MadeByMiller
Well-known member
Not quite four years ago, while visiting a neighboring town of Spearfish, SD, my wife informed me of a small machine shop she had seen just off of the main drag downtown and suggested we drive by. Of course I was interested in seeing it, but I never guessed I'd see what lie behind the block walls and single pane picture windows.
When I laid eyes on this monument to days gone by, I knew I had to at least stop and poke my head in the door. After a few moments spent with my jaw scraping the pavement outside the roll up door, I was greeted kindly by the owner, John Clauser. I expressed to him my sincere interest in taking a closer look inside, and he generously allowed me to snoop around and snap some photos (which are embarrassingly poor admittedly). John even gave me a nickel tour of the place, patiently answering my questions and enlightening me on some of the over 50 years worth of history he shared with his building.
Commanding your attention on your immediate left upon entering the overhead door is this very early and massive LeBlonde engine lathe. Unfortunately I can't recall the swing and bed length of this old dinosaur, but I do remember him telling me that he had converted it from flat belt, line shaft drive. John also shared with me the story of how he transported the lathe to it's current home, which involved an axle outfitted to the bed of the lathe and a tow straight down main street!
These photos really do no justice to just how incredible this place is, but take a look around, there's so much to see!
When I laid eyes on this monument to days gone by, I knew I had to at least stop and poke my head in the door. After a few moments spent with my jaw scraping the pavement outside the roll up door, I was greeted kindly by the owner, John Clauser. I expressed to him my sincere interest in taking a closer look inside, and he generously allowed me to snoop around and snap some photos (which are embarrassingly poor admittedly). John even gave me a nickel tour of the place, patiently answering my questions and enlightening me on some of the over 50 years worth of history he shared with his building.
Commanding your attention on your immediate left upon entering the overhead door is this very early and massive LeBlonde engine lathe. Unfortunately I can't recall the swing and bed length of this old dinosaur, but I do remember him telling me that he had converted it from flat belt, line shaft drive. John also shared with me the story of how he transported the lathe to it's current home, which involved an axle outfitted to the bed of the lathe and a tow straight down main street!
These photos really do no justice to just how incredible this place is, but take a look around, there's so much to see!
