it, the problems I had were as follow:

1. The setup needed to be adjusted too often for my liking, especially when moving it around. While relatively light, this is one reason I dont think its that good a setup for portable and accurate work without checking it thoroughly.

2. Bevel cutting on the Triton is too difficult in comparison to a tablesaw.

3. As stated earlier, much noisier.

4. A contractors saw is better value. When I bought my Triton and accessories it wasn't much less than my first Jet TS ($1100).

5. My circular saw was a bittch to adjust the height on. I dont remember them having a wind up kit then.

6. The clogging of the rails with sawdust.

For my money, I would buy a contractors saw unless I could stretch it to a cabinet saw. When I got the Jet, I couldn't believe the difference. It was and it felt more solid. A mobile base and I could move it anywhere in my double garage. Even on a couple of occasions I wheeled it down the road to work closer.

I think if you look at a lot of the pics in this forum you'll see some pretty ingenious mobile units. Most of us have space issues, even those with heaps of it.

Just remember, you will invariably upgrade at some stage if you stick to it. BTW, this is not a Triton bash, just my experience. I loved my Triton when I had it, and it took a Crime Convertors supplier to make me part from it, but today for my money I think there are some pretty good options in the TS market. If you are patient and check the Trading Post regularly, you will find good deals to be had. Check the online listings every Thursday and Saturday at www.tradingpost.com.au. For example I sold my Jet Contractors saw for $700.

In any event second hand is the way to go with the Triton. I guess you will get a better value equation doing it that way.

Good luck