Triton - TRA001 3-1/4-HorsePower 1/2-Inch Precision Router (Rating: 4)

I recently decided that I needed a new router as my old DeWalt was looking a bit long in the tooth. A quick trip to my local store to check their price on a new DeWalt and I found this Triton with 75% off. As soon as I seen the price the decision was made for me. Triton sell two models of router - the smaller 2-1/4HP model and this one - the bigger 3-1/4HP.

The first thing I noticed when I got it home was the weight as I lifted it out of the box - this is one heavy beast of a machine. Noticeably heavier than my previous router I was a bit concerned about the effect this would have working handheld. The router comes fitted with a 1/2" collet and a 1/4" reducer is packaged with it - the collet is very easy to loosen and tighten on a cutter - approximately 1/8th of a turn is all that is required.

The router also comes with a 1/2" straight cutter, collet spanner and guide plate/side fence that doubles as a circle cutting jig. The cutter seems reasonable quality and cuts well. The provided fence is a different design to many - comprising a sheet that the router sits on top of, and a sliding fence locked in place with two T-knobs. I prefer the sliding bars of my DeWalt.

In table use, the Triton is excellent, being adjustable via a conventional plunge, or a ratchet handle - and fitted with an easy to use fine height adjuster. Unfortunately, unlike its smaller sibling, there is no above table height adjustment. The router does however lift enought to protrude the collet above the table, allowing easy and quick cutter changes. The hefty motor really comes into its own in table use, with no problems router deep cuts in the hardest of timbers.

The downside, and the reason I only gave the router 4 stars, is the weight when using the router handheld. Any edge routing that leaves the router hanging over is a real chore, with the router tipping very easily. When using the router with a Leigh Super 24 dovetail jig it was very easy to tip the router as it left the guides and ruin the joint. I can see the purchase of the VRS add-on for the jig being a necessity rather than a pleasure.

Overall, in the table, this router is everything you could want (except maybe an above the table height adjuster). Handheld, I think I might be looking elsewhere in future or relying on the old DeWalt for a while yet.