Thread: Triton MOF001 problem

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Any attempt to raise the cutter results in the 'click click click' sound as though the plunge lock lever is engaged. Unfortunately it isn't.......

The most likely (even definite) cause of your symptoms is a worn white plastic worm gear, I'm afraid.



Replacing it is relatively simple, obtaining one (TRA406) may be another matter entirely.

Ray

Ray - many thanks for getting back to me on this, even if the news isn't good.

I'll have a go at taking the router to pieces to check this part out (using your excellent instructions), then if it is the problem at least I know for sure what part I need (if Triton parts ever become available again).

The thing is still usable in a table setup, just inconvenient. Hopefully I can use it like this until we know for sure whether Triton is coming back from the dead, at which point I can make the decision about a replacement.

Considering the very light use that this router has had, I'm frankly amazed that people are out there looking to buy up remaining stock with no warranty or guarantee of parts availability in the future. The MOF001 is only worth considering if you can easily get parts, 'cos you're surely going to need them !

Thanks again for your help - much appreciated

Thers is a power tool guy ont he Highway at South Nowra,next to the treated pine place(Real Power Tools )I think he calls himself, he fixed mine $35 was all it cost it was the nylon bit that was worn ,didnt seem to have any trouble getting parts.Hope this helps.

Thanks acmegridley - can I ask how long ago it was that yours was fixed??

Sounds like this guy might have a stash of Triton parts, in which case I'll give him a call. I'll be dismantling the micro adjust mechanism today to confirm which part is damaged.

Cheers

About eight months ago from memory,since sold all my Triton gear.No he didnt have a stash just ordered it from somewhere,dont know where

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

I have a (barely used) MOF001 which has now been permanently mounted in a table set-up. The intention was to make use of the above-table height winding feature - I have the winding handle for this.

As advised by the manual, I removed the plunge spring before mounting the router in the table. Everything worked just fine for about 2 weeks, but now there seems to be a problem with the height winder.

With the plunge lock lever OFF, repeat OFF, I can pull the Winder Handle Clutch Ring into the handle, then rotate the handle to raise or lower the cutter. The router moves up and down freely - so far so good. However, if I try to use either the above table winding handle or the Micro Winder Adjuster Knob on the router body to make fine adjustments, it seems I can only move the cutter downwards. Any attempt to raise the cutter results in the 'click click click' sound as though the plunge lock lever is engaged. Unfortunately it isn't.......

So.......at the moment the only way I can accurately set cutter height is to reach under the table and use the Winder Handle to bring the cutter well above the required height, then use the above table winding handle to lower the cutter down to the desired setting. Overshoot at all, and I have to go back, raise the bit again, and start over.

Am I doing something REALLY silly here, or can anyone suggest what might be the problem with this router??

Next step will be to consult Ray's page on dismantling the MOF001, then pull it apart and look for broken bits

The worm gear is stripped most likely still under warranty. Make sure you leave the black base plate on the router when you put it on the table. Us the above table winder slowly it is really a micro adjuster. Keep the the router clean as possible and blown out.

I just put a posting on the metal forum,hope one of the guys can make them from aluminium.We will see

Hi Guys,

I can make these parts if i have a sample to work from. If you have a sample or need one
making you can email me at [email protected]

Kind Regards

Colin

Colin - thanks for the offer, but I think I'll wait and see whether Triton spares become available or not through the possible "re-birth" of the company.

This particular router needs brushes as well, so the broken height winder part is just one aspect of a bigger problem.

If Triton comes good in the next 6 months I'll get as many spares as I can from them to keep the router going, if not I'll relegate it to handheld use and get a new Makita or something for my router table.

Cheers

If someone has a failed worm to spare for awhile either let me know or Colin at [email protected]
What do others think of using an aluminium worm gearIt should not give any trouble at all from then on
I will pay post

I thought I read somewhere on the forum that the purpose of the plastic gear was to make sure that it was the weakest link in the system, so that if anything broke it would be a part that was easy and cheap to replace, rather than a more major component. I would maybe be interested depending on cost, but only if I could be assured that replacing it with a stronger part will not result in risk to a more expensive part.

Peter

Originally Posted by petersemple

I thought I read somewhere on the forum that the purpose of the plastic gear was to make sure that it was the weakest link in the system, so that if anything broke it would be a part that was easy and cheap to replace, rather than a more major component. I would maybe be interested depending on cost, but only if I could be assured that replacing it with a stronger part will not result in risk to a more expensive part.

Peter

Anyone heard of this?? I cant think of any reason for this part to be weak.
It is just a very weak part that needs replacing too often isnt it.See what Ray thinks

This may be the post I was thinking of here: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f15/tr...28/#post756674

Peter

I was the one who believes that the worm gear was designed as a shear point in the gear train, but I regret to say that I can't now quote a source for that belief, as Triton UK (in Camarthen) have been closed for nearly 14 months now.

I'm also sure that it was Stu who first announced that a metal worm was on its way (again, can't provide a source post, sorry) and from that I made the assumption that such a replacement would need to be made of brass. I think that aluminium would perform no better than the current hard plastic, but that's just my opinion (which will, therefore, be argued with vehemently by a few!), based on the wear pattern I've seen on the existing gear and the stresses involved when used inappropriately (i.e., with the plunge spring still inserted when used in a table).

Please also bear in mind that the worm gear is currently not interchangeable between existing models of the MOF001 and the TRA001. As the newest CMT offering has a new housing to seemingly incorporate the winding gear external handle, this may not be the case for new models, but currently it's the case as these pics show:

TRA001 worm



MOF001 worm



HTH

Ray