The Stanley Mitre Boxes family

I try to keep on top of the questions left on comments, but sometimes they quickly get buried before I see them...

This is in response to such a question a commenter left in Nov 17.
What are the differences between the Stanley Mitre Boxes 358, 2358, A, B etc

I wrote previously about Mitre Boxes Part 1 The boxes and Part 2 The saws
Which currently stands at the second place for most reads at 4317 (part 2), who knew Miter Boxes were so popular...

If there was "one" problem with researching tools 

is that you end up with a few specimens... :-)

But this question is about the various Stanley's Mitre Box (MB) that came and went thru the years. I can so understand the confusion trying to navigate your way thru it, some models came and went, while others soldiered on until 1984.

Which beg the question, why so many models???
The answer to this are two fold: One - They have a range of various capacities and Two - At various price points in order to sell a MB to anyone looking for one.
Remember Stanley Motto: The Tool box of the world... They were on a quest to become Tool maker's to the world, with a product for everyone at every price points.

Today Electrons spinning mitre saws are seemingly designed to be made Cheaper, Faster, Noiser, Scream Louder and Spew saw dust everywhere...
Ahhh, the quietness of using a good old Mitre Box  without having to wear a dust mask or ears defenders... Bonus !! But I digress :-)

Stanley still makes MBs, but at nowhere near the quality and precision of the older models. The 20-600, plastic old school MB with a short backsaw.

This is the slightly older No 19-600.

Same crappy plastic handled, too short backsaw

Pic from Ebay

Way too short BTW, you are nibbling away, the teeth cannot clear the kerf to expelled the sawdust Tst Tst... Just goes to show, they seems to forgot what they once knew :-(
And the, yet another variation of the frame saw MBs, No 20-800, such as the Nobex, but also nowhere near the quality and precision, helas...

No 20-800

Most everything is plastic, with the exception of 

 course of the reversible, induction hardened tooth blade :-)

Pic from Stanley Tools

For this entry we will concentrated on the various quality MBs they made thru the years, from 1876 to 1984.

But first, let us quickly look at the arguably, "Most desired" Stanley MBs made:
Starting in 1905 they made a series of MBs, from the 240s series of Miter Box; 240, 242, 244, 246 and the 358, 360 to the monster 460, which all share the same DNA and used the same model Nos nomenclatures;
240 means the saw is 20 inch long X 4 inch deep under the spline (20X4)
460 means the saw is 30 inch long X 6 inch deep under the spline (30X6)
The first digit; 2, 3, 4,  stood for the Frame No Type.
This means that the Model Nos have the frame type and specified backsaw size incorporated into their Model Nos, clever!
This series, thus, used the frame types Nos 2, 3 and 4

Stanley mitre box No 246

Frame type No 2, backsaw 26 inch X 4 inch

Pic from DCW woodworks

Stanley mitre box No 346

Frame type No 3, backsaw 26 inch X 4 inch

Pic from Smitty Aviston on Lumberjocks

Stanley mitre box No 358

Frame type No 3, backsaw 28 inch X 5 inch

Pic from Ebay

You can clearly see the different size of two frames types. 

Which ones? I do not know, they just illustrated two sizes,

while listing up to 4 different frame sizes (as per model Nos shown).

Note, the Model No tag plate location changed thru the years. In the above pics it was on the RH side of the box frame. These 3 pics are all "Sweet Heart".

On this 50-1/2 MB, also a Sweet Heart, it is up front.

Pic from Ebay

 and if you tought that was only because it was from the Victor line up...

Here is a 358, and also a Sweet Heart, so go figure...

Pic from Ebay

This is also were you would find the patents Nos cast into the tool, up front by the angle indicator, on the earliest models.

Front dial on a No 246, featuring a Pat No date.

Notice the orangy colour of the replaceable wood board.

Stanley used this stain's colour scheme for a very long time.

If your box has a plain "whitish board" it is probably a replacement

Pic from Ebay

This older No 346 has more Patents on it

Same location. See Pats listing at the end of this entry.

This badly chewed up original board (stained) badly need replacement

Pic from Ebay

The Type 2 frame accommodated back saw with a 4 in depth from 20 to 26 in long.
The Type 3 frame accommodated back saw with a 5 or 5 in depth in a 20 or 26 in  long.
And the Type 4 was the biggest of them all accommodating a giant 30X6 in backsaw.

Something else to know is that they used the suffix A to denoted their first Aluminum model and the Suffix M indicated a Metal cutting MB. With two exceptions, the No 109 and No 2360 were metal cutting MBs but they never sported the suffix M. Confused yet? Lets try another riddle...
Is the 358 same as the 2358? Nope, and they co-existed for a while...

Starting in 1932, the following Models Nos made their debut:
2244, 2246, 2358. Notice the Models Nos ressemble strongly the 244, 246 and 358 with an added 2 in front? There was also a relatively short lived 2360, but it was a metal cutting saw and bear no ressemblance to the 360 which was a wood cutting MB. More on these later.



THE MITER BOXES

These first 4 models were the "VICTOR" series, a lower cost variations of their more professionals models. The 50 and 50-1/2 models were sold without a back saw. And NO, the 60 and 60-1/2 were not like the 50 and 50-1/2 with just an added saw.  The 60 and 60-1/2 models had redesigned saw guides, a flat part to the saw's guides is the biggest change

The flat part in question, look like flat wings

No 60-1/2, early model

Pic from Ebay

The "flat" guides on my later No 60 

Note this model never used the most often MIA trip lever on the saw

A look inside one of the saw guide on my late No 60.

NO bearings, friction fit plates. Notice the groove in one part?

Put in a small amount of lubricant in there, I used a dry grease or wax.

The top part recess capture the saw's back spline

They may have been lower priced and did not had all the bells and whistles of their other line up, but they are very good MBs. The later models, except No 50,  had cast aluminum frame enameled blue instead of the earliest Black japanned cast iron frames. Regardless of colour found, their weight difference is a tell all.

50        1876-1923
50-1/2 1909-1967
60        1909-1967
60-1/2 1909-1967

These next 4 are also lower cost and smaller capacities than their bigger professional models

109 1929-1934 Metal cutting
115 1927-1984
116 1938-1980
150 1923-1969 The best of these models

THE GOOD STUFF

These remaining models were the professional models, which range from the 240, a 20X4 inch backsaw to the monster 460, which was their top of the line and had a 30X6 inch backsaw and weigh in at 51 pounds with the saw...!!
I would not called that portable !!

And now you know why all these models 

used the same instruction sheet/parts list

This series, being all similar except for the various capacities, all featured the top crossbar betwen the front and rear posts,

Typical attachment on top of posts for crossbar

Pic from Lumberjock

and the little, often MIA, trip lever attached to the backsaw spline with a thumb screw to release the front guide on the post when pushed in. (missing in above pic)  This action drop the saw down at an angle which release the back post guide. See it in action here  as demonstrated by Ron Herman

240 1905-1942   20X4 Backsaw
242 1905-1950   22X4 Backsaw
244  1905-1967  24X4 Backsaw
246  1905-1984  26X4 Backsaw

358 1905-1972     28X5 Backsaw, 20 in long japanned cast iron
358A 1925-1941  Same as above but their first aluminum frame
360   1905-1972   20X6 Backsaw

460 1927-1947     30X6 Backsaw

Introduced in 1932, the 2xxx's series, bearing familiar Nos such as 244, 358 etc in their number, were modified guide post and saw guides series of the older ones. They features rollers bearings in the saw guides. Probably to keep up with Millers-Falls models which features roller bearings in some of their Langdon saw guides.  Note that they were available for a time along with the originals 244, 246 and 358. These redesigned saw guides look a lot like the ones used in the Millers-Falls, go figure...

Redesigned saw post and guides  on the 2xxx's series.

This is a No 2246 from the back

Pic from Ebay

Notice the "Ahem" similar looking post 

on this older MF Langdon No 24.

Rudy in pic for scale :-)

Gone is the top crossbar keeping both front and rear post connected. These became the "new" flagship line of MBs while some of the original series such as the 244 soldiered on alongside until 1967 and the 246 until 1984
So, short answer: NO a 2358 is not a 358 simply renumbered.

Tag on the No 2246. Always (?) located up front on this series.

Notice the frame No is the model No.

Used same tag plate on all models 

with the applicable frame, AKA model Nos

Pic from Ebay 

2244    1932-1984
2246    1932-1982
2358    1932-1982  20 in long frame, blue enamel or black japanning
2358M 1936-1941 Metal cutting version capacity 4-1/2 in blue enamel
2360    1939-1974  Metal cutting

Often missing parts and some solutions

CROSSBAR

The 240s series, 358, 360 and 460 ALL had a cross bar on top of the guide posts.
This bar help reinforced and secured the guide posts parallel to each other.  It is of course removeable since the guide posts can be removed (break down) for storage and making it somewhat protected while moving it around the countryside as required. And being removeable it is often found...Missing In Action (MIA).
As explained earlier, this crossbar dissapeared on the 2xxx series

Good news is, there is nothing too critical about it and can be easily made or replaced using a simple file folder hanger bar, such as this

The two bars on the sides are just about the right sizes.

And NO, I cannot take credit for this idea, found that on line on some forum.

Or armed with measurements you can make your own.  This link also shows you the two clamps types that secured it. Of course, the various sizes of frames required a different lenght.

STOCK GUIDES (2)

These are the two (2) guide that help holding the stock on the bed. Often used for holding the stock at various angles for cutting trim and crown moulding for example, eliminating the complex compound angle that would otherwise be required.  The good news is, there is nothing too complicated about it, and replacement can be easily made. You need a piece of flat stock and a smaller piece of round stock to make these. Drill a hole in the bottom of the round stock, tap for a screw. To recessed the screw head, used a tapered head screw with a corresponding countersink hole in the bar.

Reproduction Stanley stock guides in front

original in the background

Pic from Stan Faulin at tooltrip

How they attach in the back on this No 244. 

Notice a small detail missing on the above reproduction?

There is a small round piece sticking out at the end 

to prevent pulling out the bar.

Pic from Ebay

And of course, you will need a corresponding slot cut into the wooden flat bed, if you replaced it, like you probably had to do because the wooden beds are often found chew up. For which there was really never any good reasons, if you just take the time to properly adjusted the depth stops Tst... Tst...

DEPTH STOPS (4)

There are four (4) small depth stop collars, two (2) on the front guide, two (2) on the back guide, which when correctly adjusted and used, prevents you from cutting into the wooden bed board.
One set is used to prevent the saw from chewing the board, the other set is for setting up stop cuts. Since they are yet another small part, removeable (because they are adjustable) they have been known to grow legs of their own....
Nothing too fancy, a round collar with a set screw to secured it would do.
Only complication would be finding such a collar of the required size ?

Note that they changed construction type thru the years.

Older No 60-1/2, the stops are cast metal with a nib sticking out 

for the locking screw. 

On this later No 346, they now used a simpler split cast part, 

pinched by a screw to secure it

A simple round collar (red part) , such as used on the Nobex, 

would work just as good. 

TRIP LEVER

That elusive trip lever on a No 246

Pic from ??

Here is a better view of it

Pic from Lumberjock

This is the small cast part that release the saw holding bracket up front when the saw is pushed forward. There used to be a reproduction of that part available years ago, I do not know if they are still available and from where??
Being removeable and the saws often separated from the mitre boxes, it is most often MIA.
YES, you can still used your MB without it, just as you have to do on the No 60, it just makes it a bit easier, IE no need to touch the catch brackets, it does it all for you. So missing it is no deal killer, but it should be reflected in the price. Looking for one? Take a number and join the cue...

LEVELLING SCREWS (2)

The 240s series, 346, 358, 360 and 460 all sported a pointed tapered tip screw in the rear holes of the foot brackets.
That was to "grip" the MB to the surface and more importantly, to correct an out of square, level playing field... so to speak :-)
Of course, being adjustable (screw in/out) and having to removed them in order to simply screw the MB to a flat piece of stock (reccomended) they often long parted with the MB...

Levelling screw on an older model No 60-1/2.

The clear colour of the top board is clearly a replacement

Pic from Ebay

Levelling screw on No 244

Pic from Ebay

Don't know what size or thread they used, but I suspect some typical odd ball Stanley thread. As just explained, not a big deal if missing, but again, should be reflected in the price. Want original parts? Go lined up in the cue.... and good luck  :-)

This is what a complete example looks like

Stanley No 246

Top cross bar, saw trip lever, depth stops, stock guides,

levelling screws, and cutting lenght stop (complete)

Pic from ??

List of relevant patents

And finally a look at the relevant patents on theses Stanley MBs, linked to the appropriate DATAMP entry were applicable or to the USPTO when not found in DATAMP

19 Jun 1877    192, 139
24 Jun 1902    703, 085
12 Jan 1904     749, 242
15 Mar 1904    754, 624
15 Mar 1904    754, 625 
02 Aug 1904    766, 384
02 Aug 1904    766, 790
02 Aug 1904    766, 791
27 Sep 1904     770, 834
30 Apr 1907    851, 841
24 Nov 1908   905, 067
05 Oct 1909    935, 694
02 Jan 1912    1, 013, 319
31 Oct 1916    1, 203, 417
27 Mar 1934   1, 952, 518
This last one is for a Handyman miter box such as H114
06 Dec 1939   2, 268, 835 


And that concludes this rather long explanation for his answer...

Bob, who could probably write a book on these...