Joe Martin Foundation "Metalworking Craftsman of the Year" award winner for 1997
Jerry displays his 1/12 scale Brown & Sharp mill. Note the magnifying optics attached to his glasses. Some kind of magnification is necessary to work on parts this small. (Click photo for larger image.)
You can learn more about Jerry Kieffer and his other projects in the model engineering section of this web site, but Jerry also likes to make models of old machine shop tools. Like his other projects, Jerry insists on working in total scale down to the smallest fastener. On the tiny dividing head, for example, the exact number of holes and the correct pattern are adhered to. Also, most tools are built to 1/12 scale, and the post drill is much smaller than you would think looking at the photo. Jerry has also built a complete machine shop model with overhead belts, a calendar on the wall and all. We hope to be able to add photos of it soon.
(Click photos for larger images.)
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This 1/12 scale Brown & Sharpe mill started life as a PM Research casting kit, but Jerry modified it and added a great amount of detail. Note the tiny milling cutter and the dividing head sitting on the bed. A quarter gives you a size reference. Where the kit had an access door indicated only by lines in the surface, Jerry opened it up and hinged it like the prototype. |
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Here is a close-up of the table. Note also the small milling cutter. A tiny dividing head sits on the mill table. |
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A detail of the dividing head shows how small it really is. Of course it has the correct number of holes in the dividing plate and they are drilled in the correct pattern. |
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Jerry is building a vintage machine shop in 1/12 scale, and this post drill was built from scratch. The S-spoke flywheel is about the size of a quarter. |
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This detail shows a close-up of the bevel gears that drive the tiny drill. Jerry is also good at achieving good painted finishes using nothing more sophisticated than a can of spray paint. |
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Jerry Kieffer is seen holding a model he made of a blacksmith's triphammer. It is about 4" tall. |
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The blacksmith's triphammer. All parts are left unpainted on this model so that you can see that no fillers were used. The parts that appear to be cast are actually machined, silver soldered together and bead blasted to give a cast appearance. |
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A detail of the head of a blacksmith's triphammer shows some of the tiny parts and springs in the mechanism. Note the quality of the fillets and silver soldering. |
If you have additional information on a project or builder shown on this site that your would like to contribute, please e-mail mecm@craftsmanshipmuseum.com. We also welcome new contributions. Please see our page at newsubmit.htm for a submission form and guidelines for submitting descriptive copy and photos for a new project.
This section is sponsored by
Makers of precision miniature machine tools and accessories. Sherline tools are made in the USA.
Sherline is proud to confirm that Jerry Kieffer uses Sherline tools in the production of his small projects.
To learn how your company or organization can sponsor a section in the Craftsmanship Museum, please contact mecm@craftsmanshipmuseum.com.
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