What type of simple machine is a rolling pin?

Answer 1

A "regular" rolling pin is a wheel and axle. The "wheel" here is the broad surface of the roller, and the handles are on the ends of the axle.

Answer 2

Yes, a rolling pin is an example of a wheel and axle, however it works for us a little differently than many other simple machines. Instead of enabling us to do more work with less force (like a car jack, for example) it takes the force of our push and reduces it by applying it over a greater area. It only takes a little bit of force to squash down dough so the force reduction doesn't really matter. Spreading our push out over a greater surface area is really helpful, though, because it means we get nice flat cookie dough without too much rolling.