Duro Metal Products Co., – Kleppenslijper - Working tool

Decorative and still usable valve grinder from Duro Metal Co, in Chicago, IL, USA. Circa 1940.
Was formerly used by automotive mechanics to grind valves of internal combustion engines.

This manufacturer of woodworking and metalworking machines was founded in 1917, but really got going in the early 1930s thanks to falling costs of small motors, which made "portable" (i.e., not driven by a drive shaft) machines possible. Duro machines were aimed at the light industry and demanding home users. In the mid-1930s, Duro hired machine designer Theron Hedgpeth, who was general manager of Portable Power Tool Corp., a manufacturer of machines for home workshops. Hedgpeth's early designs for Duro were almost identical to the corresponding products in Portable Power Tool Corp.'s line.

The company existed at least until 1981, and probably until the late 1980s. By that time they faced strong competition from Taiwan. A company named JAF, Inc. from Ashland, Wisconsin, owned the rights to the name from 1989 to 1996. The name Duro no longer exists.

This lot has been carefully cleaned and is being carefully packaged, sent by registered mail and insured (with a Track & Trace code so you can follow the shipment). Pickup in Ridderkerk, Zuid-Holland, is also possible. I have nice hand-ground coffee.