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J. B. Crofoot Mfg. Co.

Corner of Evergreen & Maple
Mt Prospect, IL (until the 1950's)
Santa Ana, CA (until the 1970's)


Crofoot Logo - 1965

The J.B. Crofoot Manufacturing Company made a variety of tackers and one magnificent paper stapler.   The ornate castings on these machines make them popular with collectors.

The J. B. Crofoot Manufacturing Company was started by John B. Crofoot in 1905 in the Crofoot family home in Milwaukee, WI.   In the 1920's, it moved to the Chicago area (eventually ending up in Mount Prospect, IL) to take advantage of the larger market and the easy access to transportation.  The firm remained in Mount Prospect until the 1950's when it moved to California.

The J. B. Crofoot Factory, Mount Prospect, Illinois - circa 1928

Crofoot Tackers

In 1917, John B. Crofoot received his first patent for a tacker.   The majority of the devices made by the Crofoot Company were tackers, with two popular models being the 540 and 558.   These simple and reliable devices were primarily used for manufacturing wood-framed window screens and were produced until the 1960's.

         
Crofoot Tackers - Click on the Picture for a Larger Image

The 540 had a capacity of 40 staples, the 558 had a capacity of 58.   Both models were made from cast iron and were available with either a nickel plate or black japanned finish.   All of Crofoot's machines used strip (herringbone) staples.   Later models made exclusive use of Crofoot's own patented Perf-O-Matic staples.   In all probability, the Crofoot Company was the last manufacturer of herringbone strip staples, manufacturing Perf-O-Matic staples until at least 1964 (their California address has a zip code) and possibly longer.

The Model 525

The company made only one paper stapler, but it was a superlative machine.   In terms of appealing design, quality of workmanship, and number of features, the Crofoot Model 525 is the most remarkable strip stapler ever made.   It was made from polished, nickel-plated cast iron and featured a felt padded base, an internal drawer for storing staples, and a patented adjustable paper gage.

By pulling the pivot pin (which is marked "PULL" - as if you couldn't figure it out on your own), the main stapler body can be removed from the base so it can be used as a tacker.

The attention to detail on this machine is striking.   The removable pin has a chain to keep it with the base when the unit is being used as a tacker.   The main body is stamped with the word "OIL" next to the exposed pivoting part of the feed mechanism - the only place on the device that required lubrication.   The paper gage is spring loaded to a round bar.   To change the location, simply squeeze the "ears" of the guide together and slide it along the bar to the new position;   once you release the gage, the spring locks it to the bar.

The Model 525 was patented in 1928, four years after cohered wire staples made their debut.
By the time this stapler was introduced, it was already obsolete.  The Model 525 had a capacity of 25 staples.   It had to compete against less expensive devices, that used less expensive cohered wire staples, with 250 staple capacities.  Sales for the Model 525 were poor and production was limited.   As a result, this model is extremely rare.   If you can find one for less than $200, you've found a bargain.


Crofoot Cushion Caps

Using a Crofoot tacker could be hard work.   When operating the stapler, the plunger must first cut a fairly substantial steel staple from the metal strip, then drive it into what was often hard wood.   This required a significant amount of force, and it was done by pushing or striking the plunger by hand.

J. B. Crofoot realized there was a problem, and before they had even invented the word "ergonomics", Crofoot invented two devices (patent numbers 1713819 and 1713820) called "Cushion Caps".

The cushion caps were made of rubber and filled with a spongy foam.  They were designed to reduce the shock when using a tacker or stapler. They were marketed under the name "Velvocap".   They fit many types of staplers (I've seen Crofoot caps on both Compo and Hotchkiss staplers).


Crofoot Cushion Cap

They tended to get pretty beat up from use.   The one in the photograph is in exceptional condition.





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