Replies

1. 
   Tony Z | Feb 23, 2008 01:02am | #1

   Take a good look at the teeth, both are probably cross cut and both were probably purchased along with a miter saw.  Differences in height of blade is due to fit/use with a specific size miter box.  Did you find any miter boxes? 

   T.Z.

2. 
   Glaucon | Feb 23, 2008 01:05am | #2

   I'd have to check, but the one on the left looks more like a carcass saw, and the one on the right looks (by the handle anyway) to be earlier than 1940s. Have you checked the Disston Institute?

   -m

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

3. 
   JohnWW | Feb 23, 2008 02:03am | #3

   They're from large metal miter boxes, I have several of the boxes and the saws. They would be very awkward to use freehand.

   John White

4. 
   Tony Z | Feb 23, 2008 03:44pm | #4

   You may be a bit surprised how compact the boxes are!  A few years back, I had a very bad "miter box problem".  I bought every one I came across and the result is I have some 17 workable boxes in my basement of all types and manufacturers plus a couple or three that are parts only.

   As someone else posted the saws are too large and unwieldly to be used without the box, although I've come across more than a box or two without saw.  You could make a box out of hard maple (or some other similarly suitable wood) so that you could use the saw. The box would be three sided, with the height (inside) just a bit less than the distance of the underside of the saw back to the saw teeth.  Width (inside) would be 4, 5 or 6" to coincide with the width of the stock you want to cut.  Length is maybe 16".  Simply cut across both vertical pieces some plumb cuts--one at 90 degrees to the length of the box and two at 45 degrees (opposite each other) and you're good to go.  Use a shooting board to spiff up the cuts you've made and Bob's your uncle.

   T.Z.

5. 
   Jimurock | Feb 23, 2008 10:18pm | #5

   The latest (in my area) Roy Underhill program has him using large saws in a metal miter box, and that sucker ain't small.  Might be worth a look.

   Jim

1. 
   trialnut | Feb 24, 2008 04:29am | #6

   Here is a pic of one of these saws in a mitre box. The saw has about 21"  of thoothed edge.The Professional Termite