From 1884 (or earlier) and into the early 20th century, the San Francisco Tool Co. made steam engines, metalworking lathes and drilling machines.
Information Sources
- The 1884 California State Agricultural and Industrial Exposition had multiple entries from the San Francisco Tool Co. They won "Best apparatus for raising water for irrigating or mining purposes," and "Best display of machinery from one shop." They entered 24-inch and 36-inch gap engine lathes; 17-inch patent engine lathe; 40-inch patent drilling machine; 12-, 8-, 6-, and 4-inch turbine pumps; double turbine pump; pivoted pedestal bearings; improved shaft couplings; hydraulic elbows; assortment of irrigating water gates; standard measuring machine, to 1/10000 of an inch; standard gauge clippers; adjustable seamers for metal work; samples of mechanical drawings; air primer for pump; steam primer.
- The 1885 California State Agricultural and Industrial Exposition had multiple entries from the San Francisco Tool Co. They won "Most meritorious exhibition in this department." They entered 3 HP and 20 HP steam engines; a display of machinery from one shop, and a turbine wheel.
- 1886 Langley's San Francisco Directory lists "San Francisco Tool Co., W. A. Aldrich, president, Ira Bishop manager, makers machine tools and special machinery. 11-17 Stevenson, mr First".
- 1888 The Railroad, Telegraph and Steamship Builders' Directory lists "San Francisco Tool Co., 1st and Stevenson sts., San Francisco, Cal." (also, "11 Stevenson st.") under steam engines; tools—manufacturers; and tools—machine.
- An 1892 letter from James Gleason to the Gleason Tool Co. mentions the San Francisco Tool Co. as one of the shops he visited during a trip to San Francisco.
- 1899 Crocker-Langley San Francisco Business Directory lists San Francisco Tool Co., 22 Stevenson.
- We learned of this maker from an owwm.org forum discussion.
- From Kenneth Cope's book, American Lathe Builders 1810-1910.
SAN FRANCISCO TOOL CO., San Francisco, CA—Maker of 16" engine lathes in 1883. The lathe had a number of unusual features, including flat carriage ways, outside apron gearing, and outside screws for the tail stock spindles. Perhaps the isolated location, for a machine tool builder, allowed for some original thinking.