Stopped by the American Precision Museum yesterday, located in Windsor, VT. About a two hour drive from where we live, so an excellent day trip. For those who do not know, the museum started life as an armory producing rifles in the 1800's, and eventually moving to consumer products. I've attached the link to the site for further info on the museum.
https://americanprecision.org/
I was there maybe about 10 years ago when I was around 16 years old. From what I remember it was very interesting, but also somewhat mish-mashed, no real clear flow or organization to the area. ALso had a weird section for like local artifacts and stuff having nothing to do with manufacturing....
They appointed a new director several years ago, and he really turned the place around. Excellent flow to the displays, going from old to new machines. They have a clear focus for the displays, which is the continuous improvement /accuracy of machines and products. The pictures speak for themselves, and I've attached google photos link here since I took so many pictures. Most of the machines should be fairly recognizable, but I took photos of the info cards for the more obscure ones.
One of the most notable displays were the miniature machines. I guess I forgot to take a photo of the placard, but this German fellow built the steam engine model when he was 16, in the 1910's, based of the engine used in the factory where he worked. It survived both world wars disassembled in suitcases. He eventually came to America, and after retirement spent his time making the miniature models of the machines he had built at the company he used to work for. He conservatively estimated he spent 25,000 hours making all the models, very cool display. All are functional, and you could push a button to see some run.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fzG67K2neLWjZhSH9
My wife and I were the only ones in the museum, and the director Steve came out and introduced himself. He gave us a small tour of the most notable displays, including they latest set up of metrology tools. They have an area with machines that run to show you some processes of manufacturing, like a small turret lathe, gear cutter, 3D printers, retrofitted bridgeports, and a new HAAS mill, all of which they make do-dads on. They only operate it Thursday through Sunday with an intern. We happened to be there on a Wednesday, but Steve personally fired everything up for us and gave us the full show. I highly recommend visiting the museum if you ever get a chance. Even as a machinist and knowing what everything was, it was a great experience. Especially to see the old machines and the progression of machine tools throughout the years.
https://americanprecision.org/
I was there maybe about 10 years ago when I was around 16 years old. From what I remember it was very interesting, but also somewhat mish-mashed, no real clear flow or organization to the area. ALso had a weird section for like local artifacts and stuff having nothing to do with manufacturing....
They appointed a new director several years ago, and he really turned the place around. Excellent flow to the displays, going from old to new machines. They have a clear focus for the displays, which is the continuous improvement /accuracy of machines and products. The pictures speak for themselves, and I've attached google photos link here since I took so many pictures. Most of the machines should be fairly recognizable, but I took photos of the info cards for the more obscure ones.
One of the most notable displays were the miniature machines. I guess I forgot to take a photo of the placard, but this German fellow built the steam engine model when he was 16, in the 1910's, based of the engine used in the factory where he worked. It survived both world wars disassembled in suitcases. He eventually came to America, and after retirement spent his time making the miniature models of the machines he had built at the company he used to work for. He conservatively estimated he spent 25,000 hours making all the models, very cool display. All are functional, and you could push a button to see some run.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/fzG67K2neLWjZhSH9
My wife and I were the only ones in the museum, and the director Steve came out and introduced himself. He gave us a small tour of the most notable displays, including they latest set up of metrology tools. They have an area with machines that run to show you some processes of manufacturing, like a small turret lathe, gear cutter, 3D printers, retrofitted bridgeports, and a new HAAS mill, all of which they make do-dads on. They only operate it Thursday through Sunday with an intern. We happened to be there on a Wednesday, but Steve personally fired everything up for us and gave us the full show. I highly recommend visiting the museum if you ever get a chance. Even as a machinist and knowing what everything was, it was a great experience. Especially to see the old machines and the progression of machine tools throughout the years.
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