The Miniature Engineering
Craftsmanship Museum
in Carlsbad, CA

Museum Facility

Miniature Engineering Museum Engine Collection Display Courtesy of Paul and Paula Knapp

Paul Knapp and Joe Martin shake hands upon the delivery of the engine collection to the museum. The new display now includes these additional 140 engines housed in glass display cases, each with their own information card telling about the engine. (Click any photo to view a larger image.)

In April, 2008 the museum received on loan a selection of 51 miniature engines from the collection of Paul and Paula Knapp. The Knapps host the site www.engine-museum.com and have displayed portions of their large collection at the Denver Airport, Deer Valley Airport, Champlin Air Museum and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in the past. In 2009, we added another 90 engines. Although Paul Knapp is a skilled craftsman himself, and several of the engines in the collection are ones he built himself, he has an abiding interest in unique and well made small engines that inspired the collection. We are very fortunate to be able to share some of these fine examples with the public in our own museum. The varied collection includes radials and rotary aircraft engines, V-4, V-8 and V-12 engines, horizontally opposed engines, in-line engines, hit-n-miss engines, outboard motors and miniature rail and tether cars.

Another addition to the museum displays as of April, 2008 is the 1854 Smith & Wesson "Volcanic" lever action pistol in 1/3 scale. The miniature was built by Master Miniature Gunsmith David Kucer of Canada and engraved by a specialist in miniature arms, Roger Samson.

2003 Craftsman of the Year Barry Jordan from England donated this award winning 1/14 scale Bridgeport mill model, which is one of the most popular exhibits with the machinists who have spent many hours working on the full-size version. Even the scaled-down rotary table works.

The Museum Machine Shop

The new machine shop in Carlsbad is about three times the size of the old shop and contains several new machines. The second photo shows the Hardinge toolroom lathe that was just added and has since been repainted to a more original gray color. We are seeking volunteer machinists to work in the shop. (Click on any photo to view larger image.)

In 2006 the Foundation hired expert tool maker Tom Boyer of Escondido, CA to be the shop craftsman. Tom worked for over five years building engines and other project so visitors could see quality machining in progress. He also helped out by hosting tours through the shop and museum. Tom has retired in 2011 and now Dave Belt, a retired toolmaker is there to carry on with the work. Museum staff oversee the rest of the museum.

Machine Shop Tools

The museum's machine shop is well equipped to take on miniature projects. In addition to a Sherline 4400 lathe and 2000 milling machine for miniature parts, the shop has a Bridgeport knee mill with DRO, A Bridgeport EZTRAK with CNC assist, a Shopfox 14 x 40" lathe, a Hardinge toolroom lathe, a Deckel GK21 pantograph mill and a new larger Deckel mill as well, a DoALL bandsaw, a SunMax grinder, a Nikon 6C optical comparitor, Starrett Grade A 48 x 36 x 8" granite surface plate, Z-Corp 310 3D prototype printer, 2 Baldor pedestal grinders, a McCulloch 9" bandsaw, Delta 2" belt sander, Dumore mini drill press and a Sherline CNC cam grinder. We also have a tool room well equipped with hand tools and measuring equipment. CLICK HERE to learn more about what a machinist does and how his tools are used.

The first project Tom Boyer completed was a Seal 4-cylinder internal combustion engine. He also completed a second engine—a V4 designed by Jerry Howell. You can see parts being made in person or follow the build by going to the links above. Both engines are now run for visitors to the museum. The current project in progress is a Kinner 5-cylinder radial aircraft engine.

 
The museum display includes a collection of significant small machine tools from the past and present. The smaller machines are in the glass case at the left, while the larger, heavier lathes are displayed on metal shelves. The tools can be seen in detail HERE. (Click photo to enlarge.)

Visit with your group or club

On Saturday, March 9, 2009 we were visited by the Poway Cruisers car club (Left) and the Airheads BMW motorcycle club. In addition to our regular local visitors, this made for a busy day for the museum staff. Tom Boyer, Larry Simon, Craig Libuse and Joe Martin himself were on hand to talk with the many visitors. Since opening the new museum, it has become a popular destination for local hotrod, vintage car and motorcycle clubs as well as other civic organizations.

Group Tours—If you have a club or group that would like to tour the museum on one of the regular days we are open, please give us a call at (760) 727-9492 or (760) 727-5857. If you are bringing a large group it is always helpful for us to know in advance. We have hosted many local senior living groups, car and motorcycle clubs, a home shop machining club, clockmakers and many other groups. We are open Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. (Closed holidays) We can open specially for groups of 10 or more on Wednesdays or Thursdays with at least two weeks advance notice. We will be happy to schedule your group. CLICK HERE to see a few groups who have visited the museum.

Making Contributions to the Foundation or Museum

What happens to your work when you're gone?

If you have spent a lifetime developing your skills and making models, engines, knives, guns, clocks or other items exhibiting fine miniature metalworking craftsmanship, you can assure they will be preserved in your name in the future by donating them to the museum. Often the alternative is to leave them to a family member who may or may not value them as highly as you do. Many of the finest items left behind by craftsmen end up sadly at swap meets or on eBay as the family members or friends seek to turn your work into cash, not recognizing the true value of the craftsmanship involved. Our goal is to see that not only is the craftsmanship put on display to educate and inspire others, the craftsman's name will forever be attached to the work. How often have you seen fine steam engines listed on eBay without a mention of who built it? This is a tragedy we hope to correct by showing others that fine work by metalworking craftsmen is every bit as valued as a painting or sculpture by a fine artist.

How to make a tax deductible contribution that benefits you now

The Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship is a 501(c)(3) organization under US Tax Code. This means anyone paying taxes in the United States and making a contribution to the Foundation or the museum can deduct the full value of the donation from their income as it relates to their US income taxes. Consult your accountant for full details, but please keep this advantage in mind if contemplating what to do with your collection or if you would like some of your money to go to support craftsmanship.

Almost every item we have on display in the museum has been donated by concerned craftsmen and family members wishing to honor their work. By donating your work while you are still alive you can take advantage of this tax break, plus you can also enjoy seeing your work displayed in a fine museum setting for others to enjoy. This does not mean your kids will have nothing to remember you by. In fact, we suggest for most craftsmen who have built multiple items to select their very best work for donation to the museum, so that is how they are remembered by their fellow craftsmen, and divide their remaining work among their family. The rest of the family will value their own gift even more highly when they can send their friends to the museum web site to see how the family craftsman who made it has been honored among his peers.

Appraisals

In general, items valued under $5000 do not need a formal appraisal in order to be eligible for a deduction. For more valuable items we recommend you have an appraisal done before making the contribution in order to back up your evaluation should the IRS ever question it. Even for items under $5000 it is always best to have some sort of appraisal or proof of comparable value or purchase price on record to assure there are no problems with your deduction. Appraisals for the IRS require an experienced, credentialed appraiser and can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the amount of research that must be done. The more unique the item, the more research must usually be done to find comparable sales to establish a realistic value.

Bequests

One of the easiest ways to support craftsmanship and the museum through the Foundation is through a bequest in your will. A bequest may be included in the body of a will or as an amendment  or "codicil." Here is a sample of a typical bequest:

"I give and devise to the Joe martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship, or its successor, the sum of ____ dollars ($____) (or list the specific item you wish to donate) to be used for such purpose as the Board of Directors of the Joe Martin Foundation deems appropriate; provided, however, that at the time of such gift, the Joe Martin foundation or its successor remains an eligible organization under the terms of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code."

To find out more or to make a contribution, contact Foundation Director, Craig Libuse. See the CONTACT PAGE for address, phone and e-mail numbers.

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