Barnes, BF

Benjamin Franklin was the brother of W. F. and John Barnes and was a partner in the original Company. In 1899, he left the company and stated his own business – B. F. Barnes Co. It appears that his only foot powered machines were full back geared screw cutting metal lathes that were offered in 9 and 11 inch swings.

This line of lathes is considered to be more robust primarily in the use of a second leg on the headstock end that gave the heavy flywheel much more support compared to the mount on the single leg made by WF & John. Starting late in the foot powered cycle with electricity and electric motors becoming more available, it does not appear many of these lathes were made and even fewer survive today.