Detailed Wooden Models Are A Labor Of Love

Detailed Wooden Models Are A Labor Of Love AG WORLD 34-1-24 Ben Rudolph takes his handmade wooden models pretty seriously. He has 60 years of experience making 1:12 scale replicas of tractors, locomotives, threshing machines, and the like, but he still hasn't tired of it. In fact, since he retired from dairy farming, Rudolph says it's become a full-time hobby. Rudolph recreates antique tractors he sees in books, calendars, and even just from memory. He makes the plans himself, which is the most difficult part of his work. "Cutting out the pieces is less time consuming than putting them together," he explains. "On average, I finish one per month." Rudolph sells his creations at various antique tractor shows in Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as by mail order. Rumley tractors, Case separators and Hart Parr tractors are just a few of the makes that Rudoph has built. "I've made about 500 different models in my lifetime, but I always keep one of each series that I've made for myself," he says. "This is still a hobby and I go to shows because I enjoy it. I like to sell them because it feels good to know others think they're good enough to pay for." Prices range from $125 to $1200, plus shipping. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ben Rudoph, Rudolph Handmade Wooden Models, N2759 Grahl Dr., Medford, Wis. 54451 (ph 715 748-3360; roah@tds.net).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.