Customer Reviews

Triton MOF001C 2-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router Kit

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I bought this router, based on a FineWoodworking review, to use in my router table. The appeal was: #1)being able to change bits from above the table (and NOT having to remove the router), #2)being able to adjust the bit height from above the table and #3)being able to do these without investing in an expensive router lift. It works as advertised - easy to adjust bit height, (mostly) easy to change bits from above the table. I am impressed that the collet rises well above table. Kudos as well to a well-designed, heavy-duty, plated, cast wrench. Nice collet lock (automatically engages when the collet is raised to full height). Smooth and powerful. It is mounted to my table, I located where to drill the hole for the adjusting lever (some sort of template would have helped...), and it seems to work well.

As regards router table use, the only goofy thing to me is the on/off switch. You have to push back a safety cover before depressing the switch - in free hand use I think this would be an annoying extra step. In the table the annoyance is that I normally leave the router switch on, plug it into an outlet in my table, and operate it from an external switch - not a problem until it is time to change bits. Raising the collet above the table is supposed to engage a lockout (that little cover) so that you won't accidentally turn on the router while changing a bit. However if the switch is already turned on the collet won't raise all the way until you reach under the table and turn it off - and that's a little clumsy because it is on the backside. Then, of course, you have to turn it back on (clumsy) before starting out again. If you followed that - not a big deal, and I suppose it is a reasonable safety trade-off. I'll get used to it. One more thing that is a little odd is the plunge mechanism - I'm not sure why one would need more than a spring and a locking lever on a smooth set of plunge rods, but Triton seems to think so - there is an odd knob with a push button in the middle (and a locking lever). In the little bit I handled it free hand I didn't quite figure it out (I had to read the instructions for cryin' out loud!). This would only be an issue for me if I was using it free hand, and I'm not - my reliable Bosch routers do that for me comfortably.

So, for router table: pretty great, especially for the price (less than most router lifts alone). For free hand use I don't think I'd pick it over the more conventional fare - Bosch, Porter-Cable, Dewalt, Makita, etc. It does come with quite a collection of extras for free hand use though, so you might want to handle it and compare prices.

I'm very impressed with this router, having replaced a PC690 in my Bench Dog table. I almost bought a 3+ hp router and lift ($500+), and now I'm glad I read that FWW review over Christmas break. It's very easy to adjust and swap bits -- especially compared to the PC690, which was quite tricky to adjust depth accurately. And it has plenty of power for the work I do, mostly narrow dados and rabbets in hardwood.

My only complaint is with the power switch safety cover. My router table has an external power switch, but to change the bit you need to turn off the router's power switch as well. No biggie, just a nuisance. Except when I tried to use the router, the cover vibrated closed and powered down the router. A few screws later, the plastic switch cover & spring are no longer causing grief.

I bought this router to mount in a table I was building. I now have many hours of use in this capacity and am exceptionally pleased. The only thing I haven't made good use of is the chip extraction attachment. This router is exceptionally well designed for use in a router table. I have used it with large and small diameter bits and have never had any power issues. Changing bits (or even collet) couldn't be easier- turn off the router switch, unlock the bit, raise it and change with one wrench. Changing speeds is also easy and well thought out for an upside down router. The index markings on the handle to raise the router through the table top are pretty much worthless but I would always measure on top the table anyway- big deal!

After I was operational, I went to a Woodworking show in Denver and one of the demonstrators was using this router. I've never used a router lift, however, he said that the Triton was as good as any he had used.

I also haven't used it as a hand held router but the accessories seemed a bit chintzy. The edge guide isn't nearly as substantial and precise as my Porter Cable attachment (which I paid $40 to get) and the bushing guides seem to be pretty flimsy vs. Porter Cable guide kit (again about $40) or brass guide kits. I would continue to use my Porter Cable 690 for hand held operations over the Triton, although the soft start would be nice- it is more of a preference and familiarity with my PC. The weight of a 2.25 vs. 1.75 hp also would make me lean toward the the PC for most applications.

Overall, I have been very pleased with the Triton for my router table- after reading a review of the Freud, PC, Sears and Triton for a router table I am even more pleased with my purchase.

Like most people I want to have my cake and eat it too. I wanted a router that was versatile as a hand-held (read "Plunge"), but also wanted it to be suitable for table-mounting. The conventional wisdom is to buy a "kit" with both fixed and plunge bases, most of which are pushing the $300 price point. In addition, the fixed-base router still needs a "lift" to make above-table adjustments easy. Another alternative is a good plunge-base and a Router Raizer.

This Triton covers all the bases in a beautifully-designed, easy-to-handle unit that doesn't require the purchase of a lot of "extras" other than (obviously) a table in which to mount it.

It comes with two collets (not just a 1/2" and a crappy adapter). It's reasonably quiet, not too heavy, and the choice of either the "winder" or conventional plunge give you all the control you need. The "winder" is also handy when table mounting; a half-turn (about 180 deg.) moves the router through it's full range. It takes a little practice to grab the plunge handle while retracting the plunge-lock ring, but it comes quickly.

No buyers remorse on this one.

This item came with all indicated features. Has highly innovative engineering features, all of which I found to be simple to understand and easy to operate. Mine is principally table mounted and at the price it saved the usually costly option of buying a router lift (this feature is built into this unit by a simple crank device that engages the bit elevation element). My only very mild complaint, if that is what it is, is that the bit changing wrench needed a few swipes with a file before the jaws would fit the collet nut (otherwise, this nicely finished wrench is far superior to the customary flat handled things that come with most routers). The on-off switch is another nice feature, with a slide mechanism that securely locks the collet in the off position and the router cannot be turned on accidentally. Comes with a complete set of well-made bushings as well, plus fence attachments and a dust collector.

I like this router. I bought it to mount below a table. Unfortunately one of the gears that raises the router in the table is made of nylon and will strip when it reaches the end of the extension if taken another turn or two which it allows. Triton replaced the router. Now I know to be very careful raising the unit. I'm not the first to experience this problem.

I have bought this router sometime in December and have not agressively used it until recently. For what I have spent, this is a tool I am kicking myself for not acquiring sooner amongst my arsenal of woodshop tools.

First off, the router comes in a nice hardened plastic case that can stand up to abuse. All the included accessories are WELL secured in the casing. The tool comes with pleanty of the typical guide templete bushings, a 1/2" collet, a 1/4" collet, adjustment wrench for installing router bits, an edge guide with base plate (which can be also used for circle routing), a down to the point manual, dust attachment, and a 1/2" shank 1/2" straight router bit. I may have missed out in describing two metal rings but I can't recall what they are for. It also comes with a height adjustment turning lever for if this router is table mounted so one doesn't have to buy a lift kit and one can adjust the router bit height from the top of the table.

With the router as is, one can use it for the typical routing dados and grooves. It also can guide itself amonst edges for routing bigger pieces. Circle routing as well though I have yet to use the included base plate for that. What really does this router justice is if one were to purchase a router bit kit containing all of the typical router bits for all kinds of functions. At the moment, I am primarily using it as a means of cutting, in absense of a circular saw, edge guide, and table mounting for the moment. I also have used it for a poor man's joining with an edge guide bit.

The router has pleanty of adjustment features from the quick and dirty fast height adjustment, to fine tuning the height. It can be set to remember two positions of phunge routing and the gauge is accurate for using it to adjust the depth.

I feel that after using it, the 2.25 HP motor provides great power for anyone and the overall handling of the router feels solid freehanding. By no means it is light but it feels comfortable to use. The switch is built in such a way to prevent accidental turn on and while its plugged in, the switch will light up meaning its a sign that it is powered, which is a nice safety feature. I also appreciate its delayed on after the switch is pressed on.

The manual describes everything to the point of using this router and I found it to be acceptible to use and follow. The colored pictures they provide in the manual is also a plus. Pleanty of warnings before that material and one new to woodworking and routing should take heed of those messages.

The tool doesn't seem to hard to maintain for as the screws used to hold the dust guards and the sole plate don't feel cheap. Fit and finish is excellent so far. Quick cleaning with a vacuum gets almost every dust buildup but one would really need an air compressor or compressed air to take care of dust in the collet area.

Overall, it is a great tool. I think I will reserve my final judgement after several months time to about maybe a year or two and see if Triton holds up. Do yourself a favor if you were to get this router or any good router is to get good router bits and a nice router table plate to pair with your router. I went with the Freud Avanti 15 piece kit and the Veritas router base plate kit. I also bought a planar bit and a longer 2" edge guide bit for my particular needs.

I used this router on a table for about 20 hours and was pleased with performance until the microadjuster stopped working. I found that the micro-adjust universal shaft was made of nylon and was stripped. I contacted Triton and there advice was to not use the microadjuster to raise and lower the router , only for fine adjustment, due to the stress it puts on the nylon shaft. This defeats the purpose of using a raiser on a router table.
They said they were working on the problem and the repair part was on back order. If your going to use a router on a table I would consider other brands.

I bought the 2-1/4 HP Triton router based on a recent article in Fine Woodworking magazine. After a month of use, both hand-held and in a homemade router table, I find it to be well-designed and easy to adjust. One note: Fine Woodworking said the Triton is made in Australia, but it's actually made in Taiwan for an Australian company.

This unit had too much clearance on the guide posts and caused poor routed surfaces. The cutter would vibrate and initially the router was stopped to see if the cutter was tightened properly. The cutter cold be moved 12 mils on an indicator with no undue force and the guide post had a measured 4.5 mils movement. Triton said this was not right and Amazon sent another with the same problem. I'm moving to a JessEm router lift.