Introduction

The Atlas Press Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan, was a major manufacturer of woodworking and metalworking machines during the 20th century. Known for producing durable drill presses, lathes, band saws, and jointers, Atlas also became one of the primary OEM suppliers for Sears Craftsman tools. Affordable, reliable, and widely distributed, Atlas machines played a huge role in equipping American home workshops, schools, and small businesses.

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History of Atlas Press Company

The Atlas Press Company was founded in 1911 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Originally focused on small machine tools, Atlas grew rapidly during the home workshop boom of the 1920s–1950s.

Key Historical Milestones:

• 1911 – Atlas Press Co. established in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
• 1920s – Introduced affordable drill presses and small lathes.
• 1930s–1940s – Expansion into woodworking machines; began supplying Sears Craftsman with rebranded tools.
• World War II (1941–1945) – Produced machinery for the war effort and civilian shops.
• 1950s–1960s – Peak years; Atlas woodworking machines became standard in schools and garages.
• 1960s–1970s – Company shifted away from woodworking machines and rebranded as Clausing Industrial, focusing more on metalworking tools.
• Today – Clausing Industrial continues to operate, though Atlas-branded woodworking tools remain collectible.

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Products and Machinery

Atlas specialized in light to medium-duty woodworking and metalworking machines that were affordable and easy to use.

Common Atlas Woodworking Machines:

• Drill Presses – Bench and floor models, among Atlas’s most iconic tools.
• Lathes – Wood and metal lathes, often rebranded as Craftsman.
• Band Saws – Compact saws for small shops and schools.
• Table Saws – Affordable 8″ and 10″ saws, popular with hobbyists.
• Jointers & Planers – Small but reliable models for home use.
• Sanders – Belt and disc sanders for general woodworking tasks.

Many Atlas woodworking machines are identical to Craftsman-branded models, with only the badging and catalog number differing.

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Catalogs, Manuals, and Advertising

Atlas produced richly detailed catalogs and manuals that today are essential to collectors and restorers. Their advertising emphasized affordability, reliability, and accessibility for home workshops.

Key Resources:

• Atlas Catalog Archive:
  Atlas Catalogs
• Instruction Manuals & Parts Lists:
  Atlas Publications
• Trade Advertising & Articles:
  Atlas Ads Collection

Atlas was a major supplier to Sears. Cross-referencing Craftsman catalog numbers with Atlas publications is often the only way to confirm a tool’s true manufacturer.

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The Decline and Transition

By the 1960s, Atlas began to shift focus away from woodworking. Larger competitors like Delta, Powermatic, and Rockwell dominated the professional market, while cheaper imports entered the hobbyist sector.

• 1960s – Atlas phased out many woodworking machines.
• Late 1960s – Company rebranded as Clausing Industrial.
• Post-1970s – Atlas name largely disappeared, though Clausing continues in the machine tool business today.

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Collectibility and Legacy

Atlas woodworking machines remain popular with collectors and restorers for several reasons:

• OEM role with Craftsman – Many Craftsman machines were actually Atlas-built.
• Durability – Simple, rugged cast-iron construction.
• Historical significance – Represented the rise of home workshops in mid-20th-century America.
• Restorability – Parts and manuals are widely available thanks to archives.

Today, Atlas drill presses and lathes are especially prized, often restored for active use in modern woodworking shops.

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Final Thoughts

The Atlas Press Company helped make woodworking machinery accessible to millions of Americans. Atlas machines were an independent brand and a major supplier for Sears Craftsman. They found their way into schools, garages, and factories nationwide. The Atlas name eventually gave way to Clausing Industrial. However, the company’s woodworking machines remain a vital part of tool history. They are also a favorite among vintage tool collectors.

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