I will be honest – I’ve never tried to rebuild a tool like this before. I’ve refurbished hand tools, and built power tool cabinetry – and done maintenance on most of my equipment. This fella came to me via my wife and kids, who found it in a facebook ad. It is a combination unit – using treadle power – a reciprocating scroll saw, and a tiny little lathe mounted on the front side. My goal is to rebuild it (the wood currently in it has multiple repairs already) and put it back into service.

It was identified as an 1876 Shipman Treadle powered Scroll Saw with Lathe attachment. What I am assuming is the blade tension mechanism at the back of the armature is the key identifier. I’ve not seen this arrangement before. I some background information at Vintage Machinery, and will continue to research to find out more.