Seneca Falls manufacturing Co.

Seneca Falls History.

Starting in 1877, the Lewis Brothers manufactured the "Boss" scrollsaw, which was a heavy-duty scrollsaw intended for use in manufacturing. It had a patented swiveling-table design that allowed the angle of the table to be adjusted in any direction.
By about 1884 the Lewis Brothers had sold their business to Seneca Falls Manufacturing Co., They used the Lewis table-swivel patent on the "Empire" and "Victor" model scrollsaws that were introduced in about 1884 and 1886.
Information Sources: Richard Van Vleck's American Artifacts and OWWM website.

Seneca Falls Manufacturing Co. used the following brand names.
Empire. Scrollsaw, introduced 1884.
Victor. Scrollsaw, introduced 1886. Unlike most treadle scrollsaws of the era, the Empire and the Victor were light-industrial machines intended for factory use. The No. 1 and No. 2 Victor was a more upright design that could be comfortably used while standing; the No. 4 Victor clamped to a tabletop.
Diamond. Foot-power solid-chisel mortiser, introduced about 1887.
Challenge. Scrollsaw, with optional lathe attachment.
Rival. Scrollsaw, with optional lathe attachment.
Union. Lathes, tablesaw, combination machine.
Gem. Molding machine.
Crown. Lathe.
Star.Metal-working lathes. ("Star" branded scrollsaws were made and sold by Millers Falls Co., not by Seneca Falls Manufacturing Co.)
Information Source: Ads in March, July, and October 1902 issues of Shop Talk. These ads show
,1904 catalog "No. 18-A."
Henry Ford Museum has ca. 1920 catalog, "Illustrated catalogue no. 20-B of foot power "star" screw-cutting engine lathes, "star" speed lathes, "star" wood-turning lathes, attachments and accessories".

The Seneca Falls "Empire" is, by far, my favorite foot powered saw. Unlike the Victor, with its heavy spring loaded upper blade holder, The Empire starts easily by foot power. Both have the same impressive cutting capacity. However, at 160 pounds, this is not a machine for the crafter to pick up with one hand and carry from the back seat of a car to his booth in a craft fair. This is no "New Rogers".

The 24" diameter flywheel has a second belt groove for driving an optional drill (not included) and the 10" balance wheel has a belt groove for driving an optional lathe. I've never seen an example of this lathe attachment. The 15" diameter iron table tilts on a ball mount, primarily for doing inlay work. The table is 40" high.

Empire Scroll-saw 1884.