Zip Sander, Inc.; Young Mfg. ,Inc. - History

Manufacturers Index - Zip Sander, Inc.; Young Mfg. ,Inc.

Zip Sander, Inc.; Young Mfg. ,Inc.
Grand Forks, ND, U.S.A.
Manufacturer Class: Wood Working Machinery & Metal Working Machinery

History

Last Modified: Dec 15 2025 11:05AM by Jeff_Joslin
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From August 1988 Popular Science

Beginning in the mid-1980s, Zip Sander, Inc. manufactured the "Zipee" benchtop narrow-belt sanding machine that was popular with jewelers, knife-makers and woodworkers. By 1995 the Zipee belt sander was being manufactured by Young Manufacturing, Inc., at the same address (2131 42nd St. N., Route 2, Grand Forks, ND; it's now 2331 N 42nd St. | Grand Forks, ND 58203) as Zip Sander, Inc. We understand that manufacture of the Zipee sander continued until about 2005.

Information Sources

We first saw a Zipee sander in an owwm.org forum posting. The label on it reads, "Zipee 20½'' Belt Sander / Zip Sander, Inc. / 2131 42nd St. N., Rt. 2 Grand Forks, ND".
The August 1988 Popular Science writeup, seen above, gives the company name as "Zip, Inc." We don't know if this was an error or if the company did use that name for a time.
1995 issue of Metalsmith (Volume 15, page 69), pieced together from Google Books' "Snippet Mode".
ZIPEE BELT SANDER Ideal for the Jeweler, Home Craftsman, Hobbyist. Great for Precision Shaping, Sharpening Tools, Polishing, Deburring. All Standard Belts Available (Check OUR Prices First) Call or write for additional information. Four Belts Included...Young Manufacturing, Inc. 2331 42nd St. N. RR 2, Grand Forks, ND 58203.".
Trademark registration 1,011,249 (S. N. 434,652) was granted 1975-02-10 to Roland O. Young, Grand Forks, N. Dak., for the mark "PANEL LIFT", "For Dry Wall Installation Lifters (Int. Cl. 7). First use July 13, 1972."
Young Manufacturing, Inc. (YMI), "family-owned business since 1947" according to their website, remains in business as a job shop. https://ymi.industries.