Foot-operated Drill Press @museum.de

Do you remember your granny's old sewing machine? That's exactly how this drill press works. Except – if I may say so – it has a bit more oomph. But the principle is the same: first you give the great flywheel a little nudge and set it in motion. And to make sure it stays that way, there are two pedals at the bottom that you treadle to keep it moving.

The crank on the right adjusts the height of the little work table where you've clamped the sheet metal you're planning to drill. Then you're good to go: the power is transmitted via the horizontal shaft to the bevel gears, which mesh and in turn drive the drilling machine vertically. So simple and so effective!