About us

Light Tool Supply

About Us

Michael Elson 
President 
Light Tool Supply

For as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by tools. As a young boy I worked summers packing orders and unloading trucks at my father's tool and supply company. After graduating from college, I immediately went to work full-time for my father and have been in this industry ever since.  Over the years I have learned this business inside and out and have spent many hours using that knowledge to improve the mail order supply business. I have seen that business change drastically over the years. The most dramatic change is from a business based on the paper catalog to one based on products sold via the internet. Subsequently, after many years of experience, I decided to create my own company to do what I know best. Light Tool Supply is now quickly bringing tools to loyal customers at the best prices possible.  I encourage you to use our vast experience as a resource for all your tooling needs.  If you see something on our website that you do not feel is the best price, please feel free to email me directly at michael@lighttoolsupply.com.  I also would like you to email me or my staff with any manufacturer's Part# from our long list of vendors at the bottom of this page for a low price quote. Additionally, do not hesitate to contact Light Tool Supply with any of our competitors' part numbers. It would be my pleasure to cross reference those part numbers with ours and beat their prices! I realize there are many companies to choose from; I hope you will choose Light Tool Supply.

Thank you,
Michael Elson
President
Light Tool Supply

                                                                        
Picture-Michael Elson, President of Light Tool Supply working in machine shop. (Picture taken Maplewood NJ 1994)

 Picture-Michael Elson, President of Light Tool Supply visits Mitutoyo Office in Germany (Picture taken in Germany 1994)

Picture-My Father, Gene Elson. Current President and Founder of Penn Tool Co. Inc. (Picture taken Newark NJ 1967)

                                                                             
Picture-My Mother, Phyllis Elson, working at an Industry Trade Show 1972





What is the warranty on your tools?
Most of the warranties are by the mfg and are for one year. Some are more or less than one year depending on the mfg. Please inquire on length of warranty before you purchase if concerned.

Do you Ship Outside the United States?
Yes. Light Tool Supply is happy to ship outside the U.S. You can contact us prior to ordering or simply place the order online and we will get back to you. We have found that small light packages(under 5 pounds) can be shipped very economically through USPS or DHL. For questions contact info@lighttoolsupply.com

Who pays for duties and taxes on International Orders?
The customer has to pay the duties and taxes to the delivery company upon receiving the order. These fees are not included in the shipping charge billed by Light Tool Co. These fees are individually determined by your government. If you would like more information please email info@lighttoolsupply.com

How do I calculate shipping?
Most shipping is calculated automatically before you finish paying for your order. In the case of items that are over 150 lbs and must go by truck, shipping is also calculated automatically. However we may need to contact you about additional charges such as residential delivery and Liftgate Truck Charge. We can also ship truck shipments to your local Truck Terminal for you to pick up. For inquires email info@lighttoolsupply.com

What do I do if I receive an order damaged?
Please take extra care to make sure the box or pallet (truck shipments) is delivered in good condition before you sign for it. Light Tool Supply can not accept responsibility for damaged items you sign for in good condition. 

Toolmex Corporation- one of Americas Entrepreneurial Super Stars

NATICK, MA- August 24, 2010

Toolmex Corporation, a leading designer and supplier of Workholding and Tooling products, announced today that they have earned a coveted position on the 2010 Inc.500/5000 list, ranking the corporation as one of the fastest growing companies in America for a second year in a row.  The company credits a combination of cutting-edge industrial technological savvy, products with quality built in, and a strong emphasis on customer service for their growth.

"We are pleased to be honored again this year by the Inc 500/5000 committee. This prestigious award could never happen without the commitment of our customers and our dedicated employees. We are truly excited to share the spotlight with some of the most successful businesses in America",said

Ark Kielb, President and CEO. 

Buy Toolmex Tools and Machinery at http://www.lighttoolsupply.com

EARLY PROSPERITY

Grand Haven, Michigan was prospering in 1887. The fishing and shipping industries were flourishing. Visitors came by rail and boat for the sandy beaches and to relax at the numerous elegant spas.
On January 7, 1887 the Dake Engine Company was founded by a group of ten local businessmen. A new invention, the double reciprocating, square piston steam engine recently patented by William F. Dake, had caught the interest of the principals of the lumber firm of Wyman and Cairns. It was the lumbering industry that brought prosperity to the region and by 1887 the forests were largely depleted to rebuild Chicago after the fire of 1871.
The Dake engine quickly gained worldwide acceptance and by 1893 was awarded a medal at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Because the engines were powered by steam and there was no danger of sparks, Dake engines were used in coal mines and for the extensive subway and railroad tunnel construction that was transforming the country at the beginning of the 20th century.
Perhaps it was Dake’s river front location and proximity to Great Lakes shipping, but soon marine equipment such as steam-powered steering gear, anchor windlasses, capstans, and hoists became a major portion of Dake’s business. In 1911, Dake gained a foundry in a merger with the Campbell

WORLD WAR II As the 1930s drew to a close, company management became aware that the original square piston steam engine could no longer support the company. The steam age was ending. A new era lie ahead. The war gave Dake the surge of orders it needed to stay afloat and soon the company was operating at full steam again. New 50 and 100 hp air and steam engines were developed for the war effort. Dake manufactured more than 10,000 steam engines, steering gears, windlasses, and capstans for the Liberty ships, the cargo ships that were mass produced to replace merchant ships destroyed by the war.

	POST WAR GROWTH At the end of the war, Dake purchased a line of arbor presses and hand-hydraulic presses. By the mid-1950s, the small line of presses had expanded to 170 models. A move to a new factory in 1957 gave Dake room and capacity to expand into larger custom-engineered hydraulic presses. Soon Dake was shipping 250 to 600 ton presses all over the world for a wide variety of manufacturing applications such as straightening props in shipyards, compression molding jet engine components, die tryout, steel rule die cutting floppy disks, and straightening steel bars and plates.

NEW PRODUCT LINES

In 1985, Dake purchased the Johnson metal cutting band saw product line from Kysor International of Cadillac, Michigan. The new product line featured horizontal and vertical band saws. The next year, 1986, Dake also began selling circular cold saws. In 1988, Dake added mitering and fully automatic horizontal band saws. The Parma line of gravity feed vertical band saws was added in 1999.

DAKE TODAY AND THE FUTURE

Dake was a pioneer on the web and participated in early test sites on the internet. Since then, Dake has made many new friends and kept up with old acquaintances on the Dake web site.
A whole new generation is learning about Dake by watching Dake presses and saws used regularly on such popular television shows as Orange County Choppers, The Great Biker Build-Off, Trucks, X-treme 4x4, Muscle Car, and Horse Power.
The heritage of the iconic Dake cast iron, steam engine lives on in the Dake products for the 21st century. Wherever people use their hands to work with metal, there is a need for a Dake product. The families at Dake, both past and present, appreciate the unique opportunity to work with the good people who use Dake products to write more chapters to the Dake story.

 Buy Dake Machinery at http://www.lighttoolsupply.com

#Thread measuring wires are the foundation of proper thread calibration

When you are calibrating thread plugs, thread setting plugs and AGD style thread ring gages it is important to know the correct size and proper constant of the thread measuring wires, as they provide the foundation for accurate thread gage calibration. Working thread plugs and thread master setting plug gages are calibrated by means of the three-wire method. The degree of accuracy in the results of your readings depends on the accuracy of the thread measuring wires. An error of one unit in the mean diameter of thread measuring wires will have a multiplying effect of three units in the pitch diameter of 60° thread plug gages.
Proper thread wire calibration starts with measuring the wires in the middle section which is about one inch in length. It is important that the wires are measured utilizing appropriate forces and anvil configurations specified in ASME B89.1.17-2001. The procedure in North America is to measure the wires with a method that reproduces the deformation that occurs when the wires are pressed against the sides of the thread flank causing an elastic deformation. There are two methods of thread wire measurement. The comparative method utilizes master thread measuring wires to which working wires are compared. The direct method involves a measuring instrument utilizing the specified standard’s measuring forces and anvil configuration. Laser micrometers are not suitable as they do not apply any measuring force to create the elastic deformation.
Hints for reducing measurement uncertainty include the following:

• Refer to the ASME B89.1.17-2001 for proper equipment, procedure and measuring forces
• Minimize temperature differences between master wires and working wires
• Eliminate handling of wires by using thread measuring holders or tweezers
• Check straightness of finer pitch wires with suitable equipment, as bent or deformed wires can create errors.
• Ensure measuring instrument is calibrated and anvil faces are flat and parallel
• Ensure vee block angle is correct

Manufacturing Americas

Walter Meier Manufacturing Americas

Walter Meier Manufacturing Americas is a business unit of the Walter Meier Group, a climate and manufacturing technology group founded in 1937 and that today is active in over 70 countries with around 1700 employees. Walter Meier Manufacturing Americas is a leading manufacturer and importer of Metalworking, Woodworking and Material Handling products in North America offering customer-specific solutions for Manufacturing products from its brands JET and Wilton.

 

JET Machinery

JET® was born in 1958 when the founder of the company, Leslie P. Sussman, took the first Boeing Jet Airplane trip from Seattle, WA to Japan.

Jet began as a small dealer of air hoists and trolleys; sold out of a single hardware store in Seattle Washington. Over the years, Jet has carried everything from snowmobiles, transmitter radios, and forklifts to nylon stockings.

By the early '70s, Metalworking had become our core business line. Just 10 short years later, Jet launched into Woodworking. As Jet grew, we expanded our Material Handling and Air Tools into to a full line of products.

Jet pioneered the import business by working with overseas suppliers. We are proud to say we still do business with one of our original suppliers.

In the 90s Jet grew from being just an importer of high quality machines and tools, and began to design and manufacture its own products to stringent specifications. We have our own team of engineers both in the USA and overseas, and have a world class supply chain.

Over the years, the colors of the tools have gone from blue, to green, to orange, and finally the famously trademarked White that you see today on most of our products. Our product lines have grown, and the distribution centers have expanded; but one thing has remained the same. Jet still carries the same message of quality product, with the best features and benefits in it's product class; all the while providing excellent service.

 

JET and Wilton are committed to being the suppliers you can depend on for the epitome of quality, innovation and service. This isn’t just a statement to make us sound good—it’s a reality that has been ongoing since we introduced our products more than 50 years ago.

With JET and Wilton tools being used by manufacturing professionals in plants and machine shops across the United States, we knew we could bring the same quality and reliability to another very important customer - you.

 

 

Order Jet/Wilton Machinery at  http://www.lighttoolsupply.com

About us

Light Tool Supply

About Us

Michael Elson 
President 
Light Tool Supply

For as long as I can remember, I have been surrounded by tools. As a young boy I worked summers packing orders and unloading trucks at my father's tool and supply company. After graduating from college, I immediately went to work full-time for my father and have been in this industry ever since.  Over the years I have learned this business inside and out and have spent many hours using that knowledge to improve the mail order supply business. I have seen that business change drastically over the years. The most dramatic change is from a business based on the paper catalog to one based on products sold via the internet. Subsequently, after many years of experience, I decided to create my own company to do what I know best. Light Tool Supply is now quickly bringing tools to loyal customers at the best prices possible.  I encourage you to use our vast experience as a resource for all your tooling needs.  If you see something on our website that you do not feel is the best price, please feel free to email me directly at michael@lighttoolsupply.com.  I also would like you to email me or my staff with any manufacturer's Part# from our long list of vendors at the bottom of this page for a low price quote. Additionally, do not hesitate to contact Light Tool Supply with any of our competitors' part numbers. It would be my pleasure to cross reference those part numbers with ours and beat their prices! I realize there are many companies to choose from; I hope you will choose Light Tool Supply.

Thank you,
Michael Elson
President
Light Tool Supply

                                                                        
Picture-Michael Elson, President of Light Tool Supply working in machine shop. (Picture taken Maplewood NJ 1994)

 Picture-Michael Elson, President of Light Tool Supply visits Mitutoyo Office in Germany (Picture taken in Germany 1994)

Picture-My Father, Gene Elson. Current President and Founder of Penn Tool Co. Inc. (Picture taken Newark NJ 1967)

                                                                             
Picture-My Mother, Phyllis Elson, working at an Industry Trade Show 1972





What is the warranty on your tools?
Most of the warranties are by the mfg and are for one year. Some are more or less than one year depending on the mfg. Please inquire on length of warranty before you purchase if concerned.

Do you Ship Outside the United States?
Yes. Light Tool Supply is happy to ship outside the U.S. You can contact us prior to ordering or simply place the order online and we will get back to you. We have found that small light packages(under 5 pounds) can be shipped very economically through USPS or DHL. For questions contact info@lighttoolsupply.com

Who pays for duties and taxes on International Orders?
The customer has to pay the duties and taxes to the delivery company upon receiving the order. These fees are not included in the shipping charge billed by Light Tool Co. These fees are individually determined by your government. If you would like more information please email info@lighttoolsupply.com

How do I calculate shipping?
Most shipping is calculated automatically before you finish paying for your order. In the case of items that are over 150 lbs and must go by truck, shipping is also calculated automatically. However we may need to contact you about additional charges such as residential delivery and Liftgate Truck Charge. We can also ship truck shipments to your local Truck Terminal for you to pick up. For inquires email info@lighttoolsupply.com

What do I do if I receive an order damaged?
Please take extra care to make sure the box or pallet (truck shipments) is delivered in good condition before you sign for it. Light Tool Supply can not accept responsibility for damaged items you sign for in good condition.