Triton router worth the wait?
I’m looking for a versatile router than can be used both freehand and with a router table. After a bit of research, I decided on the Triton MOF001KC. FW rated it as the best table router available. The only problem is that nobody seems to have it in stock right now. The local big box stores have never even heard of Triton, so I just about have to buy it online. Triton’s website leads to a reseller that doesn’t have any in stock, and I haven’t found any other resellers that have it in stock either. I even tried to call Triton’s Customer Service number, only to discover that Triton was bought out on Friday and that the new owner is re-organizing everything. Supposedly, they will be open for business again in two weeks.
So, will it be worth the wait for a Triton router, or would I be better off with a different brand? I am not even sure if they will continue with the same product line.
Both the Freud FT1700VCEK and the Porter-Cable 891 were given top marks by FW. Amazon has poor reviews for both as table routers, although for all I know, they were posted by knuckle-draggers who beat the carp out of their tools through misuse. Again, I would have to buy them online, since the local stores don’t carry either model…
Edited 6/10/2009 4:27 pm ET by WanderingOak
Replies
WanderingOak,
I love my Triton, Woodcraft usually has a few on the shelf here in Woburn, MA. Back when I bought mine it had certain features built in that other routers did not. Those features complemented my Norm style router table.
After I got all set up I ran into the TV program called the 'Router Guys'; a father son team from Canada. They used the Hitachi. It did not have the bells and whistles like the Triton. However, if fit their router table setup just as well as mine.
My guess is I would have to think twice before buying the Triton again knowing their financial position. On the other hand my 70's B&D router is still going strong without any problems. Like you, I'd have a hell of a time buying something I could not at least put my hands on at least once first.
It is interesting how I can't find much on Triton's bankruptcy here in the US. Triton's website has no mention of it whatsoever, and of course when I try to Google GMC (Triton's owners) bankruptcy, I wind up with the American GMC instead of the Australian. It's almost as if it is a deep dark secret that the public is not supposed to know about...I'm probably going to wind up with the Porter Cable router. I think Lowes actually has it in stock
A couple of thoughts. First, I think you may find swapping a single router back and forth between table and hand-held use will become inconvenient rather quickly, if not a real PITA. For table use, you may also find that you'll eventually want a 3 1/4hp variable-speed model, allowing you to use larger bits, such as raised-panel bits. So, you might want to plan accordingly.Personally, I use a pair of PC 690-series routers for hand-held work, and a larger (2 1/4hp), older Rockwell in the table. I'm saving up for a PC 7518 for the table, though.Also, routers, if treated reasonably, tend to outlast manufacturer's support for particular models, and sometimes, even the manufacturers themselves. As such, you might want to give consideration to buying all of the accessories you might eventually want, along with key replacement parts (e.g. extra collets) while they are available.
I have the Freud FT1700VCEK in my router table. I love it. I had access to several different routers, but chose this one. I have not regretted it at all. The above table height adjustments were the reason I went with it. Saved a lot of money not having to buy a lift. The router runs smooth and has plenty of power for my needs.
I have a couple of PC routers, a bosch Colt palm router, a Triton, and a 3 HP Jet Shaper. My 2. whatever HP Triton is permanently mounted to my Router Table.
For a router table:
For a hand-held router:
DO NOT USE THE ABOVE TABLE CRANK AS A ROUTER LIFT.After about an hour of use, the lift gear stripped out. It's under warranty, but parts are hard to get — all parts. They told me 8-12 weeks. FYI: The tech rep I spoke with said to only use the crank for fine adjustments. He said using it as a lift will strip the eventually strip the gearing.Greg
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My table has the Freud FT3000VCE in it. I had gotten a Freud table at a Lowe's closeout sale. I wanted a router with above the table adjustments and got the FT3000VCE mostly because it was a 1:1 swap with the existing router and replacement would be simple. Since then, I've been completely satisfied with the router and the above table adjustments are extreeeeemely convenient. The most impressive thing however has been Freud's customer service. Whether it's been answers to questions or replacements for parts I accidentally broke their response has been stellar.
Having just bought a Triton, I'd recommend not going with one at this time. They get good reviews partially on cost. They cut well but IMHO, they are under-designed even for hobby use.
My Triton lift gears stripped after less than an hour of use. The tech rep said this was because I was using the above table adjustment as a router lift. It is covered by warranty, but it's now been about 2 months and no parts are available.
I could have purchased another Triton for $188 and had an identical spare. I was happy with the router except for that one failure. Since I couldn't use the above table crank as a lift, I bought the Milwaukee 5625-20. ($288 today at Amazon).
I couldn't be more pleased. I have owned about several routers. The Milwaukee 55625-20 purrs like a kitten when it's running. Great for a table. Even better with a router lift.
Greg
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Respectfully, I think you got a lemon or broke it yourself. I also think the rep was mistaken or you didn't understand what they were telling you. The above the table adjuster is a lift. The below the table is the fine adjuster.
I've had one for several years and have not had any issues. I'm going to guess that you didn't turn off the power switch before attempting to raise the bit high enough to change the bit. Triton has a built-in safety lockout to prevent that from happening. I could see stripping it if you didn't know how to work it... but you'd have to try pretty hard to make that happen.
OK. If you say so.I definitely broke it myself.And for everyone else, my conversation with the tech rep was very specific. According to him, the crank is only intended for MICRO adjustments. According to this repair technician it was not designed to be a lift. All coarse movements are to be done below the table using the "winder handle plunge". This is detailed on page 8 of the user manual. Page 8 also highlights how to use the "micro adjuster knob". When the router is mounted in the table, the crank handle fits into the opposite end of the shaft that the Micro Adjuster Knob is attached. The crank handle becomes the Micro Adjuster.The pinion gear that stripped is made from plastic, which is why I question the design durability of this router. Triton is covering this under warranty, but no parts are available. That router warranty is virtually worthless without repair parts availability for 3 months at a time. Triton stocks no parts in USA. Each part is individually ordered and shipped by boat from Taiwan. BTW: The rep ordered the part and said he would send instructions on how to crack the housing and replace the part. I posted this as a "BUYER BEWARE" scenario of the current situation you may find yourself in if you buy a Triton. You are not getting much of a warranty right now.If the Triton works, it's a good router. If you have ANY problem — the cheap becomes expensive!Anyone who buys one in the near future is rolling the dice. IMHO: It's a safer bet to buy a Chrysler right now. Lots of dealers have parts available.Greg••••••• Exo 35:30-35PS: The word "LIFT" does not appear in the Triton Manual
Edited 6/12/2009 10:22 pm by Cincinnati
That is too bad. Your experience may be telling in today's world. As I said, I purchased mine a few years ago and it has worked perfectly. I can attest that the "lift" works like a charm. In fact, I'll bet there are thousands of us that are perfectly happy with it.
That said, I wouldn't buy one if I had to wait weeks for parts... and I wouldn't buy a Chrysler either :0)
If it was new, why didn't you just return it to the store you bought it at?
T,My "lift" worked like a charm for me too. Right up until it broke. Maybe it was defective out of the box. I couldn't return it, because I bought it from Amazon. The price dipped below $170 for a day. I picked it up knowing it would be a month before I could build my table. 30 days turned into 6 months. They require it be returned sooner.I liked the design. I was very pleased with the product for the hour I used it.Greg
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Greg,
Check out the Triton web site. They advertise it there as a lift?
Go Figure
Taigert
TaigertWhen I was evaluating routers, I did not get a clear understanding that the winder was a "built in lift". So I phoned their sales people. They assured me it was a lift.After the repair tech said to look at the manual, I went back to the web site and ran a search for the word "lift". I couldn't find it anywhere on the site.After realizing the above the table winder crank attached at the opposite end of the shaft as the micro adjustment knob, everything the repair rep said did compute.If I had purchased another Triton, I would cease using this as a lift. The gears it engages are plastic and there is a substantial amount of weight to move. As a micro adjustment, I am only turning the gears through a limited displacement — often less than a turn. As a lift, I am stressing the full thread from top to bottom for 360°.In my opinion, any Triton owner using the above table winder as a lift is risking gear failure and a long wait for a replacement part.Greg
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Greg,
I have the Triton in my table and am quite satisfied. As to the "lift" or whatever you call it, I never saw it as anything more than a micro-adjust. You have to turn off the power on the router before the spindle lock will work to change bits. Also, you must release the locking cam lever before using the micro-adjust: both being below table adjustments. After purchasing the router, I felt that the advertising hype about the "lift" was a bit hazy.
None the less, I really like the router and have posted several times here and on another forum that I would buy another one in a heartbeat should the need arise.
Best to you!
-Jerry
Cin, I think you just got a lemon. It happens.
Indeed, there is nothing in the manual to suggest that the table winder should be used only for micro-adjustment, and everything to suggest otherwise. It states flat out: "Release the plunge lock lever and use the winder handle to set your cut depth."
You can't get much less ambiguous than that.
-Steve
Steve, I agree. I have no vested interest in Triton - other than the fact that I have one and it has worked perfectly in my router table.
To all: Use your best judgement when reading reviews and deciding what to buy. One person's lemon is another person's lemonade.
I reiterate my reason for posting here: 1. Buying a Triton right now is a "buyer beware" situation. Parts are not available. The company is apparently restructuring financially. Perhaps this is also why routers are not available.2. The sales rep I spoke with prior to buying said I could use the winder crank as a lift. The repair tech said I should not and he showed me credible evidence as to why I should not.3. I believe their choice of a plastic for the worm gear is a design flaw even for a hobby router. Mine failed in less than an hour of use. Maybe it is a lemon. It does happen.4. I'm not the only one: Reply #4 on this forum writes the same thing.http://www.routerforums.com/table-mounted-routing/14327-problems-triton-table.html#post120678I am pleased those who invested in the Triton are not having failures. My intent is not to bash Triton Woodworking. I liked their products. If they could have sent out a replacement gear right away, I would not have posted here or at the router forum. Another reason I posted was to learn if I got a lemon or if this is truly a problem as I suspect. Two Triton owners posted on the Router Forum. Two broken plastic gears. On this thread, there are 4 Triton MOF001KC Owners — two happy and would wait to get another, one happy and would not wait to get another Triton, and one unhappy and would not buy again.Two for two, and one for four don't constitute adequate sample sizes. I think it does show the relatively low percentage of Triton owners.Knowing this, buy if you'd like. Buying a Milwaukee, or Bosch, or PC or just about any other name is a safer investment. IF you already have a Triton, using the crank as a lift is risky. What other router lift has plastic gears? Certainly none of the aftermarket lifts.Greg
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Greg,I know you to be an intelligent person but there is one question I can't quite figure out. With your Triton, you have a macro adjustment(below the table) and two micro adjustments (one above the table and one below). The micro adjustments are 128 handle turns to an inch, the macro is about a 1/4 turn of the wrist to an inch. Why would you want to use the micro above the table for anything but fine tuning?
A full 360 degree turn is equal to a 3/32" depth adjustment. So it about 11 turns per inch not 128. Each calibration mark on the winder wheel bezel represents 1/128" of movement.
I was looking for a lift feature - mostly because I wanted to build a down draft enclosure and didn't want to fight through it to make adjustments, bit changes and to power the router on/off.
I agree that it makes no sense to use a micro adjustment as the lift mechanism when the quick plunge feature is so readily available. This is also what the repair tech was telling me.
I don't find it so strange that a repair rep knows more than the sales and marketing team about their product.
Greg
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Edited 6/15/2009 9:16 pm by Cincinnati
Cincinnati,Okay, now I can see more clearly your needs. Dust is a problem and with top side collection only, quite a bit is missed. I had to remove the plastic shroud(DC thingy) on the Triton to accommodate my horizontal raised panel setup. Before I got the Triton, I modified my DeWalt plunge for under router table use. This required the insertion of a fine threaded rod that was used for height adjustments from underneath the table. It was a real pain; it's range was limited (maybe 3/4")and very time consuming. I needed to be careful when changing bits to insure required adjustments were within range.Thanks of clarifying.
I'm not sure that a Triton is worth all that much drama. For a Few bucks more, you can get yourself a good Portercable or Milwaukee and you can go to work.
I've had the FT1700 in my router table for a couple of years, and really like it. It has better above table features than than my Milwaukee 5625, so it actually gets the bulk of the use. There are too many other good options to merit waiting on the Triton IMO.
There are good reviews of the FT1700 around too. Amazon requires nothing to write a review...which means a review can come from a competitor, some dork who didn't like his Freud saw blade, or could be legitimate, but it's really hard to tell. I've seen people write bad reviews on Amazon because the item didn't ship fast enough...lots of nonsense.
My Triton 2 1/4 hp is a fine router for the price but wait until the company comes back under new ownership. There is no customer service right now. My understanding is that they were bought by HTC, the maker of mobile bases among other things. The above table adjustment is meant to be a final micro adjustment and is very convenient. It never occurred to me it was meant to be a lift for the full range of adjustment. That is done with the winding handle. I guess that's why mine still works! If or when Triton is back with full tech support, I highly recommend it.
One thing though, there are no guide bushings available for the stock base plate but the standard Porter Cable base is easily adaptable in that the screw holes match Triton holes.
The 2-1/4 HP has some good design features going for it. I think it's the 7518 base that fits it. This is a great decision on Triton's part. I understand the 7518 is the most popular (most quantity sold) large HP router in tables today.
Greg
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