Stanley 246 MitreBox& Saw

[62woollybugger]

I was given this last week, by one of my uncles. (Sorry for the bad photo)

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It's an early model, 1912-1915, as it has no length stop, which was introduced in 1916. The 26" Desston saw is the original, going by the medalion & etch. It's in good condition & should only require a light rub with steel wool or fine wet & dry to clean it up.

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The only thing missing that I can't make a new one is one 3/16" - 28 TPI screw that holds the top tie bar between the guide rods. Does anyone know where I could get a replacement? If I can't find a replacement, I'll try putting an M5 tap throgh it, as that's pretty close & should work.

I've currently got the mitre box stripped down, rust removed & cleaned up ready for painting. The original finish was mostly gone, but I would assume it would have been Japaned, although the fence had some sort of silver painted finish on the un machined areas. Does anyone have details on what was Japaned & what was bare on these?
What is the best product to use to protect the unpainted cast iron parts? As my workshop is literally only a stones throw from the Nambucca river, rust can be a problem on tools. I keep most of my tools in a sealed cupboard with one of those moisture absorbing tubs, but this is too big to fit.

[Lappa]

3/16” 28tpi machine screws are available. On your item I personally would rather use the same thread than change to metric.
Is it a thumb screw style?

[62woollybugger]

3/16” 28tpi machine screws are available. On your item I personally would rather use the same thread than change to metric.
Is it a thumb screw style?
It's got a round, knurled knob on top. Do you know where I can get a screw to suit? It doesn't have to be a thumb screw, as once it's in I won't be taking it out again.

[Gaza58]

Check eBay there are a few guys that break down planes and the like...you might find something similar from a plane that is the same.. I would imagine Stanley would have had multiple uses for the screws they made

[62woollybugger]

I've spent some time over tha last few days stripping & cleaning the box & saw. The saw's been cleaned, handle sanded, oiled & waxed.

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After a lot of time on the wire wheel, sanding, soaking in Evaporust & wire brushing all the metalwork is cleaned up. Sprayed the cast iron parts with engine enamel today & in a day or two I'll put it in the BBQ & bake it. When that's done I'll brush the silver paint onto the non machined areas of the fence, as per the original.

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Next will be to make a new sacrificial board & find some 13 x3 flat bar to make the clamps & top tie bar. Still trying to find that elusive 3/16" - 28 TPI screw.

[Gaza58]

Still trying to find that elusive 3/16" - 28 TPI screw.
Do have a pic of what you are after?

[62woollybugger]

Do have a pic of what you are after?

This is the screw.
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After a bit more research Iv'e found it's actually a 10-28 UNS thread. The type of head is not important, anything will do. I've found the correct tap & die on ebay for under $15 from China, so if I cant find a screw, I'll get the die & make something.

[Lappa]

I sent an email off to a company in the USA that apparently has the 3/16” x 28TPI. Hope to get a reply tonight.
3/16” is 0.1875” and the 10 gauge - 28 is 0.1900” - hard to pick the difference. Either will do, apparently.

[Gaza58]

The fence screw on a Stanley 78 plane is the same thread. a little bigger... I would imagine the thumb screws on their other fences are the same thread as well.
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or the stanley 75 might be a closer size
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All these are 3/16 28 or most likely 10g 28

[Lappa]

USA firm got back and confirmed its a 3/16" 28 tpi but they dont ship to Australia. Its off a Juki Sewing machine. Going off the part number they gave me I found a distributor in Australia. They are Elizabeth Machines. Phone is 02 97644455. The part number is SS-6121840-SP. They have 4 in stock at $2 each.
The other number that comes up on the web is 3/16-28L=18 (or =12 or =14 etc)
Hope that helps

[62woollybugger]

Thanks Lappa & Gaz, but no luck with either. I found a photo of the sewing machine screw, but it only has a very short section of thread on the end of the screw. I tried the screws from both my 75 & 78 planes & although they are the right pitch, they're both about 0.010" bigger in diameter & won't fit. They're both English made, so that may have something to do with it. I think I'll get a die from ebay & make one.

[Gaza58]

I think Stanley used the Gauge threads early on and then later changed to the imperial threads... not 100% on this but pretty sure I read that somewhere.

[62woollybugger]

I've just ordered a tap & die off ebay for the princely sum of $11. If the screw I make is tight, I can just run the tap through.

[62woollybugger]

The mitre box & saw is finished (apart from the elusive screw) & back together.

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I made up new clamp pegs & even a new yoke that releases the catch that holds the saw up.

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All I have to do now is mount it on a base board & wait for the tap & die to arrive from China to make the new screw. Hopefully it should see out another 100+ years.