This company grew out of Herbert Baker Machine Works, which was in business in 1889; our earliest data point on Baker Brothers is from 1896.

Ad from October 1896 issue of The Wood-Worker

An 1898 ad features the Colburn patent Universal Saw Bench, a double-arbor tablesaw that was patented by Henry J. Colburn and assigned to Rollstone Machine Works. Rollstone failed in about 1890 so it seems plausible that Baker Brothers bought the rights to the Colburn design. The relationship, if any, with Colburn Machine Tool Co. is unknown.

On the metalworking side, Baker's heavy drill presses were their most successful product line, although they also made slotters and key seaters.

From the 1907 book, "Modern American Machine Tools"

Information Sources

• From an ad in an 1896 issue of "The Wood-Worker". The ad shows a jointer, perhaps a 12", that clearly says, "HERBERT BAKER / TOLEDO, O." on it. The ad copy is for "BAKER BROS. 368 S. Erie St., TOLEDO, O."
• Ad in 1898 issue of American Machinist. "Pattern makers and other will be interested in this extremely handy tool. The COLBURN UNIVERSAL SAW BENCH does every variety of straight and angular sawing. has cross-cut and rip saw always in position. No time lost in changing saws. Table tilts to any angle to 45 degrees. It is a thoroughly up-to-date machine, and no pattern shop, furniture or sash, door and blind factory should be without it. A large stock of these machines always on hand. Send for illustrated catalogue. We will also build a full line of other pattern shop and general Wood Working Machinery. BAKER BROTHERS, 365 South Erie St., Toledo, Ohio, U. S. A."
• Machine Tools Made in America, National Machine Tool Builders' Association, 1921
• Machine serial numbers from 1920 to 1957 may found here