Latest Triton Products On Show

The Triton show stand at the 2014 International Hardware Fair in Cologne was the launch pad for a new range of products due for release later this year and created quite a stir on social media sites.
We thought we should give our blog readers the inside track, so here are some of the product highlights from this year’s show:
• The existing Triton T12 Drill Driver and T12 Impact driver are joined by new models to create a complete system, with the introduction of a Reciprocating Saw, Right Angle Drill, Oscillating Multi Tool, and a long life Flash light. All these products use the common 12volt battery platform available in 1.5AH or 3AH versions

 • An all new 20V Cordless system with 4AH fast charge batteries, including a Drill Driver, Combi Hammer Drill and the most powerful Impact Driver yet with 160Nm of torque. With the highest quality Mabuchi motors and all metal gearing these are a robust, yet great to use response for the most demanding situation.

 • In the sanding range, a Geared Eccentric Orbit Sander was revealed. This highly versatile tool provides both fine finishing in random mode and very aggressive material removal when switched to force geared mode, all in a single machine.

For more details of these tools download the new Triton catalogue from the website: www.tritontools.com 

However star status for the show from a Triton point of view had to be the unveiling of the New Triton Workcentre WX7. Originally designed in 1976 and the founding product for the Triton brand, the Workcentre is now in its fifth decade, following several evolutionary versions based on the key principles of accuracy and ease of use, the time has come for a radical redesign to bring the Workcentre into the modern era. At first glance, the Triton Workcentre WX7 breaks with tradition in that it has moved away from an all-steel construction in favour of the very latest lightweight, but robust, extruded aluminium sections supporting the innovative low friction work surfaces. The reduction in weight and the addition of rugged transit wheels and an easy folding frame give a clue to the intended additional market for the product. Whilst still aimed at the enthusiast woodworker, the WX7 is now a highly capable and mobile multi-purpose workshop for professional site use. Precision and accuracy are assured, coupled with high mobility, making the Triton Workcentre WX7 ideally suited for trades such as kitchen or shop fitters and other finishing trades, where the on-site access to workshop facilities and accuracy ensures the highest quality results.

The New Workcentre will be available towards the end of the year, but for those wanting a peak at the shape of things to come check out the video above. We would be keen to hear your comments!

Crimson Guitars

We first met Ben Crowe from Crimson Guitars at a woodworking show in the UK when he asked us to prove our claim to have the best routers in the world.Suitably impressed we then challenged Crimson Guitars to design and build a custom guitar to showcase at our recent exhibition in Cologne.
The result is the specially commissioned Triton Conspiracy Custom Guitar with echoes of the Triton tools used to make it. The body is made from Figured Sycamore with locally sourced Flamed Ash used for the front face. The neck and headstock are made from Mahogany with a Rosewood fret board. The headstock has a Flame Maple veneer.  At the twelfth fret is an inlayed image of Australia Tritons spiritual home. We hope you enjoy the film, watch this space for a chance to win this exceptional example of the luthiers art.

Wincanton Men’s Sheds

Our Tour of Men’s Sheds continues with a visit to a shed at the heart of a community in rural Somerset, England. The Wincanton Men’s Shed in Somerset UK, has found itself a slightly unusual setting. They are based at the Balsam Centre, a locally owned and run community centre in the town, which makes good use of a former community hospital. The Balsam Centre supports all aspects of the community, running several adult groups and classes as well as being Children’s Centre.The Men’s Shed is in an old store room and the disused hospital mortuary. Annette Yoosenfinejad is the volunteer coordinator for the Balsam Centre and works with the wide variety of local organisations that use its facilities, these include the Growing Space a terrific charity that supports local people who are recovering from, or currently experiencing, mental ill health, or whose disability or disadvantage can be redressed through developing a happier, more content lifestyle. Much of their work is hands on with horticulture. Annette saw a TV report about Men’s Sheds and decided this was something that could address similar issues of social isolation for Men in their area.
Unlike most of the UK Men’s Sheds the Wincanton group was founded by Women. They advertised the idea and organised an initial meeting to look for interest. They had certainly hit the mark with regard to local need, as 29 local men turned up for a breakfast meeting to express their interest. The shed was soon up and running, borrowing some tools and with a small amount of seed funding from the Big Lottery Fund and the help of an E-Bay search, they were able to buy former woodworking benches from a school in Kent. The dealer who sold them was so impressed by the idea that he delivered them for free. The group had a few of their early sessions organised for them, but are now setting their own agenda and working on projects for the local community. They have made planting troughs and a garden sieve to support Growing Space on their site. Following a visit from the Hawk and Owl Trust and a small donation from the trust the guys have made owl box’s to be put up locally. This however is just the start, taking a lead from other UK Men’s Sheds they are exploring a range of activities and hope to become involved with the other community groups based at the Balsam Centre. A real bonus for the group is help from a number of local sawmills and furniture making companies who have donated their offcut timber for the Men’s Shed to make good use of. When we visited it was clear from the men we met, that sharing their accumulated skills and experience with younger people in a mentoring role was something they were very keen to do. Given the unique structure and wide range of organisations based at the Balsam Centre this looks like the perfect match. Longer term plans are subject to securing sufficient funding, they are aiming to have a purpose built shed in a new facility alongside the Growing Space group and to swell their numbers overtime and share the support and comradeship they have experienced to more men in the local area. The UK Men’s Sheds Association offers practical advice to those wanting to set up a shed in the UK. There’s also the chance to link up with other sheds across the country. They can be contacted via their website; www.Menssheds.org.uk