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This site has free downloads of old American file manufacturer catalogs, brochures, instructions, and history, including Canada where possible. The Site Index lists small companies with the large companies that bought them. The information is being updated as needed so please check back. Click on pictures to enlarge them.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Heller Brothers Co. and Heller Tool Co.

Heller began in 1836 in Newark, New Jersey, became a partnership, Heller & Brothers, in 1865, and in 1899 incorporated as Heller Brothers Company.

In 1917 Heller bought:
    Johnson & Brothers File Co., Newark, New Jersey
    Rex File Co., Newcomerstown, Ohio
    Vixen Tool Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In the following 12 years Heller bought:
    Masterwrench Corp., Turlock, California
    Triple A File Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Continental File Co., Anderson, Indiana
    Filecraft, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio
In 1928 Heller Brothers of Ohio was incorporated.
In 1943 Heller bought Stokes Brothers Mfg. Co., Freehold, New Jersey.
In 1944, Heller bought American Swiss File & Tool Co., Elizabeth, NJ and Murcott & Campbell Co., Brooklyn, NY.

Heller Brothers of Ohio was at 641 Heller Drive, Newcomerstown, Ohio, and eventually all production shifted to Ohio. The Heller family sold the company to Simonds in 1955 and the name changed to Heller Tool Co. Simonds began producing all its files in the Ohio plant in 1960, and closed it in 2006. Heller had strong employee loyalty in Newcomerstown, and many residents retain a strong attachment to the company.

Google Books - Paul Elias Heller biography
Google Maps 2012 - Heller Drive, Newcomerstown
Newcomerstown News - Heller Plant Scale Model
Newcomerstown News - Heller Bros. Open House at Museum
Heller Brothers 1929 tools catalog scan

The Newark plant at 849 Mount Prospect Ave. (corner of Verona Ave.) is still standing and can be seen on Google Maps.  Google Maps

Heller Brothers building, Newark


Heller Brothers file box

Heller Tool Co. file box
Heller Nucut file box
Heller Brothers themed quilt

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20 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 15, 2014 at 11:02 AM

    Great info. Thanks for the research!

    ReplyDelete
  2. DRoyerJuly 20, 2016 at 12:03 PM

    I have a tool that is marked "Heller USA" with "1632A" stamped on the reverse side. It is shaped like an arrow point about 4" long with sharp edges. Its base is shaped like a normal file end. What was it used for?

    ReplyDelete
  3. GotDramaAllergyApril 29, 2018 at 6:12 AM

    Hello sir,It may be a Auger bit file..

    ReplyDelete
  4. JBJune 27, 2018 at 10:27 AM

    Have a chunk of Hellercut steel bought at a local hardware store north of Philly, in old brown paper. Specs show similar to 01 type alloy. I'm guessing it's kind of rare so I'm hesitant to use it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJune 29, 2018 at 6:01 AM

    I have a set of nippers that say heller bros Co. So I'm guessing the latest tye could have been made was 1955?

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  6. UnknownJuly 24, 2018 at 8:25 PM

    I have a Heller rattail bastard file it's fantastic I'm glad I Know who made my tool

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownOctober 14, 2018 at 3:09 AM

    I have several Heller, Vixen, and Swiss files. Passed down to me from my Grandfather. I use them whenever needed. They have never let me down. I'm glad to have read about the history of this great company. Sad that its closed. Most likely a combination of the Global ecommerce and our younger generation not practicing the Trades anymore

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousNovember 2, 2018 at 3:22 PM

      My father in law was lucky to move from the USS works to the tech lab. He left us w/several Heller Tool Co. Swiss Pattern Files. Doesn't look like they were used. Just so much of our economic history and lessons wrapped up in this simple set of tools.

      Delete
  8. johndDecember 13, 2018 at 10:55 AM

    I recently sold on eBay an unusual HELLER made & marked file and some questions & discussion has developed on its purpose? Rectangular piece of steel 12" X 3" X 3/8", with both flat surfaces entirely covered with fine single cut file tooth pattern. HELLER mark on 3/8" smooth edge. Not in catalogs, possibly a "special" ???

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMarch 11, 2019 at 7:01 AM

    Hi, I'm looking for a UK stockist of Heller files?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark StansburyMarch 11, 2019 at 6:43 PM

      They were last made in 2006, so eBay is the only source I know of.

      Delete
  10. DOGMANNovember 23, 2019 at 5:20 AM

    Hi,
    What do the lot numbers stamped on a Heller farriers file signify? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownJanuary 17, 2020 at 8:11 AM

    I found a plastic pouch with 11 Heller swiss pattern files, 5 1/2" ASSY RHN SET NO #0 marked on it. Inside says HELLER TOOL COMPANY SUCCESSOR TO HELLER BROTHERS COMPANY SUBSIDIARY OF SIMONDS SAW AND STEEL COMPANY. Beautiful files, I believe they have never been used.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownJune 27, 2020 at 9:59 AM

    I have a old file box how to tell how old it is

    ReplyDelete
  13. wolfJune 30, 2020 at 6:54 AM

    I collect and still use heller blacksmithing tools. They're the best!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownDecember 13, 2020 at 8:21 AM

    Need anymore information on this let be know

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownJanuary 19, 2022 at 5:18 AM

    can you provide citation for the first two photos? I would like to look at the periodicals that they came from.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2024 at 3:43 PM

    Hello. I have an old 14” 7/8 thick Horse rasp and file marked H&CCO Warranted . Would this be a Heller made piece?

    ReplyDelete

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