Recently we looked at Simonds' involvement in the early evolving market for power tools. Simonds also was an early leader in the power tool accessory blade market. In fact, the Simonds' Carpenters Guide from the summer of 1926 announced the discontinuance of the hand saw range and the introduction of a range of electric hand saw blades. From this point on, Simonds would lead the way in power tool accessory blade development!
Simonds SiClone high speed steel circular saw blades set the standard that other manufacturers strived to achieve. Even today, many users feel the SiClone was the Cadillac of electric circular saw blades. The SiClone blade led the way until the mid 1980's, at which point inexpensive carbide tipped circular saw blades re-wrote the rules of the circular saw blade market. Simonds enjoyed a 50-year leadership position in this market!
Simonds led the way in hole saw design, as well. The hole saw dates back to the 1920's when the first practical hole saw was introduced, and over the years, Simonds took the hole saw in new directions. Having invented carbide tipped bandsaw in the early 1960's, it only made sense to adapt this technology to hole saws, which Simonds did in 1971. And the first bi-metal hole saws followed soon thereafter.
From 1988 through the late 1990's, Simonds de-emphasized its power tool accessory products. But by 1999, Simonds again recognized the size and growth of this market sector. Simonds' acquisition of the Anderson hole saw business in October of 1999 re-established the company in the power tool accessory market. This move was followed shortly thereafter with the start-up of reciprocating saw blade manufacturing in 2001, another first for the company!
Simonds continues to develop its power tool accessory offering. Look for some great new product developments coming up!