I haven’t ruled out getting a decent ROS (random orbital sander), but in the meantime I am not one to leave a perfectly functional tool in a state of disrepair, so I decided to fix the existing base, and return the Triton ROS to operational status.

Step one, I removed the base that had the velcro and backing (which had sheared off) from the machine, and cleaned the solid mounting plate up a bit.

I was hoping to find a replacement base that would just work, but that wasn’t going to be possible.  So instead I chose a different route, amalgamate the new base (a Bosch) and the ?fibreglass? backing from the Triton.  The Bosch base had a plate built in with three mounting holes, that were unfortunately a lot closer to the centre than the Triton took.  So I decided to mount it to that Triton backing, then use the original screws and holes to mount the whole new unit to the ROS.

Merging the bases

I drilled 3 new holes in the backing, then used steel rivets to join them together.  Steel rivets are significantly strong, and very low profile which is why I chose that method.

Fully repaired ROS

By then drilling new holes through the Bosch plate, it allowed the original Triton bolts to be used to join the whole refurbished base to the ROS.  Fired up, and it was all back to being functional, and frankly, it will now last a lot longer that the original.

In the background of the second photo, you can see my accordion riveter (also known as a scissor riveter).  This design has significant power, and is excellent in use.

The Black-Bellied Plover on the Beach
02 September 2009
Triton Beach, East Quogue, NY

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a Superjaws, it’s a Jaw Horse, it’s the Ultimate Superjaws…

No – I’m confused.  It isn’t the Ultimate Superjaws that GMC took on so it wouldn’t compete with the Superjaws (or is it?), it is the (cue fanfare)

Ozito Uni Jaw

Seen in a local Bunnies.  It actually has some interesting attributes – the front jaw moves, rather than the rear jaw.  It has a limited range of movement, but by initially positioning the rear jaw and securing it, this is a pretty common method.  No idea of the price, accessories (if any), and if it is a reworked version of the never-released

Ultimate Superjaws

Anyone else see a similarity between the two?

I haven’t vetted these guys myself, but I’ve heard that a few people have been successful in obtaining spares for their Triton gear, particularly routers.

They are in the UK – The Woodworking Centre.

That Australians now have to import spares for their Triton power tools from 1/2 the world away is a really crappy situation (I’d actually rather say something a lot stronger than that), but at least the spares are available at all.

No criticism of The Woodworking Centre intended in that – at least they have the spares available.

How the situation got this bad I really don’t know. Sad.

The Woodworking Centre also has a good collection of Triton Manuals, Spares Diagrams etc. One of the last online sources of this information left.

It was definitely a weekend revolving around the new tool (understandably), from the pickup/delivery organising on Friday, the assembly (and getting it into the shed) Saturday, and commissioning it with some real tasks on Sunday.

If you were wondering how I was going to fit a 2.5m x 1m tool in my workshop, well, you were not the only one!  With a large pry bar!  Archimedes once remarked (paraphrasing) that with a firm place to stand he could move the Earth (with a long-enough lever that is).

Makin' a Hole

Clearing space was a combination of moving the jointer to where the router table was, removing the corner bench and in future the sanders will (potentially) be on roll-outs from under the Torque, and the router table met an untimely end, with the top being amalgamated with the TWC.  A hole was born.

The Torque arrives in its new home

I did try the TWC along the back wall, but lost too much access around the unit.  The MDF top has yet to be added – will do so some time this week.

That 1300mm arm is huge – I’m going to fit the 600mm (or 900mm) arms for the majority of the jobs, and the 1300 will get used only when I need that much extension.  For some workshops it probably would remain, but that is the one compromise on space I will have to make.  Sure looks nice here (by the end of the weekend it sure ended up rather dusty!)

Adding the Router Table

Here I have added the router table (with Incra Positioner/Fence) to the end where there is some dead space (because of the way the tools are carried on the left side of the arm), so this really utilises that area. I’ve moved the bandsaw further back so I have adequate access to the router table, and it isn’t hard to swing the entire unit out from the wall if I need more in-feed area.  Since this photo, I have also replaced the first module of the top with a plain cast-iron wing – it won’t be a two-router table now (well it is, but one is overhead), and I’ve shortened the cast iron top to 3 wings from the original 5.  The MDF of the rest of the bed will be at the same height, so there is no shortage of area for the positioner now!  At 2.5m long, this may be the largest router table in the world!

The clamp roof

The clamp wall was a problem, both getting access to the clamps, and also having them interfere with the X axis of the TWC, so they have been moved to the roof.  If the clamps are any good, then it won’t be a problem where they are!  Added benefit – partway through a clamp-up, if I need another I just reach up!

Temporary Triton Mount

One minor glitch I had (and it will be rectified by the end of the week), is the router mount had support posts for a Makita (I think), and not the Triton – the Triton needs both a larger diameter and a longer post.  Converting the Triton to fit the table took a few seconds, as did reverting it back to standard operation.  I was surprised just how easy it was – a single circlip.  So that I could make use of the router before the parts arrive, I added the old Triton quick-release plate from the original Triton router table.  The setup is rather flimsy like this, but it got the job done.

Oven Doors

First job was the oven doors for the kid’s kitchen – setting the stops for the size of the opening, then routing it out.  I also used the same method for cutting hinge mortises.

Oven Shelf

The second job was creating the shelf in the oven.  Rather than just a plain shelf, I didn’t want the inside of the oven to look like a cupboard, so I cut parallel slots through using a 1/2″ straight router bit, and moved the whole setup 30mm for each pass.  Again, something that could have been done other ways, but this was a very simple (and accurate) method.  It’s like using a machine with a built-in, adjustable jig.

So that was all I had time for in the end, but already it has been demonstrating for me just how functional the concept is.

There is a NZ author called Hugh Cook who wrote a series of 10 fantasy books which all had titles “The something and the something“, such as “The Wordsmiths and the Warguild”.  He was planning a series of 60 books, but sales didn’t eventuate, which is a pity. I’d have needed another bookcase though!  Nothing else relevant in this, other than whenever I read (or write) “The something and the something“, I’m reminded of Hugh Cook.

Back when I bought my Triton Workcentre – the Workcentre 2000, I was concerned if there was going to be a 2002 version that was going to supersede it – the danger of using a name that also depicts a year.  A lesson that Microsoft are starting to learn – your product is dated by the name.  As it turned out, the WC2000 was the final version – a newer version that was ready for prototyping was binned by GMC when they took over.  When Triton still existed as a company, they did get the occasional prompt to bring out a new version – a 2005 version for example.  This never happened (obviously), but there were a number of existing owners who wished it would happen.

As I was assembling the TWC, a feeling of familiarity, and deja vu struck, and stuck.  Even though I found I didn’t need any assembly manual to put the TWC together, the home-grown aspect to both companies did come through, but the differences also came through strongly – one being thin pressed metal and aluminium section, the other being steel, steel and more steel.

Despite there being no commonality between the companies, or between the workcentres (other than both being Australian Engineering, both being called workcentres, and both being woodworking related), there is a degree to which the Torque Workcentre (TWC) could be regarded as being a logical upgrade to the Triton.

Consider each function:

The Tablesaw.

The biggest criticism Triton owners hear, is the money they spent on the Triton Workcentre system over the years could have bought a significant tablesaw.  There are counter arguments to that, but not relevant for this article.  They then have a brushed-motor circular saw secured by plastic under a pressed-metal top, in an item that weighs around 30-40kg.  (Again, there are all sorts of other pros and cons, not my intent to discuss).  It can handle (with the extension table) a 2400×1200 sheet, with a cut depth of around 65-67mm.  A plastic-thread height winder.

The Torque workcentre is not an ideal tablesaw, and if you already had a tablesaw you wouldn’t consider the Torque as a replacement.  However, despite having a very good cast iron tablesaw I am still looking forward to being able to process sheet goods on the Torque with ease – being able to lay the goods out, and bring the saw to the sheet (with all the control the TWC offers) to safely process the sheet into the required sections.  For ripping, a tablesaw is still the preferred method, whereas for crosscutting, the TWC has it all over the Triton, as with a saw attached it effectively becomes a radial arm saw, which until the development of the SCMS (sliding compound mitre saw) was held in very high esteem in many, many workshops (and still is by existing owners).  The TWC could potentially give a radial arm saw some serious competition – increased range, support at both ends of the arm for 90 degree cuts etc.  A top quality RAS would most likely win, but for most workshops, the Torque makes the grade.

The Router Table.

The Triton router table was the first item that I left behind as my woodworking improved – I felt held back by its limitations – the top wasn’t flat enough for my needs, and I headed down paths seeking more and more accuracy, precision and flatness.  There is a definite benefit to a table-mounted router, but one thing I found missing (and had no solution for) was the ability to have the router controlled in an overhead position, without having to hand-hold it.

This is where the Torque absolutely kicks butt.  Even when all the other parallel functions being discussed here are removed, replaced with dedicated machines, you’d still look at the Torque Workcentre as an overhead router system – it is what the TWC excels at, and the primary reason for buying one.  All other functions of the workcentre are secondary to this – bonuses. IMO that is! There is so much potential that overhead routing capabilites provides, I’m going to be exploring it for a long time yet!

Now this doesn’t mean the table-mounted router is obsolete – far from it.  How I have dealt with that, is combining the two tools, and I have an area where the table-mounted router resides in the top of the Torque workcentre, and at this stage I don’t believe it does anything to detract from either machine.  While the table-mounted router is in place, I loose about 300mm of total capacity of the TWC because I have placed it at the end where there is some dead-space anyway, and I can regain that area by simply lifting the table-mounted router out to regain the full TWC capacity. The best of both worlds you might say.

When in place, the table-mounted router has the advantage of a cast-iron top (which I added), and the Incra LS Positioner and Fence, so that is pretty optimised, and yet I also have the overhead TWC to complement it.

I’ve long seen the router table as being a compromised tool – most workshops that have one have had to make it themselves (other than the low-cost Triton, GMC or Ryobi tables).  To get a machine as serious as the tablesaw as a router table, you’ve had to turn to the spindle moulder, and that machine has a very limited top speed, and is not effective for small router bits. (Not that I am belittling the Spindle Moulder – it is a very capable machine, and can be found in many professional workshops, but it isn’t designed for modern router bits.) The TWC is a machine built specifically for the router.

Drill Press.

Like the tablesaw, it is an additional (rather than primary) solution.  Like the Triton, take a hand power tool and give it extra functionality by providing a solid mount.  But again, in a pretty serious way – a drill press that can drill materials up to around 1300mm from the support pole, has massive work support, can handle angles, and drill points in arcs.

Jointer/Planer/Thicknesser.

There isn’t to my knowledge a jointer on the market that can allow you to prepare the face of a board 2000×1300, yet that is bread and butter for the TWC.  And anything smaller.  I’d say many workshops will still have a dedicated machine, but when its capabilities are exceeded, the TWC takes over.  If you don’t have a jointer yet, the TWC puts off the requirement to invest in one.  It doesn’t do the jointing the edge to 90 degrees to the face however (although you can use a router bit to run down the edge to perform that role).  You can also thickness with it, and again with significant capacity beyond any affordable thicknesser on the market!  For smaller items, a dedicated machine will be faster and easier, but the TWC can still substitute until you have the dedicated machine.

So, what do you think?  Could the TWC be regarded as an upgrade to the Triton system?  Both fit hand-held power tools to increase their safety and functionality.  One weighs a substantial 200+kg, so has the stability (with a corresponding loss to portability).

It was hard having to wait to assemble the workcentre – having it sit overnight waiting.  At least it arrived on a Friday!

First job was unpacking the remains of the container, and seeing what, if anything was missing.  By the end of the build, only 2 things appear to have been lost – a single bolt of 4 that holds one of the wheels on, and the assembly instructions!

So a pretty fortunate outcome in the end.

Disassembly of the 'crate'

I was concerned about that gap in the middle, but I now think this is for the shorter versions of the support arm – this unit shipped with the longest 1300mm version, which gets packaged with the 2 main beams rather than in this crate.

After laying it all out, the assembly task did not look that daunting, and in hindsight it wasn’t – nothing like even assembling a Triton Workcentre – this assembly didn’t need instructions, let alone the difficulty caused by missing a single step of the Triton assembly.

Components laid out

Assembly begins upside down, and the tapped holes make it obvious how it goes together.  The two main rails are set out, with the cross bracing bolted across.

Main platform assembled

The legs are then added to either end, with the adjustable legs (which also are the ones with brakes) to the front.  Once this section is finished, the unit it flipped upright for the rest of the assembly.

Legs Assembled

I didn’t get any photos of the next stage – it went so quickly and smoothly it was over before I picked the camera up again.  Throughout the build, I did have the video running, so at least that (hopefully) caught some of the action!

Workcentre Completed

Throughout the build, with every component I picked up I was reminded of the significance of each component – they were heavy, strong, and it was both obvious that it had been built by hand (and not in a bad way), and wasn’t some mass-overseas-produced tool.  This is solid, Australian engineering as it should be.

The total build took all of 90 minutes – a very smooth assembly, even without the instructions.

Tool platform with router attachment

This is the platform for the various tools – in this case for the router.  It includes the optional dust collections shroud. There is still some fine-tuning to do, and a top to be added which I will cover in the next article(s).

Heavy Engineering

From the base, to the upright, the support arm and the tool carrier, it is solid components, solid construction all the way.

It is one thing to see such a unit set up and operating at a woodshow, but you get a real sense for the quality during the build phase.

Triton Swirl Shower – thermostatic bar mixer, exposed valve, separate controls, 200mm shower head and suitable for high or low pressure systems installed.

Tiling purchased from Marabese – White bumby tiles 300mm / 200mm with the odd picture tile added – finished with white grout.

4 door shower screen, pulls out and sits tight against the bath rim.

As I mentioned last time, Azaiya Aeon made her mer textures available for remixing under a Creative Commons license. The textures include a series called Pearl, which are whitish blue and perfect for working on a Neptune avatar. I used a modified shape from Fallen Gods (naturally enough) and the Odin hair and beard from Discord Designs. BTW, Fallen Gods just came out with her hybrid skins and some of them look especially mer-worthy.

The top picture was taken at the underwater garden beneath my Acorn Island. I just added some Garden Ambiance from MiaSnow. These glowing sculpted prims add an immediate aurora to any setting and were the pièce de résistance for my aquatic hollow.

The can of worms otherwise known as sanders is more of a Pandora’s box that I’m not ready to really spring the lid on.  Needless to say there are a whole range of different sanders out there, belt, 1/4 sheet, orbital, random orbital, finger…

The Random Orbital Sander (ROS) came into existence in the early 90’s and is particularly good at finishes without introducing swirl marks because of its random action. Where non-random sanders are not particularly useful above around 400 grit, the ROS can be used to 1200 and beyond.  They are not particularly suitable for bulk material removal – there are much more aggressive sanders out there.

Now that I’ve sold, given away, or had fail every ROS I had in my arsenal, I’m having to look around for a replacement (and that doesn’t rule out getting a replacement pad for the Triton ROS, from somewhere….)

After the recent experience with the Domino, I thought I’d check out the Festool range.  There are a few sanders in the collection, and the two most suitable are the Rotex and the ETS.

The Festool Rotex at a bit under $1000 is rather impressive (and is around 12x more expensive than the Triton!).

Rotex RO 150

The ETS 150/5 is around $580, so still 7x.  That may be the end of the story, except for the number of people (including finishing experts) that swear by the Festool.

ETS 150/5

Whether I am going to be able to go down this path or not is pretty up in the air at the moment – need to give it some serious thought.  Not sure what other options there are either (yet).  More investigation required!

Agora sim, achei esse pedacinho do defile perfeito! A coleção está super usual, altamente verão, e ao mesmo tempo sóbrio (para aquelas q são mais discretinhas, ou pelo menos tentam no modo de se vestir). Além do mais, o desfile também está democrático, tem bermudas curtas e até as a altura do joelho, e claro como todo o desfile de alto verão, feito em setembro, Tuffi Duek (estilista e dono da marca) abusou do branco e do gelo (tons claro em geral) para o Reveillon. Sou apaixonado pela linha que segue essa grife! Confiram:

When I first came across the Woodpeckers Router Lift, I had 2 thoughts – a really visually appealing piece of engineering, and not something that would be particularly useful for owners of a Triton Router (given its built-in geared height adjustment, and particularly the microadjuster).

Times, and opinions change.

What really bought my attention back to the router lift was a router course I went on a year and a half ago, run by Richard Vaughan. He uses Triton routers, and yet was also bestowing the virtues of the router lift, and using them with the Triton.  Not being one to disregard such an expert (and informed) opinion I relooked at the whole concept, and reassessed why I had drawn my earlier conclusions.

I became more aware of a few issues I had with the router, and particularly as they were beginning to age – slack in the height threads (they are nylon, not steel in the Triton router), and some tendency for them to stick slightly when microadjusting.  Some of this can certainly be rectified by a good dismantling and clean, but there is something to the concept of not being dependent on the in-built threads to remain functional (not even touching on the whole Triton spares issues).

So when the opportunity came along to follow Richard’s lead, and add a full-blown router lift to my (self-coined) “Ultimate” router table, I’ve taken it (and the engineering is still very appealing!)

The Woodpeckers UniLift from Professional Woodworkers Supplies consists of a solid anodised aluminium top, various inserts for different sized router bits, which unlike to old Triton router table, are actually flush with the rest of the surface.  It comes with 3, and you can get a set of all 8 sizes if you have a need.  They were originally aluminium as well, but there were too many incidents where the rings were dropped on hard surfaces which caused them to distort and become unusable.  The plastic ones work as well, are as flush with the surface, and can be dropped!

UniLift Mechanism (with router carrier removed)

Below the top plate is where the real mechanism exists – 4 sprockets with a connecting chain, so when the height lever is used, everything turns at equal rates, smoothly raising and lowering the router. There are 4 support rods, and two threaded rods for height adjustment. Around the edge there are grub screws to fine-tune the fit and flushness of the plate to your router table top.

To fit the router, you first remove the router carrier and attach it directly to the base of the router.

Router Carrier Base

There are a number of holes to fit a wide variety of routers. I chose an orientation for the router to allow the best access to the controls.

Reattaching the carrier

Next, you drop the carrier into the bottom of the base, then wind the mechanism down so the screws can be reinserted to fix everything together.

That’s all that is needed to have the router lift operational.  There is a brake on one sprocket which is activated with a hex key (supplied), and another sprocket which can be rotated to take up slack in the chain.

Next article will cover fitting the Wixey digital height gauge with remote readout to the UniLift

Faster, safer, harder – Mitsubishi’s 2010 Triton ( leads the 4WD diesel ute segment on power and safety and its new extended tray squares off a stauncher look.

Among a raft of changes, four-wheel drive models in the 13-strong range receive a new common rail 2.5 litre high-powered turbo-diesel engine; eight models have side and curtain airbags and all but four workhorse variants boast stability and traction control.

“This is a major upgrade for Triton and we’re thrilled with the result,” said Mitsubishi Motors general manager of sales and marketing Peter Wilkins. “We’ve thrown everything but the kitchen sink at it and the class-leading power, torque and safety speak for themselves.

“This is a highly contested segment and we knew we had to deliver exceptional value to be competitive. I’m confident we’ve done that – and some.”

The class-leading 133 kW and 407 Nm are achieved with the manual transmission and generated from a new high-powered engine at 4,000 rpm and 2,000 rpm respectively, representing increases of 11 percent and 15 percent over the previous 3.2 litre power plant.

Those improvements are achieved through adaptation of the proven 4D56 2.5 litre engine still found in the 2WD range. The new engine’s combustion chamber shape and injectors have been modified, a variable geometry turbo has been added and the turbo boost pressure raised.

Increased power has not come at the expense of fuel economy, which, at 8.3 L/100 km, is 9 percent better than the outgoing engine and second equal in the class. Automatic variants provide the same power as the manual, torque is 356 Nm and fuel consumption 9.3 L/100 km.

While the 2WD’s 2.5 litre power plant still generates 102 kW @ 4000 and 319 Nm @ 2000, improvements have been made to fuel economy, which now stands at 8.2 L/100 km for the manual and 8.6 L/100 km for auto variants. These savings have translated to lower CO2 emissions at 214 g/km and 224 g/km respectively.

There are two automatic specifications within the range. The GLS receives a five-speed automatic with Sports Mode, allowing drivers to manually select and hold gears. The rest of the range is equipped with the four-speed auto found in the previous model and Mitsubishi’s Easy Select 4WD transfer.

The GLS also gains Super Select, which, like Easy Select, allows drivers to engage 4WD at speeds up to 100 km/h. Super Select varies with the addition of a viscous centre differential, which, when employed with 4H, allows ‘when-required’ torque transfer between front and rear wheels, improving fuel economy in 4WD.

These features, combined with multi-mode ABS with EBD and active stability and traction control, comprise Mitsubishi All Terrain Technology (MATT) similar to that of the acclaimed Pajero. The rural-focused 4WD GL workhorse variants are the only models in the New Zealand market to host rear diff lock as standard, which replaces stability and traction control.

“We are seeing far more multi-purpose use in this highly contested segment,” he said. “While most diesel utes are sold as commercials, improvements in comfort and ride quality are seeing customers use their vehicles for family-orientated activities too.”

First to market with active stability control and the inclusion of side and curtain airbags has bolstered Triton’s existing four-star safety rating, which Mr Wilkins says best meets the growing demands of consumers. “We’re delighted to lead the market with these critical safety features.”

Along with new bumpers and wheels, Triton’s new wellside tray delivers a squarer finish to the vehicle’s profile. The wellside has been extended by 180 mm and deepened by 55 mm, allowing much-improved capacity for tools and toys. Purchasers of 4WD cab chassis models will benefit from an increased braked towing capacity of 3 tonnes.

Inside, all vehicles receive a new instrument display, centre console and seat trims. All double cab driver’s seats gain height adjust, offering more versatility for the driver, while the GLX and GLS double cabs have extra seat cushioning and bolstering.

The 2010 range holds something for everyone, including one of New Zealand’s few double cab chassis models. Seven 4WD variants include three manual workhorse GL options – in single and double cab chassis and double cab wellside – and GLX and GLS specifications with double cab wellsides available as manual or auto. The six 2WDs host one manual single cab chassis in GLX format. The remainder are double cab wellside with a manual GL and manual or auto GLX and GLS.

Mitsubishi also provides its industry leading Diamond Advantage warranty on all Triton vehicles, including a comprehensive 5 year/130,000 km new vehicle warranty, backed up by its 10 year/160,000km powertrain warranty and a 5 year/130,000km roadside assistance package.

“This is the best warranty and customer care package available from a manufacturer in New Zealand,” said Mr Wilkins. “It provides our customers with the peace of mind that their new Triton comes with the country’s most comprehensive support package.
“This ute is loaded with reasons to buy. We’ve gone to great lengths to provide the best possible options for our Triton customers and to answer some of their requests of the previous model. The combination of power, safety, styling, the best warranty and competitive pricing make Triton hard to beat.”

Pricing for the 4WD range begins at $41,990 while the 2WD specifications start at $33,990

Source : Mitsubishi Motors New Zealand

Test Drive the Mitsubishi Triton at the following dealers

Andrew Simms Mitsubishi Auckland

Simon Lucas Mitsubishi North Shore

Houston’s Mitsubishi Nelson

Houston’s Mitsubishi Marlborough

Donnithorne Simms Mitsubishi Christchurch

Stephen Duff Mitsubishi Dunedin

Tem tempo que não coloco um vídeo de desfile, então aí vai o da TRITON( grife que amo)Verão 2010. Confesso que gostei mais dos sapatos que das roupas!

Triton's Ed Hargreaves heads the ball toward the Shawsheen Tech goal

(Byfield) I was on hand for the Triton (14th seed) boys easy soccer win over visiting Shawsheen Tech (19th seed) on Saturday afternoon in the Division 2 state tournament preliminary round.

The Vikings now advance to the D2 North First Round on Monday against North Andover at NA at 4PM.  The Scarlet Knights haven’t lost since September 16th but Triton competed well against them in a 4-3 loss at NA on October 14th.

Triton scored three times in the first half and spent most of the rest of the time threatening to score. 

Perched near the Shasheen goal I was in a position to see most of the action.  I saw Collin Smith tally the first goal after a corner kick gave him a direct shot from in close.

This first half shot shows the kind of pressure the Vikings put on the the Shasheen goalkeeper.

A near-miss by Justin Paquette. He did connect on the second Triton goal.

This was a Pat Martin shot on goal.

This was Eric Peterson  preparing for a corner kick in the second half.

Here is Gabe Marcolini and Matt McWeeney in action.  Matt is heading the ball toward the Shasheen net.

This is a look downfield at Pat Martin, Dan Ford, and goalie Dan Norton.

Here is Max Nichou kicking toward the Shawsheen goal.

Corey Burgess assisted on the 3rd Triton score by Andrew Fitzgerald.

This is Triton Coach Brad Smith at halftime.

Neal Lojek  heads toward the Shawsheen Ram net.  Neal set up the 4th Triton goal headed in by Andrew Fitzgerald.

Jakarta, 03 November 2009 - Strada Triton Exceed, varian pick up keluaran Mitsubishi kembaran versi khusus seperti yang digunakan Hiroshi Masuoka di Reli Paris Dakar, laku Rp 276 juta, dalam lelang terbuka yang digelar PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian (KTB), 31 Oktober lalu.

Irvan Feryadi dari Jakarta memenangkan lelang tersebut. Dalam lelang yang diikuti enam peserta itu, harga dibuka pada Rp 235 juta.

“Strada Triton Exceed yang dilelang ini adalah Strada Triton Exceed M/T, yang memiliki tampilan layaknya kendaraan reli dengan ditambahi berbagai variasi aksesoris,” papar Fumio Kuwayama, Presiden Direktur PT KTB, di Jakarta.

Strada Triton Exceed ini dibekali mesin 2.500 cc DI-D Common Rail DOHC 16-valve Intercooler Turbo. Mesin ini mengadopsi sistem Low pressure common rail yang dapat menghasilkan tenaga besar namun irit konsumsi bahan bakar serta rendah emisi gas buang dan memenuhi standar Euro2.

Sementara soal kenyamanan, Mitsubishi Strada ini dilengkapi Easy Select 4WD Shift on the fly. Piranti itu berfungsi untuk memudahkan pengemudi berpindah sistem penggerak dari 2WD ke 4 WS meski kecepatan dibawah 100 kilometer per jam.

Mobil ini juga dilengkapi perangkat anti slip, yaitu paduan mechanical LSD dengan Viscous Coupling Unit (VCU) yang didesain khusus untuk menghasilkan traksi yang besar saat salah satu roda slip.

Sedang fitur keamanan meliputi Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) dan Dual SRS Airbag di bagian depan. Selain itu, mobil ini dilengkapi Mitsubishi Reinforce Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) untuk meredam guncangan saat terjadi benturan.

Piranti ini telah dibuktikan dalam hasil uji coba di Eropa dengan memperoleh bintang Euro-NCAP Crash test. Strada Triton ini, dikendarai Hiroshi Masuoka pada saat peluncuran Strada Triton Exceed di Bali pada Mei 2008. Masuoka adalah juara reli Paris Dakar 2002 dan 2003.

Hasil dari lelang amal Strada Triton ini akan segera disumbangkan oleh KTB sepenuhnya ke yayasan non-profit JEEPrograms (Jakarta Extra Education Programs) yang memiliki jiwa sosial untuk kepentingan membantu pendidikan di Indonesia, khususnya di Sumatera Barat yang baru saja terkena bencana gempa bumi serta beberapa sekolah binaan di Jawa Barat.

JEEPrograms dipilih oleh KTB karena visi dan misi JEEPrograms yaitu untuk memberikan kontribusi terhadap pendidikan dan kesehatan anak bangsa, sesuai dengan program Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) KTB yang selalu terkait dengan pendidikan. Selain itu karakteristik organisasi JEEPrograms sangat sesuai dengan karakteristik Strada Triton sebagai kendaraan 4X4 yang terbaik di Indonesia.

Melalui kegiatan amal ini, diharapkan dapat saling meningkatkan kerja sama untuk saling menolong menolong korban bencana alam dan meningkatkan kemajuan dunia pendidikan ditanah air. Semoga kegiatan lelang amal ini dapat saling memberikan manfaat bagi KTB, JEEPrograms dan para penerima bantuan.

When I was first setting up my workshop (slowly, over time), I got to the point of deciding between a router table (something I’d never experienced, or knew what it was really for), or a drill press (sounded a bit boring).  I was relying on Triton Orange products to know what to get, not knowing better and the first few purchases were exemplary (particularly the original 2400W Triton Saw).  Triton had a couple of jigs for their router table – a biscuit joiner and a finger jointer (which was technically a box joint rather than a finger joint) and so I had the impression that a router table might be quite useful if they were the sort of things you can do with it.

Once getting the router table, I discovered just how much control, safety and capability having the router mounted provided.  Over time I have outgrown that table (and some subsequent ones, well documented on this website if you do a quick search), and some jobs I have done since have needed me to develop some hand-held routing skills.  But I’ve always returned to the router table whenever I could for that overall control.  But what if I could have both?

One of the things that drew me to the Triton range was that it was an Australian company, and it was local manufacturing, something that I think is definitely worth supporting, and encouraging.

Once I went away from a commercial solution (not finding something that satisfied all my requirements) I started combining quality components to make a Frankenstein router table to beat all router tables.  But as much as I am happy with how the top is progressing, the base was always far behind.  I’ve always liked Norm Abrams router table design too fwiw.

Having a solid base has been something I’ve wanted to add to the whole package, but just what that would be has been in question for years.

So I had a bit of a brainwave on the way to work the other day: as you might have gathered from my recent road-trip, (and some upcoming videos) (and by reading Lazy Larry’s blog post), I have decided to add a Torque Workcentre to my workshop, and gain all its significantly impressive capabilities.  My thought was – why not combine the two?  It would save me significant space in the workshop, having both tools occupy a single footprint, and allow the features of one to add to the other when it was applicable.  There is a small problem area, where the router under the table can impact on the support arm for the overhead router, but if I need to use the whole top for a large slab, the in-table router can simply be lifted out.

With a 2.4 meter top, I will have 2m of working range for the overhead router, so with all that bench space my main fight will be keeping it clear of detritus that seems to build up on any and every flat surface in my workshop!

The Torque Workcentre is significantly solid as a platform, it is an Australian invention, and is manufactured here, so ticks all those boxes as well. There is an added benefit to that which I first was exposed to when I was heavily endowed with Triton machines with the factory in Melbourne – spares are easy to come by, and you can have an influence on the product design, and when need be, talk with the real experts – the manufacturers, designers and engineers.  Those in the US/OS don’t miss out – these workbenches can be purchased worldwide, exported from Australia, and as demand dictates it may be that manufacturing is also exported under license (there being a worldwide patent on the design). Lazy Larry Woodworks (and the first ever owner of a Torque Workcentre) is listed as the international distributor. (There is a definite benefit of going through Larry – he’s an owner as well, so understands actually using the machine, and isn’t just trying to sell it to you! This approach worked very well for Triton in the past as well – real owners out demonstrating the product, allowing the product to sell itself (as good products will)).

My Torque workcentre is currently being built, and should be shipped down from Brisbane either the end of next week, or the start of the week after at the latest (at this stage!)  As much as I got to try out Larry’s one last Wednesday, it is a completely different experience when it is just you and the machine in your own space.  It’s going to be awesome!

I haven’t decided yet whether I am going to dedicate a 2400W Triton to the cause, or get a router specifically for the Torque Workcentre.  All these things are yet to be determined, and can only really be done when the machine arrives.  I’ve already had a number of ideas, how to incorporate a Wixey height gauge into the Torque design, the incorporation of a down-draught table, and of course having a table-mounted router mounted into the tabletop of workcentre.

So the path to the Ultimate Router Table has taken an interesting turn, and with this latest development, it is looking to be the most unique, and capable router table out there!  Eat your heart out Norm

We rarely visit the movie theater.  Occasionally, we’ll go and watch a movie, but even “occasionally” is too strong a word.  The last time I occupied a theater seat was in December of 2006, when I took my wife to a show as part of a Christmas present.  I don’t remember when I went before that, but I remember the movie I saw…U-571.

U-571 is another of those movies that’s “based on a true story“…which can mean just about anything in Hollywood parlance.  It stars Matthew McConaughey and is about a U.S. submarine crew that, in 1942, chases down a crippled German submarine (U-571) to capture it and remove the code machine and cipher keys.  It’s a decent movie that’s pretty exciting,which you would expect.  It’s also not that all that historically accurate, which you would also expect.

So let’s use the platform of Today’s History Lesson the clarify things.  The real U-571 was sunk in 1944, but the movie’s story more closely matches that of U-559.

U-559 was a modestly successful German submarine.  Her first few patrols were in the Atlantic, but she spent the remainder of her time patrolling the Mediterranean Sea in obscurity, putting holes in a handful of freighters and a frigate.  It wasn’t until the day of her sinking that she attained notoriety.

In the early morning hours of October 30, 1942, the sub was spotted in the eastern Mediterranean by a patrol plane, who radioed the destroyer HMS Hero.  She, along with four other destroyers, spent the rest of the day chasing and depth-charging U-559.

As night fell, the now-damaged sub was forced to surface.  Surrounded by destroyers and thinking his vessel was sinking, the captain decided to abandon it and sink it with explosives.  The crew, in its panic to get off the sub, opened the sea valves, but failed to destroy the Enigma machine and its code books.

The German crew was quickly taken into custody and below decks, at which point 3 British sailors volunteered to board the sinking sub and see what they could find.  Lt. Tony Fasson knew the sub carried the Enigma, and probably figured it was destroyed.  But still, it never hurt to take a peek.  He, along with Able Seaman Colin Grazier and Canteen Assistant Tommy Brown boarded the dying sub…

…and found a bonanza.  The Enigma machine was quickly removed, along with the code books, cipher keys, and various maps.  With Brown waiting outside, Grazier and Fasson re-entered the sub again, looking for more documents.  And then the sub gave up its fight with gravity’s pull, and sank in about 200′ of water.  Brown could do nothing but swim free, knowing his two mates were now dead.

But those two deaths prevented hundreds, and maybe thousands, of other deaths.  For not only had they captured an intact Enigma machine, they also had in their hands the keys for German Navy’s SHARK and TRITON code systems.  For the codebreakers at Bletchley Park, this was like winning the lottery…twice.

The British worked very hard keeping their discovery a secret, to the point of not awarding the Victoria Cross (Britain’s highest award) to the three men, fearing it might tip off the Germans.

Like I said, U-571 was a pretty exciting movie.  But the story on which it is based would have been just as good a movie.  One wonders why Hollywood can’t simply tell the real story.  I suppose if that were the case, guys like me would have take up decoupage or something…

Recommended Reading:  uboat.net – Need to find information on a German submarine?  Look no further.  I’ve linked you to U-559’s page.  Need to cross-reference?  Maybe uboatwaffe.net can help.

O Nude passeia pelo pérola, bege, cáqui, salmão, tons rosados e gelo

O romantismo de Maria Antonieta

O fim do ano está chegando e já podemos nos preparar para entrar na estação mais quente . Nos últimos desfiles que antecederam as tendências para o verão 2010 do São Paulo Fashion Week e Fashion Rio foi possível ver nas passarelas cores democráticas. Até mesmo o preto, típico tom de inverno, estará nos próximos meses nas lojas. Mas, sem dúvida, a cor que mais continuará nas ruas será o nude (tom de pele).

Versátil, ele migrou para acessórios, sapatos e até para os esmaltes. As tonalidades variam entre pérola, bege, cáqui, salmão, tons rosados, tons pastel e gelo. As roupas nessas cores têm um apelo chique e romântico. Reinaldo Lourenço, Filhas de Gaia, Cori, Triton, Iódice e Lino Lillaventura brincaram com a cor em suas coleções. Então, aposte você também no nude e fica linda neste verão!

Fotos Reprodução, Agência Fotosite e Fernanda Calfat

Iódice

Filhas de Gaia

Lino Villaventura

Reinaldo Lourenço

Triton

Cori

 
Modelos desfilam para Alexandre Herchcovitch

A quinta-feira (22/10) teve início com a coleção de Alexandre Herchcovitch. A grife trouxe elementos esportivos e muita pesquisa em materiais, modelagens e silhuetas. A mistura de cores – entre eles o “nude” –  deu o tom da coleção.

Apesar de não ter entrado ao final de seu desfile (como a maioria dos estilistas, franqueados e donos das grifes costumam fazer), Herchcovitch circulou pelo backstage e conversou rapidamente com uma das diretoras da Rede Paranaense de Comunicação, Ana Amélia Cunha Pereira Filizola.

 
Kayky Brito e modelo para Triton

A Triton encerrou a noite, com o global Kayky Brito como destaque de seu desfile. A coleção “Jardim das Delícias” privilegia os tons pastéis e elementos bucólicos com inspiração rural. O desfile inteiro teve trilha sonora da banda Blur.

Nos bastidores, Kayky Brito, assim como seu colega Miguel Rômulo fizera na terça-feira, também foi responsável por muita histeria de dezenas de fãs adolescentes, que se acotovelaram em torno da janela da sala de imprensa para observá-lo (e gritar muito).

Tudo fofo: “Vestidos bonecas, minissaias, shorts, jaquetinhas, rendinhas, tecidos em tons pastel: rosa, amarelos, azuis e verdes. Poás, listras, xadrezes, florais delicados, plumas e flores, denim délavé no melhor estilo anos 70.”

O jovem galã, Kaiky Brito foi a sensação do desfile.

Fotos by Cintia Castaldi

Depois do Pajero Sport, é a vez da L200 Triton oferecer o motor V6 Flex da Mitsubishi no mercado nacional. Na linha 2010, a picape média para a contar com o seis-cilindros como opção. O modelo é diferenciado apenas pelo logotipo que identifica a versão. Preços partem de R$ 99.900.

A grande novidade da linha é mesmo o propulsor. Com gasolina, o 3.5 24 válvulas V6 entrega 200 cv (5.000 rpm) e 31,3 kgfm de torque (3.500 rpm). Com álcool, os valores sobem para 205 cv (4.800 rpm) e 32,3 kgfm, respectivamente. Para se adequar ao etanol, o motor ganhou mudanças nas partes internas, em especial em anéis, sede de válvulas e pistões. Bicos injetores e corpo da borboleta também foram adaptados para não serem corroídos pelo combustível vegetal.

Outra mudança significativa é o novo tanque de combustível. Agora ele é feito em plástico de alta resistência e tem maior capacidade: passou de 75 para 90 litros. A modificação garantiu maior autonomia à picape. De quebra, peças internas, como bocal de abastecimento, receberam adaptações. A L200 Triton também passa a contar com sistema de partida a frio.

A central eletrônica do veículo também foi atualizada, para atender às novas exigências da picape. A transmissão automática, de quatro velocidades, ganhou novo equipamento de gerenciamento, para reagir melhor às mudanças de combustível. Assim, ela identifica também o material que está sendo queimado e muda os regimes de rotação para melhor aproveitar o motor.

Tanto o modelo V6 Flex quando o movido a diesel contam com o sistema de tração Easy Select 4WD. Ele pode atuar com três diferentes programas: 4×2 traseiro, 4×4 e 4×4 reduzida. Há também diferencial de escorregamento limitado (LSD), freios antitravamento (ABS) com distribuição eletrônica (EBD) e discos ventilados nas rodas dianteiras.

Por dentro, a picape continua agradando pelo estilo e conforto oferecidos. O ar-condicionado ganhou comandos redesenhados e o quadro de instrumentos conta com novo grafismo. Os bancos têm revestimennto em couro e há sistema de som com CD, MP3, Bluetooth e entradas USB e para iPod.

A Triton pode ser aqduiria com oito diferentes opções de cor: azul Safira, branco Enya, cinza Hematita, prata Satellite, preto Onix, verde Pantanal, vermelho Mônaco e vermelho Rubi.

GALERIA