| Alloy Artifacts |
The Lisle Manufacturing Company was founded in 1903 by C.A. Lisle in Clarinda, Iowa and initially made well-drilling equipment. In the 1920s the company began producing automotive equipment with a valve refacing tool, and since that time has expanded as a maker of specialty tools and equipment.
The Lisle Manufacturing Company was founded in 1903 in Clarinda, Iowa. The company initially made well-drilling equipment, but branched out into other manufactured items, and in the 1920s began producing automotive equipment and tools.
By 1928 Lisle was offering a valve refacing machine and a brake relining machine.
Fig. 1 shows an ad for the Lisle valve refacer, as published on page 55 of the June, 1928 issue of Motor West.
Fig. 2 shows a notice of the formation of the Lisle Corporation by merger, as published on page 814f of the May, 1931 issue of American Machinist.
The text notes that the Lisle Manufacturing Company had merged with the Clarinda Manufacturing Company to form the Lisle Corporation, with Edwin Lisle as president.
By the late 1940s Lisle was producing drain plugs with an embedded magnet to traps small bits of iron.
By 1951 Lisle had acquired the line of "Jeepers Creeper" auto creepers from R & L Manufacturing of Toledo, Ohio.
Lisle continues in operation today as a private family-run business and maintains a web page on the Company History [External Link]. Interested readers are encouraged to check there for further information.
Lisle manufactures an extensive line of automotive specialty tools, which are sold both under the Lisle name and as contract production for other companies.
| Patent No. | Inventor | Filed | Issued | Notes and Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,681,840 | J.L. Pool | 04/28/1971 | 08/08/1972 | Reversible Snap-ring Pliers
Lisle Reversible Snap-ring Pliers |
| Text Mark or Logo | Reg. No. | First Use | Date Filed | Date Issued | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUPCO [logo] | 311,216 | 04/25/1932 | 10/28/1933 | 03/20/1934 | Text "SUPCO" in a diamond outline.
For brake parts and cables Filed by Superior Products Corp. Serial 343,014. Published January 9, 1934. Renewed 3-20-54. |
| LISLE | 1,004,486 | 01/01/1948 | 08/21/1973 | 02/11/1975 | For automobile mechanics' hand tools |
Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts Collection.
The Lisle Corporation continues in business today and more information can be found at the Lisle Corporation [External Link] website.
| Catalog | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-14 | 1972 | No copyright, date inferred from price list. 32 pages.
Includes price list T21D dated February 15, 1972. Available for Download [External Link] from ITCL. Lists "Jeepers Creepers" auto creepers. |
![[Lisle (Craftsman) Reversible Snap-Ring Pliers]](Photos/tools/craftsman_pliers_snapring_pat_int_f_cropped_inset.jpg)
Fig. 3 shows an pair of Lisle internal/external reversible snap-ring pliers, stamped "U.S. Pat. No. 3,681,840" on the top handle, with the "Craftsman" brand stamped on the back side of the lower handle (see inset).
The pliers were identified as Lisle production by the patent, assigned to the Lisle Corporation.
The overall length is 7.9 inches, and the finish is black oxide.
The patent notice refers to patent 3,681,840, issued to J.L Pool in 1972 with assignment to Lisle. The patent describes the design of reversible internal/external snap-ring pliers, with the mode of operation selected by means of a movable cross-bar. The photograph shows the pliers in the position for internal snap-rings.
![[Lisle (Craftsman) Reversible Snap-Ring Pliers]](Photos/tools/craftsman_pliers_snapring_pat_ext_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
Fig. 4 shows the Lisle snap-ring pliers in the position for external snap-rings.
In this configuration the cross-bar has been moved across the two handles, allowing the top handle to flex and back side the operation of the tips.
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