Thread: Triton router choice confusion

Triton have 2 different size routers.

Not having the $$ for routers Ive always passed them by but Iam guessing they could both be right.

Actually they have three different routers but none of them (according to the Triton site) is a 2000W model. (1010W, 1400W and 2400W)

I just called the local Carbatec agent and they have the TRA001B in stock but were unable to give me any details of it as far as power goes. Prices is pretty good though at $349. Now to find out what the B model is...

I got an answer from Kinchrome regarding the TRA-001. It's now the TRB-001 which is the same thing electrically but has a better height adjustment device.
It seems the confusion regarding 2000W vs 2400W is due to the testing method used in Europe.

I'll go shopping tomorrow!

Are you going to use this in a table or hand held?

I'm planning to build a table for the router but may on occasion use it hand held.
I've got the router plate and some t-track, and lots of plans (thanks to wheelinaround!) all I need now is some time in the shed.

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

..... all I need now is some time in the shed.

Here hoping you have some time.

You'll also need four ¼" UNC machine screws to mount the router to a third-party plate. When you use the router inverted, PLEASE remember to remove the plunge spring and leave the plunge spring cap off in table use. This allows any dust and debris to fall straight through and not become compressed in the cap, which can cause problems later on.

Ray

My understanding of the TRA/TRB differences is that the B model has US style collet system with seperate 1/2 in and 1/4 in collets, while the A (in aussie form) has the older style 1/2 in collet with a 1/2 to 1/4 reducer. The upgraded collet system has been available as a user upgrade on ebay for about $80 for some time and is apparently a good step.

The B series also apparently supports thru table height setting in a similar manner to the 1400W MOF unit.

malb: The answer I got from Kinchrome suggested that main difference between the original TRA001 and the current TRB001 is the through table winder mechanism (don't know if the winder is included with the router?).

rayintheuk: I've made a note about the spring removal. I'll be mounting the router to a router plate from Woodhaven.com prior to using it in the table but hadn't worked out how to mount the router to the plate.

Geoff,

These videos may help re mounting the router to the router plate:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnH_6HB5yk&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnH_6HB5yk&feature=related[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbdWHhw0Oyo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbdWHhw0Oyo[/ame]

Kreg router plate and a Triton router:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcOSYC6MRE8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcOSYC6MRE8[/ame]

HTH
Mike

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

I'm planning to build a table for the router but may on occasion use it hand held.
I've got the router plate and some t-track, and lots of plans (thanks to wheelinaround!) all I need now is some time in the shed.

Hi Geoff
I have had the triton table mounted for 4 years and love it. So easy for bit changes etc. I removed spring and sealed the top of the adjusting tube with a rubber cap I had and a lick of silastic so it causes no problems at all. I must say the adjuster on the older TRA-001 is a little irratic, but nothing a bit of patience and verniers dont fix. I think next improvement will be a router lifter, but dont tell the misses I said that.
cheers Glen

Picked up a Triton TRB-001 (or whatever the number is this week) on Tuesday, $349.
I wanted to get the above table winder but they didn't have it in stock. Hope to open the box and play with it tomorrow, I've been kitchen building for a friend all week.

Thanks for the videos about router plates. I'll study these so I can work out the best way to cut the necessary hole in the plate and some inserts for it.

Can I add to the conversation about the Triton TRA001/TRB001 Router. I have had several conversations with end users and potential end users about the Triton TRA001/TRB001 Router mostly surrounding the apparent reduction in the power of the TRB001 version. (We were even confused at first).

First of all I did not learn from our current political leadership so I am not trying to be slippery.

The original Triton Router was the TRA001. It fitted into the usual Triton part numbering system which was quite simple. TRA was "Triton Router Australia". As was the Workcentre.....WCA201 being Work Centre Australia etc etc. When a product was configured for overseas the part number reflected this i.e. TRC001 was the Router as sold in Canada. The numbers following the letters then designated changes to the model, upgrades (For instance the Router Table was RTA001, then RTA200, 300 etc). The Triton numbering was logical and as far as we were concerned added to the dicipline of numbering spare parts and identification which was part and parcel of the Triton "vibe" of keeping the customer satisfied.

I am not having a rant but (as an aside) as soon as GMC took Triton over the numbering system went out the door and ridiculous numbering appeared. For instance the 2 h.p. Router had the number MOF001 purely because someone wanted to give bellyache to a competitor who had a product with a similar number. We are hopeful that a return to logic will be quick.

Back to the TRA/TRB. The TRA001 was introduced as having the 2400w motor with a nominal 3 1/4 h.p. This Router was rated by the Australian/New Zealand authorities at 2400w, but as it is now CE rated their rating system sees the outut as 2000w. There has been no change to the electrical components and Armatures, fields, switches and speed controllers are identical whether they are in the TRA or TRB. I have spoken to several people in our industry and they say tell me similar changes are being made across many ranges. I have also spoken to people in "white goods" and they are going through this as well.

So I suppose the point I am making is that you should feel confident in Buying Triton Routers without feeling you have been short changed out of 400w.

In using the big Triton Router I often think the power rating is academic because I have never challenged the power output no matter what cutter I have used although I would not for a moment say my use would come close to the intensity or quality of many members of this forum. (Politician poking through....).

The really good news with the Big Boy router are the changes which have been made to the mechanics of the TRA/TRB especially the introduction of the through table height winder adjustment and revised rack and pinion mechanism. All stock sold through Kincrome has this new mechanism.

I hope I have not been too long winded in this explanation and I welcome any enquiries through this forum or directly though Kincrome for any further clarification.

At the Working With Wood Show in Brisbane last weekend I spoke to many very intersted Triton customers. The Routers were of particular interest this year and the most frequent question was 2 h.p. or 3h.p.? The answer which I like to give is simple. If the Router is being bought for exclusive use in the Router Table then buy the 3h.p. If you intend to share use between the Table and hand held then the 2h.p. is the pick of the bunch. We sold equal numbers of both. There is a lot of interest in Table Top Routing and I think we are in a fantastic position with the degree of choice available in Router Tables. As much as I demonstrate the Triton range I still think the Triton system is truly world class and with some fine tuning is the equal of anything at a similar price.

Thanks for listening.

The reply I got recently from Kinchrome confirmed that the number and letter changes on router models meant little and that power testing was based on the European standard hence the 2000W as opposed to 2400W rating.