Triton redux

[GreenGA]

Since the other Triton thread I started has radically changed course, I thought I would start a new one about Triton.  This one about their routers.

I just received an email from Woodcraft.  They are offering both the 3-1/4 hp & 2-1/4 hp Triton routers for $199.00 each which includes FREE shipping if ordered before 1/5/09.  I would include the link they provided but there is nothing on the web page about the Triton routers.  So, I am including the body of the email.  If anyone is thinking about equipping a router table, AND, these are the Triton routers that receive all that positive press for mounting in a router table, at $199.00, it's almost a duh purchase.

Also included in the "sale" are some other items.

Good luck.

The usual disclaimers apply.

Happy New Year to All... 

Dear Gary,

Didn't get that Triton Plunge Router you were wanting for Christmas? It's okay - Woodcraft.com has two Triton Plunge Routers on sale right now. Pick your power! Choose either the Triton 3? HP or 2? HP Plunge Router - both are on sale for only $199.99.

We at Woodcraft.com are extending our Free Ground Shipping!* on any order through January 5th. So, order a Triton Router and have it shipped to you for free!* Better hurry though, because free shipping will end January 5, 2009.

Happy New Year!

Kyle Crabtree
Woodcraft eNewsletter Editor

 
Router Quick-Lift 420
w/ Free Bit Guard
ONLY $299.99 Kreg Router Table Complete
w/ Free Push Stick & Caster Set
ONLY $499.99 Dual Pressure Featherboard
Reg. $34.50
SALE $24.50
 
Whiteside Set-up Gauges
5pc - 2? " Long
SALE $14.39 10pc Router Bushing Set
Reg. $31.99
SALE $19.99 Titebond CA Adhesives
Many Sizes/Styles
FROM $9.99
 
Whiteside Roundover Bit
Reg. $23.99
SALE $17.99 Combination Square
Reg. $24.99
SALE $14.99 Folding Shelf Bracket
Deal Ends Jan. 6, 2009
SALE $8.99

Prices and promotions mentioned in this email are valid through January 31, 2009 at all participating
Woodcraft locations unless otherwise noted. Some items may not be available at all Woodcraft locations.

Woodcraft Supply, LLC and/or The Woodworkers Club are not responsible for typographical, photo or print errors.

*This offer is valid only on orders shipped to one of the contiguous 48 states.
Excess weight shipping charges are excluded from this offer.
Offer valid through January 5, 2009.

Copyright 2009 Woodcraft Supply, LLC; 1177 Rosemar Rd., Parkersburg, WV 26105

 

[robtonya]

I have the 3 1/4 HP router, in a table. I have had issues with the button that switches it from plunge to a dial, where you turn the handle to raise and lower it. I have had it where it would not engage when I pressed the button, also I hold the bottom of the router to assist the lift when I am dialing it in. It seems like too much weight for that handle.

 

[nickao]

Robert what is the amperage on the 3 1/4 HP Triton?

If you have to support it, the above table height adjustment means nothing in my opinion! You are still having to stick your hands under the table?

 

[mwhafner]

I have the 3 1/4 HP router, in a table. I have had issues with the button that switches it from plunge to a dial, where you turn the handle to raise and lower it. I have had it where it would not engage when I pressed the button, also I hold the bottom of the router to assist the lift when I am dialing it in. It seems like too much weight for that handle.

Robert,

I would bet that your issue is that the flat surface of your router plate has the not-so-flat casting of the router in a bind.  I had the same problem with an old setup.  Loosen the plate and see if there is a high spot.  Shim it and you should be good to go. 

The 3 1/4 (at least the one that I have) doesn't have the above the table adjustment, the 2 1/4 does.  I used it in a Benchdog TS Extension wing, so reaching under the table wasn't a major issue.  The combination of the twist handle and fine adjust worked really well.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I have the 3 1/4 HP router, in a table. I have had issues with the button that switches it from plunge to a dial, where you turn the handle to raise and lower it. I have had it where it would not engage when I pressed the button, also I hold the bottom of the router to assist the lift when I am dialing it in. It seems like too much weight for that handle.

Robert

Did you remove the plunge spring when you installed it in the table? It's a very heavy router, and the manufacturer says the following in the manual

REMOVABLE PLUNGE SPRING
The Plunge Spring can be quickly removed to reduce effort when adjusting plunge depth while mounted upside down.
1.Set the router to the top of its plunge range and engage the plunge lock lever.
2.Loosen the small screw next to the Plunge Spring Cap (t) a few turns. Twist the cap slightly anti-clockwise to remove it. Fig. 27. Note: hold the cap firmly while releasing tension from the spring.
3.Remove the spring and store in a safe place.
4.Replace the plunge spring cap and re-tighten the screw.
WARNING: Only remove the plunge spring when fitted beneath a router table. Ensure it is always fitted for hand-held use.

For others, note that the larger Triton router (aka the TRA001, TRB001, 3.25HP, 2000W, 2400W model) does not have above-the-table height adjustment. You adjust the height by reaching under the table and rotating the large handle winder which forms one of the circular handgrips. This uses a rack-and-pinion system to change the height. The router does, however, have above-the-table bit changing, and below-the-table fine height adjustment throughout the plunge range.

For those who are interested to see what the router looks like (incl close-up shots), there is a good review athttp://www.raygirling.com/triton.htm and there's a similarly detailed comparison with Triton's smaller MOF001 router athttp://www.raygirling.com/triton14.htm

Forrest

 

[nickao]

Thats right only the smaller one has the above table adjustment I forgot that.

 

[robtonya]

Wow Forrest! I never read manuals, but maybe I should. I never took the spring out. I'll have to give it a try. Nick I'm unsure of the amperage as well. I do like the router, but I would eventually like to replace it with a router lift, and the PC router motor 7518. I used the supplied circle cutter  when I made those speaker boxes to cut the holes for the 18 inch subs. It worked very well too. It is a heavy router, and maybe trying to push the button while it was upside down with the added force of the spring is what is giving me problems. I just have been using one hand to wind the handle, and the other to help  lift or lower it.

 

[robtonya]

I have the 3 1/4 HP router, in a table. I have had issues with the button that switches it from plunge to a dial, where you turn the handle to raise and lower it. I have had it where it would not engage when I pressed the button, also I hold the bottom of the router to assist the lift when I am dialing it in. It seems like too much weight for that handle.

Robert,

I would bet that your issue is that the flat surface of your router plate has the not-so-flat casting of the router in a bind.  I had the same problem with an old setup.  Loosen the plate and see if there is a high spot.  Shim it and you should be good to go. 

The 3 1/4 (at least the one that I have) doesn't have the above the table adjustment, the 2 1/4 does.  I used it in a Benchdog TS Extension wing, so reaching under the table wasn't a major issue.  The combination of the twist handle and fine adjust worked really well.

I'll check that too. Thanks again.

 

[nickao]

You have to take the springs out of any plunge router in a table, I always have.

 

[robtonya]

Alright got the spring out. It does move up and down better. The set screw is more to line up the caps logo than to hold it down. I removed the screw, wiggled on it a little, then wiggled on it a lot more. I broke the plastic clips that really hold on the spring cap, but I will see if I can get a new one.

 

[alanz]

It's not a matter of wiggling the cap.

The Triton manual says to remove the little screw from the spring cap and then turn the cap slightly counter clockwise to remove it.

Now that you see how the tabs (currently broken off) on the cap line up with the slots on the router, it should become pretty obvious how it gets reinstalled.

 

[robtonya]

ahhh Yes, me and reading again! ;D

 

[robtonya]

I found a part number for the part I broke, and will give Triton a call tommorrow. I guess I will see how good of customer service they have now.

Nick, I found out it is a 15 amp, and weighs 13.5 pounds.

 

[GreenGA]

One thing I would ask the group is this.  I started this thread because I recall reading that the Triton routers were great for router table use.  Does the group really concur with this and if so, are the two routers that Woodcraft has on sale for 199 each, the routers that received the kudos?

Thanks.

 

[mwhafner]

Hey, its a lot of power at a great price.  I had a 3 1/2hp for table use, and it worked pretty well.  Its not the equal of a good router-lift, but it is serviceable ( at 1/3 the price).

The have some really great features, but I don't think the fit and finish is as good as say a Bosch, etc.  I would get frustrated with the collet, not wanting to release.  Nothing major.  The auto-locking collet feature is great.

I think that the models in your ad are probably the same ones.

 

[alanz]

I am very happy with my Triton 2.25 HP router.

Although I thought I'd be using the above-the-table height adjustment, I rarely use it.

It's so easy to adjust this router with its knob and/or micro adjuster, and you have to get under the table with your hand anyway to lock the height in.

I really like the above-the-table-one-wrench bit changing!

 

[GreenGA]

Thanks for the feedback.

A few weeks ago I went to a dog-n-pony show at the Woodcraft in Downingtown, PA.  One reason was to see the Festool "demo"  : and another was to buy the 3-1/4hp Triton router for something in the 200+ range.  For a few reasons, nothing to do with the router itself, I never did buy the Triton router.  However, while we were there (we, as in me and my Sherpa), we sat in on the Freud demo where they showed off Freud's architectural router bits and they used the BIG Freud router in the router table and IT had top of table adjustment and seemed to have plenty of power.

So, I guess, subconsciously, I was comparing the Triton and the Freud.

 

[nickao]

You got it!To me the bit above table changes is more important than the height adjustment. After years of going through all the lifts, woodpecker, Jessem, the digital lift from jointech I have found that to me and for me its a waste of money.

If you want to move fast I use set up blocks anyway. So after years of going for the best lifts and spending the big bucks I realized I did not need a lift at all.

I am resigned to the fact I need to be frugal and I really do not miss the lifts at all. I sold the three lifts I had and bought two Festool routers! I think I did the right thing.

 

[robtonya]

I would have to agree with all statements. I think it is worth what they are asking, it has some really nice features. It even works better in the table with the spring out. I still have had querks with the button you push to switch from plunge to dial. Before removing the spring today, I had to push the button about five or six times to get it to swith to the plunge mode. And if you give me a few days, I will tell you how well customer service is when I try to order the new part.

 

[Groggy]

I have two of these routers and love them. Sometimes the winder mechanism sticks a little but if I slow down it seems to be ok. BTW, I paid $90 ea for them, new.  ;D