Router Table Router ? or Table Router Router or ....

[wizer]

You get the picture.

I have 2 big Tritons. I really like this router, especially in a table. However, with my achy breaky back, I'm beginning to like the idea of above the table adjustment and bit changing. It's not really feasible to making a flip up top. In the current edition of British Woodworking Simon (oryx design) has said he prefers the smaller Triton in a router table. I'm wondering if this would be the cheapest way to get a router raising solution.

What say you?

 

[Tom K]

Does't the big Triton have above table bit changing?

 

[wizer]

yes it does, sorry. I just meant the whole operation above table.

 

[RobertMP]

Increase the height of the table?

I use a cheapy B+Q table with my large Triton. It lives under the bench on the floor. When I want to use it I drag it out and put in ON the bench and clamp it in place. Working height is mid chest which I find is fine and as a bonus the router controls are easy to access without having to bend.

You won't want to be lifting a router and table but maybe you can come up with some way of getting it in position with less effort.

 

[Krysstel]

Just to add my bit ....
I've got the small Triton in my table and although I'm more than happy with the 1400W power I can't say I'm that impressed with the above table height adjustment. A long flimsy plastic tube with a slot in the end that you have to stick through a hole and hope to with luck engage in the right place doesn't seem like a wonderful deign to me :shock:
I recently saw an enormous Freud mounted in a table and their above table adjustment seemed light years ahead of the Triton.
The above table bit changing on the Triton is very good though - and so is the Freud's.
And I have a problem with the Triton's height adjustment sort of jaming or hopping when adjusting downwards, although it may be due to lack of cleaning or the pillars requiring oil.

 

[Oryxdesign]

Hi Tom

I've actually been misquoted. I have the large Triton. I was talking with Nick in reference to table plates which you will notice from the picture I don't have. I am really pleased with my set up and as usual if you want to nip in and have a look you are always welcome.

Si

 

[wizer]

Cheers Si, that makes much more sense. Shame I didn't realise that sooner, as I've just spent the afternoon cocking up a router table insert cutout! :roll: :wink: What is it you're not keen about inserts?

That Freud looks interesting. I'll have to see if I can play with one at a show. Not cheap but worth it not to have to stoop or even crouch for too long. It will also mean I can build better dust extraction into the table without having to open the door so much.

The other option is to look into some sort of DIY way to make a router raiser.

 

[Oryxdesign]

You start with a nice flat surface and then cut a hole in it that's too big then you have to bugger about fitting a plate flush again.
Why not just cut a round hole and mount the router underneath it. If you wish you could use the inserts to allow for different sized cutters but I haven't bothered I've just gone foe about an inch.
You can extend the handle on the Triton but you still have to bend to lock it off at the correct height.
If you are doing a job that takes several passes to get to depth, set the router at full depth and use something like 3mm mdf to space up the cut and them remove one at a time until you are at full depth. This takes away much of the bending and improves accuracy.
Hope that helps and makes sense Si

 

[big soft moose]

Cheers Si, that makes much more sense. Shame I didn't realise that sooner, as I've just spent the afternoon cocking up a router table insert cutout! :roll: :wink: What is it you're not keen about inserts?

That Freud looks interesting. I'll have to see if I can play with one at a show. Not cheap but worth it not to have to stoop or even crouch for too long. It will also mean I can build better dust extraction into the table without having to open the door so much.

The other option is to look into some sort of DIY way to make a router raiser.

as your router is going on a leaf on the side of your saw table , could you not make it hinge up 90 degrees, maybe supported on gas struts (like you get on car boots) from the scrappy

it ought to be fairly easy as it would just need a frame , two or three struts, and a catch to hold it down when in use

that way you would have easy - chest height - access to the below table area of the router with no bending and minimal lifting.

 

[wizer]

now you mention it that does seem like a feasible idea if it hinged from the table up rather than from the rail up, It'd need some clever integration but could probably be done.

 

[motownmartin]

And I have a problem with the Triton's height adjustment sort of jaming or hopping when adjusting downwards, although it may be due to lack of cleaning or the pillars requiring oil.

Although I am very pleased with the large Triton I have the same problem with lowering the height and measuring how far the cutter is through the table, if I were to do anything different I would fit a Woodpecker unilift.

 

[wizer]

And I have a problem with the Triton's height adjustment sort of jaming or hopping when adjusting downwards, although it may be due to lack of cleaning or the pillars requiring oil.

Although I am very pleased with the large Triton I have the same problem with lowering the height and measuring how far the cutter is through the table, .

Me three

 

[Oryxdesign]

I haven't experienced this, have you removed the springs?

 

[motownmartin]

Tom, what I am trying to say is don't mess about hinging the table, you still have to bend and twist a fair bit, a router lift will eliminate 99% of all that and save your back.

 

[motownmartin]

I haven't experienced this, have you removed the springs?

Yes

 

[wizer]

yeh cheers Martin. I was just saying that I also get the problem with adjustment when the big router is in the table.


Yes Si, spring removed.

 

[Krysstel]

Regarding the Triton fine height adjustment.
Were're talking about the long spring in the fine height adjuster arn't we ? Mine's removed but I've actually wondered if the jumpy adjustment would be solved by putting the spring back in ! Any thoughts ?
I use the Trend height guage and tend to wind the cutter too low and then adjust up to the correct height, rather than the opposite, thus in most cases avoiding critical/accurate downward adjusting. But it's an irritating fault. Bad design ?
The Freud 3000 I saw appeared to have no such problems and the above-table handle engaged exactly where it should every time.

 

[wizer]

Regarding the Triton fine height adjustment.
Were're talking about the long spring in the fine height adjuster arn't we ? Mine's removed but I've actually wondered if the jumpy adjustment would be solved by putting the spring back in ! Any thoughts ?

Yes that thought dawned on me yesterday. But have you tried using it with the spring in? Almost impossible in table mode. Tho I wonder if shortening the spring would help?

I'm prety much sold on the Freud 3000, I must say.

 

[Krysstel]

Why is it impossible in table mode ? Not that I've tried ! Maybe a bit drastic shortening the spring. I'd at least have to get hold of a replacement first.

A wise descision with the Freud 3000 IMO. I have to admit that had I researched it better I'd have gone that way myself. If/when my little Elu 96 dies then the Triton will be out of the table like a shot and a Freud on it's way in. I see that Freud in the UK list the 3000 as 1900W. Over here it was recently upgraded to 2200W. Seems a bit strange and maybe worth checking before you order.

Mark

 

[Chems]

I have the big triton in the table, (I'd marry it if I could) and it says somewhere either in the manual or somewhere else that I've read that you must come at your final height by winding into it. If that makes any sense at all?

Wizer, with the free spin mode on the triton it may be fairly easy to get some studded rod from B&Poo and rig up your own router raiser, a few little gears an a chain perhaps to make it all come up right. Lot cheaper than a new machine, cause I can see where your coming from with no above the table adjustment on the big Triton but other than that its a brilliant machine.