Miter trimmer - possible gloat?

I'm no expert, but I'll get the conversation going

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA, gettin' soggy

>Angelo - I've got no experience with these, just observations of them in pictures and stores, but I think the following will be true and maybe even useful; and sometimes a thread needs some idiot blithering away first to get jump-started, and I'm eminently qualified for the job, so I'll volunteer.

It doesn't look like a Lion, but a similar design by another maker (unless it's an earlier model of the Lion company). You should be able to find a maker's name on it somewhere. In the heyday of hand tools, there were dozens of companies making copies of tools that we now know from the sole surviving maker. For instance, I've got a miter box that looks like the low-end model of a Millers-Falls Langdon box, by a company called Marsh-Ayers; fine box, but the company's long since gone out of business or moved on to other things.

But I digress. Back to your question.

There should be a handle at the center of the back that allows you to move the blade carriage - the part in the middle with the blades - back and forth. Depending on the design and your metal fabrication skills, you might be able to make one if it's missing - or not.

Are there two blades? There appear to be screw holes missing screws on the right, but I can't tell if that's because the blade is missing, or just screws gone. If the former, that would reduce the value (especially if it's not a Lion trimmer but some dinosaur brand - you might not be able to get a replacement blade easily in that case); if the latter, replacing the screws should be simple if the threads in the holes aren't stripped.

Look very very carefully all over for cracks - I bought a router plane this last summer and didn't notice the hairline crack that ran completely through the casting until it got home (fortunately I'm just out $5, and can probably use it for parts). See if anything wiggles. You want it in bright light for this (my mistake last summer was deciding in the barn to buy the router plane).

Make sure that the blade carriage moves freely, or, if it doesn't, try to determine if the problem appears to be grit and lack of lubrication, or some deeper problem. Not always easy to tell in the field - I've had things I swore were broken move like tango dancers once I cleaned out the mouse droppings and rust and lubricated them. Still, if it's stiff in movement but appears to be sound, you can make skeptical noises while moving it back and forth.

Re: Miter trimmer - possible gloat?

Guy

>That looks cool man. If it works and its complete, then why not. Have fun!!

Re: Miter trimmer - possible gloat?

R.J.Whelan (Eastern Sierra, CA)

>Angelo .... I think this is a Patootuck - they're still in business (or were last time I checked a couple of years ago).

I don't want to rain on your parade but you might find a shop made shooting board and a plane more useful and easier to tune and keep at optimum performance.

RJ

Re: Miter trimmer - possible gloat?

Gary B

>ironically enough, I found one of these at a garage sale today in EXCELLENT condition, I knew what it was, and it operated so smooth I couldn't believe it. also, (ironically) it said the words, Lion, and pattutuck on it. it was priced at 400, but I'm sure he would have come down. the blades were easily as sharp as my chisels (and I like to think they're sharp) hope that helps.

ps. I passed because of the shooting board concept

Re: $5 router plane

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>A router plane for $5 is never really a bad deal. The handles are probably worth more than that.

Not sure these handles are

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA, gettin' soggy

>It's a late model, with handles of some uncertain species painted black. Still, a worthwhile parts plane if I ever get around to fussing with it.

Re: Miter trimmer - possible gloat?

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>I'd get it if it is reasonable in price. Closer inspection of the pic shows the blade is there...just missing retaining screws. They can be fabricated if they can't be bought new. The handle is there too. JR

Re: Miter trimmer - possible gloat?

paul womack

> it was priced at 400

Mm. Perhaps a little high :-) (assuming you meant four hundred US dollars)

BugBear

You could always...floating OT

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Bolt a thin plate to it to hold it together.

Yar

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA, gettin' soggy

>Yes, I was aware of that possibility. Right now, it's in the round tuit bin, which it shares with about 437 other items.