If there was ever a machine-tool maker who commanded universal respect it must have been Gorton in the USA. Based in Racine, the Company made a wide range of machines including pantograph engravers, die sinkers and die and mould duplicators, milling machines of all kinds, large planers, surface grinders, cutter grinders, multi-function machine tools (with several functions built into one body) large machining centres and even Swiss automatic lathes - a machine type that is only successful when constructed to the very highest of design and build standards. They also offered a one-off build service where a customer could present his machining problem and Gorton would construct something to solve it.
According to the Home Machinist Forum: "Gorton owners are an exclusive bunch who just smile knowingly when the B'port folks start talking. If you want to know the truth about these mills, take a page from the Packard Motor Car Company and Ask the man (or woman) who owns one.…"
One of George Gorton's descendants runs a very interesting and detailed website on the man and his machines