American Fluting Machine 1870 

This is an American Machine Co Fluting Machine. 

 Lehigh Ave. & American St., Philadelphia.  1860s-1892

“Manufacturers of Fluting Machines & General Fancy Hardware”

History:   The American Machine Co. manufactured many household items, including Fluting Machines (aka Ruffler, Pleater, or Crimper). They manufactured Fluters under it’s own name, as well as under the names of “Crown” & “Eagle”.    Fluters were used to iron even pleats into fabric.   

Fluted, or ruffled trims were the height of fashion in the late 1800’s.   Collars & cuffs were often separate from the actual garment - for ease of cleaning just those bits most likely to get dirty, since washing an entire outfit would have been a lot more work.    Necks & wrists were much more likely to get dirty, so simply having them be removable & washed separately was a time saver, & less damaging to the often expensive floor length garments.

Made of Cast Iron & Brass, Fluters were heated by inserting solid iron rods (heated separately) into the hollow brass Fluter tubes.   Once warmed, the well starched, usually damp fabric was fed through the Fluter, to iron in the creases.

The American Fluters have a built-in, adjustable clamp to hold the machine onto the table top, from the front or side (& can even slide up under the feeding plate, for storage).    There is also a lever on the front of these machines, which raises & lowers the bottom roller, to insert or remove fabric from the machine.

Dating:   1870:    There is an abundance of confusion as to when exactly the American Machine Co opened for business - or closed up shop, for that matter.  (1860's, 1875, 1879 as possible start of operations, with 1892 being the most likely closing date).

After Many hours researching, I’ve found that this is Not yet another of the many name changes at the American Sewing Machine Co - also of Philadelphia (as I’d assumed). This is an actual separate company, that just happens to also be in Philadelphia, in the same era, also making cast iron products, with a nearly identical name. (Confusion abounds, with so many companies, making so many copies of others products, at this time).

Many sites suggested 1879 as their founding, but I’ve seen multiple sites claiming they showed American Fluters from the 1860’s, too.   I did find an official Property Survey, showing the factory layout in 1879, which was occupying an entire city block, which seems unlikely on opening day of any business.   It could be they were in business elsewhere, and outgrew their facilities, forcing a move to a bigger place in 1879.   That could account for the conflicting Patent dates embossed on the machines, and accounts of when the factory opened (4 yrs later?).

The earliest actual American Fluting Machine patent dates are in 1875, so I feel confident they were in business before 1879.    Since this particular machine was not yet patented (embossed on the machine itself, it says “Patent Applied For”), conservative dating puts this as early 1870’s, possibly 1860’s, so I'm calling it 1870 for round numbers.

I could be wrong, but that’s the best I can figure, given the various online sites, giving conflicting info.   If you know different, please advise, and I will happily update my info.

                            I'm always happy to learn from others.   : )

Unusual in this particular machine:   the Tension Lever is located above the feed plate - traveling Vertically, while newer, Patented versions have the Lever located below the feed plate, & travel is Horizontal.  I'm no expert, but this is the only one I've seen that had the Vertical lever (& I've looked at a lot while studying these).

This machine has Embossed Text as follows: “American Machine Co. Philadelphia” on the bottom of the base, “American” on top of the base - under the feed plate, & “Patent Applied For” under the rollers - indicating this is one of the earliest machines manufactured by the American Machine Co.   

-------------------------------------------------------

Mechanically:

*   There are No Repairs on the machine. 

*   Hand Crank turns freely, with a wooden Handle (the handle doesn't seem original.)

*   Original Brass Flutes are clean, & operate as intended.  (See video)

*   Tension Lever is present, original, & operates as intended.

**   I can't attest to how this will do with fabric, as the Heating Rods are missing (as with most Fluters). 

             (I've seen folks using hardware store metal rods as replacements, but I haven't tried that.)

**   For this reason, this machine is being Sold As Is. 

***  Any item of this age is going to show nicks & dings, as well as some pitting, which can be seen in the photos.

Measurements (approximate): 

             9” Wide (+ 4.5” for the handle)

             6” Deep

             6” Tall  

             1.25"  Clamp opening below the Base of the Machine - Maximum

                            (Clamp Wing screw hangs 4" below the table top - at max extension, but can also stow away)

I think these Fluting Machines are SOOO cool.  I had to buy one, just to look at it, & this one came out very pretty, when done.     : ) 

Once I finished the first one, I bought 3 more.  I really love them, & given that they do a fantastic job on paper, I can easily still see a use for them.  I particularly loved the folded paper - fed diagonally, so it comes out looking like a V shape pattern.  Very cool for kids (My grandkids loved it), & just generally decorating things.   

I bet it would look pretty on ribbons, or even hair, too, if you had the rods to heat them.  (I saw some folks were buying steel bars at Hardware stores, to use for heating elements.)  You'd just need to get a bar smaller than the hole in the brass, & cut it to length, so you can heat them in the fire/oven/boiling water, then insert into the brass Fluters.