W. F. & John Barnes Co. was established 1869, made a formal partnership in 1872, and incorporated in 1884. This company was an early manufacturer of pedal-powered equipment. There were many companies making lightweight foot-powered equipment, but Barnes and the Seneca Falls Co. were the only ones to also make professional-grade machines. From the beginning of their existence, they focused on pedal-powered machinery, especially scroll saws, and from about 1890 they began to specialize further, in drill presses.

By 1937 their focus had completely shifted to automotive assembly machinery, and their production of foot-powered machinery had ceased. In the intervening years they have got out of manufacturing completely. After a series of ownership changes, their parts and paper were purchased in 1998 by LeBlond Ltd. of Amelia, OH.

Barnes Resources:

• History of the W.F. and John Barnes Company - reprint of a newspaper article dated 1955
• W. F. & John Barnes Company Woodworking Machinery - a very detailed history and type study of woodworking machinery made by Barnes. Reprinted from the summer, 1996 edition of the Early American Industries Association (EAIA) Chronicle.
• W.F. & John Barnes Hand-Crank Ripsaw - Nice article on a machine owned by Ralph Brendler.
• W.F. & John Barnes Patented Foot-Powered Machinery - Online copy of the 1885 Barnes Catalog.

Information Sources

• An ad in a 1915 issue of "Carpenter and Builder" features their No. 7 treadle-powered scrollsaw.
• A listing of pamphlets from woodworking machinery makers in the June 1926 issue of Building Age and National Builder includes an entry for W. F. & John Barnes Co.: Barnes Catalog. 38 pp. Illus. Covers line of saws, etc. / Barnes Motor Driven and Foot Power Woodworking Machines. Booklet. 14 pp. Illus. Takes up various types."