Brunner's Scratch-Built Treasures

Annual Custom-Built and Scratch-Built Issue Part 2

Wed Sep 01, 2010

by Fred Hendricks

The concept of pedal tractor implements built to scale and fully operational is a challenge. To view Tom Brunner's precision-built tractors and implements is awesome. While still farming in Mt. Horeb, Wis., Tom developed a fond appreciation for farm equipment.

This admiration became an inspiration to build precision models. Tom now works away from the farm, but has honed his craft through hands-on experience working in his backyard shop.

Today, Tom and Rosemary Brunner reside in Verona, Wis., a short jaunt west of Madison. The small hamlet of Verona in County Dane is located in south-central Wisconsin. Dane was created in 1836 as a territorial county and named after Nathan Dane of Massachusetts, a delegate to the First Continental Congress. Dane helped make Wisconsin the last state carved out of the Northwest Territories There are numerous points of interest in or near Verona. The beautiful thousand-mile footpath, Ice Age National Scenic Trail is located entirely within Wisconsin and snakes through Verona.

Apprentice to Craftsman
Tom gained experience as a machinist through technical school. He also owned his own welding business for 20 years. "I'm now working at Ellis Manufacturing Company of Verona. This company makes band saws and grinders. My job is a little different. When a piece of equipment is not working right, they'll bring it to my workbench, explain the problem and tell me to fix it.

"Fortunately, I've nearly always been able to figure out the problem. The correction will be made in production, and they'll soon be off and running again," Tom commented. [Subscribe to Toy Farmer and read the rest of this article.]