Thread: Template Guides

I'll see what I can do- but apologies if my answers don't all seem to answer the question.....

1. Does the template setup ensure concentricity of the guidebushes and axis of bit rotation, or is there any room for adjustment to ensure this?

Yes- there is a subplate that you permanently mount to the router, that fits underneath the plastic(?) base. A temporary plastic guide bit is supplied that mounts in the router, that ensures the subplate is exactly in alignment with the chuck (and therefore all future router bits).

2. What sizes (OD) do the Triton guidebushes come in?

50mm

3. If one wanted to chuck a bit that had to be installed after the template guide was attached (ie. a dovetail cutter where the maximum cutting diameter of the bit was greater than the ID of the template guide) is the removal of the clear dust shields necessary to facilitate this a pain?

Not necessary. Wind the router down to the position for bit changing as normal, where the shaft lock engages. Place the template guide in position and insert the desired router bit to hold the template guide in place, and tighten the chuck as normal. Finally start winding the router plunge back to operational depth, and when the template can be locked in its holder- do so.

The other method would be to engage the shaft lock without the router being fully plunged. It is a simple push-button arrangement, so you can do it yourself without actually plunging the router- but remember, this has bypassed all the safety aspects of the triton router, so I definitely wouldn't condone its use. Unplug the router before doing so, and make absolutely sure the shaft lock has disengaged before plugging it back in.

Needless to say, I have not tried either technique, but am expecting the first one listed above to be workable, and the safer of the two.

4. Could one use the Triton on a Leigh dovetail jig? Would it be practical to do so in regards to the weight, balance set up etc? (not a mjor concern as the Leigh is still on the wish, wish list but I would like to buy a router that gives me the greatest verstility.)

I don't see why not. The only modification that may be useful, which I am planning to add to my router, is to position a second set of handles actually mounted to the router base- to give maximum handheld control- balance etc. After all- it is a big router when hand holding it. Its power certainly makes up for any shortcomings caused by its size- there is no need to put any pressure to force it to cut- it's always hungry (and hopefully only has an appetite for wood......)

Thank you very much Stuart for your reply.

Yes- there is a subplate that you permanently mount to the router, that fits underneath the plastic(?) base. A temporary plastic guide bit is supplied that mounts in the router, that ensures the subplate is exactly in alignment with the chuck (and therefore all future router bits).

Exactly what i wanted to know. Pretty much sells me.

2. What sizes (OD) do the Triton guidebushes come in?

Sorry, my question may have been a little confusing, I wanted to know what "working diameters" the guidbushes come in, ie. the actual bit that does the guiding. On their website Triton say only " available in five (?) usefull sizes" or something there abouts but with no specs.

Not necessary. Wind the router down to the position for bit changing as normal, where the shaft lock engages. Place the template guide in position and insert the desired router bit to hold the template guide in place, and tighten the chuck as normal. Finally start winding the router plunge back to operational depth, and when the template can be locked in its holder- do so.

Again, precisely what i needed to know. I had thought as much but having not used the unique bit changing techniques of the Triton, combined with the impact in my first question regarding concentricity wasn't too sure.

The other method would be to engage the shaft lock without the router being fully plunged. It is a simple push-button arrangement, so you can do it yourself without actually plunging the router- but remember, this has bypassed all the safety aspects of the triton router, so I definitely wouldn't condone its use. Unplug the router before doing so, and make absolutely sure the shaft lock has disengaged before plugging it back in.

Would it be all that dangerous? Most other makes of routers require this kind of procedure. Does the shaft lock "stick" or is it spring loaded as per other routers so that constant pressure is required to prevent the shaft lock sprining out again?

I don't see why not. The only modification that may be useful, which I am planning to add to my router, is to position a second set of handles actually mounted to the router base- to give maximum handheld control- balance etc. After all- it is a big router when hand holding it. Its power certainly makes up for any shortcomings caused by its size- there is no need to put any pressure to force it to cut- it's always hungry (and hopefully only has an appetite for wood......)

Thanks again, would be interested to see your mod' when its done

Cheers
Tim

Sorry, my question may have been a little confusing, I wanted to know what "working diameters" the guidbushes come in, ie. the actual bit that does the guiding. On their website Triton say only " available in five (?) usefull sizes" or something there abouts but with no specs.

Ah- never mind. Am at work now, so can't check- hopefully someone has a box at hand

Would it be all that dangerous? Most other makes of routers require this kind of procedure. Does the shaft lock "stick" or is it springloaded?

True- doesn't mean they are safe Yes, the shaft is springloaded, but when dealing with that sort of power, combined with the non-plunged bit on startup, I'd err on the side of caution. Anything that relies on a spring is never infallible after all. Sorry to cast dispersions on all you springs out there.

Mate you WILL NOT BE UNhappy with this Beast

True- doesn't mean they are safe

Very, very true! I once scared the crap out of myself after realising that i had just changed a bit without isolating the router first from the power supply. One of those nasty pit of the stomach feelings follwed by a quick thankyou prayer. I'm usually very good with a system of turning off and unplugging, but this day was one of those when everything was going smooth and fast, really productive, and i got carried away.
The added safety is certainly just one of the many, many features that I'm looking forward to in the Triton.

Thanks again

Tim

Template guide bush sizes....

A- 5/16"OD 1/4"ID

B- 3/8"OD 9/32"ID

C- 7/16"OD 11/32"ID

D- 1/2"OD 13/32"ID

E- 5/8"OD 17/32"ID

F- 51/64"OD 5/8"ID

G- 3/74"OD 21/32"ID

Kit also inlcludes a Alignment Bush which also acts as a Porter Cable Adaptor, plus other goodies ie. screws/spacers/plate etc.

Had a good chat with Tom Dooley at the WWWS in Brisbane, and we found that some of the Hitachi guides (in particular, the large ones 1" +) also fit the Triton guide plate - all you need to do is remove the 2x M4 screws - put the Hitachi guide bush in - then replace the two screws.

What is the RRP of the template guide kit?

Hi Tim,

I have the Triton Router/Template Kit and it works fine on my Leigh Jig. The Templates Triton Supply are the same Diameters that the Leigh jig uses.

The only limitation I have found so far is that the Triton Router doesn't have the through fence holes to support the optional Leigh Vacum Attachment.

Joe