Please note

Because of the lack of published trowel and masonry tool histories, the information here is based on other sources that may be less reliable and certainly are incomplete. These include eBay and tools that I purchase myself that are the starting points for my research. I will write what I know as I learn it. If what you read here interests you, please check back often and look for revisions and corrections. Scanned catalogs are on Archive.org as pdf files. A few are links to other websites. Your photos and information are welcome. Please click on any picture to enlarge it. Comments are welcome, but any with links will be deleted as possible spam.

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Early Twentieth Century Concrete Block Molds and Machines

Simple block mold
This site usually includes hand tools and not machinery. However, early concrete block molds and single-block machines were important in popularizing the use of concrete a century ago, and they were also hand-powered and portable. Advertisements for molds and machines to make building blocks, fence posts, silo staves, and other objects were common in trade publications of the day. Some manufacturers of molds and small machines include:

Anchor Concrete Machinery Co., Columbus, OH and Adrian, MI
Ashland Steel Range & Manufacturing Co., Ashland, OH
Australia Concrete Machinery and Engineering Co., Ltd., London, UK
Hercules by Century Cement Machine Co., Rochester, NY
Diamond Block Machine Co., Bristol, VA, sold by Montgomery Ward
W.E. Dunn Manufacturing Co., Chicago, IL
Panama by J. B. Foote Foundry, Fredericktown, OH
Francis Machinery Co., St. Louis, MO
Knox, Triumph, and Wizard, made in Ohio for Sears, Roebuck & Co.
London Concrete Machinery Co., London, Ontario
Multiplex Concrete Machinery Co., Elmore, OH
Miracle Pressed Stone Co., Minneapolis, MN
United Cement Machinery Co., Plain City and Columbus, OH

The primary source today of information about these molds and machines is from Concrete Machinery, catalogs issued in the early 1900s by Sears, Roebuck & Co. of Chicago. I have scanned one of these, and there are 3 more with a lower resolution on Archive.org. Sears sold the 3 machines listed above, all shipped from an undisclosed location in central Ohio. In addition to the machines, they sold many accessories and additional molds for making decorative and structural blocks. The catalogs are well-illustrated and a fascinating look at building technology over 100 years ago. The back cover shows houses, silos, and commercial buildings built with machines sold by Sears. I have located several of those buildings on Google Street View. 

Concrete block mold, cast iron, USA 
Sears Concrete Machinery, high resolution
Sears Block Machine Instructions, Archive.org
Sears Concrete Machinery 1915, Archive.org
Sears Concrete Machinery 1925, Archive.org
Sears Concrete Machinery 1928, Archive.org
Concrete Block Machines in US in 1909
1905 Francis Machinery on YouTube
1906 Sears Roebuck Machine on YouTube
Using the Australia Concrete Block Machine in 1920

The molds and machines are very rare today. This 2013 article describes how Justin Grow of Portland, Oregon borrowed a block machine from a local museum and made his own rock-faced blocks for a restoration project. As of this date there is a rock-faced block mold for sale on US eBay with a $399.00 starting bid.

For more information about early manufactured concrete block and many pictures of its uses, see Straub Cinder Building Blocks on Archive.org.

Concrete block machines in Britain, 1921

Century Cement Machine Co., 1907



















W.E. Dunn Manufacturing Co.
Sears Concrete Machinery 
Sears Concrete Machinery



One of 2 houses built by C.W. Ward, Savona, NY

Concrete block house near Eureka, IL
For more information about larger equipment in the United States, see the Historical Construction Equipment Association, of  Bowling Green, Ohio.

22 comments:

  1. are the cement block molds still available to buy from Sears ?

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  2. have several block machines I make these blocks historicrockfaceblock.com

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    Replies
    1. Very interested in your capabilities!

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    2. hello,
      Seen a 2018 post and was wondering if you have any machines, parts, etc, that you are willing to sell? If not, do you have any contacts for these items. Also wondering if you still make any of the ornamental blocks? If so Price? Location? Thank you very much! Any help would be deeply appreciated.

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  3. I’m looking for information on how to use the old Montgomery ward brick maker any help will be great full

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  4. Thank for this overview, and treasure trove of information...! We've been searching for historical on this process, and had resigned to categorizing the material as split-faces cmu.
    We have a home of a similar vintage, constructed with the same block. Currently we are in the process of a facade renovation. The previous owner(s) painted the block and we're considering some version of automated blasting. Either hydro or vacuum, whichever is the least intrusive to the grout joints. Our goal is to restore the block to it original finish and add a surface sealer.
    Also thank you for the photographs, and valued research.

    Kind Regards

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  5. researching a historic home in Fort Lauderdale. looking to purchase/build a press for a display as this museum.

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  6. I love this blog! Great research tool when trying to figure out what was missing on my machines. I’m always looking for more machines, I love making them work again and making people happy when they find out they can buy the old hand crafted rock face block to keep their house original. I made some YouTube videos showing how I make them and what I have to do when I get a machine to make them work again. You can watch my videos by typing my name Donavan Cooley on YouTube. Thanks for an amazing website Mark! A lot of effort went into creating this Vlog!

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    Replies
    1. Buying a wizard automatic action tomorrow. Wondering if you have any info on different style templates. Not sure what is all included with machine. We are planning on using the machine to make block for an up coming job.

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  7. Just bought a montgomery ward brick maker with plates and interesting in selling

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    Replies
    1. I would be interested. Let me know how we can get in touch.

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  8. Very cool article. Our Museum here in Manitoba,Canada has a growing brick and block collection for our entire province. We have brick molds but we are currently searching for these concrete block machines. Thank you

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  9. I have some 3hole copper block molds if you could tell me anything about them.I would say they are from early 1900

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    Replies
    1. Sounds interesting, but I haven't heard of them before.

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  10. Hi, I have an antique concrete block hand moulding machine made from iron. Where can I post my photos so you can see it?

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  11. can you send me some photos please?

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  12. can you send photos to lorettacats@yahoo.com

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  13. What is the value of an antique Triumph cement block maker SR07

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  14. What is the value of an antique Triumph SR07 cement block maker

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    Replies
    1. Whatever someone’s willing to pay. Are you interested in selling it.

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    2. Whatever someone’s willing to pay. Are you interested in selling it.

      Delete

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