US and New England Toolmakers
Including Toolmakers of the Maritime Provinces and Important Continental Toolmakers


Also check the Maine toolmakers in the Registry of Maine Toolmakers, our tool catalogs bibliography and citations for the tool manufacturers in Volume 8.  A selection of European makers may be found in the trades bibliography.

No author. (April 1872). The Morse twist-drill. The Manufacturer and Builder. 4(4). pg. 78-79. X.

No author. (December 1893). The Morse Twist Drill Co. and its products. The Manufacturer and Builder. 25(12). pg. 269. X.

No author. (Fall 1982). Lufkin's History. Cooper Canada Newsletter. 4(4). Reprinted by Ken Roberts Publishing Co.

No author. (June 21, 1964). 100 years of leadership in metal cutting. The New Bedford Sunday Standard-Times. New Bedford, MA. X.

Aber, R. James. (November 19, 1978). Some notes on Gage planes. Crafts of NJ meeting. IS(2).

Andrews, Jack. (2010). Samuel Yellin: Metalworker. Skipjack Press, MN.

Anonymous. (December 1967). Auger and auger bit makers. The Chronicle. 20(supplement). pg. 1-4. IS.

Atchison, Mark. (September 2012). William Palmer–An English nailmaker in New England. The Chronicle. 65(3). pg. 89. IS.

Avila, Richard T. (1999). Cesar Chelor and the world he lived in. Smithsonian Institution, Anacostia Museum, Washington, DC. IS.

Baker, Phil. (2006). The Henry Disston fullback. Fine Tool Journal. 56(1). pg. 13. IS.

Baker, Phil. (2006). Roe’s patent backsaw. Fine Tool Journal. 56(2). pg. 29. IS.

Baker, Phil. (Fall 2008). Phi's saws: Henry Disston and the ergonomic backsaw. Fine Tool Journal. 58(2). pg. 10-2. IS.

Baker, Phil. (Spring/Summer 2012). Johnson & Conaway: Makers of backsaws 1840-1857. Fine Tool Journal. 62(1). pg. 14-7. IS.

Baker, Phil. (Fall 2012). Three Jacksons. Fine Tool Journal. 62(2). pg. 20-24. IS.

Baldwin Tool Co. (1857). Illustrated supplement to ... [tools] manufactured at the Arrowmammett Works, Middletown, Conn. Charles H. Pelton, Middletown, CT. Reprinted in 1976 by K.D. Roberts Publishing Co., Fitzwilliam, N.H.

Barnard, Henry. (1866). Armsmear: The home, the arm, and the armory of Samuel Colt: A memorial. Reprinted in 1976. Private printing, Alvord, NY.

Bates, Alan. (1986). Thomas Napier, the Scottish connection. The Early American Industries Association, Inc. IS.

Batory, Dana M. (n.d.). Vintage woodworking machinery: An illustrated guide to four manufacturers. The Astragal Press, Mendham, NJ. IS.

Batory, Dana. (Fall 2004). Early woodworking machine manufacturers: The terrific twins: Greenlee Brothers & Co. The Fine Tool Journal. 54(2). pg. 23-24. IS.

Batory, Dana. (2006). Early wood-working machine manufacturers. Fine Tool Journal. 56(1). pg. 22. IS.

Beatty, Charles I. (June 2007). Untangling the Beattys -- a hundred years of edge-tool makers, Part I. The Chronicle. 60(2). pg. 49-67. IS.

Beatty, Charles I. (September 2007). Untangling the Beattys -- a hundred years of edge-tool makers, Part II. The Chronicle. 60(3). pg. 99-111. IS.

Blaisdell, Katharine. (1982). Over the river and through the years: Book four: Mills and mines. Courier Printing Company, NH. IS.

Blanchard, Clarence. (Spring 1997). The number one: Cute and useful. The Fine Tool Journal. 46(4). pg. 8-10.

Blanchard, Clarence. (Summer 2004). Leonard Bailey's adjustable try square, patented May 9, 1871. Fine Tool Journal. 54(1). pg. 6. IS.

Blanchard, Clarence. (2006). F.M. Bailey’s patents. Fine Tool Journal. 55(3). pg. 19. IS.

Blanchard, Clarence. (2006). Stanley leveling stands. Fine Tool Journal. 56(2). pg. 22. IS.

Blanchard, Clarence. (Fall 2007). Stanley plane truth & exceptions to the rule: Birdsill Holly and the Stanley Rule & Level Co. The Fine Tool Journal. 57(2). pg. 20-23. IS.

Blanchard, Clarence. (Summer 2010). Defiance by Stanley: Origins of the trademark. The Fine Tool Journal. 60(1). pg. 6-7. IS.

Blanchard, Clarence. (Summer 2010). Defiance by Stanley: Type study of the early years. The Fine Tool Journal. 60(1). pg. 8-11. IS.

Blase, Francis Jr. (1984). Heebner & Sons: Pioneers of farm machinery in America, 1840 – 1926. Hatfield Packing Company, Hatfield, PA. IS.

Blumenberg, B. (1989). Newbury/Newburyport Massachusetts: A unique cluster of American Planemakers and Cabinetmakers. The Gristmill. 54(2,3). pg. 10-13.

Blumenberg, Ben. (September 1995). An early, rare mark of Francis Nicholson. The Chronicle. 48(3). pg. 63-66. IS.

Bopp, Carl. (November 19, 1978). The Gage Tool Company and the Gage plane. CRAFTS of NJ meeting transcription by R. James Aber. IS.

Bosse, Don. (March 2016). Charles G. Miller - inventor, artisan, patternmaker, Part I. The Chronicle. 69(1). pg. 1-15.

Boyd, Milton. (June 1995). Rufus Bliss: Premier maker of wooden clamps. The Chronicle. 48(2). pg. 62-65. IS.

Boynton's Saw Works, E. M. (1876). Manufacturer of all kinds of first-class saws, frames, tools, files, etc., Boynton's pat. saw sets and pat. cross-cut handles, and sole proprietor of the genuine patent lightning saw. D. H. Gildersleve & Co., Printers, NY. Reprinted by Crafts of NJ. IS.

Brewer, Alden R. and Moore, Charles H. (September 18, 1917). Keyhole saw patent application. Serial number 1,240,173. United States Patent Office, Washington, DC. X.

Broehl, Wayne G. (1984). John Deere's company: A history of Deere & Company and its times. Doubleday, New York, NY.

Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co. (no date). The mircrometer's story: 1867 - 1902. Brown & Sharpe, Providence, RI. Reprinted by Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools, Bath, NY. IS.

Browne, George Waldo. (1915). The Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, New Hampshire. Amoskeag Manufacturing Co., Manchester, NH.

Brundage, Larry. (March 1993). Harvey W. Peace's fan club. The Chronicle. 46(1). pg. 19. IS.

Burchard, S. W. (December 1978). Butcher blades in America. The Chronicle. 31(4). pg. 61.

Burchard, Seth W. and Walker, Philip. (1985). The earliest planemaking industry? Some notes for the Dutch candidature. Tool and Trades History Society Journal. 3. pg. 96f.

Burdick, James M. (ca. 1930). History of the Bailey Plane business from 1869. Internal history of the Stanley Rule & Level Company, New Britain, CT.

Butterworth, Dale and Blanchard, Clarence. (2006). Valentine Fabian and his rules. Fine Tool Journal. 55 (3). pg. 11. IS.

Carbone, Gerald M. (2017). Brown & Sharpe and the measure of American industry: Making the precision machine tools that enabled manufacturing, 1833-2001. McFarland.

Chalk, Charles. (February 2003). A history of the Russell Cutlery Company. Muzzle Blasts. 64(6). pg. 4-7. X.

Cheape, Charles W. (1985). Family firm to modern multinational: Norton Company, A New England enterprise. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

Clark, Neil McCullough. (1937). John Deere. He gave to the world the steel plow. Desaulniers & Co., Moline, IL.

Collins, Samuel W. (1868). The Collins Company historical memoranda, 1826-1871. MS 72190. Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford, CT.

Cope, K. (December 1992). The Coes Wrench Company. The Gristmill. 69. pg. 16.

Cope, Ken. (March 1993). Harvey W. Peace, sawmaker. The Chronicle. 46(1). pg. 18-9. IS.

Copeland, Jennie F. (1936). Every day but Sunday: The romantic age of New England Industry. Stephen Daye Press, Brattleboro, VT. X.

  • Chapter 9, Machine Shops, includes information on Samuel B. Shcenck, Mansfield Machine Company, Fletcher Manufacturing Company, John Birkenhead, Simon W. Card, John J. Grant, Card Company, David E. Harding and S. W. Card Manufacturing Company.
Crucible Steel Company of America. (n.d.). A brief history of Park Works. Crucible Steel Company of America, Pittsburgh, PA.

Crucible Steel Company of America. (1951). 50 years of fine steelmaking. Crucible Steel Company of America, New York, NY.

DeAvila, Richard. (date unknown). Levi Tinkham. Plane Talk. VII. pg. 2-14. W.

DeAvila, Richard. (December 1989). The Jethro Jones -- Cesar Chelor connection. The Chronicle. 42(4). pg. 87-88. IS.

DeAvila, Richard. (December 1993). Ceasor Chelor and the world he lived in: Part II. Continued from 46, 2 (June 1993). The Chronicle. 46(4). pg. 91-97. IS.

Devanney, Joe. (Spring 2003). Keen Kutter. Fine Tool Journal. 52(4). pg. 10-12. IS.

Devitt, Jack. (2000). Ohio toolmakers and their tools. Tavenner Pub Co., Anderson, SC.

DeVoe, Shirley Spaulding. (1968). The tinsmiths of Connecticut. Wesleyan University Press, Middletown, CT. IS.

  • Available as a loan from the E.A.I.A. Library.
Disston, Henry & Sons, Inc. (no date). Disston saw, tool and file manual: How to choose and use tools. Philadelphia, PA. IS.(2)

Disston, Henry & Sons. (1920). The Disston history: History of the works. Vol. 2. Disston Saw Co., Philadelphia, PA.

Disston, Henry & Sons. (1922). Saw, tool and file book. Philadelphia, PA.

Disston, Henry & Sons, Inc. (April 1942). Disston saw, tool and file manual. Philadelphia, PA. IS.

  • Published in the 102nd year of the company (1840 - 1942).  Rose Antique Tools has some excerpts from the 1941 version of this manual on it's website.
Drew, Emily Fuller. (1937). A century of C. Drew & Company. Transcript of speech given before a regular meeting of the Jones River Village Club, Inc., on the evening of December the eleventh, 1937.  Original located at the Kingston Public Library, Kingston, MA. X.
  • The Museum has set up an information file on C. Drew & Company. Excerpts from this speech have been included in this file.
  • A most important information source on a key New England Toolmaker.
Elliott, Carrie. (2005). Life on the river: The flow of Kingston's industries. Town of Kingston and Jones River Village Historical Society, Kingston, MA. IS.

Englund, David V. (2006). Chelor’s deluxe version planes. The Chronicle. 59 (1). pg. 22. IS.

Farnham, Alexander. (1984). Early tools of New Jersey and the men who made them. Kingwood Studio Publications, Stockton, NJ. IS.

Farnham, Alexander. (1992). Search for early New Jersey toolmakers. Kingwood Studio Publications, Stockton, NJ. IS.

Fitz Water Wheel Co. (1928). Fitz Steel Overshoot Water Wheel. Bulletin No. 70. Fitz Water Wheel Co., Hanover, PA. IS.

Freeman Supply Company. (no date). Freeman Supply Company conversion tables for making patterns for shell molding of aluminum and cast iron. Freeman Supply Company, Toledo, OH. IS.

Gage, John P. (April 15, 1913). Plane patent application. Serial # 1,059,137. United States Patent Office, Washington, DC. X.

Gaier, Dan. (Winter 2007). Reach for the wrench: Daniel Chapman Stillson: Inventor of the pipe wrench. The Fine Tool Journal. 56(3). pg. 18-21. IS.

Gaier, Dan. (Summer 2007). Reach for the wrench: John C. Speirs - bicycle wrench maker. The Fine Tool Journal. 57(1). pg. 20-23. IS.

  • A survey of the many bicycle wrenches made by Speirs for other bike-makers.

Gaier, Dan. (Winter 2009). Reach for the wrench: The Mossberg Wrench Company. The Fine Tool Journal. 58(3). pg. 22-4. IS.

Gaier, Dan. (Summer 2010). Reach for the wrench: Adjustable buggy wrenches. The Fine Tool Journal. 60(1). pg. 12-30. IS.

Garvin, James L. and Garvin, Donna-Belle. (1985). Instruments of change: New Hampshire hand tools and their makers 1800 - 1900. New Hampshire Historical Society, Canaan, NH. IS.

  • Available for perusal at the Davistown Museum and the Concord, NH, library of the State Historical Society.
  • An important reference on New Hampshire toolmakers.

Gehring, Jim. (Fall 2009). Half a bubble off: The evolution of the Davis & Cook vial mechanism. The Fine Tool Journal. 59(2). pg. 7-10.

  • Partnership of George L. Davis and Gustavus Cook of Watertown, NY.

Gehring, Jim. (Winter 2011). Half a bubble off: The other Bradford Union level. The Fine Tool Journal. 60(3). pg. 16-8. IS.

Gehring, Jim. (Fall 2011). Half a bubble off: Emil Marx, Hoosier level maker: The rest of the story. The Fine Tool Journal. 61(2). pg. 2, 15-17. IS.

Gibb, G.S. (1943). The whitesmiths of Taunton. Cambridge, MA. W.

Gordon, Robert B. (1991). Machine archeology: The John Gage planer. Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology. 17(2). pg. 3-14.

Graham, John H. & Co. (1970). A century of hardware, John H. Graham & Co. Inc. 1870 – 1970. John H. Graham & Co., Inc., Oradell, NJ. IS.

Hall, Elton W. (June 2001). Braddock D. Hathaway, a New Bedford toolmaker. The Chronicle. 54(2). pg. 60-66. IS.

Halsey, Doris. (1972). Byram of Sag Harbor. Unpublished, prepared for the April 18, 1972 meeting of the Early Trades and Crafts Society. IS.

Hammond, John Winthrop. (1941). Men and volts: The story of General Electric. J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, PA & New York, NY.

Hatch, Alden P. (1956). Remington arms in American histroy. Rinehart & Co., New York, NY.

Heckel, David E. (no date). The Stanley "forty-five" combination plane. David E Heckel, 1800 McComb St., Charleston, IL 61920.

Heckel, David E. (Fall 1996). Winchester tools "as good as the gun". The Fine Tool Journal. 46(2). pg. 6-8. IS.

Hoopes, Penrose R. (1930). Connecticut clockmakers of the eighteenth century. Dodd, Mead and Company, New York, NY. Reprinted in 1974 by Dover Publications Inc., New York, NY. IS.

Hutchins, Joseph. (September 2011). The American screw auger. The Chronicle. 64(3). pg. 89-107.

Hummel, Charles F. (1968). With hammer in hand; the Dominy craftsmen of East Hampton, New York. Published for Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, University Press of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. IS(2).

  • A classic reference on an important New York family of craftsmen.
  • See our commentary on this text in our publication The Florescence of American Toolmakers 1713 - 1930.
Huntslar, Donald A. (2002). Ohio gunsmiths and allied tradesmen 1750 - 1950. 5 vols. Association of Ohio Longrifle Collectors, 4443 Johnstown Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230.

Hurd, S. Webster. (April 1933). John Porcius Gage. The Vineland Historical Magazine. XVIII(2). pg. 257. X.

  • The in stock xerox of this article is attached to the back of one copy of Aber's Some Notes on Gage Planes.
Ingraham, Ted. (March 2001). Francis, John and Cesar: A different view of their planes. The Chronicle. 54(1). pg. 1-8. IS.
  • Cesar Chelor, John Nicholson, Deacon Francis Nicholson, known as the "Wrentham Trio".

Jackson, S. Robert. (no date). The level you need, manufactured by S. Robert Jackson, Watertown, N.Y. Reprinted by Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools, Bath, NY. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (September 1998). The Stanley Rule & Level Company: Its historic beginning. The Chronicle. 51(3). pg. 80-84. IS.

  • See annotations in our information file on Stanley Tool.
Jacob, Walter W. (December 1998). The Stanley Rule & Level Company: Charles L. Mead and the acquisition of E. A. Stearns. The Chronicle. 51(4). pg. 120-122. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (June 2000). Brace up for a bit of Stanley history part III: 1917 to 1958. The Chronicle. 53(2). pg. 62-65. IS.

  • See annotations in our information file on Stanley Tool.
Jacob, Walter W. (March 2001). Stanley tapes measure the world part II. The Chronicle. 54(1). pg. 31.

Jacob, Walter W. (June 2001). Stanley tapes measure the world part III. The Chronicle. 54(2). pg. 75-80. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (September 2001). Stanley tapes measure the world part IV. The Chronicle. 54(3). pg. 121-125. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (March 2002). The turn of the screw: The history of Stanley screwdrivers. The Chronicle. 55(1). pg. 31-34. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (2006). Stanley’s adjustable cabinetmakers’ rabbet planes. The Chronicle. 59(1). pg. 25. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (June 2006). The advertising signs of the Stanley Rule & Level Co. – script logo period (1920-1920). The Chronicle. 59(2). pg. 70-74. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (September 2006). The history of Stanley four-square household tools part I. The Chronicle. 59(3). pg. 114-19. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (March 2008). Stanley hand drills -- Part III: Early twenties steel-frame drills. The Chronicle. 61(1). pg. 35-37. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (December 2008). Stanley hand drills part VI: Defiance brand hand drills. The Chronicle. 61(4). pg. 166-70. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (2011). Stanley woodworking tools: The finest years: Research and type studies adapted from The Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association. Early American Industries Association, Hebron, MD. IS.

Jacob, Walter W. (June 2009). Stanley hollow-handle tool sets. The Chronicle. 62(2). pg. 77-81. IS.

Johnson, Laurence A. (December 1958). The hasher. The Chronicle. 11(4). pg. 57-59, 64. IS.

  • This article contains important information on Leroy S. Starrett.
Johnson, Laurence A. (June 1959). The Barlow knife. The Chronicle. 12(2). pg. 17-21. IS.

Jones, Robert S. (May 6, 2002). Wooden plane iron makers marks. Self published. 3042 Cochise Cir. SE, Rio Rancho, NM. IS.

Kaufman, Michael D. (September 1979). Some nineteenth century Massachusetts level makers. The Chronicle. 32(3). pg. 37-41. IS.

Kebabian, John S. (September 1970). Early American factories: The Disston factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Chronicle. 23(3). pg. 39-40. IS.

Kebabian, John S. (March 1972). Early American factories: Buck Brothers, Millbury, Mass. The Chronicle. 25(1). pg. 10-11. IS.

Kebabian, John S. (September 1972). Early American factories: The Douglas Axe Manufacturing Company: East Douglas, Mass. The Chronicle. 25(3). pg. 43-47. IS.

Kebabian, John S. (September 1978). An American axe. The Chronicle. 31(3). pg. 45. IS.

  • Captain Joseph Allen, Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Kebabian, John S. (September 1984). Isaiah J. Robinson: The St. Johnsbury Tool Company. The Chronicle. 37(3). pg. 47-48. IS.

Keller, Charles M., and Benson, Paul. (1989). Ignatius Streibich, blacksmith. The Chronicle. 42. pg. 47-49.

Keller, David N. (1983). Cooper Industries: 1833 - 1983. Ohio University Press, Athens, OH. IS.

Klenman, Allen. (September, 1984). The smart axe! The Chronicle. 37(3). pg. 45-46.

Klenman, Allen. (1984?). Axes made, found or sold in Canada. Booklet, self-published.

Klenman, Allen. (1990). Axe makers of North America. Whistle Punk Books, Currie's Forestgraphics Ltd., Victoria, B.C. IS.

Klenman, Allen. (March 1998). Josiah Fowler of New Brunswick. The Chronicle. 51(1). pg. 25.

  • See a copy of this article and it's illustrations in our information file on Josiah Fowler.
Klenman, Allen. (December 1998). Amoskeag Ax Company of Manchester, New Hampshire. The Chronicle. 51(4). pg. 129-130. IS.
  • See the annotations for this article in our information file on axes.

Korn, Peter. (2013). Why we make things and why it matters: The education of a craftsman. David R. Godine, Jaffrey, NH. IS.

Kosmerl, Frank. (March 1995). Rochester, New York: A 19th-century edge tool center: Part 2. The Chronicle. 48(1). pg. 7-12, 24, 27. IS.

  • Thomas Morgan, Henry W. Stager, Stager & Guild, Stager & Barton, Charles Guild, Samuel Silsby & Company, Henry Gilman, Isaac Marsh, Calvin Morgan, Luman Squires, Globe Building, Henry Bush, T. & B. Bush, Bush & Butler, Bush & Bryan.
  • Other than Barton, Rochester marks are rather uncommon in coastal New England.  Perhaps their market was to the west and south and ship's carpenter's tools were not a specialty.
Kosmerl, Frank. (June 1996). Rochester, New York: A 19th-century edge-tool center: Part III. The Chronicle. 49(2). pg. 35-42. IS.
  • Leonard Kennedy, Jr., Benton, Evans & Co., E. & J. Evans, D. O. Crane, Samuel G. Crane, D. M. Shepard, H. Haight & Company, Silsby & Rand, P. Locklin, B. W. Schuyler, Schuyler & Sanborn, W. W. Bryan, Stevens & Co., William & J. Lovecraft, F. Weed, William Walker, Bernard Hughes, Hughes & Buell, M. Gregg, Gregg & Hamilton, Worden, Cole & Gior.

Kuc, Wiktor. (September 2011). Walter Cresson, Philadelphia sawmaker. The Chronicle. 64(3). pg. 108-20. IS.

Lamond, Thomas C. (1997). Manufactured and Patented Spokeshaves & Similar Tools. Self-published, Lynbrook, NY. IS.

Lamond, Thomas C. (Spring 1996). The innovations of a shave maker: Leonard Bailey ... 1858 - 1869. The Fine Tool Journal. 45(4). pg. 12. IS.

Lamond, Thomas C. (Fall 1996). The Bailey Tool Co. -- The Stanley Rule & Level Co. -- Edw. Preston & Sons, Ltd.: A circumstantial connection? or... whatever happened to the Defiance spokeshave line? The Fine Tool Journal. 46(2). pg. 11-12. IS.

  • "After the Bailey Wringing Machine Co. sold their plane division to the Stanley Rule & Level Co. (January 26, 1880) it is believed that the remainder of the Defiance plane inventory was sold off and no additional planes completely matching the Defiance design were subsequently manufactured.  Curiously, none of the Bailey Tool Company spokeshaves were included in the supplement, or updated edition, of the 1879 Stanley Rule & Level Catalog but Stanley did offer a variety of the Defiance planes in that updated catalog." (pg. 11).
  • "There were eleven different shave models offered by the Bailey Tool Company by the late 1870s." (pg. 11).
Lamond, Thomas C. (Spring 1997). Unconfirmed spokeshaves: Patented by Edward Preston (1908 - 1910). The Fine Tool Journal. 46(4). pg. 11. IS.

Lamond, Thomas C. (Fall 1997). Sargent spokeshaves: A brief company history and an overview of their spokeshaves.The Fine Tool Journal. 47(2). pg. 10-12. IS.

Lamond, Thomas C. (Fall 2002). Geo. D. Mosher and the Birmingham Plane Co. The Fine Tool Journal. 52(2). pg. 13-16. IS.

  • Located in Birmingham, Connecticut.
  • Two exquisite Birmingham planes are on exhibition at the Davistown Museum.

Lamond, Tom. (Spring 2008). Bailey scraper-spokeshaves. The Fine Tool Journal. 57(4). pg. 13-15. IS.

Lamond, Tom. (Winter 2009). Joshua Davies spokeshave. The Fine Tool Journal 58(3). pg. 26-7. IS.

Lamond, Tom. (Fall 2009). Stanley hatchets and axes. The Fine Tool Journal. 59(2). pg. 20-4. IS.

Lamond, Tom. (Summer 2011). James H Lewis… a diversified patentee. The Fine Tool Journal. 61(1). pg 6-8. IS.

Lamond, Tom. (Fall 2012). The skachet: Multi-purpose tool, hunting tool, camping tool, survival tool, fishing tool. The Fine Tool Journal. 62(2). pg. 9. IS.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). Axe manufacturers & purveyors in southern New England. Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). Axe manufacturers & purveyors in Indiana, Michigan & Ohio. Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). Collins & Co. Collins Manuf. Co. Collins Co.: 1826 - 1966. Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). Philadelphia axe makers (includes Plumb and Beatty). Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). The Mann axe making dynasty and the Mann Edge Tool Co. Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). W. C. Kelly, Kelly Axe Mfg. Co. Kelly Axe & Tool Co.: 1874-1930 and Kelly Axe & Tool Works: 1930-1987. Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). Axe manufacturers & purveyors in northern New England. Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). Canadian axe manufacturers & purveyors. Self-published.

Lamond, Tom. (n.d.). New York axe manufacturers & purveyors. Self-published.

Larsen, Ray. (September 2001). "A satisfied customer is the best advertisement" C. Drew & Co.'s caulking irons. The Chronicle. 54(3). pg. 102-109. IS.

  • See the annotations of this citation in the C. Drew & Co. information file.
Lasswell, Pat. (Fall 2001). Jo Fuller bench planes. Sign of the Jointer. 3(3). pg. 124-131. IS.

Leach, Patrick. (2002). Stanley Planes: The superior works: Patrick's blood and gore.

  • One of the most comprehensive websites on Stanley planes (http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan0.htm).
Lytle, Thomas G. (1984). Harpoons and other whalecraft. The Old Dartmouth Historical Society Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA. IS.
  • The single most important reference on New Bedford whalecraft.
  • Excerpts from this text are reproduced in Appendix 7 of the Registry of Maine Toolmakers.

Mayer, John. (1994). The mills and machinery of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company of Manchester, New Hampshire. Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology. 20(1/2). pg. 69-79.

Merriam, Robert L., et al. (1976). The history of the John Russell Cutlery Company, 1833-1936. Bete Press, Greenfield, MA.

Morgan, Paul W. (June 1985). The Henry Disston family enterprise: Part one of a three-part article. The Chronicle. 38(2). pg. 17-20. IS.

Morison, Samuel E. (1950). The rope makers of Plymouth. Publisher unknown, Boston, MA.

Navin, T.R. (1950). The Whitin machine works since 1831: A textile machinery company in an industrial village. Harvard Studies in Business History 15. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

Nicholson, William T. (1878). A treatise on files and rasps descriptive and illustrated: For the use of master mechanics, dealers, & c ...: With a description of the process of manufacture, and a few hints on the care and use of the file. Nicholson File Co., Providence, RI.

Page, Herb (Mr. Oldwrench). (Summer 2001). Reach for the wrench: E. F. Dixie, early manufacturer of "Hewet" patent wrenches. The Fine Tool Journal. 51(1). pg. 23-24. IS.

  • Herb has many other informative articles on wrench makers that are not included below.
Page, Herb (Mr. Oldwrench). (Fall 2001). Reach for the wrench: Coes key model. The Fine Tool Journal. 51(2). pg. 6-8. IS.
  • A photo from this article is reprinted in our Loring and Aury Gates Coes information file.
Page, Herb (Mr. Oldwrench). (Spring 2002). Reach for the wrench: Dodge & Wellington, Worcester wrench makers. The Fine Tool Journal. 51(4). pg. 14-15. X.

Page, Herb (Mr. Oldwrench). (Summer 2002). Reach for the wrench: The evolution of baby Coes wrenches. The Fine Tool Journal. 52(1). pg. 15-17. X.

Page, Herb (Mr. Oldwrench). (Winter 2003). Reach for the wrench: Whitman & Barnes: Extraordinary wrench makers. The Fine Tool Journal. 52(3). pg. 15. IS.

Page, Herb (Mr. Oldwrench). (Spring 2003). Reach for the wrench: Hawkeye wrenches. Fine Tool Journal. 52(4). pg. 18-20. IS.

Page, Herb. (2004). The brothers Coes and their legacy of wrenches. Sunset Mercantile Enterprises, Davenport, IA. IS.

Page, Herb. (Spring 2008). Reach for the wrench: Bemis & Call wrenches. Fine Tool Journal. 57(4). pg. 10-12. IS.

Page, Herb. (Fall 2008). Reach for the wrench: The wrenches of Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. Fine Tool Journal. 58(2). pg. 20-3. IS.

Park, David L., Jr. (September 1983). Augustus Rothery -- file cutter. The Chronicle. 36(3). pg. 49-52. IS.

Parks, Michelle. (Thursday, September 21, 2006). Plane dealing: Arkansan elevates woodworking to an art form and is named a Living Treasure. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Style section.

  • Larry Williams of Eureka Springs, AK.
  • One of the only active American wood planemakers circa 2006.

Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. Manufacturers. (1911). P. S. & W. Mechanics’ Handy List. Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co., Southington, CT. IS.

Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. Manufacturers. (1993). Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co.: 1900 centennial catalog of tinsmith’s tools and machines. Astragal Press.

Pernis, Paul Van. (Summer 1998). Leonard Bailey's first planes. The Fine Tool Journal. 48(1). pg. 5-7. IS.

Pierce, Cecil. (Fall 1989). Fifty years a planemaker. Plane Talk. 13(3). pg. 196-197. IS.

  • Letter from planemaker Cecil Pierce about a smooth plane he made.

Pollak, Emil & Martyl. (2001). A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes. IS.

Poffenbaugh, John. (1981). Union iron and wood planes. Reprinted by the Ohio Tool Collectors Association, Galion, OH. IS.

Price, Jim. (Winter 2003). Asa Weeks' patented expansive bit.  The Fine Tool Journal. 52(3). pg. 18. IS.

Prine, Charles W. Jr. (2000). Planemakers of western Pennsylvania and environs. Astragal Press, Mendham, NJ.

Prosser, Treat T. and Gillette, George W. (February 11, 1873). Improvement in tools for facing bung-holes: Patent application. Serial number 135,843. United States Patent Office, Washington, DC. X.

Rathbone, P. T. (1999). The history of old time farm implement companies and the wrenches they issued. P.T. Rathbone, Marsing, ID.

  • "This 520 page book pictures over 3000 wrenches from over 750 companies. It has the history of over 500 companies and includes old advertising pictures from them. Included is a 176 page soft cover supplement that lists over 3300 part numbers matched to the company that issued the wrench as well as a price guide." (Amazon.com).

Reeder, Layla. (date unknown). Development of modern bench planes: Millers Falls - the "Buck Rogers" planes. Tool Talk.

Rees, Jane, Ed. (2012). The tool chest of Benjamin Seaton: 1797: 2nd edition. The Tools and Trades History Society, Wakefield, UK. IS(2).

Rees, Mark. (March 1995). Four planes by Thomas Granford. The Chronicle. 48(1). pg. 13-16. IS.

  • Granford is one of London's first documented planemakers.
Roberts, Kenneth D. (1975). Wooden planes in 19th century America. Ken Roberts Publishing Co., Fitzwilliam, NH. IS.
  • See annotations in the collector's guides bibliography.
Roberts, Kenneth D. (1978/1983). Wooden planes in nineteenth century America, volume II: The Union factory, Pine Meadow, Connecticut, 1826-1929. 2nd Ed. K.D. Roberts Publishing Co., Fitzwilliam, N.H.

Roberts, Kenneth D. and Roberts, Jane W. (1971). Planemakers and other edge tool enterprises in New York state in the nineteenth century. New York State Historical Association and Early American Industries Association, self-published. IS.

Roberts, Kenneth. (1991). Scottish and English metal planes manufactured by Stewart Spiers and manufactured by T. Norris & Son. Ken Roberts Publishing Co., Fitzwilliams, NH. IS.

Roberts, Kenneth D. and Roberts, Jane W. (1971). Planemakers and other edge tool enterprises in New York state in the nineteenth century. New York State Historical Association and Early American Industries Association, self-published.  

Robinson, Charles. (date unknown). Vermont cabinetmakers and chairmakers before 1855. Publisher unknown.

Rodengen, J. L. (date unknown). The legend of Stanley: 150 years of the Stanley Works. Publisher unknown.

Rosebrook, Donald. (1999). American levels and their makers, volume I, New England. Astragal Press, Mendham, NJ. IS.

Sargent & Company. (1911). Sargent mechanic’ tools, 1911. Sargent & Company, New Haven, CT. IS.

Sayer, William L. Ed. (1889). New Bedford: Massachusetts: Its history, industries, institutions, and attractions. Published by order of the Board of Trade. X.

  • The Morse Twist Drill & Machine Company of New Bedford is described on pg. 253 - 256.  An illustration from this text can be seen in our information file on Morse.

Schiffer, Margaret Berwind. (1966). Furniture and its makers of Chester County, Pennsylvania.  University of Pennsylvania Press, West Chester, PA. IS.

Schindler, F. W. (May 2017). The legendary Green River knife: The scalpin' knife that changed everything. Muzzleblasts. 78(9). pg. 14-17.

Schoenky, Jim. (Spring 2003). The old boring tool notebook: McClellan's History of Patents. Fine Tool Journal. 52(4). pg. 14-17. IS.

Schoenky, Jim. (Summer 2013). The old boring tool notebook: Quimby S. Backus November 5, 1872 #132,790. Fine Tool Journal. 63(1). pg. 6-9. IS.

Schoenky, Jim. (Fall 2013). The old boring tool notebook: Quimby S. Backus June 24, 1879 #216,776. Fine Tool Journal. 63(2). pg. 6-9. IS.

Schwarz, Christopher. (2006). Veritas router plane. Fine Tool Journal. 55(3). pg. 22. IS.

Schwer, Wilbert. (September 1993). The Sandusky Tool Company story. The Chronicle. 46(3). pg. 57-68. IS.

Sellins, Alvin. (1975). The Stanley plane: A history and descriptive inventory. The Early American Industries Association, South Burlington, VT. IS.

  • Prior to Walter, this was the only guide to Stanley tools.
  • A most important reference on the Stanley Company.
Semel, Daniel M. (1978). Thomas Grant, ironmonger. Early American Industries Association & Frauncis Tavern Museum, NY. IS.

Semowich, Charles J. (1984). American furniture craftsmen working prior to 1920: An annotated bibliography. Greenwood Press, Westport, CT.

Silver Lake News. (January 29, 1970). Famed 'Cat's Paw' tool firm reorganizes: C. Drew sold for $99,000. From the Helen D. Foster - Papers - Clippings, Kingston Public Library, Kingston, MA. X.

Simonds Manufacturing Co. (1907). 75 years of business progress and industrial advance, 1832-1907. Cambridge, MA.

Smart, Charles E. (1962-67). The makers of surveying instruments in America since 1700. 2 vols. in one. Regal Art Press, Troy, NY.

  • Available as a loan from the E.A.I.A. Library.
Smith, Philip Chadwick Foster. (June 2000). Notes on a visit to the Buff & Buff surveying instrument factory, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Monday, 3 June 1968. The Chronicle. 53(2). pg. 76, 80. IS. Smith, Roger K. (1981-1992). Patented transitional & metallic planes in America 1827 - 1927. 2 vols. North Village Publishing Co., Lancaster, MA. IS.
  • See annotations in the collector's guides bibliography.
Smith, Roger K. (June 1997). Notes on New England edge tool makers, I: Edge tool makers, Hinsdale, NH, 1840-1900. The Gristmill. 87. X.
  • The article lists the following toolmakers:
    • Pliny Merrill 1840-1858
    • Merrill & Wilder 1858-1866
    • Wilder & Thompson 1866-1868
    • Wilder & Hopkins 1870-1873(?)
    • G.S. Wilder 1873-1883
    • C.E. Jennings 1883-1885
    • Jennings & Griffin 1885-1900+(?)
  • This article is online at http://www.mwtca.org/OTC/ar000021.htm.
Smith, Roger K. (Summer 1997). Caleb Jewett Kimball: Edge tool maker: Bennington, NH. The Fine Tool Journal. 47(1). pg. 5-7. IS.
  • A photograph of Kimball's shop from this article is in our information file on C. J. Kimball.

Smith, Roger K. (June 2009). The Stanley companies pictorial promotions circa 1860-1960. The Chronicle . 62(2). pg. 47-52. IS.

Smith, Roger K. (Fall 2010). Family of edge tool makers in Huntington, Massachusetts 1815-1877: Caleb Hannum. The Fine Tool Journal. 60(2). pg. 10-5. IS.

Stanley, Philip E. (1985). A concordance of major American rule makers. Iron Horse Antiques, Inc., RD #2, Poultney, VT. IS.

The Stanley Rule and Level Company. (1973). Combination planes: Historical development, patents and uses. Ken Roberts  Publishing Co., Fitzwilliam, NH. IS.

Stanley Rule and Level Plant, The. (1921) “55” plane and how to use it. The Stanley Rule and Level Plant, New Britain, Conn. IS.

Stanley Tools. (1937). Grey iron castings. Tool Talks. Stanley Tools, New Britain, CT. pg. 15-17. X.

  • This article is reproduced with copies of the illustrations in our tool information file on grey iron castings.
Stanley Tools. (1937). Stanley Tool history. Tool Talks. Stanley Tools, New Britain, CT. pg. 17. X. Stanley Works. (1946). Facts about tools: A message from Stanley. Stanley Tools, New Britain, CT. IS.

Steere, William A. (December 2011). Plane chatter: Levi Tinkham, mechanic in wood: His 1801-1803 day book, part I. The Chronicle. 64(4). IS.

Steere, William A. (December 2012). Plane chatter: Levi Tinkham, mechanic in wood: His 1801-1803 day book, part II. The Chronicle. 65(4). pg. 163-7. IS.

Tantillo, Joe. (2003). Historic past enduring land: A tribute to the machine shops & countryside of Springfield, VT. Self-published? IS.

  • This small book includes information on Jones & Lamson Machine Company, Fellows Gear Shaper Company, Parks & Woolson Machine Company, Bryant Grinder Company and Lovejoy Tool Company.
Taran, Pete. (Summer 1998). Disston, the good, the better, the best. The Fine Tool Journal. 48(1). pg. 13-15. IS.

Taylor, Frank Hamilton. (1920). History of the Alan Wood iron and steel company, 1792-1920. Private Circulation, Philadelphia, PA.

Tidey, M.B. (Winter 2005). Early wood-working machine manufacturers. Fine Tool Journal. 54(3). pg. 24-26. IS.

Turner, Kenneth E. (September 1996). The Starrett wheels that led to more wheels. The Chronicle. 49(3). pg. 69-71. IS.

Tymeson, Mildred McClary. (1960). The Norton story. Norton Company, Worcester, MA.

United States Patent Office. (Fall 1990). Augustus Stanley, of New Britain, Connecticut: Letters Patent No. 97,455, dated November 30, 1869; antedated November 20, 1869: Improvement in bit-stock. Stanley Tool Collector News. 1(1). pg. 8. IS.

Van Pernis, Paul. (December 2012). Homer F. Livermore -- weaving loom repair and the development of the Stanley shuttle plane. The Chronicle. 65(4). pg. 144-54. IS.

Wadsworth, Jeffrey and Lesuer, Donald R. (October-November 2000). The knives of Frank J. Richtig as featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not!® Materials Characterization. 45(5-6). pg. 315-26.

Walter, John. (c. 1993). Reproduction of a Stanley Tools newsletter: The Iron Age: Thursday, November 3, 1898: The making of the cast iron carpenters' plane. X.

Waltham Watch Company. (1940). Waltham: Watch and clock material catalog. Waltham Watch Company, Waltham, MA. IS.

Waltham Watch Company. (1948). Waltham: Watch and clock material catalog. Waltham Watch Company, Waltham, MA. IS.

Wanamaker, George. (August 1987). Siegley block, jack, joiner, and smooth planes 1893 - 1920's. Second Edition. Self-published. 515 S. Madison, Macomb, IL 61455. IS.

Walton, David. (March 2017). The William J. Lloyd Manufacturing Company 1890-1893: Successor to the American Manufacturing Company. The Chronicle. 70(1). pg. 1-15. IS.

Warren, William L. (1978). Isaac Fitch of Lebanon, Connecticut: Master joiner: 1734 - 1791. The Antiquarian & Landmarks Society, Inc., of Connecticut, Hartford, CT. IS.

Welcker, Peter, Welcker, Merrill L. and Welcker, Anne P. (September 2000). Generations of augermakers in Kingston, Massachusetts. The Chronicle. 53(3). pg. 120-122. IS.

  • For more information on the C. Drew & Co. mentioned in this article, see our C. Drew information file page.
Wells, John G. and Van Pernis, Paul. (June 2005). Bailey, Woods & Co.: Who was the mysterious Mr. Woods? The Gristmill. 9. pg. 8-9. IS.

West, Karl H. (September 1996). Ames Shovel & Tool Company. The Chronicle. 49(3). pg. 86-93. IS.

Westley, Robert. (June 1996). Drury-Marsh: St. John, New Brunswick. The Chronicle. 49(2). pg. 43-49. IS.

Wheeler, Robert. (March 1993). Nathaniel Potter: Could he be our earliest planemaker? A plane talk special feature. The Chronicle. 46(1). pg. 3-4. IS.

  • See our annotations plus excerpts and illustrations from this article in older editons of the Registry of Maine Toolmakers.
Whelan, John M. (September 1996). Plane chatter: The first American planemaker? The Chronicle. 49(3). pg. 85-86. IS.
  • "The acceptance of Robert Wooding as the first professional English planemaker rests on the number of surviving planes that bear his name.  The smaller number of Thomas Granford planes found to date are enough to qualify him as England's first, under the broader definition.  And recently, several other English candidates have arisen based on a few planes and some historical data." (pg. 86).

Whalen, Tom. (March 2017). Mr. Sumner’s marking axe. The Chronicle. 70(1). pg. 25-29. IS.

White, Frank G. (September 1979). A checklist of tinners' tool manufacturers. The Chronicle. 32(3). pg. 42-45. IS.

White, Marcus and Humason, H.B. (1953). New Britain, the center of hardware manufacture ... containing a brief review of its miraculous industrial development. IS.

  • P & F Corbin, Russell & Erwin Mfg. Co. and the Stanley Works, etc.
White, Stephen W. (September 1977). A checklist of woodworking tool manufacturers in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The Chronicle. 30(3). pg. 47-51. IS.
  • So many of their tools appear in New England tool chests that they are included in this section.
  • Josiah Fowler commenced toolmaking shortly after he was discharged as a Civil War soldier.
  • Woodworking tool manufacturers (pg. 49-51):
    • New Brunswick
    J. R. Googin Hardware -1889- hardware dealer
    Andrews, John S. -1889- small dealer
    Broad, E. & H.  -1862-64-
    Burpee, I. F. rolling mills
    Spiller Brothers 1867-75-
    Wood, James -1817-
    Mann Axe & Tool Co. Ltd -1915-30- adzes and axes
    Maritime Edge Tool Co. -1908- axes
    Veazy, John -1889-
    Biggs, Robert B. -1908- axes
    Moir, Robert
    Nova Scotia
    Blenkhorn, James 1842-46
    Blenkhorn and Sons 1846-1962 edge tools
    Conolly -1877- axes
    Cameron, William J. -1908- axes
    Campbell & Fowler -1865-77- carriage springs
    Campbell, William -1881-91- edge tools
    Campbell Brothers -1891-1920- axes
    Campbell, G. Wilfred & Son 1920-21 axes and edge tools
    Campbell & Fowler Ltd. 1921-22 axes and edge tools
    Campbell & Campbell 1922-23 axes and edge tools
    Edwards, John C. 1863-64-
    Josiah Fowler Co. Ltd. -1881-1920 axes and edge tools
    Ridgeway, Joseph -1862-64- files and rasps
    The Somerset Axe and Tool Co. Ltd. -1943- adzes, axes, cold chisels
    Spiller, Hanford B. -1862-
    Spiller, Samuel 1820-67 axes
Wills, Geoffrey. (1974). Craftsmen and cabinet-makers of classic English furniture. St. Martin's Press, NY, NY. IS.

Wing, Anne and Wing, Donald. (June 1983). The Nicholson family - Joiners and tool makers. The Chronicle. 36(2). pg. 41-43.

Wing, Anne and Wing, Donald. (Autumn/Winter 1984). Chronology of 18th century planemakers in southeastern New England. The Mechanick's Workbench, P.O. Box 420, Marion, MA. W.

Wing, Anne and Wing, Donald. (Summer 1991). Jonathan Ballou: On the west side of the great bridge, Providence, RI, 1723-1770.  Plane Talk. V.XV(2).

Wing, Anne and Wing, Donald. (June 2002). A rural rulemaker: Captain Anthony Gifford. The Chronicle. 55(2). pg. 46-51. IS.

  • This article contains important information about all the early New England and New York City rulemakers including William Belcher, Lemuel Hedge, William Rook and Lawrence Watts.
  • "By the early 1820s... William and Thomas Belcher, who had emigrated from Sheffield, were establishing in New York what was to become one of the larger American rulemaking firms of the period." (pg. 46).
  • "Undoubtedly the single most important influence on rulemaking in this country was American inventor Lemuel Hedge of Windsor, Vermont. ...Hedge patented his rule-graduating machine in 1827, beginning the machine stamping of wood rules in this country; the British did not use machines for marking rules until decades later." (pg. 46).
  • "By the late 1840s the Boston rule trade was beginning to diminish, and Gifford must have been aware of the growing success of the Connecticut firms of Stephens, Chapin, and the Middletown shops, as well as E.A. Stearns in Brattleboro, Vermont, and Belcher in New York.  How could he hope to compete with them from the little coastal town of Westport?  And yet, the Gifford factory appears to have been reasonably successful for a number of years." (pg. 48).
  • "The very fact that Mortimer Hedge had joined the army is an indication that the Westport rule business was extinct by 1862.  The small Boston rule factories were mostly finished as well, while Stanley, Chapin, and Stephens in Connecticut were burgeoning.  The era of the small rule shop had ended." (pg. 51).
Wing, Donald and Wing, Anne. (September 1995). Simeon Doggett: Loyalist planemaker. The Chronicle. 48(3). pg. 35-44. IS.
  • This article also contains information on Levi Tinkham and other Middleboro, MA, planemakers.

Wiss, J. & Sons Company. (1948). A story of shears and scissors: 1848-1948. J. Wiss & Sons Co., Newark, NJ. IS.

Wright, Frazer. (1986). Stanley 1936-1986. Sheffield.

Wyllie, Robin H. (June 1984). Edge tools of the lower Saint Croix. The Chronicle. 37(2). pg. 21-24. IS.

Wyllie, Robin H. (September 1985). New Brunswick revisited. The Chronicle. 38(3). pg. 50-51. IS.

  • Information about New Brunswick, Canada, edge tool and ax makers.