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Makers of Wooden Clamps in US

Historical

Proceeding roughly east to west: MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, and OK once had makers of wooden clamps. You can click on these links to go directly to the information on their makers,and also their dealers, and users.

Searches in NJ, VA, and NC, have failed to find makers. Other states are still being studied; do you know of other makers?

Listed below, in alphabetic order, are links to further information for each firm.

Use the navigation table at the end of the page for more information.

A & A in Chicago, IL

This firm apparently subcontracted manufacture to Hempe, or else followed the Hempe design quite closely.

Aldrich and Hapgood in MA

This firm briefly preceded Aldrich.

Aldrich in MA

The firm was established in the 1840s, and persisted until 1918. Milton founded it, and his son William continued it. The maker mark never changed, so dating examples is difficult.

The Pollard Memorial Public Library is a good source of historical information. In addition, there are many examples in the collection.

Auburn Tool in NY

This was later taken over by Ohio Tool Company.

Bliss, and ONeil in RI

The firm was established in the 1830s, and continued (with slight interruption) until the 1930s. It was reorganized several times, and used several models, so that examples can often be dated to the decade.

A complete collection of all marks, all models, would be quite extensive.

The Deborah Cooke Sayles Memorial Public Library of Pawtucket is a good historical information. In addition, there are many examples in the collection.

Buttrick in MA

The Concord Historical Society is a good historical information. In addition, there are several examples in the collection, and several people have been shared generously.

Chapin and Chapin-Stevens in CT

This maker is known to me by three catalogs, 1859, 1890. and 1914(?). Also, there is one example in the collection, and I have seen what appear to be 2 others.

Denney Hand-Screw and Clamp Co. in PA

This firm is known to me only by its catalog of 1892.

Despres Dowel Manufacturing Co. in MI

This firm is known to me only by its entry in the 1940 Grand Rapids City Directory.

Dodge Manufacturing in IN

There are three examples in the collection. Ed Wallis, a former employee, and the Mishiwaka Historical Society have generously supplied much information.

Gothauer Clamp Co. in OK

This firm is known to me only by one clamp. The owners, Bill and Marilyn Hanson, were kind enough to lend it to me for study.

Grand Rapids Hand Screw in MI

the Public Museum of Grand Rapids is a good source of historical information. In addition, there are several examples in the collection, and individuals have shared generously.

Greenfield Tool Company in MA

This firm is known to me only by its catalog of 1872, reprinted by Ken Roberts.

Hempe, in WI

This firm apparently subcontracted for the Craftsmen brand of Sears and for A & A in the 1960s, and also made clamps under its own imprint.

Hood, and Hood and Rice in RI

The Deborah Cooke Sayles Memorial Public Library of Pawtucket is a good source of historical information. In addition, there are several examples in the collection.

Narragansett in RI

The Deborah Cooke Sayles Memorial Public Library of Pawtucket, and the Providence Public Library, are good sources of historical information. In addition, there are several examples in the collection.

Ohio Tool Company in OH

This maker is known to me by a catalog of 1910. Also, I have seen an example.

They acquired Auburn Tool.

ONeil in RI

See Bliss above.

Sandusky in OH

There are several examples in the collection.

Sargent in CT

Sears in Chicago, IL

This firm sold the Craftsman brand, which included both wooden and composite clamps.

Stanley in CT

This maker is known to me by just one clamp.

Webster and Butterfield in MA

There are several examples in the collection.

Young & Re? (illegible

There are two photos, and no text. I have no notes on where the images came from!

Current

In addition, I have information on some current makers of traditional wooden clamps. These include
Philip McRae and Son of Massachusetts, offering the Square Peg brand of hand screws and C-clamps,
Jesse H Sims of Florida, and
Kirt Grayson of North Carolina, dba Star Discount Tools, and the Carolina Carver. .

Makers of Wooden Clamps outside US

Makers of Wooden Clamps In Germany

Members of HTPAA have reported a wooden C-clamp by W. Ludeke of Hamburg. It is finger jointed and has a 4 inch gap.

I hope to obtain a photo.

Makers of Wooden Clamps In Italy

On a recent trip to Italy, I heard of a museum, MUSEO DEL FALEGNAME TINO SANA FONDAZIONE in Bergamo. It contains examples of wooden clamps used locally. The home page has wooden C-clamps, and hand screws. The page of the lute maker's workshop ("LA BOTTEGA DEL LIUTAIO") has more clamps. I have tried to contact the curator for more information about the source. So far, nothing.

On the next trip, I hope to be able to visit the museum to examine the examples.

Makers of Wooden Clamps In UK

Mathieson

Members of HTPAA have also reported a hand screw by A. Mathieson & Son , Glasgow. In the reproduction catalogue by Ken Roberts it is depicted as a No 1022, 14 inch, made of beech.

It is not known to me if Mathieson made this, or had it made for him.

If any one can photocopy the relevant page(s) of the catalog, I would be most appreciative.

Marples

Members of HTPAA have reported a hand screw by Marples . I am trying to contact the firm now to ascertain dates, and other information.

Makers of Wooden Clamps In The Netherlands

The following information was provided by Gerrit van der Sterre. I hope the members of the society AMBACHT & GEREEDSCHAP will be able to extend it soon.

Nooitgedagt

The Nooitgedagt firm made hand screws; these are mentioned in their catalogue of 1890.


Makers of Wooden Clamps In Sweden

Unknown, Craft Made

The following information was obtained from Mark Guthrie (swemark@minmail.net), who had the item at auction on eBay (Item #1459138287). The item is exotic in design, similar to a Tarbell. (Someday, I may consider another way to catalog this one.)

These were used in Orsa, to make church boats. I find no types of marks on this item.

I think that they are hand threaded with some type of cutting tool.

Church boat are boats that the people on the lake in Sweden used to go to church in other town for special time such as weddings and other holidays. These were made after the Viking boats that were made here in the 1200s to the 1500s.


Other Related Pages

This major section discusses:

There are some troublesome cases:
Craftsman can be considered a brand of Sears, but they may also have been makers at one time.
Hargrave was initially one brand of Cincinatti Tool, but later became the company name.

This section presents pictures of the various clamps that were made, sold, or used by known firms, and by some individuals. There are some standard, or default, pictures I try to get:


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