Nye Tool & Machine Works was a leading manufacturer of plumbing tools. Harvey Gale Nye began his career at C Rogers & Brothers silver platers. He remained at International Silver after they absorbed Rogers. Henry Jansen owned a small machine shop on one floor of a rented building in Chicago. Jansen, Nye, & F J Kinselman (Kinzelmann) organized the Nye Tool & Machine Works in 1904. H G remained at International Silver until 1910.
Jansen developed the skip-tooth die in 1906. This die, made from imported Sheffield steel, became quite popular. A standalone threading machine with 4-inch capacity was added by 1908. They built their own factory in 1924. H G was an excellent salesman and promoter. He authored regular articles in popular plumbing magazines. His son, H G Jr. became president after his father’s death in 1932.
The Wayne Pump Company merged with Symington-Gould in 1958 forming Symington Wayne. This company bought Sherman Klove in 1961. S K Wayne tools were branded sometime between 1962 and 1964. Toolmaker Electrolite was also acquired in 1961. Nye was purchased in 1964. Dresser Industries acquired Symington Wayne in 1967.
Return to Home Page