Jim Foster, who inquired about a mitre box strikingly similar to mine, wrote:
>>Each saw post is set up for a depth stop, with a large
>>knurled nut screwing into the post and holding a slotted
>>piece with a bent over end. Missing the front one, but
>>it won't be a big deal to cobble together a replacement.

Charlie Newbold replied:
>Those pieces can be adjusted to give just a little clearance between the
>blade teeth and the metal slot.  If you set them just right and have a
>slightly tapered saw blade, the board will be cut thru only when the saw is
>pushed tight to the front saw post.

By "those pieces" are you referring to the depth stops that are screwed to
the heads of the saw guide risers where the back of the saw rides, or to
the elongate slotted pieces with the bent-over ends that are held to the
outside of the posts in which the saw guides rise and fall? What are these
latter pieces for?

>>The saw posts have another screw opposite where the depth
>>adjuster screws go. Haven't looked at it that carefully
>>but it's probably to take up slack in the saw guide.
>
>Hmm, on mine, there is an assembly there (left side of posts) that is
>basically a spring loaded pin that goes into a groove cut at the bottom end
>of the saw post.  Lift the post(s)(and saw) enough and the spring driven pin
>drops into the slot and holds the saw in the air so you can position the
>wood for a cut.  Pull the pin out a bit and the saw can drop down.

Oooohhhhh! (epiphany) So that's what those things are for! I just ran
downstairs to try it out. Sweet! My mitre box is missing one of the two,
but one is better than none.

>Also, take a look at the saw kerf slot.  Below it there should be a big
>slotted screw.  If you loosen it, you can pull the front saw post out enough
>to fit a 10" board flat on the base.  Try that with your average tailed
>mitre box!

Yep, that's there too. Neat!

Charlie also wrote:
>Sounds like my MF 1285.  The name plate is a thin aluminum piece pop riveted
>onto the front saw post.

OK, third trip to the basement... Nope, no nameplate and no evidence of one
ever being there. Mine has, cast into the bottom, where the legs bolt on,
"1200 C" at one end and  "72" at the other, but no other identifying marks.

Thanks,

Tim