Vintage Stanley (electric) Router - info ?

[derekcohen]

I picked up this vintage Stanley fixed-base 1/4" router on eBay today. According to the blurb it needs new bearings and brushes but otherwise "works". Well, I figured for $15 it would make a nice doorstop if I cannot repair it. My main question is whether anyone recognises it and whether there is any difficulty in obtaining bearings (brushes should be easy enough - ?)?

It really is a beautiful piece of styling, with workmanship not seen today. I will be happy (at this price) just to use it as decoration in the workshop, however I would prefer to restore it to working standards and use it (edge treatments).

What do you think?

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Regards from Perth

Derek

[Termite]

Derek, with a few exceptions bearings are a standard item worlwide, you shouldn't have too much problem from a major bearing distributor.

[Iain]

Coming out of the closet Derek, I can now see where the BBC got the plans from for a certain villain in the Dr Who series.
As Termite said bearing are not likely to be a problem but bushes could be, although a motor rewinder may just be able to fabricate/modify some if required.
My only fear of those older machines is a live body, I have been 'bitten' by a few in the past (an old B&D drill springs to mind).

Edit: BRUSHES not bushes.

[damienhazo]

Nice one! I'll give you $16 if you can't find the parts....:D


Damien

[derekcohen]

Hi Damien

I thought that you might like this one! It is a beauty. Not sure I'd swap it even for a MOF 96 (to go with my 177e).

I've got to be careful here - my reputation is on the line. This is my 5th (electric) router.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Just George]

I've used one of these, they are nice to use. I would've spent the $15 on timber though rather than something you may find parts hard to find...

[Caliban]

There was one of those in a router bookI read once . The bloke raved about it.
Nice pick up. Lucky it wasn't a metabo or damien would have posted a picture of 16 of his all side by side each with a different bit fitted.

Now you've one more router than me, bugger! (and about 17thousand planes:D )

[Auld Bassoon]

Hi Derek,

For $15 that's as good a find as is likely. Nice fifties/early sixties styling, and, as you say, probably much better made than today's "handyman" bits of kit.

Bearings won't be an issue, I imagine, and even brushes can be quite easily custom made if necessary.

I would have the wiring checked to make sure that there's no chance of a "live body" issue though...

All in all a very nice little find :)

[derekcohen]

Here is a little trivia for you.

I found a couple of pics and references in Spielman's larger router bible. There was a picture of this Stanley router and it appears to date to 1950. What I found interesting is what happened to this model, since most evolve and remain in some way or other. My expectation was that Stanley Tools was taken over by Elu, which became Black and Decker which became De Walt. But in fact, Stanley Tools were bought out by Bosch, and this router is still visible in their latest line of fixed-base routers. From an aesthetic viewpoint, I have always admired to looks of the little Bosch. And now I know why!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[himzol]

Hi Derek,

As others have said the bearings should be no problem, as for the brushes you can usually get someting to match up if you take the an old one or conversly the whole motor to a motor repairer.

If these are the only problems with it then you have really scored a great bargain.

Himzo.

[soundman]

certainly worth the exercise.
You would be wise to do a full job on the unit, a thorough cleaning, machine & scrape the comutator and check the insulation resistrance.......

that machine will come up seriouysly pretty.

I know some ladies who wouldn't object to that one on the side board.

almost art deco.

cheers

[himzol]

Bump....

For those in Adelaide that may be interested I saw one of these units today along with a Plane atachment in the original metal carry case for $89.

The place is the Pawn shop on Norwood Parade (sorry can't remember the name)

It may be an interesting pick up for somebody.

H.