I recently aquired a Stanley Mitre Box No.100 at an estate sale.
It is a cast iron mountable device that was created for most frame shops from 1927. (It weighs close 30lbs.)
I pounced on this item for about $15.00 and when I got home I realized that I was missing one of the saw guide pins.
…So I went to the Stanley website to see what kind of parts they still had available. (You knever know until you ask.)
To make a long story short. I have been to e-bay, and various other sites that deal with vintage tool parts, and I can’t seem to find the pin that helps make the miter (mitre) cuts. (I have one pin.)
Does anybody know where I can locate a pin (saw guide) for this?
Does anybody own or have used one of these on this site?
I think I may have purchased one heck of a mitre vise… I am hoping to locate a pin and maybe a Stanley saw that will fit the pins (Next on the list)
Replies
Perhaps the easiest method of finding parts is to buy another one from which to scavange parts. A similar quest for the saw itself will eventually provide a complete unit. Then comes the realization that, even after clean-up and refurb, the saw is less accurate than the cheapest motorized miter saw available. But, it will look cool. ;-)
Yeah... I thought about finding the complete unit but...
I was thinking that I was so close to fnding a pin, maybe somebody else had a parted out unit... (It's a pipe dream of course...)
I have a real nice miter clamp though!
Stanley Miter
Stanley made them from 1927 to 1994.
I have used one of those since about 1959. At that time I was about 12 years old and used one after school to cut and assemble custom frames ordered in my dad's store that day. Still have the same one and still use it, but not in his store. And two Stanley 400 miter clamps that were made to accompany the 100.
Does the saw guide have the roller inside that the saw would rest on? Frequently missing.
You have six other pieces missing also. The saw (24 by 4 inches), the ruler, the adjustable stop, and 2 spacers for shallow rabbets. A complete Stanley 100 on ebay typically has sold for $180 to $250. Given the economy, maybe on the lower end of that scale now. I agree with whoever suggested you may have to buy several to put one together. But with shipping that is going to cost quite a bit. May be better to wait and pay more for a better one.
The saw has to be the right height (4 inches) but the length can vary. The ruler is special and unique to this tool, as are the adjustable stop and the 2 shallow rabbet spacers (low clamps). Finding this miter with saw is relatively common, although not always the right saw. Finding one with the ruler and stop is more rare and hence the big bucks.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
Alan - planesaw
followup
There are several on ebay right now. None complete. Always ask how wide the saw is. 4 inches is probably the correct size for all models, but you may want to double check that. Search on Stanley 100, Stanley miter, Stanley mitre, Stanley vise, Stanley-Marsh, etc.
Alan - planesaw
Thank you for the reply and suggestions!
The guide pin does not have any rollers, and the ruler and slide guide are missing (I think Stanley still has the slide guide parts.) I did find a guy on e-bay that was selling a unit/parts but the only difference was the extra pin. (That I am missing.)
I will check out Stanley-Marsh and a couple other googles. I have found some complete units with 30" back saws on antique sites. (This saw was the other part I didn't think was going to be a hassle to locate... However, most back saws manufactred today are 12"-14" ...so guess what I have my eyes peeled for at the estate sales now?!?)
Thanks again for the reply, I can remeber these in a lot of older frame places that I used to see back in the 70's & 80's... I seem to recall that these mitre boxes were super nice fo grtting dead on 45deg. (The frame guys made it look good anyway.)
Actually, I was wrong...
I discovered the bearing/roller in the pin after I broke it down to see what I had.
I think you are right though, I may use this one as a spare parts, and buy a complete unit... Hopefully I can get one with a finishing blade...
Do you use any substitutions for other newer saws as opposed to the original saw, or do you just have yours sharpened?
Wrong -- good news
Flint,
Glad the roller is in the guide. That makes the saw move smoother.
Hope you find a complete one.
Same saw since Dad bought the unit about 1953 or 54. It has simply been sharpened periodically .
Alan - planesaw
It is a Langdon
The existing guide appears to be identical to a Langdon miter box which was made by Millers Falls. Apparently Millers Falls and Stanley made tools for each other at times just changing the makers names on the castings. I may have a spare part from a scrapped Langdon miter box but they came in many sizes and models. Can you give me the diameter of the shaft where it goes into the casting and the total length, if you are really lucky I might have a match.
OK John!!!
That took longer than I thought to take apart. I did find out that I do have a bearing inside the top of the guide, and that the guide is a lot longer than I thought.
It is 18.65mm/.734in. (just under 3/4) This thing has a spring that prevents the removal of the pin once it is employed, There is also a small bearing (that still moves smooth) inside where the brass rail from where the back saw tracks...
The guide pin holes are snug to hold the pins in place... The shaft is 5-1/2" + 2" (7-1/2" overall) in length.
I looked and could not find a spare saw guide that would fit your saw.
Let me pull the pin and take a look.
(I was actually looking at Langdon/Disston back saws/dovetails the other day, but those are getting hard to find.)
Back in a jif...
stanley 100 mitre box
I have a complete stanley 100 mitre box with original saw, measuring bars, stops and 400 mitre clamp in excellent condition if you are interested.
Price?
fnfjr --
What is your price?
Alan - planesaw
Stanley 100 mitre Price
$300.00. All original, excellent condition. Includes one extra ruler and measuring stop. Only thing missing is the original box.
Includes original stanley 200 mitre clamping vise and a copy of the clamping vise made by Craftsman.
I'll send photos if you want them.
Correction
Make that a Stanley 400 clamping vise
I have one of these that I pulled out of the garbage at a local community college, they used to teach a picture framing class and after they dropped the class the tool just sat in the wood shop for years before the department head tossed it. I use it all the time as a miter clamp along with a #400 miter clamp that I got at a garage sale (I know I am gloating) I don't have a miter saw that fits so I can't help you there. Tse are really nicely made tools and worth the effort.
Troy
lost pin
I have the pin you are looking for if you want to contact me email [email protected]
Miter box
If you are still looking for a saw or parts for it, let me know. I can either manufacture new pins or keep an eye out for parts.
As far as the saw goes, send me an email or message. I might have one that is all tuned up and ready to be put to work for you.
mitre saw pins/spares
Dear Errol,
I think it`s worth a try to contact Stuart Minuskin at The Tool Exchange in Caloundra , Queensland, Australia.
Try http://www.toolexchange>com.au
Mention my name and good luck.
Ron Booth in Hobart
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