The Ingersoll Rock Drill Co. was established in New York City by Simon Ingersoll in 1871, when he had been working in the shops of J. F. de Navarro, which were operated by Henry C. Sergeant and a man named Cullingworth. The company was formed to make a rock drill that had been developed by Ingersoll. When Sergeant rather forcefully suggested an improvement to the design, Ingersoll took offense. Sergeant encouraged de Navarro to buy out Ingersoll, which he did. The drill was manufactured by Sergeant & Cullingworth Co. and sold by Ingersoll Rock Drill Co. After a falling out with management, Sergeant left, became a miner, and then moved back to New York and established the Sergeant Drill Co. At some point, Ingersoll Rock Drill Co., Sergeant & Cullingworth, and Sergeant Drill Co. all merged to create Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Co.
In the same year of 1871 when Ingersoll Rock Drill Co. was formed, a competitor, Rand Drill Co. was also formed. In 1905, Rand Drill Co. and Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Co. were merged to form Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Rock drills are not of interest to this website, but in their early years, Ingersoll-Rand also made steam engines, which are of interest. Beginning in the early 20th century they manufactured other products that are of interest to us. Their 1921 catalog has 3 models of pedestal-mounted drill sharpeners and a grinder, all powered by compressed air, and a coke forge. They manufactured both electric and pneumatic handheld power tools, including various kinds of impact tools and several "multi-cycle" tools for 180 or 360 cycle current: drills, screwdrivers, nut runners, impact tools, grinders, buffers, and sanders.
In 1947 Ingersoll-Rand introduced an all-purpose electric impact tool that could drive nuts, drill, and tap. The company was also the owner of Millers Falls Co. from 1962 to 1982, and sold Ingersoll-Rand electric power tools during this period, some of which may have been rebranded Millers Falls tools.
This website's focus consists of woodworking and metalworking machinery, steam and gas engines, electric motors, handheld power tools, and vises. Please do not upload pictures of any other products. Air compressors are not within the scope of this site!
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