By 1921 the Crystal Lake Machine Works was in business and manufacturing "terra cotta speckling machines". In 1939 they introduced new models of grinding machines, including bench grinders and plain grinders. By 1942 they were doing business as Crystal Lake Grinders, although the "Crystal Lake Machine Works" continued in use for a while. The business was unincorporated and seems to have remained that way.
This business was founded by Charles A. Kirwin, who as early as 1910 was designing grinders for small watch and typewriter reamers, counter bores and plug gages. Over the years, the business manufactured many types of precision grinders, including surface grinders, cylindrical grinders, tool grinders, etc. As of 2019, the company was still in business in Crystal Lake, IL.
Information sources:
- A history of the company can be found on crystallakegrinders.com.
- 1921 Directory of Illinois Manufacturers, page 380, under Crystal Lake: "Crystal Lake Machine Works / Prop., Charles A. Kirwin. / Invested Capital: $10,000. / Employees: Male, 3. / Terra Cotta Speckling Machines."
- 1939 issue of Machinery (Volume 46 - Page 1939-282).
Crystal Lake Universal Bench Grinder—A universal bench grinder for production, tool, and experimental work has been designed by the Crystal Lake Machine Works, Crystal Lake, Ill. This grinder is adapted for use in grinding circular tools; internal and external grinding operations on dies, gages, etc.; square, hexagonal, spline, punch, and cam grinding...
- 1941 issue of American Machinist (Vol. 85) mentions a "Universal" model bench grinder made by Crystal Lake Machine Works, Crystal Lake, Ill.
- Mentioned in 1941 Report of the U. S. Congress House Committee on National Defense Migration , page 9,620, in a listing of "other builders of machine tools as far as the association has record of them"; the "association" is the National Machine Tool Builders' Association. Note that although the report is dated 1941, some of the information in it actually clearly dates from 1942. The listing reads, "Crystal Lake Grinders, Crystal Lake, Ill.: Internal grinders."
- Undated (but circa 1950) catalog says on the back page, "CRYSTAL LAKE GRINDERS, Not Inc. ... ESTABLISHED 1910."