An advertisement in Popular Science shows the Craftools Dustman dust collector power head for $89.50. The power head includes a 1/3hp ball bearing motor, hood, fittings and hose. The user supplied the waste can. An optional four wheel dolley was available for $9.50. The machine was designed for wood or metal dust collection at the source.
We have also seen a couple of buffer-grinders with dust hoods, with the buffers labeled as "Craftool buffer/polisher / 1421 W. 240 Street / Harbor City, Calif. 90710". The dust hoods are labeled, "Craftools, Inc. / Wood-Ridge... New Jersey / Made in the United States of America". We suspect the buffer/grinders are imports and the dust hoods were made by Craftools, Inc.
Information Sources
- As seen in an advertisement on page 269, in the March 1956 issue of Popular Science. The mailing address was listed as 401 Broadway, New York, NY.
- From reader Hal Peters 2/22/2025: I worked at Craftools in Wood-Ridge NJ in 1967. They made shop vacuum cleaners and lapidary machines. I bought my Dad a shop vacuum for Christmas in 1967 and still have it.