Triton PTA 001 Assembly & Operating Instructions

ASSEMBLY & OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

Follow these instructions for correct assembly and operation of this product.

When you’ve finished setting up use some scrap material to work your way through the “Accuracy
Tests” and “Operation” sections, studying the manual before

making the cuts.

If lending or passing on this product to someone else, ensure they also study this manual before
use.

NOTE: “Front of the Saw Table” refers to the end which has the switchbox. The “left-hand & right­hand side” are when viewed from the front.

For instructions

on the 184mm saw

supplied with this

product

see page 27.

PTA 001

H Overhead Guard

G Overhead Guard Support

A Main Body

F Protractor

(

with Side Pressure

Finger)

E Captive
Push-stick

D Rip Fence

C Front Legs (packed inside Rear Legs)

B Rear Legs (packed in Main Body)

Page 2

L Storage

Hooks

K Trigger

Strap

I 184mm Power Saw

(fitted to Main Body)

PARTS LAYOUT

Safety 3
Set-Up 4

Removing and Fitting the Legs (B & C) 4
Fitting the Saw Slot Insert (J) 4
Fitting the Trigger Strap (K) 5
Removing the Saw 5
Fitting the Saw Blade (N) 5
Fitting the Rip Fence (D) 6
Fitting the Overhead Guard (H & G) 6
Connecting the Power 7
Fitting the Storage Hooks (L) 7

Features & Functions 8

Rip Fence (D) 8
Protractor (F) 9
Captive Push-Stick
and Side Pressure Finger 10
The Overhead Guard (H) 12

Accuracy Tests 13
Trouble-shooting / Fine-Tuning 15

Cuts out of square 15
Workpiece jams 16
Adjusting the protractor pointer 16

Operation 17

Basic Ripping 17
Narrow Ripping 17
Ripping Long Pieces 17
Ripping Larger Sheets 18
Double Ripping 18
Planing an Edge 18
Planing a Face 19
Planing a Wide Sheet 19
Edge Rebating 19
Tongue and Grooving 20
Edge Work on Thin Material 20
Working on End-Grain 20
Taper Ripping 21
Cross-Cutting 22
Multiple Cross-Cutting 22
Multiple Cross-Cutting
against an End Stop 22
Halving Joints & Tenons 23
Mitre Cutting 23
Mitre Cutting Moulding 24
Mitre Cutting to a Length Stop 24
Cutting Sharp Points or Wedges 25

Optional Accessories 25

Bevel Ripping Guide 25
Wheel Kit 25
Router Kit 26
Mini Sliding Extension Table 26
Dust Bag & Collector 26

184mm Saw Instructions 27

Saw Safety 28
Saw Features and Functions 29

Fitting & Removing the Saw Blade 29
Adjusting Cut Depth 29
Bevel Adjustment 30
90˚ Check 29
Power Switch 30

Sighting the Cut Line 31
Saw Operation 31
Hand-Held Operation 31

Ripping 31
Saw Maintenance 32

CONTENTS PG#

J Saw Slot

Insert

N Blade
(packed
separately)

1. Never operate the saw hand-held while the
Trigger Strap (K) is fitted. To avoid the potential

for personal injury ensure the trigger strap is
removed before using the saw hand-held.

2. Always keep fingers well clear of the blade.

Fit the overhead guard as low as possible, to just
allow the work to pass beneath. Make sure fingers
and thumbs are tucked in, and will not pass near
the blade even if the wood kicks or your hands slip.

3. Never reach over or behind a spinning blade.

Most table saw accidents occur when operators
reach over an unguarded or poorly guarded blade
to remove off-cuts. Always use a stick to flick off­cuts away, or preferably, switch off and wait until
the blade has stopped spinning.

4. Always use the safety guard when ripping.

The blade can lift the wood up and fling it towards
you with great force if the guard is not fitted. Do not
stand directly in line with the blade, and keep the
guard lowered so that the two anti-kickback
pressure fingers hold the work down on the table.

5. Always use the captive push-stick and side
pressure finger when ripping narrow pieces.

It is important to keep control of the piece between
the blade and the fence - especially short pieces.
Use the captive push-stick rather than your fingers.

6. Always use the rip fence when ripping.

Never attempt a freehand cut, for example following
a pencil line. The blade can fling the wood towards
you with great force if you twist the work even
slightly during the cut.

7. Always try to have the larger part of the
workpiece between the blade and the fence.

Say for example you want to rip a 90mm wide piece

down to 80mm, removing 10mm. You could set the
fence at 7.5mm (allowing for a 2.5mm saw cut), but
you would be creating an uncontrolled narrow offcut
trapped between the blade and the fence, and it
could be flung out towards you.

It’s easier, safer and more accurate to set the fence
to your desired size (80mm) and keep good control
of it, allowing the offcut to fall harmlessly aside.

8. Always have the saw blade as low as possible.

You’ll get best results if you work with a lowered
saw blade. It is safer, and gives a smoother, less
splintered cut. You can also improve the quality of
your cuts by ripping slightly oversize (say 1 mm
more than you need) then re-setting the fence by 1
mm and making a finishing cut.

9. Always set the fence parallel to the blade, and
lock it securely at both ends.

You must never angle the fence to the blade. Your
wood will jam between the blade and the fence,
and could be flung out towards you.

10. Always prevent narrow off-cuts jamming in
the blade slot. Avoid creating thin off-cuts (say

around 1-2mm thick) on short pieces, as they could
become trapped in the table slot beside the blade
and could jam against the side of the blade.

11. Ensure the saw slot insert (J) is correctly
fitted at all times. If damaged or functioning poorly,

cease operation until replaced.

12. Always wear eye & ear protection.

Serious accidents can occur when operators get
sawdust or chips in their eyes during a cut. Use of
ear muffs, a dust mask and a dust collection system
are also highly recommended, especially when
using tools for prolonged periods.

Page 3

SAFETY

-

Observe the following rules at all times for safe, accurate work.

7.

8.

9.

4.

6.

5.

11.

Page 4

6

Turn the unit right way up and test that all four feet
are sitting on the ground. Make any necessary
adjustments by extending one of the legs slightly
from its’ sockets to prevent the unit from rocking.

The front legs are stored inside the rear ones. Slide
the front legs out, as shown above. (Note that the
locking holes (shown) must align for leg storage.)

Plug the Rear Legs (B)
(with rubber feet) fully
into the sockets at the
rear of the unit (furthest
end from the switch­box). Plug the Front
Legs (C) (with plastic
foot plugs) in the front
panel sockets.

Lock them by tightening
the round knobs.

Locking

holes

4

5

SET-UP

Removing and Fitting the Le gs

Set up the unit in
a well-lit,
uncluttered
environment,
preferably on a
bench or table.

Release the lock
knobs inside the
rear panel by
rotating them.

1

Move the legs (B & C) sideways to disengage them
from the locking tabs.

Slide them out from their storage position.

2

Fitting the Saw Slot Insert (J)

Release the height lever on the saw and allow the
blade to drop beneath the table surface.

With the red plastic latch at the front of the saw slot
slid backward, insert the tabs at the front of the
saw slot insert (J) into the two cut-outs in the table
depression. Twist it slightly to engage the tabs on
either side of the insert. Push the latch forward to
lock it in position.

Raise the saw all the way up and re-lock the saws
height lever and remove the rubber band holding
back the saw guard.

1

3

Never fit the trigger strap when using the saw hand-held.

Before fitting the Trigger Strap (K) always
ensure that the saw is not connected to
the power and that the switchbox is in
the “OFF” position.

Wrap the trigger strap around the
handgrip of the saw, with the hook & loop
side facing inwards.

Pass the end of the strap through the
buckle, until the security loop has passed
through.

Hold in the “lock-out” button on the saw
handle and engage the trigger while
tightening the strap back onto itself.

Ensure the trigger is locked fully “on”.

Page 5

K

K

Fitting the Trigger Strap (K)

1

2

The clamp knobs have cut-away edges. When all four
cut-aways are facing the saw and correctly lined up,
the saw can be lifted straight out of the clamps.

The clamp bases will ensure the
saw returns to the same position
when re-fitted. Turn the knobs
clockwise about half a turn to
tighten the saw back down.
NOTE: Rotate the clamp knob
beneath the saw handle to allow
full adjustment depth of the saw
while clamped securely down.

2

Removing the Saw (I)

Ensure the trigger strap is removed before
using the saw hand-held.

Rest the saw table upside down on packers.
Release the saw height lever and pivot the saw
away from the baseplate so that all four clamp
knobs can be accessed.

1. With the saw removed from the saw table,
hold in the shaft lock button and use the saw
spanner to remove the arbor bolt - turn in the
direction of the blade rotation. The shaft will
turn slightly before locking, allowing the bolt
and outer arbor washer to be removed.

2. Hold the lower blade guard fully back and
carefully slide the blade through the baseplate
and position it onto the inner washer on the
shaft. The graphics should face out and the
arrow on the blade should point in the same
direction as the arrow on the guard.

Fitting the Saw Blade

2

1

1

3

3. Refit the outer arbor washer and while
depressing the shaft lock button, tighten the
arbor bolt firmly into position - turn against the
direction of blade rotation. Ensure the blade
seats flush between the inner and outer washers
then tighten firmly with the spanner.

Refit the saw to the saw table and turn the saw
table upright.

Try to wobble the
guard support
(G) to ensure it is
properly locked.
The red latch
should pop up
and be flush with
the table top
when locked.

The saw slot is made from machinable material
which can be replaced if significantly damaged. It
must only be removed when fitting the Router Kit.

Pull back the red locking latch, and press the guard
support (G) into the table depression. If necessary
loosen the round knob on the guard (H) and slide it
to the top of the guard support.

H

G

Fitting the Overhead Guard (H & G)

1

2

Locking latch

Page 6

Spin the blade by hand before connecting the
power to ensure the blade is not touching anything.

Loosen the knob on the overhead guard (H) and
slide it up and down the guard support several
times to enable a freer sliding motion.

The teeth on your blade should be pointing in the
same direction as the etched symbols on the sides
of the guard (H).

H

3

G

To set the fence on the right, slide the arms along
the fence tracks from the right hand side of the unit
(when viewed from the switchbox end). The taller
part of the fence should face the plastic insert in
the tabletop.

3

The fence can be fitted on the right-hand side or
left-hand side of the blade, depending on the cut
you are making or your personal preference.

Unfold the arms
from beneath
the Rip Fence
(D).

Fully raise the
fence lock
levers on the
end panels.

Fitting the Rip Fence (D)

1

2

2

Page 7

Tap the stop plate with your hand or thigh to switch
“OFF”.

Make sure the switch is “OFF”, plug the saw into
the female lead extending from the switchbox.
Remove the tie from the saw power cord and
unravel it to remove any folds.

Bring power to the switchbox via a good quality
extension cord (minimum 10 Amp).

Before switching on the power, make sure that
nothing is touching the saw blade, or is likely to
vibrate into it and that your hands are well clear of
the blade.

The Storage Hooks (L) enable temporary storage
of table accessories when not in use.

Fit them onto the left or right hand base tube by
opening them and clipping around the tube. The
tab should be facing out and pointing upwards, as
shown.

1

L

L

Connecting the Power

Fitting the Storage Hooks (L)

Before connecting the power, practice switching on
and off.

Do not raise the Stop Plate.
Press the power switch with your finger to switch

the power “ON”.

1

2

4

3

Page 8

The rip fence can be fitted to the left or right hand
side of the unit depending on which is most
comfortable, or to suit certain cuts or jigs.

Calibration Settings

The metal pointer is used for sawing applications. It
has a 2.5mm wide notch which represents the kerf
(width of cut) of the blade. Align your scale reading
with the side of the notch closest to the fence.

Always sight down directly from above the notch to
avoid sighting errors.

The red scale indicators are only used when the
optional Router Kit is fitted.

Outboard Support

By removing the fence (D) and replacing it upside
down, it can be used to provide effective outboard
support when crosscutting larger workpieces
against the protractor.

Locking Lever

The fence is locked by depressing the front and
rear fence lock levers until they tighten firmly.

Secure a batten over the fence arms to create a
surface level with the table. (The batten should be
approximately 25mm thick, as shown, or rebated to
25mm thick.)

You can vary the tension of the fence locking levers
if locking is too firm or too loose.

Adjust the Nyloc nut on the inside of each end
panel until you are satisfied with the tension of the
locking lever.

D

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

The Rip Fence (D)

4

FENCE SET ON

THE RIGHT

FENCE SET ON

THE LEFT

1

Adjust Nyloc

nut tension

3

Fence Storage

The fence (D) can be stored upside down in its’
tracks, as shown above, when not in use.

2

Page 9

With the sandpaper face forward (away from you)
guide the protractor strip into the slot at the front
panel (switchbox end), and slide the protractor fully
along the slot to check that it slides freely.

HINT: If necessary apply a spray lubricant into the
slot for a smoother sliding action.

1

F

The Protr actor (F)

The Protractor (F) can be used in a trailing mode
(protractor behind the workpiece)...

...or a leading mode (protractor in front of the
workpiece).

It allows a 250mm crosscut capacity in the trailing
mode and approximately 450mm in the leading
mode. If the material is narrow enough, the trailing
mode is preferred.

2

3

Locking the Protractor (F) from Sliding

The protractor (F) can be locked against sliding in
its’ slot, when using the Side Pressure Finger ­detailed below.

Slide it partly out of the table slot, loosen the round
knob by about 8 turns and rotate the T-bolt 90
degrees, so it protrudes through the windows in the
strip.

Do up the knob about 6 turns, then slide the
protractor back along the slot to the desired
position and tighten the knob. Check that the
protractor is firmly locked in the slot.

4

5

F

Window

Storage

When not in

use, the

protractor can

be hung from

one of the

storage hooks

(L) .

6

L

T-bolt

Page 10

The Captive Push-Stick and Side Pressure Finger

Side Pressure Finger

The side pressure finger is on the inside face of the
protractor (F), and when extended presses your
wood against the fence, with the fence on the right
hand side of the blade.

The finger can be locked fully retracted...

Prepare the protractor for locking (T-bolt across the
slot as in “The Protractor”) and fully extend the side
pressure finger.

Place the wood in position against the fence and
adjust the protractor angle until the finger presses
the wood against the fence. The finger should flex
a little, but avoid applying excessive pressure.

Adjust the position of the protractor in the slot until
the finger is about 25mm in front of the blade. Then
tighten the protractor knob, locking both the
protractor and the angle setting.

...or fully extended.

The finger is released by pressing the tabs, and
sliding sideways.

1

F

2

3

Tab

Tabs

5

6

4

F

Window

T-bolt

Side pressure

finger

retracted

Side pressure

finger

extended