Welcome to the Foot Powered Machinery Website!
It may well be hard to imagine that a person could themselves provide enough energy, primarily with their feet and legs, to effectively run wood and metal working machinery such as saws, lathes and grinders. But that is exactly what a relatively short lived type of machine known as foot powered, and in some cases hand powered machinery did and did very, very well. These machines came in many different types, sizes and shapes and were both commercially made as well as made by individual craftsmen. Not only functional but they were decorative, ornate and just plain pretty! This site is dedicated to sharing and preserving information on these machines.
To learn more about these fascinating and interesting machines,
Check out this video “The Story of Foot Powered Machinery“
The About section provides a narrative that also describes in more detail how all this came about.
As with most endeavors, this site is very much a work in process. In most cases there is little information available and examples of the machinery limited, in poor condition or missing parts or simply non-existing. To find out what is here, go to the What’s New page listed above.
We are always looking to hear from you and we are interested in pictures regardless of condition. Catalogs, articles from older publications such as Scientific American or others on machines or their manufacturer and basically anything that relates to foot powered machinery is of interest including the machines or simply parts and pieces. Questions, ideas and suggestions about foot powered machinery or the website are encouraged – just click on the Contact link.
NEW Feature – We have also begun to make videos on foot powered machinery and related areas!! Check these out Here.