Museum Features Micro-Motors, And Other Mini Craftwork

Museum Features Micro-Motors And Other Mini Craftwork AG WORLD Ag World If you ever get a chance to visit the Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad Calif you ll see a working steam engine that weighs only 3 5 grams 1/124 oz The twin flywheel engine powered by air injected with a hypodermic needle sits on top of a pencil eraser There are more than 300 works on display Not all are as small as the micro steam engine but they re all unique and of amazing quality such as the 13 by 9 by 9-in Corvette V-8 that exceeds 10 000 rpm s Joe Martin owner Sherline Products developed the museum to showcase modern craftsmen who create working models of real world machines We started with our online Craftsmanship Museum but people started sending in models they had made says Craig Libuse marketing director Sherline Products We recently went from 6 000 sq ft of display space adjacent to our company headquarters to a separate 16 000 sq ft building with 13 000 sq ft of display The full name of the museum is the Joe Martin Foundation Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum His company is the maker of the bench top metalworking tools used to make many of the items on display Items don t have to be made on a Sherline tool to be accepted into the museum emphasizes Libuse The mission of the museum is to expose the public to not only fine craftsmanship on a miniature scale but also the tools that make it possible The museum includes a Miniature Machine Tool Collection and a 4 500 sq ft working machine shop The tool collection includes early hand-cranked watchmaker lathes; modern electronically speed controlled laser engraved machines; and everything in between A Lufkin #137 Mini Square is only a few inches long with a standard measuring rule blade An interchangeable unmarked blade has a 45? angle on one end and a 30/60? angle on the other Volunteers operate bench top machine shop tools in the machine shop area making small engines as visitors watch For the past 14 years the Foundation has awarded a prize to a Metalworking Craftsman of the Year Libuse encourages people to nominate friends or relatives and their work for consideration or inclusion in the museum Send in a photo of their work or a portfolio The museum also has sections for wooden mechanical devices as well as miniature guns and working steam engines While we are primarily metalworking we do accept wood work if it s small and really good says Libuse The company also accepts tax-deductible donations of metalworking tools and unique or antique miniature machinery The museum offers free admission and is open 9 a m to 4 p m Mon through Sat Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Craftsmanship Museum 3190 Lionshead Ave Carlsbad Calif 92010 ph 760 727-9492; www craftsmanshipmuseum com

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