Replies

1. 
   RoyinMD | Apr 08, 2003 08:18pm | #1

   Now that router has character, thats neat! Is there any date on it?, or do you know about how old it is? But, when I see something like that I'm glad I was born in the 50's. That thing must weight a ton.

   My guess is Stanley would not be interested and its worth yard sale or flea market price. You could troll it on Ebay to get a pricing, you don't have to sell.

   Enjoy, Roy

1. 
   JohnCabot | Apr 09, 2003 05:00am | #8

   Two days ago on eBay the old Stanley router (1955) went for 15 dollars plus 25 dollars for shipping! Shipping is where the money is at eBay)

   John Cabot

1. 
   RoyinMD | Apr 09, 2003 07:10am | #9

   Thats what I would expect, yard sale price. Shipping that hog breaks the bank!

   Enjoy, Roy

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 08, 2003 08:27pm | #2

   I have a similar one in the Craftsman brand, and once investigated selling it on eBay.  For awhile, they were selling around $80, but the last time I checked the selling price had nosedived. 

   It being a Stanley, you may very well be able to get a good price for it.  What's the model number?  I don't get the "counter balance from overhead" thing.  Can you expand?

   PS:  Well, none in the last month on eBay.  Looks like they fell out of favor.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/8/2003 1:43:22 PM ET by forestgirl

1. 
   kelvinpotter | Apr 09, 2003 03:45am | #4

   I guess the router hung by the big hook on top so you could move it around without having to hold the whole weight of the router. Some pulleys and what not.

3. 
   ETG | Apr 08, 2003 08:58pm | #3

   Looks like a vintage 60's, perhaps early 70's router.  Stanley actually bought the router line sometime in the 40's or early 50's.  Their routers were considered excellent - right up there with Porter-Cable (at that time, Rockwell).  Stanley sold the whole line to Bosch in the late 70's - Bosch had a committment of maintaining parts for 5 years then discontinued all service for Stanley power tools.  I don't think Stanley would want it - after all, they dumped the whole division located in New Bern, NC.  The real problem with the router is parts - none are easily available.

   I have a Stanley portable power plane and I've had a heck of a time even with simple things for it.  Does the router run?  Are they any problems with it?  I'd be willing to make an offer if it runs OK.  I can assure you that no router in the current market place can compare with the one you have - it is much more durable than anything new.

   Ed Gregg

1. 
   kelvinpotter | Apr 09, 2003 03:46am | #5

   The router seems to work fine. What do you think something like this might be worth? you think its as modern as the 70's? If parts are a problem why would you want it? to use? Just wondering. Thanks for the info.

   Kelvin

1. 
   ETG | Apr 09, 2003 02:10pm | #10

   There is very little difference between corded tools today and corded tools of the 50's, 60's and 70's.  Today's machines usually have a composite housing and perhaps some electronics to improve motor efficiency.  But the older machines usually have heavy cast aluminum housings, machined gear trains (as opposed to powder metalllurgy), and heavily wound motors that can run for hours.  Sure they look old, not as zipppy as a new machine but they can work quite nicely.  I'm always picking up old machines - they work great.

   With your Stanley router, the trick is to make sure you don't have any serious motor problems - that's the only parts you would have a hard time replacing at a reasonable cost.  Bearings, knobs, brushes, cords can all be replaced reasonably.  If I were you, I would hold onto that machine - obviously your father or grandad got some got use from it.  On the other hand, if you really want to part with it - and it runs, let me know.

   Thanks!

   Ed Gregg

1. 
   kelvinpotter | Apr 09, 2003 02:52pm | #11

   Thanks for your responses. Yeah, its my grandfathers so i'll probably hang onto it. I just thought if it were worth quite a bit it would be worth selling so i could by something useful. It looks neat sitting around. Maybe i should go hunt up that counter balance system i was offered.

1. 
   ETG | Apr 09, 2003 03:31pm | #12

   Not sure what you mean by counter balance system; the photo you posted shows an edge guide but basically it looks like an old router.  Good luck with it - it's nice to hang onto tools from earlier generations of a family.  I have many of my great gradfather's hand tools and I wouldn't sell them for anything - too much history there!

4. 
   weasel | Apr 09, 2003 04:32am | #6

   I saw something like this in the early '80's.  It was in a pre-fab home shop that was hitting the wall and was hung on some sort of counter-balance system over the assembly tables.  It had some scarry looking bit about 4 inches long hanging out the business end.  I assumed it was being used to cut out the window openings in the assembled walls.

   My brother actually bought this mother-of-all routers (he was going touse it to trim 1/8 inch panelling on cabinet faces), but I doubt that he ever mustered the courage to fire that thing up.  It would take two men and a boy to hang onto it to get past the initial torque! 

   While we are on the subject of Stanley routers . . . does any body have a base for an old Stanley 3/4 horse router they want to part with?  In case none of you have tried this, routers don't bounce.  I would like to get a base for my dad's old router that has very few hours and a very lop-sided base.

   Weasel

5. 
   clampman2 | Apr 09, 2003 04:43am | #7

   I saw a new one of those for sale in Denver sometime between 1978 and 1980. I don't know how long they had had it for sale however. It was, and remains, the biggest router I've ever seen.

   I would love to have one for use in a router table and for swinging arcs.

   I wouldn't count on making big bucks selling it though if I were you. If you don't want it, I'd buy it for a reasonable price, assuming it runs.

   Clampman

6. 
   MVAgusta | Apr 09, 2003 05:40pm | #13

   I have one of those down in the basement, but it's an an even earlier model made by Carter before Stanley bought the line. It weighs 35 lbs. at least and turns at the lowest speed I've ever seen a router spin.