In 1959, the Wade Tool Co. was a well-known maker of very high-quality small production lathes. With a plant at 51 River Street, Waltham, Massachusetts, they were best known for the Wade 8A, a highly precise small toolmaker's lathe made from 1919 to 1959. The Model 94, shown above, was a larger lathe geared toward the factory production environment.
Timeline:
1872: The American Watch Tool Company is founded in Boston, Massachusetts.
1918: At some point, the company was acquired by the Metz Company, which liquidated the firm in 1917. The lathe-making operation was purchased by Walter H. Wade, who incorporated it under the name of Wade Machine Company of Boston. For the next 43 years, the company made toolmaker and production lathes in Waltham, Massachusetts.
1961: Covel Manufacturing of Benton Harbor, Michigan buys the company. Covel continued production of the Model 94 and Model 98 lathes.
1970: Atlas-Clausing purchases Covel Manufacturing and divests the precision lathe line. Production returns to Waltham.
1985: The company is sold again and moves to 120 Eastern Avenue, Chelsea, Massachusetts.
2010: The company is sold at auction.Â
Now: The current status of the company is unclear.
The original location at 51 River Street in Waltham has been demolished and is now a Dunkin' Donuts.
Wade Tool Company: After going through at least 6 incarnations / owners over the past 140 years, the company's current status is unclear.
Verdict: Wade was (and still may be) one of the best American lathe makers, never moving offshore and always providing high-quality products.
