Minature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum

Free museum! This place was really cool. They guys that worked they really knew there stuff and we’re passionate about it. They made the information fun and interesting. They have great displays! If you want something relaxing and free to do then go to this museum.

We were visiting our son in La Jolla and ended up in Carlsbad and we were looking for something to do and I found this place on Unilocal.My husband is a pilot so he loves things like motors and engineered things. Wow was he happy when we walked in. This place is amazing. The craftsmanship of the items on display was amazing. I was even impressed! We ended up there just in time for a visit to the engineer shop in the back where they fired up a miniature engine. How cool was that! Admission is free but they take donations. We are still talking about this place. We will be back.

THERE IS NO WORD TO DESCRIBE THIS …
Everything is unique !
You can feel the personality of the builder in each construction ! And so many ideas that new generation should be develop today .
The team of the museum is awesome too, they have the passion and they are very implicated .
YOU WON’T WASTE YOUR TIME, bring your children, bring your fathers and friends !
!!! AND IT’S A FREE MUSEUM !!!

Absolutely loved this place ! My family had a great time ! Not only did they have miniature cars, boats, motels they all function. I mean they run just like the full sized models! Pistons, rings every part of the engine in miniature. The museum is great for kids and adults and 3 times a day they have demos!

located in a non-​descript office park. free. very friendly volunteer docents. tons of things to see. i learned the difference between «model» and «miniature». «model» means to scale. «miniature» means to scale and functional. in other words, almost everything in this place actually works just like the life-​size version — steam engines run on steam, car engines run on gasoline, guns fire tiny rounds, etc. it’s incredible. in many cases, miniature tools had to be made in order to make the miniature projects themselves. everybody, young and old, can find something interesting here. a hidden gem for sure.

So cool! Don’t miss out on this! You can see the whole museum in an hr if you’re not too long at each model/​exhibit. They have a dollhouse section, ships, planes, cars, engines you name it! Very cool! It’s free and everyone is friendly. Free parking.

Wow, what an incredible place to visit! The craftsmanship is so detailed and beautiful. Definitely take the workroom tour. The docents are so friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Great museum for the engineer and mechanical minded, kids, women, and the whole family. So much to see, we will definitely be back.

Visited this museum a few years ago with the San Diego Antique Motorcycle Club and got to hear the miniature V8 start up. An informative, excellent museum full of the creative efforts of hundreds of talented craftsmen and women. Just stunning, and well worth your time!

This was a TON of fun. If you’re into nerdy engineering things like me and my husband, definitely check it out! It’s free, which is great, and they have just about everything. Anything you’re interested in machine wise, chances are there is a miniature of it!!!

Motorhead’s Dream! The demonstration of miniature engines was fascinating. We spent 1.5 hours looking at precision models.

Great museum for any engineer, craftsman, maker, hobbyist, builder, artist, etc. It would be nice to see more exhibits on techniques and processes, and more educational and historical exhibits but this is definitely a good start and well worth a trip!

What a cool little place to see a bunch of cool things!
My favorite things were the miniature engines, I didn’t get to hear any of the V-​8s run but I am sure that they are impressive.
They are getting ready to open another area full of miniature… wait for it… Doll houses. If you are looking for an excuse to go look at some incredible machine work and pretty cool guy toys sort of things than just tell your wife about the doll houses!
If you are taking your kids to Legoland and they like the idea of building things this is almost the same theory on a smaller scale… Amazingly talented hands, add imagination and you do magic!

It’s free. It has amazing craftsmanship on display. And it’s free.
This place is super cool! The docent there is really just a machinist but he’s such a cool guy! You’d be remiss not to check it out, I don’t really know what else to say…
I’ll upload some pictures. :)

A hidden gem, not to be missed! Minatures and models of all kinds of things from airplanes to Notre Dame Cathedral to a tiny Colt .45 revolver. Don’t just stroll through on your own, or you’ll miss the best part. Mike Sheehy showed us the exhibits, turning on motors and engines, explaining the secrets behind the art. The works are by the best minature makers in the world. Only the top prize-​winners’ works are on display. We came on a Tuesday; Wednesdays through Saturdays, master craftsmen come from all over to demonstrate their skills and to collaborate on projects. We’re definitely coming back. This place is fascinating, and Mike really makes it so. Don’t worry if you’re not a techie; watching the tiny engines and gears move is beautiful to see.