Crank and Lever Powered Tools and Machines
Most tools and kitchen equipment these days run on electricity, but it wasn't that long ago that things like drills, pumps, egg beaters, and food grinders were powered 100% by hand! Here is a list of some robust crank and lever action tools that are very useful, and require no electricity.
In the Kitchen
Crank Meat Grinder (for making hamburger, sausage. Can also do other foods besides meat)
Crank Wheat Grinder (for making cracked wheat and flour)
Crank Egg Beater (Turn cream into butter, or into whipped cream. Great for general ‘mixing’ too)
Crank Blender (more powerful than you might think... still may not be able to crush ice though...)
Crank Ice Cream Maker (Milk, Cream, Sugar, Ice, and Rock Salt. Crank for 15 minutes. Enjoy.)
Plus lots of other common things like can openers, cheese graters, sifters, etc...
In the Workshop
Crank Water or Fuel Pump
Crank Hand Drill (drill holes in wood, plastic, and metal *with proper bits)
Crank Ratcheting Drill (like the above tool, but with a ratcheting head and a U-shaped body)
Crank Bench Grinder / Blade Sharpener (has an abrasive wheel to grind and sharpen metal)
Lever Action Hydraulic Jack (can lift from 2 tons up to 20 tons! I’ve lifted houses with these!)
Lever Action Hydraulic Bench Press (can be used to press, crimp, and bend things)
Lever Action Come Along (Multiple purposes, including lifting, securing, or pulling heavy things)
Lever Action Hydraulic Knockout Kit (used for making holes in metal thinner metal, 1/8” or less)
Lever Action Throatless Shears (cuts metal, 1/8” or less, great for screen and expanded metal)
Other Things
Crank Air Raid Siren
Crank Flashlight
Crank Emergency Radio
Crank Rope Maker
Treadle Sewing Machine
Lever Action Well Pump
Lever Action or Crank Metal Forge
Here are some crank items you can buy online:
GSI Outdoors Vortex Blender
Progressive International Egg Beater
Etón American Red Cross Cell Phone Charger with Hand Crank LED Flashlight (Red)
Wonder Junior Deluxe Hand Grain / Flour Mill by Wondermill
Tuthill Transfer SD62 Rotary Vane Hand Pump
Maasdam Pow'R Pull 144SB-6 2 Ton Capacity Pow'R Pull USA Made
Powerbuilt 640405 Heavy Duty 2-Ton Bottle Jack
Fiskars 85167097J Manual Rotary Craft Drill
White Mountain PBWMIMH412-SHP Appalachian Series Wooden Bucket 4-Quart Hand Cranked Ice Cream Maker
Vestil SIREN-100-P-R Economical Hand Crank Siren
*Note: Some of the above items are hard to find in production these days, but don’t don’t be afraid of buy ‘antique’ items from ebay or yard sales. With a little cleaning and oiling, they will work flawlessly, and serve as a good backup when the power goes out.
