Thread: Stanley Router

Steve

If you think that your Stanley router is old, then you should look at this one. It is about 60 or so years old. At least you have the lead for yours - I can't work out where the lead goes for this one, and it seems to be missing as well. You say yours is 750 W, well I'm not sure here, I think it is 2 HP (hand power, that is).

I believe that there is indeed a market for old Stanley routers, but they need to be Really Old.

Welcome to the Forum.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Steve,

Do both, repair the stanley and buy the Hitachi. The cable in question is easily replaced. the crimp connections and the "grommet" can be baught at most electronics outlets such as Jaycar or RS components. Just take the old lead in and get them to match up the crimp connectors.

If you are like me then you will soon find out that two routers (or more) is better than one, especialy if you want to use it free hand as well as on a table. Taking it off the table and putting it back on is some what of an "anus horrilibus" (not sure of spelling, means pain in the ass).

regards,

Himzo.

Himzo,

The term is actually Annus Horribilus, and it means "horrible year" not pain in the .

Steve

Time for a more serious response - apologies for the earlier tease (well, it was late at night and my medication had run out).

I suspect that you may have a very nice little router there, a keeper. It sounds like a fixed-base unit. This would be great for edge moulding. A small 1 hp router with a low centre of gravity will be a very nice unit to use and own. Keep it just for jobs like this.

But you will need something more powerful to use with 1/2" bits. Ideally a plunge router in the region of 2 - 2 1/2 hp, which can then also be used in a router table. Don't compare this type of router with the one you own as they are designed for different jobs.

If it where my choice, I would plan longer term and aim for two (!!) more routers: a plunger of 2 hp, not too large to be uncomfortable when hand held (to use for routing mortices, etc. In other words, medium sized stuff) but still powerful enough to drive a 1/2" bit easily. And, secondly, a large (3 hp) fixed base router to place permanently in a router table (the fixed base makes it easier to remove). Or alternately, something like the Triton (a plunge router), which excells in the router table.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for the responses. The Stanley gets a reprieve and I will set about fitting a new lead. This is the first router I have owned, having borrowed on the few other occasions I needed one. Mostly I have been doing house renovation, but would like to try more furniture type projects. I have built so far 1 kitchen dresser! and without any fancy joints and a lot of mistakes. I still have to make the doors (first attempt became firewood).

Cheers,

Steve

As far as I remember my classic Latin language classes (more than 25 years ago) should be "RECTUUM HORRIBILUS" or "RECTUUM HORRIBILIE"

I stand corrected.

I cannot comment on the Stanley but I have had a Hitachi for about 23 years now and it has never missed a beat, never had to touch it yet.
Big sod with heaps of power, currently I have 5 routers and, like clamps, could always use another.
I don't know what the Ozito or GMC is like (big ones) but they never seem to sound as smooth running as the better known names like Makita, Hitachi etc.

I don't think you can have too many routers. I think Norm has 20!

Here's the final result. I fitted a new lead. Was a bit of a pain because I had to drill the old lead out of the grommet. I refitted the terminals (soldered them as well - hope that is ok for 240V).

The motor body kept coming loose in the base in use (depth of cut was all over the place!), so I superglued a piece of bike tube rubber to the face of the clamp and it does up nice and tight without damaging the body.

I know I could have gone and bought a GMC for less hassle, but this still seems a nice router. Armed with a cheapo box of router bits, I'll see how it goes.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve

That looks to be a well built router. If you have refurbished it correctly, it should last another 30 years.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Steve,

Soldering to 240 Volt terminals is quite acceptable, the main reason that they use push on lugs on a lot of equipment is for speed in production.

Looks like you've done a great job, I for one like to see older machines (powered or unpowered) restored to their former glory.

well done,

Himzo.

g'day guys
don't know much about these old router planes but I have an old stanely(USA made).I noticed Derekcohen has one #71, mine has #45 on it(I'm sure thats it, with out draging it out). It's in a timber box full of all different blades etc. well used, but well oiled since last use ?

PJ

Derek, do you use he #71 and for what sort of jobs??

Steve