Triton TRA001/TRC001 3-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router

by Triton

Product Description

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 10.5 x 11.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 19.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00006LUM7
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: TRA001
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,836 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #15 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Routers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Latest model seems perfect, September 1, 2005

By 

W. R. Davis "Bob" (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triton TRA001/TRC001 3-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought the router specifically to use in the table. I mounted it in Veritas router table and it works just fine. I love the quick height adjustment and super fast above-the-table bit changes. It doesn't get any better than this. Be sure you have a table set up that allows you to easily reach the side knob used to do coarse raise-lower. I can see this would be a problem if you did not have easy access. I find myself using the router when I would have avoided it before because of bit change and set up times.

I never intended to use the router free handed, but I did recently. I needed to cut a circle, so I popped it out of the veritas table (quick to do with their router clamping mechanism) and used the Triton base and circle cutting attachment. Nice! Even though the router is quite large, I cut a 1 1/4" diameter hole precisely and hassle free.

The vacuum hose location is designed for a weird 38 mm screw-in hose. I don't know where to get one except from Triton with their dust collector so I did not bother.

This has got to be the safest router invented with its clear plastic shroud, you cannot get your fingers near the bit and the power switch interlock makes it impossible to do an accidental start while changing a bit. This might actually prove to be an annoyance if you want to use an external switch Because you have to be able to reach the side mounted switch to turn the router on after a bit change. There is no option here.

Watch for occasional specials on Amazon. I purchased mine using a special $50 off coupon with free shipping. At $269 delivered cost, there was absolutely nothing else that would touch it for the price, especially if you are considering something that would require an expensive router lift to achieve the same functions as the Triton.

It appears that all the problems reported by others have been cured (collet problems, power switch problems). Those issues were noted in 2002 reviews. I bought mine in summer 2005.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased with the Triton Router, November 2, 2004

By 

Robert A. Derounian (Penfield, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triton TRA001/TRC001 3-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I'm a retired info systems professional and make furniture for family and friends, not professionally. I've used this router for two major projects in the year that I've owned it. I would have rated it 5 stars except for a problem I had with the rack and pinion lift system near the end of my last project, which involved 8 hours of on-site (not in my workshop) dado routing over 4 days. The gear drive got very stiff in the last hour and occasionally locked up. However, even past the warranty, Triton took back my router and sent me a refurbished one (in advance - no waiting - the replacement, which appeared to be new, arrived in two days). I was asked to pay only for shipping - a nominal fee. I shipped the old one back in their shipping carton. They also updated the switch cover, although I never had a problem with the switch as I've read about other owners. I expect this will become my table router. The rack and pinion combined with the fine adjustment make it ideally suited for table work. Incredible power. Never slows up. Never heats up. Slow startup makes it very easy to control, and it's surprisingly quiet for a router with so much power. I expected plastic parts to cause problems, but have had NONE. It's a very solid machine. It is a bit heavy (expect a 3+ HP router to be heavy), but in a table it won't make any difference.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars nice design, lousy manufacturing, May 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Triton TRA001/TRC001 3-1/4-Horsepower Precision Router (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought this in Feb on sale, but didn't use it until May 24. I am building a router table and was using a upward spiral bit to route out the ledge for the plate. First, using the triton bushing plate, I found it must have some major runout because the groove was filled with brass shavings. Second, the collet could not hold onto the bit and on the fourth side of the groove, came completely out. Third, the plunge rods receivers have brass inserts; when i raised the router, the brass insert was just sitting at the base thumbing its nose at me. Oh yeah, it wouldn't free plunge.

After the initial hype I read in the magazines, I was sorely disappointed. Don't buy it until they improve the manufacturing process or whatever is causing it to be so substandard