Thread: TRA001 2400w vs TRA001 2000w ... I think I've got it sorted

If the budget will stretch, get another Triton router - they are addictive, I have 7 so far, 2x2400w, 2x1400w & 3x1100w. The little ones come with both 1/4 & 1/2 collets, so they are more use than a plain trimmer router and cost $100 less than a decent one too (on the sale price). Having a 'spare' also means you don't have to wait a month for parts if something does go wrong.

All the new ones are plastic fantastic. It seems to depend on luck & tender loving care with the gear set (the 1100w does not seem to have one) - there is a thread with a source of a metal replacement part from the UK, I don't think it is a Triton part.

Originally Posted by Tangram

... and I have read that it cannot use the height winder of the latest version of the TRA001B.

So my questions:

a) is the height winder particularly useful? I'll probably be mounting the router in a Triton 2000 Routing table kit.

b) Does the current TRA001b have any other advantages? I could ebay this current router and buy the latest model from Carbatec while they are running a special, and end up with warranty + height winder + fence.

c) Do the new ones from Carbatec have a plastic worm-gear? I have picked up in other threads that there appears to be problems with plastic threads getting worn out.

The height winder is a means of adjusting the bit height without crouching/bending down to use the winding handle and the fine adjuster. Only you will know if that is an advantage or not. Personally, preferring to get my eye level with the bit to adjust it, I've never found the need to use it on my MOF001, but that's my preference. My TRA001 doesn't have it, of course, but I have retro-fitted metal replacement worm gear shafts to both models.

In order to have the above-the-table height winder, the router must have a different lower half motor housing to that which you currently have. This is because the winder works by means of a small "T" bar which protrudes from the lower motor housing and - as such - it cannot be retro-fitted. There is a retro-fit winder, but that involves drilling the body of the machine and is - IMO - a bit "Heath Robinson" and relatively expensive.

The alloy worm gear is a direct and exact replacement for the original plastic shaft and is available here. It seems that most of the latest models are still fitted with the plastic gear, as the linked site is also advertising metal replacements for the 2011 models.

There will be no other advantages with a new one aside from those you mention, but used in a table, the fence is superfluous anyway. I'd get a metal replacement worm gear shaft and fit it. If you're not sure how to do it, I've written a dismantling and maintenance guide, which will show you how.

If you do fit the replacement gear shaft, please remember to STILL remove the plunge spring before mounting in the table. Leave the plunge spring cap off to allow debris to fall straight through.

HTH

Ray

Thanks for your feedback, and Ray, thankyou for the links to your guides.

Very much appreciated.

Cheers,
-T.