The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum

Location: 190 Lionshead Avenue
Carlsbad, CA (map)
Phone: (760) 727-9492
More info: Website

Museum Collections

The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad CA features the largest permanent collection of model engineering excellence. The collection includes over 140 miniature engines from the Paul Knapp collection on open-ended loan. Current limited time displays include a 1921 Marmon automobile in 1/4 scale made by the Marmon Factory and a 1/192 scale model of the German battleship Bismarck. The museum currently has one of our aircraft models on loan to the San Diego Air & Space Museum and have in exchange a small Cirrus model aircraft engine on display from their collection.

Artifacts Collections
Over 200 working model gas, steam and Stirling engines, aluminum cutaway aircraft models, miniature guns, clocks, model construction equipment and live steam trains, vintage small machine tools (lathes).

Research Collections
Complete library of Model Engineer magazines from 1898 to present, complete collection of Model Engine Builder and Strictly IC magazines, fairly complete collection of other home shop machining magazines like Live Steam, The Home Shop Machinist, Machinist's Workshop and clock collector magazines from the National Assn. of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Studio and Exhibits

Photo Studio
The museum have an in-house digital photo studio. Our machinst is also responsible for restoring, maintaining and operating the steam and gas engines in the collection.

Travel Exhibits
Special Travel Exhibitions are available. The museum loans exhibits; Contact Director Craig Libuse at above contact numbers.

Online Museum

The on-line version of the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum offers the chance to honor the work of many craftsmen world-wide without having to possess any more than photographs of their work. The museum, however, also maintain a growing collection of actual examples of excellent craftsmanship at the new facility in Carlsbad, California.

Craftmen Gathering Place

This office will also become a gathering place where the best craftsmen can share problems and solutions with others at their high skill level in hopes of advancing the level of work for all. The book collection covers books on and by some of the best craftsmen and also includes books covering the use, care and history of tools.

Educational Programs

The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum features a full working machine shop where a machinist can be seen making parts to build small engines. The shop has built two engines so far; a 14cc in-line four cylinder and a 30cc V-4. We will be starting next on a 1/4 scale V-8. The machinist is available for questions on how things are made from metal.