H. C. Wood Machine Works - History | VintageMachinery.org

Manufacturers Index - H. C. Wood Machine Works

H. C. Wood Machine Works
San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
Manufacturer Class: Wood Working Machinery

History

Last Modified: Nov 14 2013 8:54AM by Jeff_Joslin
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In the 1930s and '40s, this firm made bandsaws and jointers, and perhaps other woodworking machines as well. They were also a dealer, such as for Sidney Tool Co. and Oliver Machinery Co.

Information Sources

Report of 16" and 20" bandsaws with "HC Wood Mach. Wks SF Calif" cast into the frame.
A 16" bandsaw from this maker was the subject of an owwm.org discussion.
An 8" jointer from this maker was the subject of an owwm.org discussion.
From the 1918-10-03 issue of San Francisco Business, H. C. Wood Machine Works is listed as a company undergoing expansion.
From the 1923-07-27 issue of Business, "published weekly by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce", in a column titled "Leads for New Business", is the following: "Machine Shop.—H. C. Wood Machine Works, 166 King to 113 Stillman."
From the September 1930 San Francisco Municipal Record, an advertisement for "H. C. Wood Machine Works / Manufacturers of and Agents for / High Grade Woodworking Machinery... 514 Bryant Street San Francisco, Cal."
From various 1930 issues of the Journal of proceedings, Board of Supervisors, City and County of San Francisco come the following entries in lists of payments made.
- H. C. Wood Machine Works, shop equipment for Roosevelt Jr. High School (claim dated Aug. 19, 1930) 674.00
- H. C. Wood Machine Works, shop equipment for Balboa High School (claim dated August 26, 1930) 517.00
- H. C. Wood Machine Works, shop equipment for Presidio Junior High School (claim dated Sept. 30, 1930) 674.00
A 1932 issue of American Machinist has the following snippet.
The H. C. Wood Machine Works, 514 Bryant St., San Francisco, Calif., has brought out Westinghouse-Wood electric motor gear units composed of Westinghouse electric motor parts combined with helical gears held in place by oversized...
A 1932 issue of The Timberman has the following snippet.
H. C. Wood, president H. C. Wood Machine Works, San Francisco, California, agents for Oliver Machinery Co., with B. F. Bader, well- known machinery man, sales manager, and J. J. Heintz, formerly president Hermance Machine Works, sales ...
Another issue has the following.
H. C. Wood Machine Works also builds a line of special woodworking tools in its well equipped shop. The organization will also specialize in reconditioned high grade tools. They report a fair volume of business.
Executive Order 9466, dated 1944-08-19 and signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to take possession of and operate the plants and facilities of certain machine shop companies", all located in San Francisco. Among the 99 companies listed is H. C. Wood Machine Works, 514 Bryant Street.