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Thread: What is a 28 inch backsaw for?

  1. #1

    What is a 28 inch backsaw for?

    Okay, so I picked up a backsaw that has a fairly coarse 28 inch crosscut blade.

    What is it used for?



    Specifics: Gill son Swedish steel saw by Michigan Saw and File of Detroit. Never heard of them and no internet hits on them.

  2. #2
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    That is a good size for a large miter box.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  3. #3
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    Kevin,

    Like Jim said, miter box. That is the size in my old Millers Falls Langdon, I think.

    Stew

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    I would refer to it as a mitre box saw.

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    Interesting side note, there is currently a post on the Stanley #2358 Miter Box that uses a 28" saw posted by Galen Dirks.

    Here is a shot from the Stanley instruction sheet:

    Three Sizes of Miter Boxes.png

    With the space between the saw guides on such a miter box it would take a long saw to keep from pulling out of the guides.

    One of my round tuits is to figure a way to make my 28" backsaw an inch or so shorter in height so it will work in a miter box made to use a 4" tall saw.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  6. #6
    Funny, I’d appreciated and expected this was for a miter box. But this saw has some pretty coarse teeth. Those teeth in combination with a longer stroke, can chew through wood with some alacrity!

    The saw shows no signs of being paired to a miter box, but it may simply be a NOS item.

    So, until I locate a orphaned miter box, any suggestions on how to put something like this to use?

    Should I build a an old fashioned wooden miter box? If I add a 15 or 16 degree slot, I could use it to cut the legs on Ken Hatch style Moravian workbenches.

  7. #7
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    Kevin - your use of the word alacrity made my day.
    ---Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny---

  8. #8
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    One of mine has been used often without a miter box.

    If you try to pair it up with a miter box make sure you find one with a 5" capacity. Most miter boxes are made for a 4" deep saw.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  9. #9
    If you make six dovetail boxes at a time, a 26-28 inch backsaw permits one to cut ganged tails all at once. Speeds things marvelously!
    Fair winds and following seas,
    Jim Waldron

  10. #10
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    Not all miter boxes were used to cut picture frames. Picture cutting 20 or 30 6/4 oak stair treads with a 15 point saw every day or decking a battle ship deck with 12/4 teak. The was a need and still is for 8 point backsaws and large miter boxes.
    Jim

  11. #11
    Jim K. Thanks for the chart of Stanley miter boxes. I had noticed the last one is for 28” x 5” saws.

    For James P., I don’t have a power miter saw, so I was considering building a wooden miter box to cut some larger leg stock. Rather fortuitous that I have the need for this exact capability.


    As for the dovetails, I have my larger Veritas tenon saw that’s filed for a rip cut. I think initially I may start there and reserve this saw for x-cutting. I would like to try some larger thick-stock dovetails.

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