Triton goes bankrupt

[Botch]

According to the EweTube channel Stumpy Nubs, Triton had to file for bankruptcy.  Their name, at least, was purchased by some conglomerate with no manufacturing, so no idea if it will live on or not.  I almost bought their large router for my new router table a few years back, it had some features that allowed it to be used upside-down without a router lift (I could foresee some dust issues, so I went the more traditional route).  

[Coop]

I don’t understand all that I know about how conglomerates and investment companies can purchase a company, bankrupt it and become millionaires?

[Beechwood Chip]

On 4/6/2026 at 9:07 PM, Botch said:

I almost bought their large router for my new router table

I did buy their 3-1/4 HP router to be used in a router table.  It had some nifty features that allowed easy over the table height adjustment and bit changes.  Unfortunately, it also had a safety feature that prevented you from doing a bit change unless the power switch was in the "off" position.  Didn't matter if it was unplugged or otherwise had no power, the switch had to be off.  So, convenient over the table bit changes if you bend down, remove your dust collection, and reach under the table to flip the switch.

I figure that they made two mistakes:  First was that switch interlock that made all the effort they put into the router table features worthless.  And the second was not marketing more aggressively in the US.  They needed to get over the hump from "weird router that doesn't work like any other router" to "this great router that sets the standard for how routers should work".

I used it hand-held a couple of times, then it needed a new collet, and they were going bankrupt and there was no 3rd party source.

So, now I've got a 3-1/4 HP router that I can't use.  I'm a little bitter.  I guess I can tear out the motor in case I need to replace the one in my table, but Oh Right!  it needs a new collet.

[Coop]

I always turn the power off to my ts and router table via power strip and yes, their safety element would be a pia in a router table. Without a usable collet and it’s size makes for an expensive shop door stop.

[Beechwood Chip]

I decided to take one more look at the collet, to see if maybe I had overlooked something.  I have the older TRC001 router.  Their newer routers use a standard collet which can be purchased at, for example, McMaster-Carr.  The one I have uses a weird collet that only has one slot, so it doesn't tighten evenly around the shank.  No wonder it always slipped.  

I suppose if I was really invested I might be able to remove the collet base assembly from the shaft and attach a standard collet.

I'm going to toss it out; maybe if it's not in my shop I can stop thinking about trying to use it.

Sorry for the rant - I heard Triton and got triggered.

[gee-dub]

Just an idea . . . 

https://musclechuck.com/portfolio-view/type-11/

I use a Musclechuck in my router table and love it.

[Beechwood Chip]

On 4/9/2026 at 8:11 AM, gee-dub said:

https://musclechuck.com/portfolio-view/type-11/

Thanks!  That might be a solution.

[gee-dub]

On 4/6/2026 at 6:16 PM, Coop said:

I don’t understand all that I know about how conglomerates and investment companies can purchase a company, bankrupt it and become millionaires?

Unfortunately we got in the business of making money instead of things a few decades ago.  We now reap the negative benefits of those choices.  "rant off"