Top of Site > Company Information > Company Histories > Reno Vise Company


History of Reno Vise Company of Michigan

Personal

In the early 1870's there are several people living in Detroit, and named Thomas Reno. Our man is listed as carpenter, machinist, pattern maker, living at 87 German St.

In 1881 he is listed as pattern maker for J.E. Norton, a model stove and machine pattern works . In '82 he is just listed as pattern maker. In that year, he applied for a patent for a clamp, which was awarded in October, and assigned half to the Detroit Tool Company.

In '83 he is a pattern maker with the Reno Bench Vise Company, 115 Fort St. E, Wm. Jackson, mngr. In 1884 there is an ad for the Reno Manufacturing Co., 12 Gratiot Ave., G.A. Burch manager, C. W. Upton, Asst. mngr, T. Reno, Superintendent. The Reno Vise company used Reno's design, after he applied for a patent.

From 1885 to 1899, he is listed as working for the Detroit Machine Screw Works, 66 - 68 Fort St. See History for details of that firm.

In 1890 he is just listed as pattern maker.

He is not listed by 1901.

Company

This history of the firm is not clear. Apparently, it was formed in 1883, and dissolved by 1885. It is not known if it was absorbed, or bought by Detroit Machine Screw Works, or not.

Additional history is being sought.

Sources

Special thanks to the following individuals and organizations who conducted research for this page.



last revised and validated

Copyright © 1996- Wooden Clamp Journal