Thread: Stanley no 71 Router Plane purchased

Didn't happen mate....... No pics

TT

Originally Posted by Twisted Tenon

Didn't happen mate....... No pics

TT

on the way. it is in bits now

which markets

Router Plane.jpg

Here is a bit of a photo of the thing. As I hope you can see it is is good nick. I have given the blade a bit of a sharpen and I think it needs a bit more attention but I used it to touch up some tenons and it works really well. I am going to have to get half inch and quarter inch blades for it and I have seen some on the net for sale for less than $15. Until I saw this at the markets I was going to part with well over $200 for a Veritas router plane but but this does the job just great. I did some looking on the net and various sites have all sorts of opinions about this plane, some complementary and some not. I wanted a plane to trim a lot of tenons and this does the job. It is the same with a lot of older tools. I suppose that the modern clones are bound to have some advantages. But I don't spend time in my shed working away because my house is in urgent need of furniture. I don't make my living from it. I do it for fun and to learn some skills. If these older tools take time to learn to use and are sometimes a bit cranky then so much the better. And as I said in a previous post, these old tools must have some merit. They kept generations of tradesman going okay.

I got the tool from the Beenleigh markets. This is a wonderful place to go to look for old tools. There is a lot of junk there but there are some really good buys to be had if you go often and look carefully. In recent weeks I have got a NO 78 rebate plane for $20, a Spear and Jackson panel saw for $9, this router plane for $50 and a good solid 3/8 inch mortising chisel for $2. I bought my son-in-law some unused Bessy F clamps for half price for Christmas there.

PS this is the first time I have ever put a picture on the forum.

Peter Lightwood wrote this in another #71 thread ... (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f163/b...8/#post1547098)

"That is a very versatile tool, with experience, it will become a favorite.
Years ago I watch an old-timer doing half lap joints using one. He would cut the waste out with a tenon saw, just shy of depth on the cheek, and carefully to the line on the shoulder, and then slap the router down on the one side and rotate the router around that handle sweeping aside the remaining thickness to be removed, then slid it along the shoulder to take away the remainder. It was used with purpose, and a solid hand...not tentatively like we often approach a hand tool operation. I got a good lesson that day.

Regards,
Peter"

Originally Posted by pmcgee

Peter Lightwood wrote this in another #71 thread ... (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f163/b...8/#post1547098)

"That is a very versatile tool, with experience, it will become a favorite.
Years ago I watch an old-timer doing half lap joints using one. He would cut the waste out with a tenon saw, just shy of depth on the cheek, and carefully to the line on the shoulder, and then slap the router down on the one side and rotate the router around that handle sweeping aside the remaining thickness to be removed, then slid it along the shoulder to take away the remainder. It was used with purpose, and a solid hand...not tentatively like we often approach a hand tool operation. I got a good lesson that day.

Regards,
Peter"

I suspect that I will continue to find many applications for it. I have seen it said that the best tool for trimming tenons is a shoulder plane. But a router pale references the depth and direction of the cut from a fixed surface and this should be more accurate-hence the use in the half lap joint I suppose.

Originally Posted by chook

....this is the first time I have ever put a picture on the forum.

Does that mean this is the first time that something actually happen?

Originally Posted by Christos

Does that mean this is the first time that something actually happen?

Now I have worked out how to put pictures up I might get busy putting lots them up showing some of the things I have made just to prove that my life has not been wasted in idle and reckless living.

I love this plane and am just getting to know mine. You probably know this chook but the replacement Veritas blades sold by Lee Valley are better that the Stanley blades and cheaper too.
I've bought a couple. The only difference is that you have to turn the adjusting knob upside down to accommodate the different fitting.
One problem I do have is sharpening them. I guess practice will sort that out.

TT

Originally Posted by Twisted Tenon

I love this plane and am just getting to know mine. You probably know this chook but the replacement Veritas blades sold by Lee Valley are better that the Stanley blades and cheaper too.
I've bought a couple. The only difference is that you have to turn the adjusting knob upside down to accommodate the different fitting.
One problem I do have is sharpening them. I guess practice will sort that out.

TT

Can you tell me something about the Veritas blades. I saw a video of them being placed on a Stanley no 71 and it seemed that even with the knob turned upside down that the blade only just fit.

I also like the plane. It looks nice- a bit agricultural and rough especially when compared to the gloss of the Veritas clone- but it has the look and feel of a solid old tool. Fun to use. And i spent some time getting the blade sharp. It cuts and trims tenons perfectly well.

Turning the knob upside down is all there is too it, simple.

The Veritas blades are a massive improvement and one of them has a removable cutter to assist with sharpening. Well worth it in my opinion.

Sam

I agree with Sam. A new Veritas blade has got to be a better deal than a used Stanley. The adjustment is near maximum height when you start but as you get lower it gets better.
I wonder though if I were to hit the back of the stem with an angle grinder if that would cut a suitable notch.

IMG_4955.jpgIMG_4948.jpgIMG_4947.jpgIMG_4959.jpgIMG_4961.jpg

Originally Posted by Sam

The Veritas blades are a massive improvement and one of them has a removable cutter to assist with sharpening.

As does the "V" shaped cutter on the Record No.071 router. And I thought on the Stanley No.71 "V" cutter had that feature too?

Cheers, Vann.

It might have Vann, I've only got the straight 12mm(?) wide Stanley original blade.