Our Story
Learn more about SMM's start and our mission
A Passion for Mining Models
SMM creator, Matt Weyand's very first build was a working scale model of the 6400 Manitowoc his dad operated (pictured here) he completed at the age of 12. His passion and enthusiasm for model building and all things mining continued to grow, as did his design and building skills.
In 2019, Matt started a private Facebook group for fellow enthusiasts, builders and collectors to share their knowledge, passion and expertise... and Scale Model Mining was born! The group has since grown to well over 6000 members from all over the world.
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​While the Facebook group remains private for extreme enthusiasts, our passion for preserving the history of mining led us to expand SMM to a larger forum that all can enjoy... Welcome to the SMM Website (and be sure to like our public Facebook Page)!
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Here you can learn more about the Monsters of Mining, check out upcoming events and buy your very own model or build your own with our custom conversion kits. You can even support SMM by picking up some logo merchandise!
At Scale Model Mining, we are passionate about celebrating the incredible machines used within the mining industry, as well as the talents of the modelers who painstakingly recreate them and enthusiasts who collect.
Our hobby club and shop is more than just a place to buy and build models. It's a community of like-minded individuals who share a love of mining machinery and the history behind it.
Our core team is made up of experts in the field, who are always happy to help and share their knowledge with fellow enthusiasts. Join us in exploring the fascinating world of scale model mining!
Bringing History to Life
Giving Back
At Scale Model Mining, we are dedicated to sharing knowledge, as well as using our platform to preserving the memory of these magnificent beasts. We regularly attend (and soon to host!) events to promote the hobby of scale model mining and share our passion with others.
Whether you're a seasoned modeler or just starting out, we welcome you to join our community and share your love of mining machinery with like-minded enthusiasts. Our team is always on hand to provide advice and guidance, and we're passionate about preserving the memory of these magnificent machines for future generations to enjoy.
Join us in celebrating the history and legacy of mining machinery, and discover a world of creativity, skill, and craftsmanship.
At SMM, we believe it is vital to share stories and experiences with each other to keep the industry's heritage alive. Our community is made up of those dedicated to sharing knowledge, learning and listening to those who designed, built and ran these magnificent beasts that helped shape our world.
So, here's to our amazing community - one that is made up of collectors, enthusiasts and historians who are dedicated to preserving this industry's legacy. We hope this platform will allow you to connect with others, share knowledge & resources, introduce you to knew places to visit, websites to view and photos and videos to fuel your passion for the Monsters of the Mining Industry.
Visit Museums!
Attend Shows!
Share Stories!
Listen & Learn!
Support those who keep this history alive through their work!
How Can You Help?
The Bucyrus (South Milwaukee Industrial) Museum, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin celebrates the origins of Bucyrus and related companies from 1880-2011
Big Brutus Visitors Center and Museum provides a wealth of information, interactive exhibits and even the opportunity to explore Big Brutus up close.
Miner's Memorial Park & Big Muskie's Bucket is a monument to the achievements of American Electric Power and it's subsidiary Central Ohio Coal Company and offers the opportunity to not only see Big Muskie's Bucket, but climb inside.