Thread: Anyone in Queensland

Sorry, can't help with the teaching, Perth is a bit far away and I still consider myself a novice, but the bigger Triton router is the pick for table mounting. I have only recently bought mine, having used a big GMC router on my Triton table for a couple of years. Have a look at stusshed.com. He ios stil using his Triton router after many years and has some information on the table as well. The table is OK for me but those who want precision in their work don't like it too much. I think it is a great introduction to routing and has many useful features and once you drill a hole in it you can have above table height adjustment from the large router.

Originally Posted by perthwoody

Sorry, can't help with the teaching, Perth is a bit far away and I still consider myself a novice, but the bigger Triton router is the pick for table mounting. I have only recently bought mine, having used a big GMC router on my Triton table for a couple of years. Have a look at stusshed.com. He ios stil using his Triton router after many years and has some information on the table as well. The table is OK for me but those who want precision in their work don't like it too much. I think it is a great introduction to routing and has many useful features and once you drill a hole in it you can have above table height adjustment from the large router.

I moved from Perth in March 2011, but that doesn't help does it.. lol Thanks for your reply though. REally appreciate it.

R

I am at mount crosby, own older versions of both triton routers and used to have a mk3 table.

If you want a table router the big one is the one to get. The smaller one will work in a table fine but you'll have to take smaller bites. The big one is hard to use freehand. So teh smaller one is more versatile but if it's mostly for table use the big one is a better choice.

If you want to do precision work you will eventually find the triton frustrating. Consider instead buying a decent second hand table saw and adding a router wing. I went the whole hog and fitted an incra which I maintain is the best woodworking tool I've ever bought. YMMV.

If you need portability then the triton or something else will work better. Be aware there are alternatives to tables, like the progrip system which is very good for large workpieces.

All depends on what you want to build and how you prefer to work. Only YOU can decide that, everyone will have an opinion.

2c

Originally Posted by damian

I am at mount crosby, own older versions of both triton routers and used to have a mk3 table.

If you want a table router the big one is the one to get. The smaller one will work in a table fine but you'll have to take smaller bites. The big one is hard to use freehand. So teh smaller one is more versatile but if it's mostly for table use the big one is a better choice.

If you want to do precision work you will eventually find the triton frustrating. Consider instead buying a decent second hand table saw and adding a router wing. I went the whole hog and fitted an incra which I maintain is the best woodworking tool I've ever bought. YMMV.

If you need portability then the triton or something else will work better. Be aware there are alternatives to tables, like the progrip system which is very good for large workpieces.

All depends on what you want to build and how you prefer to work. Only YOU can decide that, everyone will have an opinion.

2c

Hi Damian. Thank you for your thoughts. I'm now more confused than ever. lol

I must admit that being a girl, and not having much strength in my wrists (due to an accident years ago...) I tend to go for smaller power tools however I was going to mount the Triton router (the bigger one) in the triton router table and get a smaller one for hand held. I'm buying the Router on Saturday when Carbatec are open again....

Excuse my ignorance but I have no idea what an incra is or what YMMV means... but I will look this up the progrip system you mentioned.

It's been a dream of mine for years to do woodworking (wanted to be carpenter but my dad didn't want me working with men all day everyday lol) so I'm finally just taking the plunge. The table saw is going to be my next investment... I have the room, it's just money at the moment so have to do things in stages.

I know where Mt Crosby is,so maybe in the new year if you aren't busy and you have a spare hour or so I could pick your brains about the router and bits. They are really the only thing I don't know how to use..

Anyway, thanks for your time.

R

Hi Damian. Thank you for your thoughts. I'm now more confused than ever. lol

I'm at Dorrigo for christmas. If you hang off till I come back I'm happy for you to pop over and have a look at my routers etc. Should be back sat/sun or thereabouts. Depends on what the boss and her mum decide.

I must admit that being a girl, and not having much strength in my wrists (due to an accident years ago...) I tend to go for smaller power tools however I was going to mount the Triton router (the bigger one) in the triton router table and get a smaller one for hand held. I'm buying the Router on Saturday when Carbatec are open again....

The big one is about 3 kg and the small one about 2 as I recall. They are both heavy, but the smaller one is much easier to use freehand. You have to keep perspective. It wasn't that long ago that routers were commonly only 1 hp or 1.5. The only limitation this brings is taking smaller cuts. Yes it's inconvenient and slows the work down, but it's still a lot quicker than shaving off 0.5 mm with a shaper plane

Excuse my ignorance but I have no idea what an incra is or what YMMV means... but I will look this up the progrip system you mentioned.

Incra is a fence system. Bolts on to your router table or table saw. Have a look at incrementaltools.com.

YMMV Your Mileage May Vary. In other words this is what I found you might feel differently.

Carbatec sell progrip. Basically a fancy tool guide come clamp system. I've got a few and you can have a play with them also.

It's been a dream of mine for years to do woodworking (wanted to be carpenter but my dad didn't want me working with men all day everyday lol) so I'm finally just taking the plunge. The table saw is going to be my next investment... I have the room, it's just money at the moment so have to do things in stages.

Second hand table saws are cheap. If you have the room, and you don't need portability, it is a better option than a triton.

I know where Mt Crosby is,so maybe in the new year if you aren't busy and you have a spare hour or so I could pick your brains about the router and bits. They are really the only thing I don't know how to use..

As I said above if you can hang off till next week we can have a look. I think you should be able to email me from the forum. Then I can give you my address and such.

My place is a disaster. The last couple of years I've been sick and the boss has been sick for 10 years. I got a redundancy december 7th so my mission for the new year is to clean up and catch up on stuff I've neglected. I say this so you understand. If we tee up a good day I should have the area of the shed with the table saw in some state of useability and you can hack up some wood and see how you feel about things. Just be ready for the mess, the monumental mess. Sometimes I think the only reason I'm not dead is I won't be able to rest easy till the sheds cleaned up

Be aware ipswich has a wood working club and I have found them to be very helpful. Also access to club owned shared equipment.

My advice is don't spend any money till you come round and have a look. We'll have a chat about your options and see what's what.

You're awesome Damian. Thank you so much. I would really appreciate the time if you can spare it. And don't worry about the mess. If I'd come to your workshop and you had a spotless workshop I would
think that you just looked at your tools lol.

Any time / day is fine by me so just let me know what is convenient to you and your family. I am so grateful to everyone who has offered advice and to you for the offer of your time...

Thanks again. Hope you enjoyed xmas.

r

Originally Posted by damian

Hi Damian. Thank you for your thoughts. I'm now more confused than ever. lol

I'm at Dorrigo for christmas. If you hang off till I come back I'm happy for you to pop over and have a look at my routers etc. Should be back sat/sun or thereabouts. Depends on what the boss and her mum decide.

I must admit that being a girl, and not having much strength in my wrists (due to an accident years ago...) I tend to go for smaller power tools however I was going to mount the Triton router (the bigger one) in the triton router table and get a smaller one for hand held. I'm buying the Router on Saturday when Carbatec are open again....

The big one is about 3 kg and the small one about 2 as I recall. They are both heavy, but the smaller one is much easier to use freehand. You have to keep perspective. It wasn't that long ago that routers were commonly only 1 hp or 1.5. The only limitation this brings is taking smaller cuts. Yes it's inconvenient and slows the work down, but it's still a lot quicker than shaving off 0.5 mm with a shaper plane

Excuse my ignorance but I have no idea what an incra is or what YMMV means... but I will look this up the progrip system you mentioned.

Incra is a fence system. Bolts on to your router table or table saw. Have a look at incrementaltools.com.

YMMV Your Mileage May Vary. In other words this is what I found you might feel differently.

Carbatec sell progrip. Basically a fancy tool guide come clamp system. I've got a few and you can have a play with them also.

It's been a dream of mine for years to do woodworking (wanted to be carpenter but my dad didn't want me working with men all day everyday lol) so I'm finally just taking the plunge. The table saw is going to be my next investment... I have the room, it's just money at the moment so have to do things in stages.

Second hand table saws are cheap. If you have the room, and you don't need portability, it is a better option than a triton.

I know where Mt Crosby is,so maybe in the new year if you aren't busy and you have a spare hour or so I could pick your brains about the router and bits. They are really the only thing I don't know how to use..

As I said above if you can hang off till next week we can have a look. I think you should be able to email me from the forum. Then I can give you my address and such.

My place is a disaster. The last couple of years I've been sick and the boss has been sick for 10 years. I got a redundancy december 7th so my mission for the new year is to clean up and catch up on stuff I've neglected. I say this so you understand. If we tee up a good day I should have the area of the shed with the table saw in some state of useability and you can hack up some wood and see how you feel about things. Just be ready for the mess, the monumental mess. Sometimes I think the only reason I'm not dead is I won't be able to rest easy till the sheds cleaned up

Be aware ipswich has a wood working club and I have found them to be very helpful. Also access to club owned shared equipment.

My advice is don't spend any money till you come round and have a look. We'll have a chat about your options and see what's what.

I agree with Damien about the bigger router for the table.

The smaller Triton is a good router but think about whether you need one that hefty if you have strength problems.

Quality is not an issue with either machine. I have had a Triton router for years and can't fault it.
I doubt you will find a better machine.

Originally Posted by artme

I agree with Damien about the bigger router for the table.

The smaller Triton is a good router but think about whether you need one that hefty if you have strength problems.

Quality is not an issue with either machine. I have had a Triton router for years and can't fault it.
I doubt you will find a better machine.

Hi Artme, I've definitely made up my mind about the larger router.... From the recommendations on this site alone I know it's the way to go. Can't wait to get it now on Saturday. Got to wait until Carbatec are open again lol

Thanks for your reply... I can't believe how helpful everyone is on here.....

Of course once I get the router I'll be annoying everyone with questions about router bits... lol

Rachal

Rachal, You won't be sorry with the big Triton. When you go to Carba-Tec to buy it have a look at Veneer Trimmers.(Makita and Ryobi particularly come to mind) They are another type of router but scaled down in size and are able to be used one handed. They do not have a plunge facility and they come with 6mm collet only, for bits. They are primarily used to cut Laminex on kitchen bench tops. I have used them for putting edge treatment on timber jobs. For instance a "round over" or a "splay" that sort of thing. They have a guttsy motor and perform very well. They make a good addition to your arsenal of gear. There are some instances when you can't use a router table to do a routing job and this is where the trimmer could be used. (Just a bit more back ground for you to think about)

Originally Posted by damian

If you want a table router the big one is the one to get. The smaller one will work in a table fine but you'll have to take smaller bites. The big one is hard to use freehand. So teh smaller one is more versatile but if it's mostly for table use the big one is a better choice.

Absolutely agree with Damian .

Regards
Paul

Rachal

There is a mountain of information here on the forum in the routing section and if you have some spare moments (days really) you can troll through to your hearts content.

Just a thought following Chambezio's comment about laminate trimmers: You will see in your reading that from time to time we have a debate about the relative virtues of plunge routers versus fixed base routers. In the USA they tend to favour fixed base machines while we prefer plunge machines.

The laminate trimmer is very useful, but is primarily a small, fixed base router. You might like to look at this video. It is a pommy one, but I have seen this machine available here in Oz as the combination. Alternatively it could be purchased from the UK (but not the US because their voltage is different to ours).

Dewalt D26204K 8mm (1/4in) Combination Plunge & Fixed Base Router - YouTube

In your position, if my funds permitted, I would buy the large Triton router exclusively for table use (it's a real pig to use handheld) and the Dewalt combination for handheld use. It is bigger than the laminate trimmers at 1 1/2HP but a very controllable size. Having said all that, while I do own a Triton (only the router, not the table) I don't own the Dewalt and neither have I used one. Perhaps another forum member can add to this.

I would say that I am seriously considering swapping my Makita laminate trimmer for the Dewalt setup.

Regards
Paul

Rachal

A little more information on the DeWalt D26204.

DeWalt 1/4" 8mm Premium Combination MultiBase Plunge & Fixed Base Router D26204K | eBay

I have no connection to DeWalt or Sydney Tools .

There is one small downside to this machine in that it is a 1/4" router which means that you can only use bits with a 1/4" shank. However, the large Triton is a 1/2" machine (which also accepts 1/4" shanks too).

Regards
Paul

Hi Rachal,

The advice you are getting from Damien and others on this topic is spot on. I do however suggest you do what Damien said and do not spend any money until you visit him and check out a few things.

I own 5 routers. Two of them are tritons, I have the big one and the 1400w one. I am a big bloke and I used to use the large triton router both in the table and handheld. After a non-woodwork related hand injury (Attacked by an idiot with a knife) 18 months ago, I bought the smaller Triton for handheld use as the big one was a bit much to cope with with post-injury.

Seriously, While the big Triton is undisputedly my best below the table router, the 1400w triton will do probably 95% of what I ask the big one to do. Unless you are going to be running at maximum capacity most of the time, consider the smaller one.

Oh, save yourself a lot of grief and dont buy the triton router table. You can get good results from it if you put the time and effort in to setting it up accurately and doing some modifications, but sooner or later you will outgrow it. Like others have mentioned, Incra is the way that I have gone and I do not regret it. Apart from providing amazing accuracy and repeatability, the benefits of having the same system set up to fit nearly everything in the workshop is priceless!

Thats my 2c worth

Doug

Hi Doug, Paul and Chambezio, thank you so much for the information.

I guess what I have to find out is what exactly would I use a table router for.... and what situations would I need a hand held router....

And I'm trying to work out the differences of a plunge router and a table router. And of course now I have too look into the laminate trimmers.. lol

I will get there. With a bit of help. So thank you all for your thoughts...

Rachal