Last weekend I drove an hour to a moving sale advertised with that
siren's song "tools, tools, tools".  Most was garbage, and overpriced
at that.  However, I did come away with an Army-issue Kennedy (metal)
machinist's chest containing a very random assortment of stuff.

Most of it were things like Starret mic's and such that didn't appear
to be that old, but there was a straight edge with combo, dividing, and
protractor heads  all marked "Union Tool Co, Orange Mass."  There were
a handful of calipers with the same mark as well.

I checked my copy of the EAIA's draft version of "Dictionary of
American Tool Makers" (or whatever), and while there was a listing for
the Union Tool Co (in the mid-1850's), the address wasn't in Orange,
Mass.

I realize the "Dictionary" is a (relatively old) work in progress, but
can anyone fill in the gap (and likely years) of the Union Tool Co.
I'm mostly curious about the likely age of the tools, but any history
would be nice.

Also, having heard the way folks in Orange, NJ pronounce their
hometown, I can't help but wonder how a Yankee says it. ;)

Thanks and regards,
Don Berry

I asked about "Union Tool Co, Orange Mass" and got the following
informative replies:

Pat Leach sez:

>  Started out in Fitchburg as Union Caliper Co. in 1908, and
> was soon moved to happening Orange, MA in 1911. In 1916, the
> company's name was changed to Union Tool Co. It was eventually
> bought by Millers Falls. Their tools aren't quite the quality
> of the bigger boys' stuff.

and Machinist dude Karl Sanger wrote:

>    I don't have the "official" dates in front of me, but Union was in
>business > from the 1915's til the 1975 when Miller Falls (NJ) bought
>it and had some    > other names associated like the Union Caliper Co.
>They have only a few real  > collectibles for the early machinist
>collector, but often novice machinist    > collectors fixate on their
>later stuff.  There is one caliper #510 with a bar > adjusted by
>saw-tooth like guides that brings maybe $30 for a 5in model.  And >
>their Shavers Patent protractor #610 in G+ condition is worth maybe
>$100.     > Otherwise, NIB thread gages sell for $10 if you can find a
>buyer.

There you have it.  It dawned on me after I posted that the EAIA
"Dictionary" is only trying to list toolmakers upto 1899, so it was
likely that this Union Tool Co. was 20th Cent.  Judging by other stuff
in the chest I bought, the UTC stuff is ca. WWII or so.  Should make
fine users, though.

Thanks for the help, Pat and Karl.

Regards,
Don Berry