Vintage Oliver Woodworking Machine Photos
THE HISTORY OF OLIVER MACHINERY
The following excerpt is from the book
Vintage Woodworking Machinery
By Dana Batory.
Available from Astragal Press
5 Cold Hill Rd. #12, P.O. Box 239, Mendham, NJ 07945, 973-543-3045
Joseph W. Oliver was born in Oswego, New York, in 1864 and moved to Grand Rapids in 1878 at the age of 14. He became an apprentice machinist at the Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company and later at Butterworth & Lowe Co., which originally made wood trimmers.
The first wood trimmer was made in 1879 at Middletown, Connecticut, and patented by W.R. Fox. A wood trimmer or miter trimmer stands midway between a hand tool and a power machine tool. Hand or foot activated, two razor sharp knives, operating somewhat like a guillotine in a cast iron frame, offer controlled shaving of stock.
Oliver left Butterworth & Lowe and became a salesman for The Fox Machine Co. In 1890, certain that he could do better marketing his own trimmers, Oliver designed a new and more advanced line. By 1891 the Builders Iron Foundry, Providence, Rhode Island, was manufacturing the machines for Oliver's company, now called The American Machinery Company.
In 1896 Oliver made a personal tour of pattern shops all over England, Ireland, and Scotland, demonstrating trimmers and selling them from a flamboyant custom-painted horse drawn lorry. By 1898 Oliver, tiring of the headache of jobbing the work out, decided it was high time American built the trimmers itself; he opened the companyís first factory in a basement shop.
In 1903 it was decided that the company's name needed to be changed, since it was being confused with the huge American Wood Working Machinery Co. of Rochester, New York, a major competitor. "The Oliver Machinery Co." was chosen. Employees in 1903 numbered about 25. The average hourly wage was 17 cents an hour for a 60 hour week. That same year Oliver moved into and even larger factory.
The company was incorporated January 7, 1907, with capital consisting of $100,000 in common shares and $50,000 in preferred stock. The net worth of the company was listed as $436,152 on October 1, 1907. Still working 60 hour weeks, the average Oliver worker earned 21 cents per hour.
Oliver began putting serial numbers on its machinery in 1907. Serial Number 1 went on a Type B tablesaw. (As a point of reference, the serial number of the first machine shipped after January 1, 1990 was 207,675.)
Perhaps the greatest innovation in woodworking machinery was the introduction of the round cutterhead. The head was first developed in England (1901) and later in Germany, where it was patented January 21, 1908. Oliver purchased the German patent the same year. Every circular safety cylinder in the United States today is basically a copy of the one brought out by Oliver.
On December 31, 1919, Oliver Machinery, now owned by V.M. Tuthill and F.A. and R.F. Baldwin, purchased the ownersí own company - Baldwin, Tuthill & Bolton ñ factory, inventory, and equipment. In other words, the companies merged, becoming the Oliver Machinery Co. The title "Oliver" was retained, since it was a well established and respected name.
Oliver calculated that more than 1500 high, grammar, and intermediate schools with manual training departments used Oliver Machinery. Between 1908 and 1922, for example, the Minneapolis Board of Education purchased over 264 Oliver machines.
In 1929 the company took in 9406 orders. The depression did not hurt Oliver immediately, but eventually, sales began to slacken. By 1931 Oliver was suffering. The bottom was hit in 1932 and 1933; business had fallen off by 92%!
Oliver gradually emerged from the Depression, overcoming a sudden recession in 1937 and a small dip in sales in 1944 and 1945. Oliver calculated in 1950 that its machinery was being used in over 2200 vocational shops. In that year, Oliver employed a total of 500 people, about 200 of whom were engaged in building woodworking machinery, earning $1.77 per hour for a 40 hour week.
Through the years Oliver has dropped and added various machines to its product line. By 1994, the company had produced over 150,000 machines and Oliver estimated that over 75,000 were still in operation on a daily basis worldwide.
Perhaps the best compliment to its line was made by retired shop teacher Stephen Rose of Tucson, Arizona who described Oliver's lathes to me as "boy-proof." A true test of durability if there ever was one!
See Oliver Tool Photos that others have shared
Have a Vintage Oliver Woodworking Tool to Share?
Do you have a vintage Oliver woodworking tool in your shop? Could you share a photo and some information? Do you have questions about it or would you like some information?
Tools That Other Visitors Have Shared
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Oliver 270-D 14" Table Saw
Oliver made some of the finest and heaviest woodworking machines available. This Oliver 270-D 13" Table Saw takes a 14" blade and has a sliding table.
Oliver Machine 4952/15
Not rated yet
Oliver trenching machine for making stairs profile.
Badge reads 'The Oliver Machine Co. Manchester' No. 4952/15.
I am trying to re-assemble to original ...
Oliver #181 Spindle Sander
Not rated yet
It has 1918 stamped in the top of the table.It has a 7/8" shaft and 9" long. It is completly original and runs like a horse.
Does anyone know where ...
1943 Oliver 260 D Sliding Table Saw
Not rated yet
This Oliver Table saw is 4'6" x 4'3" x 3' high and weights approx. 2,700 lbs. It is a Double arbor saw, typically set up with one blade to rip and one ...
All Other Old Woodworking Tools Articles
| Delta Homecraft Tools Delta produced a series of woodworking machines for the homeowner called the Delta Homecraft Power Tools |
| Delta Homecraft Jointer The Vintage Delta Homecraft Jointer was a welcome addition to any shop. |
| Delta Table Saw Jointer Combination Unit The Delta No. 34-500 8 inch Table Saw Jointer Combination machine offered a compact table saw jointer unit on one stand that used a single motor. |
| Delta Homecraft Shaper The Vintage Delta Homecraft Shaper No. 43-110 performed all of the operations commonly done on larger more expensive shapers of its type. |
| Delta Homecraft Drill Press Model No. 11-100 The Vintage Delta Homecraft drill press was one of the most versatile tools in the wood shop. It wasn't limited to just drilling holes. |
| Delta Homecraft Band Saw - Mod. 28-110 10" Saw The Delta Homecraft Band Saw Model No. 28-110 was first introduced along with the Homecraft Power Tool line in 1949. This bid 10 inch Delta Homecraft Band Saw was for curved and straight line cutting. |
| Delta Woodworking Tools Information and resources about Delta Woodworking Tools and Machinery. |
| Delta Unisaw - 10" Tilting Arbor Circular Saw 1949 The Delta Unisaw has been a mainstay of woodworking shops for the past 60 years. |
| Delta Band Saw Rip Fence The Delta Band Saw Rip Fence made the popular Delta 14 Band Saw and even more versatile tool. |
| Delta Band Saw (1949) Model No. 28-207 The Band Saw Restoration page is a place for you to share your old band saw restoration tips and stories and upload photos. |
| Delta Jointer 6 Inch The Delta Jointer was the standard 6 Inch Jointers in shops of all types. |
| Delta Finishing Machine - 4" Belt & 12" Disc Sander The Vintage Delta Finishing Machine No. 31-700 with a 4 Belt & 12 Disc was capable of performing 90% to 95% of all you finishing operations. |
| Craftsman Tool Stands Vintage Craftsman tool stands - were available for almost every Sears Craftsman power tool offered. Two sizes of stands were easily adjustable and provided rock-steady support. |
| Woodworking Machine Manuals Download free woodworking machine manuals. |
| Craftsman Tool Manuals Craftsman tool manuals and catalogs that can be downloaded for free. |
| Rockwell Tool Manuals Download free Rockwell tool manuals and catalogs |
| Delta Tool Manuals Download free Delta tool manuals and catalogs |
| Contribute Content to Old-Woodworking-Tools.net Help contribute to Old-Woodworking-Tools.net |
| Share Your Woodworking Machine Photos Share a photo or information about woodworking tools and machines. |
| Vintage Delta Tools Share a photo of your vintage Delta tools. |
| Share Your Vintage Craftsman Photos Share a photo of your vintage Craftsman tools. |
| Antique Woodworking Tools Old Woodworking Tools provides information and resources for collectors and restorers of antique woodworking tools and machinery. |
| Walker Turner Woodworking Tools Information and resources about Walker Turner Woodworking Tools and Machinery. |
| Old Woodworking Tools & Machines Old Woodworking Tools provides information and resources for collectors and restorers of antique woodworking tools and machinery. |
| Delta 1460 Wood Lathe The Delta 1460 Wood Lathe was offered by Delta in two models; a 4-speed version for wood turning and a 16-speed version for wood and light metal work. Pictured here is the one with the counter shaft unit for wood and metal. This lathe is rigid and accurate and appears to the the perfect lathe for general wood working applictions. |
| Woodworking Community Join the Woodworking Community for discussion, sharing, networking and more! |
| Vintage Oliver Woodworking Machine Photos Information and resources and photos of vintage Oliver Woodworking Machinery. |
| Delta 15" Utility Drill Press Information and resources for the Delta 15 Utility Drill Press 1963) |
| Old Woodworking Tools Information and resources for Internet Network Marketing success and using the web for your Internet network marketing and MLM business. Includes a case study. |
| Delta 43-205 Heavy Duty Shaper (1951) Information and photos about the Delta 43-205 Heavy Duty Shaper. Includes model numbers, parts list, and machine manual. |
| Delta 1160 Table Saw Information and photos of the Delta 1160 Table Saw. Includes description, parts list, recommened motors, and machine manual. |
| Delta 1426 Disk Sander Information and photos about the Delta 1426 Disk Sander. This Delta woodworking machines was produced in 1939. Includes parts list, motor recommendations, and more. |
| Craftsman 3 Wheel Band Saw Information and photos about the Craftsman 3 Wheel Band Saw. Includes photos, parts list, manufacturing information |
| Vintage Powermatic Tools Share a photo of your vintage PowerMatic tools. |
| Jet Woodworking Tool Photos Share a photo of your Jet Woodworking Tool Photos. |
| Powermatic Model 221 Planer Information and photos of the Powermatic Model 221 Planer |
| Powermatic Model 66 Table Saw Information and resources about the Powermatic Model 66 Table Saw |
| Boice Crane Woodworking Tools Information and resources about Boice Crane Woodworking Tools and Machinery. |
| Boice Crane 14" Band Saw Information and resources about the Boice Crane 14 |
| General Woodworking Tools Information and resources for General Woodworking Tools, table saws, band saws, jointers, shapers, sanders, etc. |
| Woodworking Tool Reviews Read or write a review of the Woodworking tools listed here. |
| Old Woodworking Tools Network A place for old woodworking tool enthusiasts to share photos, stories, and more |
| Woodworking Supplies & Equipment Woodworking-Supplies & Equipment including tools, hardware, supplies, woodworking plans and more. |
| Wood Lathes Information about wood lathes including a description of the features and considerations for purchasing one as well as links to a variety of vintage and modern wood lathes. |
| Jointer The jointer can machine a face or edge of a board perfectly flat and straight. This page provides information about wood jointers. |
| Craftsman Table Saw Information and resources about the Craftsman Table Saw |
| Delta Table Saw Information and resources about the Delta Table Saw. |
| Best Woodworking Shop Tips Contest 2010 Enter the Best Woodworking Shop Tips Contest and win a $100 gift card from Rockler Woodworking |
| Woodworking Shop Notes Learn more about woodworking, tools, projects, supplies and more. |
| Woodworking Machinery Information and resources about woodworking machinery. |
| Woodworking Machine Manufacturers Information and resources woodworking machine manufacturers. |
| Old Woodworking Tools Information and resources about the drill press, one of the most versatile pieces of equipment in the shop. |
| Belt Sander and Disc Saner Information and resources about abrasive tools including the belt sander and disc sander. |
| Wood Shaper or Spindle Shaper Information and resources about the wood shaper also known as the spindle shaper. |
| Hand Planes Information, resources, and photos about woodworking hand planes, history of planes, types of planes, uses of planes. |
| Stanley Hand Planes Information, photos, and resources about Stanley Hand Planes. |
| Craftsman Table Saw Parts Information, photos, and resources about Craftsman table saw parts. |
This site proudly build with Site Build It!
