Howdy all! I'm new to the forum and woodworking, and have a tool question. I'm currently building a workbench, but once it's finished my first project will (probably) be a kitchen cart/island. In looking at ways to attach a tabletop to a base, I've found Z-brackets to be what looks like a simple option. My dilemma is, what tool is used to cut the grooves in the aprons to attach the z-brackets? Most tutorials I've seen involve power tools of some sort. My assumption is to use a router plane with a fence along the apron length, but is there any way to cut individual grooves with hand tools (only where the brackets are, not along the whole apron length)? Is mortising with a small chisel a practical option here?
Additionally, does anyone have advice on a way to do this relatively low cost? I've rehabbed an old #4 and #5 plane that were in pretty rough shape, so I'm not afraid of a little work. I was thinking a Stanley 71, but by the time I get the plane, a fence, and blades (if there are even any thin enough for this job), it looks like I'm spending about as much money as buying a new Veritas or LN router would cost. That is based on ebay prices, I can keep an eye out locally but am not holding my breath.
What's the deal with Stanley 71's being so pricey? You can get a #4 in pretty good shape for ~$25 that just needs a good cleaning, but a 71 with no blades is more like $90 + $50 for a fence and then whatever blades cost. I mean, the $25 Stanley #4 handily beats out a $200 Veritas #4 in a value contest in my book, but I'm not sure a $150 pieced together Stanley 71 beats out the $160-200 LN/Veritas routers. Is there some sort of magic with the old Stanleys I'm missing?