Triton redux

[GreenGA]

Go ahead, rub it in.  :'(

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

 

[robtonya]

Called them today. I called twice around 11:30 A.M. my time, no answer, but I did get a recording. I figured they was off work for a holiday or even might be at lunch. I tried again about 3:30 P.M. my time, and some one answered. Very helpful in finding the part number, as I had the wrong one wrote down (probably something to do with my reading again ;D). I'd have to say the rep. was very knowledgable too. Part was ordered, and will ship on Monday.

 

[GreenGA]

Guess you can't beat that for service, especially taking into consideration the time of the year.

 

[GreenGA]

While I started this thread about the Triton, I stumbled across something else of interest...

In case anyone is interested in a slightly smaller router that can be used in a table, give this the once over.  It's the Freud 2-1/4hp router, model FT1702VCE.  For a hundred bucks, it sounds like a deal.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=273209-333-FT1702VCEK&detail=&lpage=none

 

[nickao]

They are discontinuing the Freud unit. The threads strip out and a few other issues.

For a 100.00 the motor is probably worth it, but many complaints about it.

For a 100.00 the new craftsman routers are the way to go. And sometimes even the craftsman professional unit at 199.99 for the 3 base kit sells for 99.99!

 

[GreenGA]

Hmmm...  Shows you how much I don't know about the router market as it exists today.  :-[

Thanks.

 

[Woodenfish]

For a 100.00 the new craftsman routers are the way to go. And sometimes even the craftsman professional unit at 199.99 for the 3 base kit sells for 99.99!

Those Craftsman Professional routers are really nice. I like them much better than my PC 690. They sold just the one time for that price which had to of been a huge mistake. When I heard of that $99.99 price I went to purchase my third one. Afterwards, the manager was asked by the employee about the new price. I've never seen eyeballs pop out like I did that day and that tag was instantly taken off the floor right then and there. Something had to of been up?

I use two of the routers upside down in a table with stile and rail cutters or with vee-notching tongue and groove cutters and have found them to have plenty of power to complete in one pass in oak. The third router I keep handy for top-side applications. 

 

[bill-e]

You can read reviews on both Triton's on my web page listed below.  The 3-1/4hp model has two reviews, one for the initial release and one for the upgraded version.

Most all of the complaints you hear about the larger model were fixed with the upgraded version and the 2.25hp model further refined the routers.

Instructions for shimming the routers are included in the reviews and as for the spring, make sure you remove it, especially the 2.25hp model for table use. 

BTW, shimming the router is not limited to Triton, Woodpecker includes the instructions for doing this with their router plates.

At $200 each I think they are well worth it. 

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I'm not absolutely certain, but I think I have that model of Freud 13A variable speed router and have had no problems with it.  I use it nearly as much as my OF 1400 and both of those more than my PC 7518.  I don't use the above-table height adjustment feature since I can easily reach under the table to unlock the clamp lever and adjust the height.  I like the auto-lock shaft feature and use of the single wrench to change bits.  The included 1/4 and 1/2 inch collets have a long grip length and grip and release the bits well and reliably.  Of course, I do not use any of my tools as much as any of the pros who have commented on its weaknesses.  A key to reliable, trouble-free operation is to keep the mechanisms and collets clean, in any machine. 

Dave R.