Strange's Cylinder Saw & Machine Co. was established in 1873, succeeding Strange's Machine Works. They manufactured circular sawmills, cylinder saws—used to saw curved barrel staves—foot lathes, and a patent combination wood lathe, scroll saw and circular saw.

Detail from an 1875 advertisement

It seems that in 1885 the business was succeeded by Strange's Machine Works, a more-or-less new business using the original company name and operated by E. C. Strange. Emerson C. Strange was a son of Elias Strange and former secretary of the original company. That original company, Strange's Cylinder Saw & Machine Co., was formally dissolved in 1892.

By 1900 Emerson C. Strange continued to operate Strange's Machine Works as a machine shop, and had a side business of bicycle manufacturing: Strange's Cycle Co. A brother, Elias W. Strange, who had formerly been the Cylinder Saw company's treasurer, was operating a machine shop, E. W. Strange & Co.

Information Sources

• 1873—The Massachusetts corporate registry database lists Strange's Cylinder Saw & Machine Co.'s first registration as 1873-06-12.
• 1874—Article on front page of 1874-08-29 Scientific American.

  THE COMBINATION FOOT LATHE. For the use of amateurs, and for mechanics who desire to economize both in the cost of, as well as in the space occupied by, their tools, the novel device herewith illustrated will be found of much utility. It is a simple foot lathe, with which are combined a jig and a circular saw. The former, which is represented on the right of the machine, is actuated by a pitman which connects eccentrically with the end of a shaft, A, passing under the apparatus. Motion is communicated to this shaft by a separate belt from the main pulley. The pitman operates a pivoted lever which, by an adjustable connection, B, transmits its motion to the saw arm. The saw works through a suitable table, and is tightened by a set screw in the connection, B. We are informed that it penetrates timber an inch and a half in thickness with perfect readiness. At the opposite end of the lathe, and attached to the main arbor, is a small circular saw. This has an adjustable table which is provided with the usual guides, etc. By turning back the table, and removing the saw, an emery or buffing wheel may be substituted in its place upon the arbor. Regarding the lathe itself, other than to notice that it is neatly and substantially built, and appears to be an efficient and reliable tool, no particular description is needed. The apparatus is manufactured by Strange's Cylinder Saw Machine Company, of Taunton, Mass. For further particulars address O. W. Leonard, sole agent 40 John street, New York city. Patent now pending.

• 1877—Memorial of the International Exhibition.

  Strange's Cylinder Saw and Machine Co., Taunton, Mass.; H. Tallman & Co., Phila., agents.—Very complete stave machine, stave saws and planers; also, youths' foot lathes, that have all the advantages of turning lathes and scroll saw.

• 1874—Twelfth Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association.

  Strange Cylinder Saw Machine Co., Taunton, Mass.—Cylinder Saws.—We can see nothing in this Saw that is an improvement over others in general use.

• 1875—Advertisement from O. W. Leonard of New York City, "sole agent" for Strange's combination foot lathe. The maker was not identified by name; thanks to Ed Hobbs for both providing us with the ad and identifying the actual maker.
• 1878—The 1878 >Boston Almanac and Business Directory carries an advertisement.

  Strange's Cylinder Saw and Machine Company
  Manufacturers of and Dealers in
  Boxboard, Barrel, and Nail-Keg Stave Machines, and Cylinder Saws, the Champion Combination Foot Lathe, Bay State Foot Lathe, AMATEUR STEAM ENGINE, with or without Boiler,
  and all kinds of Jobbing,
  Tremont Street, Taunton Mass.

  Listed as employees of Strange's Cylinder Saw and Machine Co., are
  • Elias Strange, president
  • Elias W. Strange, treasurer
  • Emerson C. Strange, secretary.
  The company was listed under iron tackle blocks, lathes, machinists, and saw and sawing machine manufacturers,
A sawmill patent was granted to Elias W. Strange and assigned to this firm.
• 1883—History of Bristol County, Massachusetts.

  Strange's Cylinder Saw and Machine Company, on Tremont Street. The senior partner, Elias Strange, is the oldest mechanic in this vicinity, having been at the business about sixty years as foreman and manager in several establishments. Several years since he directed his attention to the manufacture of machines for making staves, boxes, barrels, amateur steam-engines, etc., of which company Elias Strange is president, Emerson C. is secretary, and Elias W. Strange is treasurer. They employ about twenty hands.

• 1888—The Railroad, Telegraph and Steamship Builders' Directory lists "Strange's Cylinder Saw & Machine Co., Taunton, Mass."
• 1890—Report of the Tax Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

  Strange's Cylinder Saw and Machine Company, Taunton. Organization certified June 12, 1873.

• 1891—Inland Massachusetts Illustrated.STRANGE'S MACHINE WORKS.
  Emerson C. Strange — Manufacturer of Cast Steel Cylinder Saws, Improved Hogshead, Barrel, Nail Keg, Tub and Pail Machinery and Improved Box Board Machines, Combination Foot Lathes, Patent Combination Vise and Drill, etc.— No. 36 Washington Street. Strange's Machine Works of Taunton was one of the pioneers in this particular industry, having been engaged in it since 1827, when the works were established by Elias Strange, father ofthe present proprietor, who, in time, after some changes, succeeded to the business in 1885 under the present title. The works, which occupy all of the three-story frame building, 60 x 80 feet, at No. 36 Washington street, are equipped in the best manner with steam power and all requisite iron, steel and woodworking machinery and special tools, while a sufficient force of skilled mechanics is employed to fill all orders promptly, whether for delivery in the United States and Canada or for export to other countries. The specialties made here embrace the latest perfected improvements in cooperage machinery, together with boxboard machines, combination foot lathes, improved iron tackle blocks, and, latest and among the most ingenious and useful of all, E. C. Strange's patent combination vise and drill for the use of mechanics, amateurs, jewelers and others to whom a handy tool of the kind is of importance. It is made of the best materials and in four sizes and styles, ranging in weight from 27 inches to 22 pounds, and in price from $1 to $7. Attachments extra. Complete catalogues are sent on application.
• 1892—Private and Special Statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the years 1889, '90, '91, '92, '93, lists Strange's Cylinder Saw and Machine Company among "Corporations dissolved" in 1892.
• 1900—The Taunton Directory lists Chas. E. Strange (manager Strange's Bicycle Co.); Edwin F. Strange (E. W. Strange & Co.); Elias W. Strange (E. W. Strange & Co., machinists); Emerson C. Strange (Strange's Machine Works). Strange's Cycle Co. and Strange's Machine Co. were located at 36 Washington. E. W. Strange & Co. was located at 4 Washington. Both Strange's Machine Works and E. W. Strange & Co. were listed as machinists.