Toronto Society of Model Engineers

Every year the Hamilton Steam Museum host the TSME and exhibits many of their engineering creations. Hopefully I will be able to add more images this year.

A bit of history on TSME: (taken from their site: http://www.tsme.ca/ )

"TSME Meets and welcomes visitors at our monthly meetings from September to June on the 2nd Friday of the month from 7:30 to 10:30 P.M. The location of these is currently in the Toronto Aerospace Museum at 65 Carl Hall Road, Downsview, M3K 2E1, and there is FREE parking.

The main things that members seem to enjoy most is the exchange of ideas and tips on techniques. Which are happily shared. While the traditionally successful format for a meeting is the description of members models brought in for exhibition, whether complete or partly built; the executive endeavour to arrange that an adequate number will be on hand. Occasionally they arrange for a visiting speaker to talk on a special item of particular interest. Topics concerning new machinery, historic machinery, and engineering ingenuity have grasped members' interest over decades, whether by talks exhibits, or pictures.

There is a wide interest in good craftsmanship of any sort so that past programs have included topics like: pattern-making, tools, foundry work, lost-wax casting, pumps, ball-turning, piston rings, bearings, tool sharpening, marquetry, horology, scale, boomerangs, and painting, as well as a few auctions of used tools. Electronic topics must not be overlooked. Stepping motors, spark-erosion, light-beam control, counters & dynamometers, have all been featured. Traditionally the aims of the society have proved to be the encouragement of good craftsmanship and promotion of model making. The kind and quality of models is very broad. The tyro is encouraged and the expert admired.

Over the years emphasis has varied from sail boating, to locomotives, to tethered hydroplanes, aircraft, clocks and stationary engines, with various forays into tool making, and experimental engines including Stirlings. Steam engines have always been favourites and some member's triumphs can be seen at the Museum of Steam and Technology in Hamilton. However other models that have shared the spot-light have included boats of all types from exquisite "glass-case" ones to sailing, or powered boats, even including the perpetually puzzling "toc-toc" boats. Sometimes optical items grasp attention such as optical comparators, or telescopes. Cars, and internal combustion engines have been centre-stage: and sometimes dioramas or weaponry."