American Twist Drill Co., a maker of grinding machines (among other products) was founded in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1866. Less than two years later the business had relocated to Woonsocket, Rhode Island. In 1872 the factory was located in East Blackstone, Mass. In 1876 the company was described as being in Woonsocket, and we presume that the headquarters had remained there all along. By 1885 the business had relocated to Meredith, N. H., and then in early 1887 they moved to Laconia, N. H. Then in late 1920 the company merged its operations with the Gorham Tool Co., with the resulting firm being named the American Twist Drill & Tool Co., located in Detroit. This firm survived until the 1970s.

From 1872 Massachusetts Register

Information Sources

• 1866-11-10 Scientific American, classified ad.

  For Twist Drills—Best in use—address American Twist Drill Co., Lowell, Mass.

• 1868-03-28 Scientific American, classified ad.

  Twist Drills 1-32 to 1 1-4 inch. American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R.I.

• 1868-05-30 Scientific American, classified ad.

  Twist Drills, Reamers, & Chucks. Price Lists sent free to any address. American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R.I.

• 1868-11-11 Scientific American, classified ad.

  The Best Small Lathe Dog in the world. Carries from ? to 1 inch. Price $1. Address American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R.I.

• 1869-02-13 Scientific American, classified ad.

  Improved Lathe Dog—Carries from ? to 1 inch, sent by mail for 1.35. Address American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R.I.

• 1869-04-03 Scientific American, classified ad.

  New Machine for Grinding Tools, etc., Great Saving of Files and Labor by their use. Address American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R.I.

• 1869-05-22 Scientific American has a short illustrated article on a emery wheel grinder from American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket. See the Images tab for the article and illustration.
• Greenough, Jones & Co.'s Merrimack River Directory for 1872 & 1873 lists American Twist Drill Co. of East Blackstone, "organized 1866", as a maker of grinding machines and emery grinders, taps and dies, twist drills, chucks, . T. H. Worrall was the superintendent.
• Sampson, Davenport & Co.'s Massachusetts Register for 1872 lists American Twist Drill Co. of East Blackstone, "organized 1866", as a maker of grinding machines and emery grinders, taps and dies, twist drills, chucks, . T. H. Worrall was the superintendent.
• October 1873 Manufacturer & Builder, in a review of that years New York Industrial Exhibition.

  The American Twist Drill Co., of Woonsocket, R. I., have a fine display of their Emery Wheels in practical operation.

• January 1874 Manufacturer & Builder has an article on an automatic knife grinder from the American Twist Drill Company of Woonsocket, R.I. See the Images tab for the article.
• 1874-07-25 Scientific American, classified ad.

  The American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R. I., are now the sole owners and manufacturers of the celebrated Diamond Solid Emery Wheels. Illustrated catalogues of Emery Wheels, Machinery, and Tools, free. W. B. Jarboe, Agent, 17 New Church street, New York.

• The report on the Twelfth Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, September and October 1874.

  T. H. Worrell, Agent American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R. I.—One Automatic Knife Grinder; Emery Grinder; Counter Shaft; three Emery Wheel.—The Automatic Knife Grinder is of good design, well finished, and works very smoothly. Bronze Medal.

• The 1875 Reports to the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island lists American Twist Drill Co. of Woonsocket as being chartered in May 1874.
• The United States Centennial Commission, International Exhibition, 1876 Official Catalogue lists American Twist Drill Co., Woonsocket, R. I., as an exhibitor of automatic knife-grinders, emery wheels, and machinery.
• 1876 price list and engravings of the American Twist Drill Co.'s Diamond solid emery wheels and emery grinders, patented 1869-03-05 and 1870-08-03.
• November 1885 Manufacturer & Builder, in an article on the "Novelties" Exhibition in Philadelphia, which was held under the management of the Franklin Institute.

  The American Twist Drill Company, of Meredith, N. H., exhibited a new pulley turning attachment, and a set of face-plate chuck jaws for ready attachment to face plates of lathes, boring and drilling machines.

• February 1887 Manufacturer & Builder.

  The American Twist Drill & Machine Co., manufacturer of chuck jaws and other machinery specialties, have removed their office and works from Meredith to Laconia, N. H.

• The 1905 Iron Age Directory lists American Twist Drill Co. of Laconia as a maker of friction clutches, automatic knife grinders, shaft hangers, friction clutch pulleys, shaft pulleys, and emery wheels.
• March 1910 Machinery.

  Clutch Planer Drive: American Twist Drill Co., Laconia, N. H. This firm has devised a friction clutch drive for planers, which is operated by the regular reversing dogs. It obviates the shifting of the belt, which requires considerable power and is a matter of great difficulty, particularly with wide and heavy belts. The wear of the belts due to the shifting is also obviated by the use of this clutch. It is stated to be very positive in its action, causing the platen to come to a stop at very nearly the same point at the end of each stroke. It is designed for application to standard planers.

• The 1917-08-02 Iron Trade Review.

  To Make Small Tools

  Succeeding the Gorham Tool Co. Detroit, the Gorham & Goddard Co. of that city, has been organized with $75,000 capital, and has taken over the entire salvaging business of the first named company, with the object of continuing the manufacture of special goods, jigs, dies, reamers, etc. The personnel o the new company includes: L. C. Gorham, president; Dwight Goddard, treasurer; H. B. Lawton, secretary, and A. N. Goddard, general manager.

• January 1921 Automobile Trade directory lists American Twist Drill Co., W. Jefferson Ave. & 21st St., Detroit, Mich., as a maker of twist drills.
• The 1921-01-06 American Machinist has an advertisement announcing that "The American Twist Drill Company and The Gorham Tool Company had merged under the name of the American Twist Drill & Tool Co., located in Detroit.
• The New Hampshire corporate registration database Shows that American Twist Drill Co. of Laconia was created on 1915-01-01 and dissolved on 1925-04-22. American Twist Drill Co. of Concord, N. H. was registered on 1891-01-01