Tools
The extensive factory at Marston Green, Birmingham (machine tools).
Subsidiary factories were located at Sparkbrook (Birmingham / small tools), Redditch (Worcs) and Letchworth (Herts), while the offices and showrooms were in London (93, Albert Embankment).
In 1900 a small group of craftsmen, as a branch of the BSA company, was busily employed
making drills, reamers and milling cutters. Whether it was then foreseen that it was to grow with such
rapidity is doubtful, for in a few years the branch developed into a substantial organisation for the
large-scale manufacture of precision machines and accessories.
During the first world war this BSA unit embarked on the production of gauges and machine-gun parts in
addition to the output of small tools which had increased enormously.
In the year 1919 the company of BSA Tools Limited was formed and the manufacture of jigs,
fixtures and special machines was commenced: multi-drillers for the railway carriage and wagon trade, gas
control plant, gear grinding machines, power gear testers, four-head vertical insulating machines and,
among the more unique, biscuit-tin lid rectifying machines, book-binding machines and bulb-blowing machinery.
In 1921 a new machine was introduced: the centreless grinder. Later came lapping and honing machines and
the multi-tool lathe.
1926 was the commencement of a long series of successes in the automatic field when they
delivered their first single-spindle automatic screw machine.
The manufacture of automatic lathes began when they designed and built a multi-spindle chucking machine for
the production of bicycle components.
Subsequently an agreement was reached with the Nat.Acme Comp., USA, permitting BSA to make the Acme-Gridley
multi-spindle bar machine. Other additions manufactured under license in those days were the American
Potter & Johnston large turret lathe.
Meanwhile expansion in small tools production continued. The original range of drills, reamers and cutters
was supplemented by taps and dies.
Other items were added from time to time, until by wartime a complete line of BSA machine tools, small
tools and accessories was serving industry throughout the world. A network of agents was accordingly.
Even as a more capacity version the engines of the M20 and M21 motorcycles (500 and 600cc/sv) were made
and used for "Clifford" (models M20C/A and M21 C/A) in the mid fifties.
BSA Tools Ltd was one of the many subsidiary companies formed by the parent company in order to be able to
concentrate on various aspects of the company's many diverse products. BSA Guns Ltd., was to handle all
Government and commercial arms production and marketing. BSA Cycles Ltd., would handle the growing Cycle,
Parts, Motor Cycle and Car production, whilst BSA Tools Ltd., the manufacture and distribution of machine
tools and engineering machinery.
I hope this summary, but also the pictures, will give you a good indication of this subsidiary company.
Any further detailed information is most welcome. F.e.: What happened with them after 1960 !?!?
The aim to produce better and faster than other companies (including Governments') was the pride and glory
of 'THE BSA'.
In 1900 a small group of craftsmen, as a branch of the BSA company, was busily employed
making drills, reamers and milling cutters. Whether it was then foreseen that it was to grow with such
rapidity is doubtful, for in a few years the branch developed into a substantial organisation for the
large-scale manufacture of precision machines and accessories.
During the first world war this BSA unit embarked on the production of gauges and machine-gun parts in
addition to the output of small tools which had increased enormously.
In the year 1919 the company of BSA Tools Limited was formed and the manufacture of jigs,
fixtures and special machines was commenced: multi-drillers for the railway carriage and wagon trade, gas
control plant, gear grinding machines, power gear testers, four-head vertical insulating machines and,
among the more unique, biscuit-tin lid rectifying machines, book-binding machines and bulb-blowing machinery.
In 1921 a new machine was introduced: the centreless grinder. Later came lapping and honing machines and
the multi-tool lathe.
1926 was the commencement of a long series of successes in the automatic field when they
delivered their first single-spindle automatic screw machine.
The manufacture of automatic lathes began when they designed and built a multi-spindle chucking machine for
the production of bicycle components.
Subsequently an agreement was reached with the Nat.Acme Comp., USA, permitting BSA to make the Acme-Gridley
multi-spindle bar machine. Other additions manufactured under license in those days were the American
Potter & Johnston large turret lathe.
Meanwhile expansion in small tools production continued. The original range of drills, reamers and cutters
was supplemented by taps and dies.
Other items were added from time to time, until by wartime a complete line of BSA machine tools, small
tools and accessories was serving industry throughout the world. A network of agents was accordingly.
Even as a more capacity version the engines of the M20 and M21 motorcycles (500 and 600cc/sv) were made
and used for "Clifford" (models M20C/A and M21 C/A) in the mid fifties.
BSA Tools Ltd was one of the many subsidiary companies formed by the parent company in order to be able to
concentrate on various aspects of the company's many diverse products. BSA Guns Ltd., was to handle all
Government and commercial arms production and marketing. BSA Cycles Ltd., would handle the growing Cycle,
Parts, Motor Cycle and Car production, whilst BSA Tools Ltd., the manufacture and distribution of machine
tools and engineering machinery.
I hope this summary, but also the pictures, will give you a good indication of this subsidiary company.
Any further detailed information is most welcome. F.e.: What happened with them after 1960 !?!?
The aim to produce better and faster than other companies (including Governments') was the pride and glory
of 'THE BSA'.