Today we popped over the border to Michigan. Our readers will know that Benno got himself
a Metal Lathe that was shipped to the campground where we stayed at in Florida
this last winter. This new machine was purchased from the company “Grizzly
Industrial” in Springfield, Missouri and the tooling for it from a company
called “Little Machine Shop” out of Pasadena, California. Today and tomorrow
there is the “28th Annual North American Model Engineering Expo” in
Wyandotte, Michigan and the company “Little Machine Shop” was one of the
vendors at that show. Of course would my
hubby want to go and see this exhibit and perhaps find some items of the “must
have and can’t do without” kinds.
I came along for the 188km/117miles trip but I wasn’t entirely
sure if there would be anything of interest around for me. (I’m a good sport and wife) However, the experience of walking into the
exhibition hall was overwhelming. We were surrounded by hundreds of miniature
machines that were humming, whistling, whirring, and making all kinds of
sounds. There were mini gasoline engines, hot air engines, steam engines and
other things that turned and pulsated.
Those creations I presume all involved the use of the home shops
machinist’s small lathes and small milling machines.
This exhibit was something unlike I have ever attended and I
can honestly say that I was intrigued. The
show was primarily attended by men and I have to say the ladies missed out –
big time! And yes, Benno purchased a few parts of the “have to have” kind for
his lathe. One of this is a knurler, the other is a pump oiler and a shop apron,
which deflect metal chips. I asked him why another knurler and he said that the
other one, which came with the tool post, is putting too much stress on the
lathe; this one is 100% better. Hmmm,
okay, all right, go for it!!!
So here are some
random pictures of the displays.
Fascination – men are all alike!
It is good that you went along, sounds like you enjoyed it. My husband would have liked that too. It was a great day for a drive to Michigan.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice outing. Spring is so much more advanced in Michigan, it had me in awe by just looking at the cherry blossoms and all the flowers and green leaves on the trees.
DeleteAnyone that has been around Antique Machinery or around and Industrial setting would have totally enjoyed seeing that Exhibition even without buying a thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. I was able to tell what many of the minitures represented.
On the Half Scale Case steam engine it looks like the vendor was having breakfast when the doors opened. He left his coffee mug and a plate of food on his display. LOL
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
Rick, you would have enjoyed the show too, if not for the simple fact of appreciating the workmanship. It surprised me that there were no kids to look at the displays and all that moving gear.
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