Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great in the router table, February 26, 2007
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.
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Triton for Router Table, January 8, 2007
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.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent table router, bad switch cover, January 27, 2007
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.
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