Greetings one and all!

I have a question, some years ago I bought a miter box and saw from somebody on
the list, I'm embarrassed to say I do not recall who.  It is a Stanley 360A, it
looks to be from the 1970s (I am no expert at these things, so I could be
decades off).  It came with the largest backsaw I'd ever seen, thirty inches at
least.

Generally the saw was in good condition, it was missing some of the stops and
thumbscrews, but after a light cleaning, a drop of oil here and there, and a
touch with a file to the saw, I was up and running.  It's accurate, though for
most things I shoot the ends of boards anyway, so all the saw does is get me
close.  Recently I built a carving bench and cut all the leg trestles to length
and cut all the shoulder cuts for the tenons using the saw and it was a joy.
Fast, solid feeling and precise.

For years I have been hearing that the Langdon miter boxes were the ones to get
and have heard people disparaging the Stanleys.  I scratch my head at this
because my experience has been very positive.  My question, therefore is:  what
is it about the MF/Langdons that makes them so much better, or more desirable
than the Stanleys?

(This comes from a discussion over at Woodnet about an EBay Seller who is
selling a Mint condition Stanley 60, new old stock, in the original box for a
whole lot of money.  It's been for sale a long time and most people thought it
overpriced.  Several folks mentioned that it wasn't as good a saw as the
Langdon.  I'm wondering why the Langdon is so much better?

Best Regards,

David Carroll

Sent from my iPad

Dave Carrol asks:

> My question, therefore is:  what is it about the MF/Langdons that makes them
so much better, or more desirable than the Stanleys?
> 
> (This comes from a discussion over at Woodnet about an EBay Seller who is
selling a Mint condition Stanley 60, new old stock, in the original box for a
whole lot of money.  It's been for sale a long time and most people thought it
overpriced.  Several folks mentioned that it wasn't as good a saw as the
Langdon.  I'm wondering why the Langdon is so much better?


Personally, I doubt that rationality or objectivity have much to do with it.

There’s a NOS Langdon on that auction site too, and it has been lingering out
there at its steep price point for quite awhile as well.

Two part-for-part-identical miter boxes in equivalent condition, both made by
Millers Falls, one labeled “Langdon” and the other labeled “Craftsman,” will
fetch wildly divergent prices. Even if a “Langdon” happens to be more
collectible than a “Craftsman” at some particular moment in time, or vice versa,
from a quality of use standpoint neither one can be “better” than the other
since only the label differs. It’s what the herd wants at the moment that
dictates the price.

Like any other old tool, if you enjoy using your miter box and it makes
satisfactory cuts for you, then it’s a great box. Be glad you acquired it
comparatively inexpensively.

JL

David and All,

I have a Craftsman miter box  that was made by Miller's Falls, a
Stanley 358 (always wanted a 460 but couldn't find one,) and an old
Acme that is about as bare bones as you can get.  I can get a great,
accurate cut with any of the three.  I did have 2 of the Stanley 358s,
but one wasn't quite solid, so I sold it quite some time ago.  Perhaps
the folks that are hung up on Langdons had a Stanley with problems.
Who knows?  But in my humble opinion, the biggest issue is the saw.
Properly sharpened and set, you should get a good cut.  Dull saw isn't
gonna cut it.  (pun intended).

Just my opinion and it is worth what it cost you.....

Bruce Z.
Des Moines, IA