Replica Threshing Machines Look Like The Real Deal
“I started building replica toy threshing machines 25 years ago and have been doing it ever since,” says Ken Sunderland, a retired mechanic who worked at Northwest Airlines for nearly 40 years. These days he spends as much as 700 hrs. to build one authentic scale model threshing machine with actual moving parts.
“I can make them out of metal or wood,” Sunderland says. “It takes about the same amount of time with either one. I draw up plans to scale, cut the materials, then put them together. On the metal ones, I braise or weld the materials. The wood machines are glued together.”
Sunderland’s models, which are made to 1-in. scale, look incredibly real. One of his larger replicas is nearly 4 ft. long. He made one model from wood that he salvaged from a full-sized antique threshing machine. Others are made from sheet metal, tiny metal brackets and aluminum. Wood pulleys he cuts with a scroll saw and wood shafts he turns on his lathe. Metal pieces he cuts with a shears or with the scroll saw. He uses special leather for authentic looking belts. Each leather piece is cut to the correct size, then fastened together and carefully placed on the pulleys.
“It’s time-consuming work,” Sunderland says, “but I’ve got plenty of time.” He has crafted replicas of Case, Minneapolis Moline, McCormick-Deering and Deere machines. He displays them at farm shows and craft events and also takes them to nursing homes to show how farming used to be. “As a young kid I remember threshing on our farm and it was always something special,” Sunderland said. “I decided to see if I could make one to scale and have been at it ever since.”
After building a few of the threshing machines, Sunderland decided to try his hand at old tractors from the early 1900’s. In 20 years he’s built replicas of old steam engines, early model Deere’s, McCormick-Deerings, Farmalls and Case tractors. “There’s not as many moving parts on my tractors,” he says, “but the wheels turn and I use a small DC motor so they actually run. They look real nice next to the threshing machines,” Sunderland says. “People of all ages enjoy looking at the models,” Sunderland says, “and kids can’t believe something so small actually has moving parts. I really enjoy showing them to people and I think people enjoy seeing what that equipment used to look like.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ken Sunderland, 302 Scenic Circle, Winsted, Minn. 55395 (ph 320 485-2161).
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Replica Threshing Machines Look Like The Real Deal FARM HOME Novelty Items “I started building replica toy threshing machines 25 years ago and have been doing it ever since ” says Ken Sunderland a retired mechanic who worked at Northwest Airlines for nearly 40 years These days he spends as much as 700 hrs to build one authentic scale model threshing machine with actual moving parts “I can make them out of metal or wood ” Sunderland says “It takes about the same amount of time with either one I draw up plans to scale cut the materials then put them together On the metal ones I braise or weld the materials The wood machines are glued together ” Sunderland’s models which are made to 1-in scale look incredibly real One of his larger replicas is nearly 4 ft long He made one model from wood that he salvaged from a full-sized antique threshing machine Others are made from sheet metal tiny metal brackets and aluminum Wood pulleys he cuts with a scroll saw and wood shafts he turns on his lathe Metal pieces he cuts with a shears or with the scroll saw He uses special leather for authentic looking belts Each leather piece is cut to the correct size then fastened together and carefully placed on the pulleys “It’s time-consuming work ” Sunderland says “but I’ve got plenty of time ” He has crafted replicas of Case Minneapolis Moline McCormick-Deering and Deere machines He displays them at farm shows and craft events and also takes them to nursing homes to show how farming used to be “As a young kid I remember threshing on our farm and it was always something special ” Sunderland said “I decided to see if I could make one to scale and have been at it ever since ” After building a few of the threshing machines Sunderland decided to try his hand at old tractors from the early 1900’s In 20 years he’s built replicas of old steam engines early model Deere’s McCormick-Deerings Farmalls and Case tractors “There’s not as many moving parts on my tractors ” he says “but the wheels turn and I use a small DC motor so they actually run They look real nice next to the threshing machines ” Sunderland says “People of all ages enjoy looking at the models ” Sunderland says “and kids can’t believe something so small actually has moving parts I really enjoy showing them to people and I think people enjoy seeing what that equipment used to look like ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ken Sunderland 302 Scenic Circle Winsted Minn 55395 ph 320 485-2161
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