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.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

History of Hubbard Jointer Co.

Hubbard Jointer Company (Hubbard Jointers, Inc.) makes barrel-style brick jointers and sled runners which have replaceable tubular steel blades. Hubbard is located in Cheney, Washington, southwest of Spokane. The company founder was Richard Thomas Hubbard, born 25 Feb., 1907, in Owatonna, Minnesota. His father was from England and his mother from Canada. Mr. Hubbard died at age 100 on 10 Dec., 2007, in Spokane, Washington. Mr. Hubbard was a bricklayer and contractor who invented masonry tools and related items.

Hubbard brick jointer
His son tells his father's story on the company website:
My father, Dick Hubbard, started laying brick in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1924. He continued as a bricklayer and masonry contractor until 1965. During the latter years of his bricklaying career Dick began to develop tools for his own use that were better than anything then commercially available. His friends began asking for them. Then people from further and further away asked for them. In 1960 Dick began commercial production of the Hubbard Jointer. In 1965 he quit laying brick to devote all of his time to the Hubbard Jointer Company. I bought the company from my father in 1986. Dad was 79 years old and thought he might like to do something else for a while. Dad passed away in 2007, just short of one hundred and one years of age. In keeping with the conduct of his entire life his last words to me were “It is good.” 

Mr. Hubbard's US patents include these, but I have been unable to locate any jointer patents:
Level, US 2487245 A, issued 8 Nov., 1949
Spirit level holder, US 2557291 A, issued 19 June, 1951
Illuminated spirit level, US 3003054 A, issued 3 Oct., 1961
Spirit level, US 3110115 A, issued 12 Nov., 1963
  
Hubbard sled runner


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