Miller's Falls No. 74 Miter Saw Question!

[Greg Webb]

Hi,
I have this Miter Box and I'm giving it some TLC and noticed on the Saw Guides...

Where the Saw Back rides, there is no brass screws or small bearings.

The saw just rides on the steel?

I know this Miter Box goes back to 1910...

Is this correct for this Tool on the Saw Guides???

[Joe Bailey]

Ball bearing saw guides first appear on the Langdon/Acme boxes in 1938.

I have a few of these, and they have a top ball bearing, which rides on the top edge of the saw spine, as well as two lower bearings which ride on either side of the underside of the spine.

For my boxes with out bearings, I typically run paraffin/wax on the spine surfaces mentioned above.

a SITE (https://langdonmitreboxes.wordpress.com/gallery/millers-falls/langdon-74-1910-1920/) you may find of interest.

[Greg Webb]

Hi,
Thanks for the info!

[Tom M King]

Mine that I bought new in 1974, and still use, has nothing but the bare metal for the saw back to ride on. It's done a Lot of work, and no wear to have an effect yet.

[Greg Webb]

Hi,
Thanks, I just heard that the Miter Boxes had brass screws or bearings in the support post for the saw to run on.

No doubt, some did, through time.

I see no problem, just wondering, if I was missing, anything?

[John Gornall]

On a Langdon type miter box the saw doesn't ride on the guides

The guides ride on the saw

Until the last stroke

[Tom M King]

Good point!

[steven c newman]

In my shop, there resides an ACME 2-1/2 Frame No. 75......Uses the 30" length saw. Has the red "diamond plate steel deck. May the next time I go to the shop (today?) I give mine a look over.....


Rumour Control says the main difference between a No. 74 and a No. 75 was merely the length of their saws....#74 used a 5"x28" long saw..vs the #75's 5"x 30"......

[Joe Bailey]

On a Langdon type miter box the saw doesn't ride on the guides

The guides ride on the saw

Until the last stroke

The lower edge of the spine absolutely rides on the bearings in my 1936 MF 73A every time I use the depth stops.

[John Gornall]

Yes, when the cut is finished. The guides ride on the spine when sawing wood.