Stanley No. 71 1/2 Router Type Study

Type 2. Stanley 1902-1905

• All features identical to Type 1 except:
• Patent date cast on base is now "OCT. 29, 01". This was for the cutter adjustment provision, Patent No. 685,411, granted to Albert F. Schade.
• Some models of this type may have "STANLEY-NEW BRITAIN, CONN.-U.S.A." stamped in the adjustment wheel.
• The cutter adjustment (shown at right) was now provided on all Stanley router planes.
• Although many router plane specimens, with the adjustment provision, are found with the small diameter collar of the adjustment wheel down, it should be up. All Stanley catalogue illustrations and patent drawings show it up. You cannot obtain the full depth adjustment with the collar down.
• "B" casting marks are located on most casting.
• Bolt for knobs is now one piece.

Type 4. Stanley 1911-1924

• All features identical to Type 3 except:
• "STANLEY" and "No. 71-1/2" now cast in old English script.
• The base now has a "checkered" design cast into it.
• The screw holes in the base were now drilled at the factory.
• An extra V-shaped smoothing cutter (shown at right) was provided starting in 1917.
• The V-shaped cutter is of a two-piece construction. The patent date stamped on early cutters is "5-14-12". This was Patent No. 1,026,053 granted on May 14, 1912, to Thomas B. Saner of Clifton, Arizona, and assigned to the S.R. & L. Co.

Type 5. Stanley 1925-1938

• All features identical to Type 4 except:
• Patent date was eliminated. "MADE IN USA" now cast on bed.
• Some maple knobs of this type are finished natural and others are painted black.
• Some late models of this type, c. 1938, were modified with the adjustable fence provision (shown below.)
• Some late models of this type, c. 1938, may have the redesigned cutters (shown at right) with a groove all around, at the top, to engage the adjustment wheel.
• Gradations are marked on the top of the cutters to aid in adjustment.

Type 6. Stanley 1939-1941 (Major change)

• All features identical to Type 5 except:
• Main casting was redesigned to conform with No. 71 router.
• "STANLEY" was changed to block letters inside the notched rectangle logo.
• "No. 71-1/2" and "MADE IN USA" were repositioned on the base
• All models of this type have the new cutters with the full groove and graduations at the top.
• All routers are now provided with an adjustable fence that travels in two machined grooves on the bottom surface (shown at right.)
• A section of the checkered design was eliminated to thicken the base around the screw holes.
• Late models of this type, c. 1941, have rosewood knobs.