Ode to the Langdon Acme Miter Box (rambles)
Bill Houghton, sunny Sebastopol, CA
>and Disston and Sons miter box saws.
I am in taking a break from shaping, cutting, and gluing up the sash for our leaded glass inside window, and just want to babble about the perfection of these two tools. I made the sash (1-1/4" x 1-1/2", partly to use wood I had, partly for design reasons) with miter joints, because I think the miter joints will kind of lead the eye to the glass itself. Since it's an inside fixed sash that will be held in place with stops each side, weather resistance and ultimate strength aren't major issues. I am planning either to cut in thick feathers at the corners or drive trimhead screws in each way, to keep the joints together (opinions welcomed on which would be better; the outside corners won't be visible, so aesthetics aren't an issue).
Anyhow - the Langdon Acme box and Disston saw (waxed, but I've never gotten around to sharpening it) cut joints ready for glue with almost no splintering, and the sash squared up with absolutely no cursing at all. I understand why the 1900 carpenters were willing to pay the equivalent of Unisaw prices for a tool that does just one thing, when it does it that stunningly well.
My biggest issue is that, until I reorganize the shop this winter (post-kitchen remodel), the box gets stored out in the storage shed and the saw hangs ten feet up from the second floor joists above the shop. Gotta make a home for it in the shop, and build a saw till. Soon, I hope...