Digging Deeper: The Story of the Craig Bit Plant
Introduction
In 2021, Clarence and Stan Robinson donated hundreds of photos to the North Bay Museum. These photos provide an inside look into the Craig Bit Company, a prominent manufacturing plant for mining and contracting equipment that operated from 1941 to 1994. The Craig Bit Company produced detachable rock drill bits, striking bars, rods and couplings.
At its peak, Craig Bit was one of the largest employers in North Bay. The company also had several sports teams including a fastball team, a hockey team, and a basketball team.
The factory was located on 180 Ninth Street, which is now Memorial Drive, along the waterfront. Many North Bayites may remember the Craig Bit plant as Kenroc Tools Inc. or Uniroc Manufacturing since the site was rebranded and sold several times.
This online exhibit was curated by Grace Armstrong with assistance from Clarence and Stan Robinson and Jack De La Vergne.
Craig Bit post-expansion. 1951–1979
North Bay Museum, Nugget Collection.
Interior of Craig Bit Factory.
North Bay Museum, Craig Bit Collection.
Kenroc Circa 1990.
North Bay Museum, Nugget Collection.
Uniroc
North Bay Museum, Craig Bit Collection.
Interior of Kenroc.
North Bay Museum, Nugget Collection.
A trade show featuring the Craig Bit Company sometime after 1952.
North Bay Museum, Craig Bit Collection.
A cover of a Craig Bit catalog featuring coupling, bits, shank adapters and striking bars for vertical track drilling.
North Bay Museum, Craig Bit Collection.
Mining drill bits were located at the very bottom of the drill, making direct contact with the rock. The bit was attached to a collared rod which was attached to the drill itself.
Rods and bits were two of the main products manufactured at Craig Bit. Originally, the rods fit into the bits using a tapered connection.
Later, a threaded striking bar was added to the rock drill. Striking bars helped maintain the speed and pressure of the drill’s rotation.
A selection of Kenroc button bits, cross bits, striking bars and couplings. Both button bits and cross bits required regular sharpening to ensure their longevity.
North Bay Museum, Craig Bit Collection.