Triton TRA001/TRC001 3-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router
by Triton Workshop Systems
 |
List Price: Our Price: $311.00 You Save: $18.00 (5%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
Product Details
Manufacturer: Triton Workshop SystemsModel: TRA001
Product features:
- New plunge handle makes it even easier to engage the plunge pinion mechanism
- Fully enclosed front and rear safety shields with a very effective dust extraction port
- Fully enclosed automatic power switch lock-out during bit changes prevents accidental starting
- Includes 1/4-inch reducer for collet and 1/2-inch premium router bit
- The powerful 3.25-horsepower motor with features "soft start" function
- Yukon Tool YTRB24 24-Piece Router Bit Set
- Triton TGA001 Router Template Guide Kit for TRA001
- CMT 800.505.11 13-Piece 1/2-Inch Shank Router Bit Set
- Kreg Jig K4 Pocket Hole System
- Kreg SK03 Pocket-Hole Screw Kit in 5 Sizes
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Triton TRA001/TRC001 3-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router
Customer Review: Triton's Flagship 3-1/4 Router Reviewed
Summary: 3 Stars
I recently purchased the Triton 3.250 HP router.
At $329.00 a pop the tool should be good enough out of the box that one should not be contemplating the things one must change, alter, fabricate, and replace just to get the tool to perform correctly.
I'll start off with the things that annoyed me first.
I'll say the nice things later on.
The router base plate has raised letters molded onto it so that they stick out sharply. It's hard not to point out that this is just plain stupid.
The cap holding the hefty spring for the plunge seems to have a weak attachment to the body. It may last - maybe. But it's not as robust as I'd expect. One hard thump and it's curtains for that plunge spring retainer cap.
The plastic router base plate is fairly cheesy. It's too thin and came slightly warped from the factory. I'll replace that bit of garbage with a real one made from 3/8 sheet PVC for when it's out of the router table - where it's going. I'll probably have to do something about the screws holding the plate in as well. I'm thinking Heliciols with a detent.
The attachments that come with the tool are fairly worthless. The metal is plenty heavy, it'll stop a 9mm at 30 feet. Triton ruined the attachments by using cheap plastic lugs as the clamp points which given the weight and power of the router won't resist movement. The circle cutter is a hopeless joke. A small nail driven through a cheap lug of plastic is what holds back all three and a quarter of those ponies? It's stupid. I would not trust it on a nice piece of lumber. I will likely replace the plastic clamp lugs with steel or brass and maybe it'll be OK then - maybe not.
The winder engagement mechanism is a tad stiff. Strong hands won't have a problem.
The button in the right winder to engage free plunge is a tough push.
The plunge spring is over done. It's a lot stronger than needed. Maybe they used poor quality steel and it'll weaken with age?
The depth control stop mechanism is worse then worthless. The thing is a cheap cheesy plastic bit of trash that will fail just as the user gets to trust it. There are two stop screws that one can set to different heights. The plastic body is attached to the base by one screw which becomes progressively looser as you rotate the plastic stops back and forth.
I won't depend on it at all. If I want the depth stop option I'll replace it with one I'll make from brass and mount it more securely.
The spindle & collets are OK sort of. The engagement threads are a course thread. This is simply wrong. Engagement threads in this application should be fine threads not course. The thread quality is crude at best. It feels as though the dies used to cut the threads were dull. The parts make a grinding noise when engaged.
The ground tapered surfaces in the collet seem OK. Router Bits settle in nicely and hold when the collet is tightened DISCLAIMER: I haven't had opportunity to run a lot of lumber through the thing yet. so I can't say if it'll back off and let go of a bit The collet has one single lonely slot. That one slot is all there is to tighten the collet around the bit. The stress on the collet is relieved by two grooves placed radially. It works but it's definitely not quality. For the small cost of a properly made collet assembly this is inexcusable.
The switch has an annoying plastic sliding cover one must slide away before engaging the power. The switch is ideal for table mounting as it's a positive detent switch On/Off switch requiring the user to flip it off.
The thing is a little noisy more so than many routers but it's got a beast of a motor so I'll let that slide.
POSITIVE aspects of the Triton:
The soft start is exactly that. My wife can start this tool up with no discomfort and that's saying something. The switch is ideal for table mounting as it's a positive detent switch On/Off switch requiring the user to flip it off.
The shaft lock works very well. It engages when the router is lowered to change a bit.
The plunge shafts are heavy a thick and have no perceptible wobble. The bronze bushings that guide the router body along the shafts are smooth and free running. The shafts appear to be pressed into the aluminum base with an interference fit - I didn't try to remove them. It's possible they are threaded but I seriously doubt Triton would have attempted engineering that sophisticated. I can only hope the fit was specked and cut well enough to walk the fine line between coming loose or causing stress cracks in the cast aluminum base.
The winder is convenient, works well, stays put without, the need of the cam lock - even while cutting, and the fine adjustment screw is an excellent idea. I've seen some complaints about backlash but, taking the backlash out is not an issue if one knows what one is doing.
The motor is - well - it's a beast. Using this router is like shooting the Smith and Wesson 44 Magnum. If you aren't ready for a big tool you won't like it. On the other hand, if a big powerful hand shaper is what you wanted then it delivers. I wanted the 44 mag' and I got it.
The first cut I made was to see if I could bog it down. I used a carbide two flute 3/4" bit buried one inch in kiln dried pine. First, I plunged straight into the middle of the wood. Then I chewed my way around in a spiral, increasing the feed speed as I went. Then I increased the depth to 1.5 inches - same result. The Triton is stronger than I'd hoped. It's like holding a miniature shaper in my hands. It's a beast. Then I changed bits a couple times looking to hog as much wood off as possible with a couple large profile cutters. Again, it does wonderfully leaving a glassine finish in one pass.
After that I introduced it to some rock maple. It did wonderfully chewing anything I threw at it and left a fine finish. I ran some end mills through it: a 4 x 1/2" flute HSS and a 2 flute 1/2" x 3" long high spiral HSS. I really like the way it works with end mills. The 2 flute high spiral buried all the way in pine and maple can take a substantial cut.
I purchased this tool to go in a table and that's where it's going.
As such, the issues with the spring, the spring cap, the depth stop, the stupid attachments and the cheesy base plate all fade away.
This leaves the collet as the primary flaw.
I always wanted a shaper.
I am glad I paid the show price of $190.00
It's available at Amazon for $269.00, which I think is high.
If I'd paid the full list of $329.00 I'd feel cheated because of the lack of sophistication, poor quality, poor choice of materials, and technical failings in the tool
Note: Festool's big gun is $400.00 - a lousy few dollars more and it needs no tweaking out of the box.
Description of Triton TRA001/TRC001 3-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router
Worlds best router has just gotten better. Here are the new and improved features that make us no. 1 in the woodworking shop. Changing from free plunge to rack and pinion mode as become even easier with just a push of a button. Our switch is now fully sealed in a rubber boot to ensure dust free operation. The plunge handle components have also been updated to metal gears for smoother operation and extended life. Our improved ¼-inch collet reducer makes changing to ¼-inch bit safer and easier. The Triton Router is the only router in the world where the full plunge depth brings the collet well past the base of the router and up through the table. With the collet freely exposed and an automatic spindle lock engaged you need only one wrenchabove the table to make effortless bit changes. This means an end to bruised knuckles while fumbling around between plunge posts with two collet wrenches. With the new plunge handle, its just as simple as pressing the button located in the middle of the handle, disables the rack and pinion mechanism, locks the handle and permits a conventional free plunge. For fine depth adjustment theres a micro winder, which is accessible throughout the full plunge range. The Triton Router can be plunged through its entire range on the micro adjuster alone. adjustments are instantaneous and precise; furthermore they stay that way. Fully enclosed front and rear safety shields with a very effective dust extraction port. Fully enclosed automatic power switch lock-out during bit changes to prevent accidental starting. A new collet design for securing and changing bits, which can be done with ease from above the table. powerful 3.25-horsepower motor with "soft start" function. Electronic variable speed (8,000 to 20,000 rpm) with speed maintenance under load.Innovation in a powerful package, with convenience to boot--that's what you get with Triton?s 3-1/4 horse router, including something we haven?t seen anywhere else: the ability to change bits without taking the router out of the table or reaching underneath the table. When it?s fully plunged, the router brings the collet above the table, saving you time and effort. Brilliant. The body travels smoothly and effortlessly on its huge columns. There are two ways to adjust depth, too: free plunge and lock the lever, or use the micro adjustment knob for the finest changes throughout the depth range. The soft start feature won?t pull this heavy router out of your hands, and the variable speed switches easily. The handles feel good and offer excellent control, too, a plus because this is a hefty piece. In the table or out, we?d like this one in our shop.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste
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