Visiting Pony Tools

By George Vondriska

One of the cooler parts of George’s job is visiting tool manufacturers. He recently spent a morning at the Pony Tools factory and warehouse in Chicago to see how Pony products go together and learn more about the company.

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You may know them as the Adjustable Clamp Company or Jorgenson, but the company is officially Pony Tools now. They continue to make great clamping products, many of them manufactured in Chicago. And here’s a cool fact: the company was started in 1903 by Ms. Adele Holman. Remarkable for a woman to start a business back in 1903 and, perhaps even more unusual, the company has been run continuously under five generations of Holman family leadership, including today’s Chairman and Owner, Adele’s great-great-grandson, Doug Holman.

Let’s take the tour

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That’s A LOT of clamp bars, waiting for the next step in the manufacturing process. I guess it’s true, you can never have too many clamps, especially when you’re making them.

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I think these heads are for the famous I-Beam Clamp. Clamp, clamp, everywhere a clamp. It was really amazing to see the manufacturing process behind these products. Coils of steel, custom machines – all part of a family-owned business.

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No, I’m not poking Jim Luley with a lathe chisel. I’m trying to show the tip to the camera. Jim and I go way back to our Shopsmith days, decades ago.

In case you didn’t know, Pony now owns EZ Wood Tools. They’ve got a lot of plans for moving forward with chisels, chucks, and other turning products.

This was a great behind-the-scenes view of how things work at Pony. Thanks to Jim, Dave, and Steve for the hospitality.

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3 Responses to “Visiting Pony Tools”

  1. Bob Debner

    Very timely to hear something about what is going on with the purchase of EZ Wood Tools. When can we expect to hear more of the future plans for Pony (EZ Wood Tools products)? How will the information be made known to the public as it appears the vendors that handle EZ Wood Tools have not heard anything

  2. Greg

    Love Easy Tools. Please keep me informed about any new products.

  3. eddie pettley

    Interested in wood turning tools