Steelcraft Tool Corp. - Spiegel Bros. - Fix'N'Save - Century

four.cycle · Mar 30, 2021

SteelCraft Tool Corp. - Spiegel Bros. - Fix'N'Save - Century Tool -

The "Steelcraft Tools" I am talking about cannot possibly be "Steelcraft Tools" in Livonia, Michigan ( https://steelcrafttool.com/ )
"Steelcraft Tools" of Livonia, Michigan proudly boasts that they've been around "for over 75 years" - 75 years ago it was 1946.

The "Steelcraft Tools" I'm talking about is the "Steelcraft Tools" that are advertised in this "Spiegel Bros." catalog. Unfortunately the catalog has no date on it, but items shown within its pages tell me that it was published in the very late 1920s (like 1928 or 1929 at the earliest), but more likely in the early-to-mid 1930s.

1920s 1930s Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog front cover.jpg

Was "Steelcraft" a U.S. manufacturer back in the 1920s or 1930s? Or was it just another brand name slapped on product outsourced offshore?
Prior to WWII, that question puzzles me, because there was no shortage of U.S. based manufacturers of low-end hand tools in that era.

When we get to the post-war era, "Steelcraft" is coming in from all directions. A quick search turns up "Steelcraft" products from Japan, Korea, Germany, West Germany, and "British Zone" Germany. And I didn't even have to go very far down the rabbit hole to find those.

Steelcraft 10-in pipe wrench (Japan)(Ebay 124258141326 01).jpg

Steelcraft 4007 hole-saw set (Japan)(Ebay 264516510461 01).jpg

Steelcraft 6508 8-in slip-joint pliers (Korea)(Ebay 154126083354 01).jpg

Steelcraft wrench (Germany)(Ebay 324545991327 01).jpg

To further add to the confusion, there were/are "Steelcraft" products being made in the U.S.:

Steelcraft 8-in pipe wrench (US)(Facebook 01).jpg

I am reminded of the "Any Tool - $1.99" table over at the B&I Circus Store at 82nd and South Tacoma Way.

I am flummoxed.

Is this another "Globemaster" or "Zomax"? Who was this "Steelcraft" company? Where were they at?[/B]

3baygarage · Mar 30, 2021

I don't know the history, but after seeing the name on a lot of tools, pipe wrenches a biggie, it does seem like a Globemaster type situation as far as importing goes.
Lugz got pretty deep into the Spiegel company. I would just have to agree there are a ton of homeowner Steelcraft brand tools out there.

Private Lugnutz · Mar 30, 2021

3baygarage said:
Lugz got pretty deep into the Spiegel company.

I did, but (a) I was exclusively focused on Spiegel's "Precision-Bilt" 1940's tool line, and only because of the New Britain-made Master Wrench set I own, and (b) this is a completely different Spiegel.

Spiegel Brothers/Steelcraft in New York is NOT the same Spiegel as the mail order catalog company perhaps most famous for playing fourth fiddle behind the likes of Sears, Montgomery Ward, and later, J.C. Penney. That Spiegel started in Chicago, was a solo act (Joseph) until his sons took over, was never known corporately as Spiegel Brothers, and was almost exclusively a home furnishings outfit from its inception in 1865 through the 1930's.

More on the infamous Steelcrafty Spiegel below in my reply to 4.c.

four.cycle said:
Was "Steelcraft" a U.S. manufacturer back in the 1920s or 1930s? Or was it just another brand name...?

So far as I have been able to determine, "Steelcraft" was never a mfgr, not before, during, or after the war. It was initially a brand name for the Spiegel Brothers, who sold hardware and tools made by other OEM's, mainly, but not exclusively imports. (More on that below.) After the war they exploited the reconstruction policies of the Allies in occupied Germany and Japan, using cheap labor to make cheap products sold worldwide. At some point, not exactly sure when, one of the Spiegel brothers, Kurt J. Spiegel, incorporated the name Steelcraft Tool Corporation, which was a front for cheap imports. It was constantly in trouble with the FTC over false advertising with respect to COO and materials. One example linked here.

Below (Pic 1) is my Steelcraft collection. :pimpflash

The spiral push-drill and the chisel (see Pics 2-5) are both from the 1946-1949 "GERMANY BRITISH ZONE" era - which is pretty much the only reason I bought them.

The 3-piece extractor set (see Pic 6) in the handsome, colorful, painted wood twist-off case is pre-war, and I would hazard to claim from the exact same timeframe as the drills in the same case in your ad above. It is a good illustration of how their not exactly scrupulous practices were established early. The case is marked STEELCRAFT and MADE IN NEW YORK, N.Y., their home address, but the extractors are marked "J.P.F. Inc. WRCSTR, MASS". Which is precisely the kind of thing the FTC would fine them for much later in the 60's and 70's. I picked that set up because it's just the kind of obscure, peculiar, and yet relentlessly historically significant kind of item I cherish.

All three flea market finds.

four.cycle · Mar 30, 2021

Thank you!

Mr. Stansbury graciously responded to my inquiry by advising me that there is a boatload of material on Steelcraft HERE:

https://archive.org/search.php?quer...hardware-age-home-improvement-market"&sin=TXT

1967 Hardware Age magazine Steelcraft ad pp 157.jpg

four.cycle · Mar 30, 2021

Steelcraft / Steelcraft Tool Corp., 36-50 31st St., Long Island City, NY / Spiegel Bros. Corp. (same address) /

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=478374 /

https://books.google.com/books?id=7U66AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA2190&dq=Spiegel+Brothers /

from M.S.:
"This catalog is 1928 or later, as it includes Catalin handle screwdrivers. This is a clear form of Bakelite trademarked in 1927 and introduced in ’28."

1928+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog front cover.jpg

1928+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog pp 10-11.jpg

1928+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog pp 24-25.jpg

1928+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog pp 34-35.jpg

1928+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog pp 70-71.jpg

1928+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog rear cover.jpg

(* I'll have the rest of the catalog later and at some point we'll get it uploaded to archive.org and made available for download. - BK *)

Private Lugnutz · Mar 30, 2021

As I suspected, there is my 3-piece extractor set on page 24 (Pic 3).

four.cycle · Mar 31, 2021

I'll have a much better idea of date on these when I have the hard copies. for the moment, here's a few screenshots which may be of help:

1930+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog No. 24 front cover.jpg

1930+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog No. 24 pp 46-47.jpg

1930+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog No. 24 pp 74-75.jpg

1930+ Spiegel Bros. Hardware Tools catalog No. 24 rear cover.jpg

Saunders / D. Saunders Sons, 27 Atherton St., Yonkers, NY / patent 176815 May 2 1876
234689 Nov 23 1880 RE10021 Jan 31 1882 / pipe cutter patents are no help in determining date. See note below regarding Catalin screwdrivers.

Stan Schulz said:
"The "Handy Wrenches" listing on pg. 34 [in Catalog No. 20] is the first "documentation" I've seen for that cheaply made adjustable wrench. The wrench itself turns up every now and then -- it has no markings whatsoever. Some collectors surmise it is somehow connected to John Zilliox patent no. 1,386,217 [ http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=1386217&typeCode=0 ] because of the construction of the adjusting mechanism."

Stan Schulz said:
"...the way I read the cover of that Spiegel Bros. catalog No. 20, they were using STEELCRAFT as a "house brand." Note the catalog cover claims they are manufacturers, etc. Would have to obtain some Spiegel Bros. catalogs & see what items had the STEELCRAFT brand other than the Stillson pattern pipe wrenches. As to the date of that catalog No. 20 I concur ca. 1930 because of the Duro / Indestro ratchet and because of the BARCALO open end wrenches on pg. 35 with Industry Standard numbers.
ON all those other tools, STEELCRAFT is stamped in, which implies contract manufacture."

(* patent 1798481 on the Indestro 655 ratchet on page 35 was issued Mar. 31, 1931 *)

Mark Stansbury said:
"This catalog is 1928 or later, as it includes Catalin handle screwdrivers. This is a clear form of Bakelite trademarked in 1927 and introduced in ’28. I had to look all this up."

four.cycle · Mar 31, 2021

when Stan refers to the "Zilliox patent" above, he's talking about this unit:

Park Metalware 5-in bicycle wrench (Patent 1386217)(Ebay 193946547889 01).jpg

Park Metalware 5-in bicycle wrench (Patent 1386217)(Ebay 193946547889 02).jpg

Park Metalware 5-in bicycle wrench (patent 1386217)(Ebay 222636596229 01).jpg

Park Metalware 5-in bicycle wrench (patent 1386217)(Ebay 274678067081 01).jpg

Private Lugnutz · Mar 31, 2021

Totally tangential, note that John Zilliox was the inventor behind Park Metalware in Orchard Park, NY (i.e., Xcel adjustable, Xcel multihead wrenches, and eventually, Xcelite, the company).

four.cycle · Mar 31, 2021

^ correct. Zilliox = Park Metalware

Park / Park Metalware Co., Orchard Park, NY (1921-1973?) / acquired by Cooper Industries 1973 / became part of Apex Tool Group 2010 / (see Xcelite) / alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#park / http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#park / https://toolarchives.com/node/258 /

not to be confused with:

Park / Park Mfg. Co., Grant Park, IL / tool boxes /

Park / Park Tool Co. / Oakdale, MN / bicycle wrench / https://www.parktool.com/ /

And while that has nothing to do with Steelcraft or Spiegel, I find Stan's observation intriguing - Park Metalware was cranking out some interesting stuff. I have a set of their interchangeable wrench heads.

Private Lugnutz · Mar 31, 2021

four.cycle said:
Park Metalware was cranking out some interesting stuff. I have a set of their interchangeable wrench heads.

I have the Xcel adjustable socket wrench and the a few sets of the multi-heads. We have a good Park Metalware thread going right here on GJ with all kinds of examples and information. See Sticky Index.

four.cycle · Mar 31, 2021

Private Lugnutz said:
"See Sticky Index"

I notice you saying that quite often here.

I am considering adding all of the links on that "sticky list" to my list of tool brands and manufacturers.
There's a possibility it might help reduce the number of redundant threads and provide some people easier access to the information without additional searching.

Your thoughts?

Private Lugnutz · Mar 31, 2021

four.cycle said:
I notice you saying that quite often here.

Usually, for one of several reasons...

(1) Polite redundancy-reducing reminder that we already have a thread on subject XYZ

(2) To genuinely provide someone a reference to a relevant thread that is much, much easier than going to the thread, copying the URL, coming back to the other thread, and pasting the actual link.

(3) To continue to raise awareness that we actually have a permanent method to find hundreds of topics, and one that is not subject to the pace, page size, and descending chronological order of the forum, in a handy alphabetical list at the top of page.

The Sticky was added during your recent hiatus!

four.cycle said:
I am considering adding all of the links on that "sticky list" to my list of tool brands and manufacturers...[ ]...
Your thoughts?

It certainly wouldn't hurt. And I can see the utility. You probably saw that I have a link to your US Mfgrs A-Z list thread in the sticky. Someone coming to GJ for info on XYZ Tools Corp could find your US Mfgrs A-Z list thread as a reference, either through the Sticky, or possibly straight from an internet search, find XYZ Tools Corp on your list, then go directly to the XYZ Tools Corp thread (if we have one...) from there via a link. But it would be a lot of work for you. They can just go back to the Sticky A-Z Index.

Note that I am getting ready to approach the mods (NUTTSGT) with an update.

four.cycle · Mar 31, 2021

Okay - done deal.
I'll work the URLs from the "sticky" into the brands and manufacturers list - it won't happen overnight, certainly. I think it will better serve the purpose and direct people where they need to go.
If you didn't already notice, I gutted the entire OLD list of brands and manufacturers, and those suggestions from Todd and others at the tail end of that thread have been or are being worked into the list, so that entire thread can be deleted. Google will catch up sooner or later.

I also gutted the Wikipedia entry at which I had previously posted the list (the reasons for which are explained in the post.)
It's too much work to try to keep them both updated, and I changed the format of the one here so that I can add updates to it and hopefully not exceed the 10,000 character-per-post limit.

And again, I think the "sticky" thing was an excellent idea and well done.

I mentioned in a previous communication to you that I've seen many instances of Ebay sellers using information lifted directly from my list, so it's clear that Google is directing people here. It certainly wouldn't hurt to provide people an easier route to the dedicated threads on the items for which they're seeking information.

I know we're way off "Steelcraft" and "Spiegel" here, but that's not a big deal. I have the catalog No. 24 on the way - the catalog No. 20 should be an easy catch.

BK

four.cycle · Apr 6, 2021

These pages include what what the index shows for "screwdriver", "hammer", and "wrench". These will have to suffice until I can get the entire catalog scanned and sent off to ITCL.

Spiegel Bros. (Steelcraft) catalog No. 24 front cover.jpg

Spiegel Bros. (Steelcraft) catalog No. 24 pp 36-37.jpg

Spiegel Bros. (Steelcraft) catalog No. 24 pp 38-39.jpg

Spiegel Bros. (Steelcraft) catalog No. 24 pp 40-41.jpg

Spiegel Bros. (Steelcraft) catalog No. 24 pp 66-67.jpg

Spiegel Bros. (Steelcraft) catalog No. 24 pp 68-69.jpg

Spiegel Bros. (Steelcraft) catalog No. 24 pp 70-71.jpg

We have not yet conclusively ascertained what the date of publication on this catalog No. 24 might be. Clearly the Catalog No. 20 (shown above) cannot be any earlier than 1929 or 1930, so this catalog No. 24 is more than likely early-to-mid 1930s.

These pages are available at the International Tool Catalog Library HERE: https://archive.org/details/spiegel-bros-corp-catalog-no-24

Private Lugnutz · May 6, 2021

Had a chuckle and thought of you when I spotted the SPIEGEL BROTHERS name (see Pic 4) on these at the flea this morning, 4.c.

The worn COO is definitely Germany. I think I have a Steelcraft Occupied Zone that looks just like it somewhere around here.

four.cycle · May 6, 2021

^ You know I got both of those Spiegel catalogs - No. 20 and No. 24. Just need to get that scanner up and operational and get images sent off to ITCL.

Maybe I just never paid attention before, but it seems like I see more and more "Steelcraft" on Ebay these days.

Private Lugnutz · May 17, 2021

Thanks to some private correspondence from 4.c, I have two interesting updates on the intriguing pressed steel adjustable I posted a few weeks ago on the 'Who made the best adjustable?' thread, see page 6, post # 116.

First bit of news is that it was picked up by the guy who writes the Progress is Fine blogspot. He featured it today as his Mystery Monday Wrench, linked here. I am big fan of the owner's approach (he provides technical detail, but understands the importance of historical context), his blogpost turns up quite often in research, and we have some overlapping aesthetics, so I was excited to see he is just as intrigued as me.

Second bit of news is that Stan Shulz of The Wrenching News found an eBay sale for a Spiegel Brothers catalog and - lo and behold, it sure looks like they were importing these, probably from Germany. Hence, why I am also posting it here. See pic below nabbed by Stan. In typical Spiegel Brothers fashion, it was questionably advertised! Only the screw, adjusting nut and dynamic jaw are forged steel. The body is unquestionably pressed steel.

four.cycle · May 18, 2021

So..... the example Stan found looks like a dead-on match.

Private Lugnutz · May 18, 2021

Spittin' image. I left a comment on the PIF blogspot with a link to this thread.

Private Lugnutz · Aug 24, 2021

In post #3 above I posted a Steelcraft chisel marked "Germany British Zone," and made, therefore, in 1946 through 1949. Last weekend I spotted a ratty, incomplete and mainly busted set of Steelcraft chisels in a wooden case. I did not buy it. But I snapped some photos. Although the decal is the same, this set looks to have been made later than my solo immediate postwar orphan.

four.cycle · Sep 10, 2021

Steelcraft model 2030D sliding inside-outside caliper

Stamped "Steelcraft" inside a diamond, and "Made in U.S.A." inside a diamond on the other end of the scale. No other markings.
Not sure if the nut is original to the piece. Catalog snip is from the Spiegel Bros. catalog No. 24, which I believe we've determined dates from the early 1930s.

four.cycle · Nov 14, 2021

Thanks to a tip from Mr. Stansbury, I just grabbed four Steelcraft catalogs from the 1960s.
Just from the covers I've already solved two mysteries:
Fix'N'Save was a brand marketed by Steelcraft.
They also marketed a line of Century hand tools.
Remember "Century" tools in the discount stores in the 1950s and 1960s? The cheap 6-inch diagonal cutters with cutting edges made of the finest aged cheese? Yeah... THAT "Century".
Not to be confused with the "Century Tool Co." that was a contract supplier for the U.S. Military - I haven't figured that one out yet.
Figured I'd toss this out here even though it will be a while before Mark gets them uploaded to ITCL, because some of you may have some input on "Fix'N'Save" or "Century" (or the other "Century") that might provide more clues.

four.cycle · Nov 14, 2021

Fix'N'Save 12-pc 3/8" hex drive SAE socket set (photos ebay)

four.cycle · Nov 19, 2021

Breaking News!

Picked up mail today and had some items waiting for me.
I will get these sent off to Mr. Stansbury most likely Monday - no big hurry as he's apparently having some issues with his brand-new scanner.

Steelcraft catalogs No. 61, 62B, 63, 66, and C-66 (Century)

Of note:
Catalogs 61, 62B, and 63 are from Steelcraft Tool Corp., 36-50 31st St. Long Island City, NY
Catalogs No. 66 and C-66 are from Steelcraft Tools, A Division of Marshall Seeburg & Sons Inc., 36-50 31st St., Long Island City, NY

I've got price lists, but I'm not seeing any minimums for prepaid freight:
"Terms Net 30" ... "No freight allowed"...

Unusual for that era because most everybody offered terms of 2% 10th proximo, and prepaid freight on minimum orders (determined by either a dollar amount or pounds or number of cases.)

Everything from Acid Core Solder to Wrecking Bars - mostly imported stuff, but a lot of outsourced domestic product. They were clearly a big account for Indestro, Oxwall, and Rosenberg.

They were also obviously very "anti Commie": at the top corner of each price list is printed:
"Steelcraft Tool Corp. does NOT list, or handle, any merchandise from any IRON CURTAIN COUNTRIES.

(The Duro-Chrome catalog No. 37M is a double - I somehow ended up with two copies, but this one has a price list, so I'll send it with the rest on Monday.)

Looks like somebody shoved some oddball fly sheets into one of the catalogs as well - Fuller, "Fix'N'Save, etc.

Steelcraft Century Duro-Chrome catalogs 111921.jpg

four.cycle · Dec 3, 2021

Spiegel Bros. / Steelcraft Catalog No. 24 now available for download at ITCL

While we were able to determine the date of Catalog No. 20 to be 1929-1930, the publication date of Spiegel Bros. Catalog No. 24 was a bit more difficult to pin down. My best guess is early 1930s - maybe 1934 or 1935.
If anybody sees something in the catalog which offers a clue on dating, please let me or Mark Stansbury at ITCL know.

four.cycle · Dec 26, 2021

Mark said:
More research:
The last mention of "Steelcraft Tool Corp." in Hardware Age was 2 Feb. 1965. By Sep. 1965 Steelcraft was a division of N. Marshall Seeburg & Sons Inc., a privately held investment holding company. In Sep. 1967 Seeburg became NMS Industries, Inc. NMS was in financial trouble by Mar. 1971, and Mr. N. Marshall Seeburg died Jan. 1972. By mid-1972 Steelcraft was Steelcraft Tools Division of Daido Corp.
If Seeburg sounded familiar, it's the same family as the jukebox manufacturer. They sold the jukebox business in 1956 and became an investment co.
This lists the owners of Steelcraft in 1962: https://archive.org/details/sim_fed...11-10_27_220/page/11000/mode/2up?q=Steelcraft

thanks Mark! :thumbup:

four.cycle · Dec 27, 2021

I was digging through a folder and found these images - Spiegel branded German-made 6-inch adjustable wrench.

Don't forget: There's a whole mess of Spiegel/Steelcraft/Fix'N'Save/Century catalogs available at ITCL and more are on the way!

Mark Stansbury · Dec 28, 2021

four.cycle · Dec 28, 2021

1966 Steelcraft Catalog no. 66 now available for download at International Tool Catalog Library!

thanks Mark! :thumbup:

four.cycle · Dec 29, 2021

RE: article posted above by Mark (post #29)

Re: what's the date on that Steelcraft/Seeburg article you just posted?

_Nov_23__1969_

four.cycle · Jan 3, 2022

1930 Spiegel Bros. Steelcraft Catalog No. 20 now available for download at International Tool Catalog Library! WOW!

thanks Mark!

four.cycle · Feb 24, 2022

1971 Steelcraft Tools Catalog No. 71 Now Available at International Tool Catalog Library!

Steelcraft price list for catalog No. 68 now available at ITCL!

1952 Steelcraft Tools Catalog No. 52 Now Available at International Tool Catalog Library!

Steelcraft catalog supplement to Catalog No. 52 now available at ITCL!

thanks Mark! :thumbup:

RTM · Jul 25, 2022

Just wanted to toss out some thanks for these catalogs. I was poking about in the world of Perfect Handle type screwdrivers, and found one with the SBCo logo in a triangle. (Missed Spiegel Brothers in a visual scan of this list, since SteelCraft was on the left margin) Lugz wisely recognized the logo, and pointed me here.

I also found a visually similar dinky drill press to my Keen, presented elsewhere.

Thanks guys, we really appreciate the resource tools Mark and 4.c are supplying.

four.cycle · Jul 27, 2022

^ I have another batch here I have to send to Mark.
I found them last week when I was packing for an out-of-town trip.
Looks like I found an old "VACO" catalog - only about 4 pages long!

Private Lugnutz · Aug 15, 2025

I snagged these long reach needle nose pliers at the flea market this morning. I was not expecting to see the SPIEGEL BROTHERS / GERMANY marking around the pivot. (And make sure to check out the little Iron Cross affectations separating the words.) These are very well-made pliers.

four.cycle · Aug 15, 2025

^ That's interesting... I think that's the first piece we've seen here with "Spiegel" on it, no?

Private Lugnutz · Aug 15, 2025

four.cycle said:
I think that's the first piece we've seen here with "Spiegel" on it, no?

No. I posted a pair of combination pliers with a diagonal like cutter. See post #16. Much fainter marking. I am going to edit the post to include "Spiegel" so the search engine sees it.

four.cycle · Aug 15, 2025

ahh! I didn't scroll up far enough!

pretty cool find. wonder if it's pre-war?

psu8865 · May 28, 2026

I picked up a very old looking Steelcraft 8 inch adjustable today at a flea market in NJ. Had never seen one before- rusty but looked cleanable. Only when I got it home did I notice the Japan mark.

Steelcraft Tool Corp. - Spiegel Bros. - Fix'N'Save - Century

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