Triton Router Service Evaluation

[Steve Mellott]

In recent months, I've seen several threads about the service available to Triton router owners, so I thought I would share my experience. Two weeks ago, I sent an email to Triton describing a problem that I was having with the micro adjustment. The bit would go down, but it would not go up. In two days, I received an email response advising me that I had a problem with the worm gear and advising me that I should call their Technical Service Department at an 800 number.

I called and they told me the router was still within the 3 year warranty (I did not know it had a 3 year warranty). The Service Tech told me I had 2 choices - either return the router to Triton for them to repair the worm gear (total round trip cost of $24) or they would send the worm gear to me with detailed repair instructions (total cost of $0).

I elected option #2 and just completed the worm gear replacement. The problem has been solved and the micro adjuster now works up and down. You can consider me to be a very satisfied Triton customer.

Steve

[Jonathan Hsu]

Hey Steve,

I'm shopping for my first router and Triton keeps popping up. A buddy is giving me his homemade router table top (he's making another one) so it'll probably be mostly table mounted. I'm totally new to woodworking so all of the choices has my head spinning.

Outside of this positive customer service experience, are you happy with the router? Do you have the big one or the small one? Anything that you dislike?

Thanks, Jon

[Robert Chapman]

I have the smaller Triton that I keep on my router table. It works just fine but it is very noisy. I wear ear protection when I use it.

[John Coloccia]

I have their new one, and there's nothing at all I disllike about the router. The mounting pattern is the same as Porter Cable 7518, by the way.

Some nice features:

There's a spindle lock when the router is fully plunged. One wrench changes, ABOVE the table. It's also interlocked with the On/Off switch. Can't turn it on when it's locked, and can't lock when its on. The lock engages automatically when you raise it all the way up and its off. Very well thought out and executed.

There's a cover on the on/off switch. It was a little awkward at first, but it does make me feel a lot better knowing that if I accidentally bump into it, it won't turn on. Uhm, not that I've ever done that before...... :D

The plunge spring easily comes out for table use. There's above and below table adjustments.

If you use it to plunge freehand, you can plunge by squeezing a ring on the handles, and twisting the handle. This is very smooth and very ergonomic.

I personally think it's just a little top heavy for freehand use, and honestly 3+ HP free hand can be a handful no matter who makes the router. If they made a smaller one with these kinds of features and ergonomics, though, I'd buy it in a heartbeat too.

[Steve Mellott]

Jon:

I have the smaller router and have it mounted on a router table. Overall, I think it is a great router, but I think there are 2 deficiencies.

1. Per one of the pervious posters: "There's a spindle lock when the router is fully plunged. One wrench changes, ABOVE the table. It's also interlocked with the On/Off switch. Can't turn it on when it's locked, and can't lock when its on. The lock engages automatically when you raise it all the way up and its off. Very well thought out and executed." I've plugged my router into a paddle switch and if I I use the paddle switch to turn the router off, the spindle lock will not automatically engage (since the router switch is still on). This means I either have to turn the router off with 2 separate switches, or manually lock the spindle. (Or not use a paddle switch.) Not a deal breaker, but a bit of an inconvenience.

2. The internal screw which is used to raise and lower the router is made of nylon. I think several users (myself included) have had problems with this screw wearing out. That was the reason for my service call.

Incidentally, since I posted this thread, I also noted one of the knobs had vibrated off the router and Triton replaced it free of charge - no questions asked. Once again, very good customer service.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Steve

[rafael juliano]

Hey Steve,
Do you mind sharing the email address or phone number you called to obtain that part? I'm having a problem with my triton router as well and from what you described, it seems to be very similar.

Thanks in advance.
Rafael

[Jonathan Hsu]

Thanks guys. I'm a total novice to ww so I'm been trying to make reasonably educated choices on tool choices since I don't have anything to go by. I've got the 2-1/4 hp router in my amazon shopping cart and will probably buy it based on what I've read. I've got to remember to link through SMC before I hit buy.

I just finished putting together my Ridgid 4511 this weekend so with the router I've got a few bases covered and can start messing around. I think a DP will be the next power tool to acquire. Thanks again.

[Steve Mellott]

Rafael: Per your request.

Good luck,

Steve


Keith Hutton
Factory Account Representative
HTC Products, Inc.
6520 Bethuy Road
Fair Haven, MI 48023
http://www.htcproductsinc.com (http://www.htcproductsinc.com/)
http://www.portamate.com (http://www.portamate.com/)
http://www.tritontools.com (http://www.tritontools.com/)
586-725-2743 Direct
586-716-8266 Fax

[Dennis Lopeman]

I own 5 routers.

Triton 3hp was my lastest. Its in a table. It's freakin' awesome!! One Wrench, above table bit change take 5 seconds!

Speed change, microadjust... etc.

I now try to figure out how NOT to use my 2hp Bosch and 1hp Porter Cable !!!

I have used it freehand. It has softstart... that's nice too.

[rafael juliano]

Thank you sir.

[Barry Nelson]

Triton have been taken over (once again) and are almost back in full swing, manufacturing of the Workcentre 2000 is being done by a specialist company in Melbourne Australia,and the exclusive agents (at least here in Aussie) are CARBA-TEC,their website is :www.carbatec.com.au they carry most spares except for the really old Mk3 Triton saw bench.
Cheers from down under:)

[Dennis Lopeman]

How about a link to finding the vacuum hose connector? That would be one of the drawbacks of the Triton... perhaps the only drawback - oh... and may the top heaviness... which actually has NOT been an issue for me.

[John Coloccia]

grrr....I forgot about that. The HOSE. That's the one part I really dislike. I don't use it under the table so I forgot about it, but an adapter to some standard shopvac thingy would be very nice.

[Dennis Lopeman]

Yeah - I don't know why Triton would introduce SO much innovation and thoughtfullness into this product but then make people buy proprietary crap like that. I know, everyone (SONY) does it, but it just seems counter productive. Concentrate on make a great product that works with everything!! If people don't buy your hose thingie cuz someone else makes it better, then that is the spirit that keeps products sharp!

And it's too hard to find. If you aren't going to have as many hose adapters as you have routers out there or can't keep up with the demand, then why bother!?! Maybe they where worried about it coming loose? Well, a single screw could fix that.

At least PROVIDE the adapter, Triton!!! Man.

Still love the router, though! :o

[Dennis Lopeman]

Hey Steve,

I'm shopping for my first router and Triton keeps popping up. A buddy is giving me his homemade router table top (he's making another one) so it'll probably be mostly table mounted. I'm totally new to woodworking so all of the choices has my head spinning.

Outside of this positive customer service experience, are you happy with the router? Do you have the big one or the small one? Anything that you dislike?

Thanks, Jon

Jon - I just saw your post... So if you are going to probably table mount it semi-perminently, they why not just go with the 3hp and have that extra power for when you need it!? You can always hunt around and find other routers for the hand work. I can't tell you how many routers I pass up at yard sales, Craiglist posting, etc... all decent routers and decent prices. I got a used Bosch 2hp one for only about $100, in the case with plunger and miscellaneous accessories. I DO need a guide bushings for it though! More proprietary stuff!! Hate proprietary. It's dumb...

OH oh... was starting to get back on my soap box.......

anyway - My 2 cents.

[Dennis Lopeman]

oh - forgot to say - aren't the 2 and 3HP Tritons about the same price? The downside to the 3hp one is that you don't get the extra fangled dangled items!

[Michael MacDonald]

I have their new one, and there's nothing at all I disllike about the router. The mounting pattern is the same as Porter Cable 7518, by the way.

John -- you sold me... what model is that... or is just the "new one".

[John Coloccia]

It's the 3 1/4 or 3 1/2 hp one. I forget exactly but it's their big one. One thing: if you mount it on a table, there are two bolts that are designed to mount accesories, and on mine they protrude under the base just slighty even when they are snugged up tight. I don't know if it says to do this in the manual, but i had to remove mine to get the router flush with the mounting plate. It's probably in the manual somewhere but I just didn't see it. It will be pretty obvious when you pop the plastic base off what I'm talking about.

Mine is permanently in my table so if someone wants the guide bushing adapter plate, let me know and I'll drop mine in the mail for you.

[John Hoelmer]

I have the Triton and love it for the reasons previously mentioned. The router doesn't really need an adapter for the hose as it's designed to accept any 1-1/4" spiral hose. I took the router to a local vacuum shop a bought a length of hose and verified that it screwed in correctly. I then bought a ShopVac Universal adapter for the other end to connect it to my Shop Vac 2" hose.

[Jonathan Hsu]

Dennis, I've had the same thought in the back of my head, but there are a couple of things holding me back. One, I'm totally new to the hobby and therefore have LOTS of stuff to buy. Two, I don't plan on throwing any big bits anytime soon so I'm not too concerned with the lower hp....yet. Three, the bigger one doesn't have all of the little goodies (ie a few less things to buy). Really appreciate the input. I don't know where I would be w/o this site and a couple of others. Jon

[John Coloccia]

BTW, I may have their "old" own, not their newer one. I might have the chronology backwards. What do I know? It spins and makes noise. Good enough! :D