Stanley Router - No. 71

stanley router 71
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Stanley 71 Router Review By: I.Ball

Category: Old Routers

Manufacturer: Stanley

Plane Type: Router

Model No: 71


           

The Stanley router number 71 is a two-handled hand tool used for cutting, cleaning and smoothing grooves / depressed surfaces parallel with the surface of the work.

The Stanley 71 is referred to as an open throat router due to the raised hollow arch at the front of the router.

The router can be used with a closed throat by leaving the depth stop and shoe in position with the face of the shoe flush with the base of the router, or the router can be used as an open mouth by removing the depth stop and shoe.

Using the router with a closed throat effectively makes it function the same as the Stanley 71 1/2 router; it should be noted it is not as suitable on narrow work as the 71 1/2.



stanley router 71

The 71 router was supplied with three cutters as standard:

  • 1/4"
  • 1/2"
  • 'V' (splayed smoothing cutter)

Note: the 'V' cutter is not the same profile as a 'V' chisel or carving tool.

The blades on the router can be set facing to the front for regular work or they can be set towards the rear for bull-nose work. The blades can be set to rear facing by removing the collar clamp and turning around. The cutters can also be adjusted upwards and downwards to the required depth.

Slightly later versions of the Stanley 71 router had a slight adjustment to the design which allows the user to add a user-made base (usually the bases are made from wood as this is the quickest and easiest way). The reason for this feature was to allow the user to be able to use the router on very large openings by creating a large base.

A base can be secured to the sole of the router by screwing the two together using the purpose made holes in the router. Care should be taken to ensure space is left in the base for the cutter to operate.

The Stanley routers at the time of first creation were designed as a modern development on the previous common wooden routers known as 'granny tooth routers' or 'old woman's tooth routers'.

The Stanley 71 router had competition from Record Tools who produced an almost identical router but in a dark blue finish. The Record router was given an almost identical model number. The Record version was the Record 071 router

Veritas Tools have produced a modern version of the Stanley 71 router in the form of the Veritas Router.

In 2002 a new Stanley 71 router plane price was only £61.79.


What Is The Router Fence Used For On A Stanley No. 71

A Stanley no. 71 router fence is designed to guide the router cutter along the piece of wood at a set distance; keeping the cutter at an equal distance from the fence provides a constant straight cut or groove.

It should be noted some early Stanley 71 router versions didn't have a router fence.


How To Sharpen A Router Cutter For A Stanley No. 71

Sharpen the router cutter on the bevelled side of the cutter using a slip stone / sharpening stone. Once sharp, remove any burrs / wirey pieces of metal with a flat swipe or two of the slip stone underneath the cutter.

The router cutter shouldn't be sharpened from underneath; the underneath should be flat with no bevel.


Router Construction

stanley router 71

Body:
cast iron

Low Knobs:
maple

Finish:
nickel plated? or black japanning?



Router Construction

stanley router 71

Body:
cast iron

Handles/Knobs:
maple

Finish:
nickel plated



Router Construction

stanley router 71

Body:
cast iron

Handles/Knobs:
maple

Finish:
nickel plated



Router Construction

stanley router 71

Body:
cast iron

Handles/Knobs:
rosewood

Finish:
nickel plated



Router Construction

stanley router 71

Body:
cast iron

Handles/Knobs:
beech (stained black)

Finish:
nickel plated



Router Construction

stanley router 71

Body:
cast iron

Handles/Knobs:
plastic

Finish:
nickel plated



Router Construction

stanley router 71

Body:
cast iron

Handles/Knobs:
plastic

Finish:
nickel plated



Router Parts

The Stanley 71 router parts list:

  • body
  • 3x cutters: 1/4", 1/2" and 'V' (splayed smoothing cutter)
  • 2x knobs
  • 2x knob bolts
  • 2x knob nuts
  • 1x depth gauge, thumbscrew and shoe
  • 1x cutter collar clamp and thumbscrew
  • 1x fence, fence screw and washer (except on early versions)
  • 1x cutter adjusting screw (except on early versions)
  • 1x cutter adjusting nut (except on early versions)

To see a picture of the parts go to the 'itemised router parts diagram'



Router Dimensions

Length:
7 1/2 inches

Width:
32mm (1 1/4")

Weight:
1.19 kg (2 5/8 lb)


Router Markings

stanley router 71 USA

"Stanley" - found on the top of the router arch

"No 71" - found on the top of the router

"Made In USA" or "Made In England" - found on the top of the router



Manufactured Dates

<1898 - 2002>


Router Also Known As

Stanley Hand Router 71
Stanley Router Number 71
Stanley Closed Mouth Router 71
Stanley Closed Throat Router 71
Old Stanley Router 71
Old Stanley Grooving Tool
Secondhand Stanley Router 71


YOUTUBE VIDEO: Router Plane Anatomy - Stanley No. 71

YouTube video with YouTuber 'Mitch Peacock' talking about the Stanley 71 Router...





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Disclaimer

(i) This review/article may give warning(s) / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines given in good faith, any such information should not be solely relied upon and seen as the exhaustive list of warnings / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines. Refer to good safety practices for the safety of you and others. Refer to good practices for the good health of your tool and property.
(ii) The details here are given in good faith, the details are constantly growing and evolving including corrections, there is scope for error and shouldn't be fully relied upon, please confirm any details for yourself by performing additional research from reliable sources.




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