Alaska Refrigeration Co. Miter Box

[Dave Lehnert]

Found this folding miter saw box at a antique store in North East Ohio. It was made by the Alaska Refrigeration Co. ( Odd name for a miter box manufacture) I had never seen one before but see two or three on e-bay right now. The ones on e-bay say it should have a brass rod to keep the box from folding in use. Anyone know the size of the rod and how it was held in place for storage? The storage slot on my miter box has an eye hook screwed into it. (I guess to hang for storage) Any idea on date of mfg. ? Any other info?

230251230252

[ray hampton]

I never saw this version that I recall before today, the eye bolt or eye screw might be install so the you could hang the box off of your belt, this would placed it it at your side always, can you explain the center upright piece in more detail for me

[Dave Lehnert]

I never saw this version that I recall before today, the eye bolt or eye screw might be install so the you could hang the box off of your belt, this would placed it it at your side always, can you explain the center upright piece in more detail for me

The eye bolt has a price tag on it from a Hardware. So the eye bolt is newer. The one I saw on line looks to be a storage hole for a brass rod. What is the "Center upright piece" you refer to? The center is made of wood and has adjustable saw guides screwed to the top. In the one photo the sides are folded up. The sides and the center has a hole drilled through it so a brass rod inserted makes it ridged.

[Jim Koepke]

The sides and the center has a hole drilled through it so a brass rod inserted makes it ridged.

That must be the hole at the 45º saw guide area.

jtk

[ray hampton]

Dave, no pun intended but the center upright is in the center and upright when the two sides fall down

[Dave Lehnert]

That must be the hole at the 45º saw guide area.

jtk

Yes it is. You can see the hole on the right fold down and in the center piece just under the 45 degree guide. One can see how a rod is inserted to hold it rigid.

Do an e-bay search for a "Folding miter box" to see some photos of another unit. I guess the $4 I paid was not a bad price.

[Andrae Covington]

Found this folding miter saw box at a antique store in North East Ohio. It was made by the Alaska Refrigeration Co. ( Odd name for a miter box manufacture) I had never seen one before but see two or three on e-bay right now. The ones on e-bay say it should have a brass rod to keep the box from folding in use. Anyone know the size of the rod and how it was held in place for storage? The storage slot on my miter box has an eye hook screwed into it. (I guess to hang for storage) Any idea on date of mfg. ? Any other info?

230251230252

The Alaska Freezer Company was based in Winchendon, Massachusetts and began in 1902. Their main line was manufacturing hand-cranked ice cream makers. After some mergers and investment groups, they still exist in some form as White Mountain Freezer.

The Gem Folding Miter Box was sold by J.C. McCarty & Co, New York at least by 1909. How and when they became associated with the Alaska Freezer Company, unfortunately I don't know.

Not sure what diameter the rod should be, but I'd just try sticking drill bits into the hole until one fits.

[Peter Pedisich]

There are several on ebay right now - and there's 2 in really cool original boxes.

[Tony Zaffuto]

Got a box like that in my miter box accumulation. It is marked "Gem" or "Perfection" or something similar.

[Pat Barry]

That's a keeper all right.

[Dave Lehnert]

This would make a GREAT! Lee Valley item. A kit where all the metal parts were supplied and the wood components made in the shop.
I think it is a cool tool to have in the Neanderthal tool box.