Albert P. Weigel spent a decade as superintendent of the drilling-machine maker Aurora Tool Works Co., and then spent eleven years as general manager and superintendent of drilling-machine maker Superior Machine Tool Co. In mid-1917 he left that firm and, with partners, established his own business to manufacture heavy-duty precision drilling machines. Almost immediately the company began introducing new models of vertical drilling machines in the 20- to 25-inch range.

Tragically, Weigel died of typhoid fever in September 1918. The company continued without him for a year or two but then seems to have quietly ceased doing business.

Weigel 20-inch drilling machine, from article in May 1918 "Machinery"

Information Sources

• The 1917-07-05 American Machinist carried the following announcement:

  Albert P. Weigel has severed his connection with the Superior Machine Tool Co. as superintendent and general manager and organized the Weight Machine Tool Co., Peru, Ind. The new company will engage in the manufacture of high-grade tools.

• The 1917-09-27 American Machinist had an article on this firm's "new 25-inch vertical drilling machine", which stood nearly 10 feet tall and offered speeds from 15 to 400 RPM.
• The November 1917 Railway Mechanical Engineer had an article on this firm's "25-in. vertical drilling machine".
• The May 1918 Machinery had an article on this firm's "20-inch wheel and lever feed vertical drilling machine".
• The November 1918 Machinery carried this sad news:

  Albert P. Weigel, president and general manager of the Weigel Machine Tool Co., Peru, Ind., died September 16 from typhoid fever, at the age of fifty. Mr. Weigel was general manager of the Superior Machine Tool Co., Kokomo, Ind., for eleven years, and previous to his connection with that company, was superintendent of Aurora Tool Works, Aurora, Ind., for ten years. He was one of the founders of the Weigel Machine Tool Co. The company will continue business under its present organization.

• The February 1919 Machinery has a brief article on this firm's 21-inch vertical drilling machine with backgears, tapping attachment, and quick return.
• The March 1919 American Machinist had an article on the "Weigel 21-in. drilling machine with back gear tapping attachment and plain quick return".
• Ad in the Kokomo Daily Tribune for 1920-02-21:

  WANTED—Scraper hand. Apply in person if possible or write stating wages expected. Weigel Machine Tool Co., Peru, Ind.