Above, the only Plumb tool I've ever found--a 22 oz. ripping hammer.
In 1869, Fayette R. Plumb entered a partnership with Jonathan Yerkes, an established hammer manufacturer operating in the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia. The company soon became operating as Yerkes and Plumb. They were one of the first U.S. firms to cast steel in their tools. Plumb bought out Yerkes when he retired in 1886, and the company became Plumb in 1888. In 1889, they added mattocks and picks when they acquired the Washoe Tool Manufacturing Company of New York City and moved its production to their own Frankford works. Plumb and the Plomb Tool Company went to court in the mid-1920's over the use of the name as a trademark, and in the 1940's Plomb capitulated and began selling its tools under the Proto brand name. Interestingly, in their 1965 catalogue, the Plumb company still refers to itself as Fayette R. Plumb Inc.
In 1971 the Plumb Company was acquired by the Ames Co., which itself had been bought in 1955 by Bernhard McDonough. For a time production was in Monroe, North Carolina and then Parkersburg, West Virginia. In turn the name Plumb was then noted as part of a brand printed on labels and in advertisements along with “AMES Division of McDonough Company”.
In 1981, Plumb was sold to Cooper Industries, which merged in 2010 with the Danaher Corporation to become the Apex Tool Group. Today, the name is simply used as a brand by Apex, with manufacture outsourced to China.
For a very comprehensive company history, including trademarks, visit Yesteryear Tools.
In 1869, Fayette R. Plumb entered a partnership with Jonathan Yerkes, an established hammer manufacturer operating in the Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia. The company soon became operating as Yerkes and Plumb. They were one of the first U.S. firms to cast steel in their tools. Plumb bought out Yerkes when he retired in 1886, and the company became Plumb in 1888. In 1889, they added mattocks and picks when they acquired the Washoe Tool Manufacturing Company of New York City and moved its production to their own Frankford works. Plumb and the Plomb Tool Company went to court in the mid-1920's over the use of the name as a trademark, and in the 1940's Plomb capitulated and began selling its tools under the Proto brand name. Interestingly, in their 1965 catalogue, the Plumb company still refers to itself as Fayette R. Plumb Inc.
In 1971 the Plumb Company was acquired by the Ames Co., which itself had been bought in 1955 by Bernhard McDonough. For a time production was in Monroe, North Carolina and then Parkersburg, West Virginia. In turn the name Plumb was then noted as part of a brand printed on labels and in advertisements along with “AMES Division of McDonough Company”.
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| Popular Mechanics |
In 1981, Plumb was sold to Cooper Industries, which merged in 2010 with the Danaher Corporation to become the Apex Tool Group. Today, the name is simply used as a brand by Apex, with manufacture outsourced to China.
For a very comprehensive company history, including trademarks, visit Yesteryear Tools.
I have 1210 VPLVMBV made in usa 5/16
ReplyDeleteCombo wrench in my hand right now as I read this, I also have almost a full wrench set 1/2" breaker bar center punches and other damn fine tools made by them they're top of the line period.
China.
ReplyDeleteNo not back before recent times. Plumb did make very good american tool line that made a whole lineup of mechanic tools. Not real flashy but very well made. In recent years I’ve only seen hammers with thier name and yes made in china along with craftsman husky kobalt millwakii crescent and whole slew of other tool lines that ruined their quality of tools. Except kobalt all other brands were until recently made in USA plumb tools were a very good tool
DeleteJust polished and rehung a well worn 48 oz plumb engineers hammer on a Link USA made hickory handle, that just happened to have perfect grain orientation. It will serve me well, just as it did for someone else for the last 50 years. long live real Plumb tools.
ReplyDeleteHard to find proper well-grained handles these days!
ReplyDeleteI have used Plumb Hammers since I was 16. My dad bought me my first hammer and it was a Plumb. Dad always told me that Plumb and Eastwing built America
ReplyDeleteGot the first of my 2 Plumb hammers in 1977. Second one in 1980 . Still the only 2 hammers I have owned. They last a lifetime. Job site abuse , no problem…
DeleteA little off subject. When I graduated high school in 1962, I worked for Good Tool company in Frankford Philadelphia. They made tools like screwdrivers and paint scrapers. Part of factory was run by a gas Otto engine. Does anyone have info on this business? richardcodell@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIf you can find info on it, I'll post it!
ReplyDelete