Morse Cutting Tools

Since its beginnings in the mid-1800s, the company now known as Morse Cutting Tools has expanded and evolved into a company that carries an inventory of 25,000 different cutting tools. It began--as did many successful companies--with one product, the invention of the twist drill by its founder, Stephen A. Morse. He filed a patent and obtained stockholder investment of $30,000, which was a formidable amount of money in 1864. Morse Twist Drill and Machine Company opened in New Bedford, Massachusetts that year.

The twist drill required a way to drive it, so Morse also created the taper shank series. One set of master gauges was set up and sent to the Bureau of Standards in Washington, DC. It was accepted as a National Standard. Another set of master gauges was created at the same time; this set is in the possession of the Morse Company. Unfortunately, founders and their boards of directors don't always see eye to eye, and Morse resigned only four years after the company was opened.

After a series of growth acquisitions, followed by changes of ownership, Morse Cutting Tools has now reached its present size. Along the way, it took over ownership of Manhattan Fire Arms Company and American Standard Tool Company. Other important cutting and grinding tool acquisitions kept right on happening. And it has developed its own line of grinding machines.

The Morse Cutting Tools Catalog

A free catalog of its 25,000 products can be ordered through the Morse website. In addition, the company has official distributors. The catalog can also be viewed online by registering to log in. Valuable technical data, such as tables, terminology, and material safety is also accessible online. Ask The Experts is another feature of the site.