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Triton Workcenter and it's various 'modules'

3K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  louroy 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This is just a review/rant of the Triton Workcenter, Triton Router Table module, and Triton Contractor Saw modules I bought from Rockler a few months ago.

In the never ending battle for floor space in my limited shop area, I decided that selling my Rigid table saw and Bench Dog router table would clear up a ton of space, which I could replace with a compact, versatile Triton Workcenter and related 'modules'. I should have done a LOT more research!

The workcenter itself is a decent assembly table. Overpriced if that's all you're looking for, but it's decent. It's sturdier than it looks, and the legs fold up to store on the side of the shop when not it use. It's real value would appear to be in the interchangeable modules like the contractor's saw and router table.

On to the router table… It's got proprietary mounting, so only accepts a Triton router. (So, I had to buy a new router too.) I'm happy with these things - the 3 1/4hp router is a beast and I'm very happy with it. And the router table and fence system is great. Dust collection is decent too.

But now, we talk about the 'contractor's saw' module. The motor is loud! The arbor is short, too short to accept a dado stack. The dust collection is a joke. The fence is awkward and moves out of adjustment unless you tighten down the adjusting screws to the point of cracking the plastic locking mechanism. Repetitive cuts - forget it. Hardwoods thicker than 1/2" - forget it.

The idea of interchangeable modules is good, but in my opinion this is a poor solution.

I left a similar review on Triton's website, and guess what - it never got published! I don't think they've got a very promising future here in the US.

UPDATE 29MAY2017: I was contacted by Triton's Global Brand Manager regarding my review. He basically expressed shock at everything I said except for the short arbor, which he said was "well advertised". He asked if I'd contacted customer support, and if so what their response was. I never had done that, as I just assumed the issues I had were were more just design compromises and it was 'working as designed'. Nice somebody emailed me once, but it's not like anything has changed, and I'm looking at Craigslist every day for a real table saw to replace this thing.
 
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#2 ·
Hmm, thanks for the review. I wasn't going to bother with the router table as they're so easy to make. The saw? I'm in europe and dado stacks are illegal (!) so that's not a concern. re locking the fence, there are apparently 4 clamps that all need clipping down to make it secure, if they're all used does it work ok? I'm not too worried about having to line up the fence reading at either side as that's what I need to do on the POS I've currently got, so I'm used to it. I'm surprised about the cutting capability as my 1Kw saw cuts fine, and the Triton is 1.8Kw, is it a bad blade? or the wrong type of blade for the cutting you're doing
 
#3 ·
Regarding the clamps - they're either so loose that if I accidentally bump the fence with my leg it moves, or I have to crank them tight to the point that I'm afraid I'll crack the plastic. There doesn't seem to be much adjustment, even though they provide for it.

As far as cutting ability, yes my previous table saw was the same power as the Triton, and using the same blade I was able to cut just about anything I fed through it. The blade, btw, is a Forrest Woodworker II, a 40 tooth thin kerf blade well reviewed everywhere, that I've been very happy with in the past.
 
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