Machinist - Lathe - Pedal lathe
by Mike Savad
Title
Machinist - Lathe - Pedal lathe
Artist
Mike Savad
Medium
Photograph - Hdr Photography
Description
This is a treadle lathe, a manually powered machine used primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries before electric motors became standard. The operator would sit on the seat and use their legs to pump a foot treadle, which spun the workpiece via a flywheel or belt system. Treadle lathes were widely used by woodworkers, blacksmiths, and early machinists. They required constant effort and coordination, making them both physically demanding and mechanically efficient, a testament to the ingenuity of pre-industrial craftsmanship. And after a full day of using one, the operator probably had legs of steel.
Uploaded
May 7th, 2025
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