Monday - Friday: 7:00 - 5:00
Saturday: 7:00 - 12:00
Sunday: Closed or By Appointment or Chance*
We may be working below in the forge or machine hall, feel free to knock on the bay doors if lights on below and no one is upstairs.
-About Us-
Andrew M. Hansen completed and opened the current business location on October 18th, 1907, the Waupaca Republican writing that Hansen’s “brick block has ari
sen one story and fine basement 35 x 100 feet, and the solid new retaining walls soon to support cement walks with iron railings will add still further to the improved appearance of the street . . . and this building with its fine plate front and superior construction, including the retaining walls adds greatly to the looks of the property in that direction.” The machine hall had “two lathes, drilling machines, pipe cutting machines and everything found in the best machine shops,” and was powered by a large gasoline engine to turn the line shaft and the dynamo that generated the electricity to light the building. The upper story was the store room for sale of gasoline engines, pumps, plumber’s supplies, steam fittings, hose, porcelain bathtubs, wash basin, lavatory goods, etc. Hansen also had a blacksmith shop built on the north side of the building, and a year later in 1908, built the garage to the north and sold Maxwell and Rambler automobiles from 1908 until 1914. Alton Hansen, Andrew’s son ran the business after his father’s death in 1942, until his own, premature death in 1962. Wally Doran purchased the building and business from Anita, Hansen’s widow, in 1964, and changed the name to W. While Wally changed the name, and the shop no longer runs its power off a gasoline engine and dynamo, much of the business has remained the same for over a hundred years. The machine hall still powers it large lathe, drill press, an horizontal milling machine by way of the line shaft, and the threading machine and smaller lathe have are still used frequently for work, just by means of electric motors. Same goes for the blower on the forge, which is also still in use. We continue to sell much of the same goods that have always been sold here, with the addition of welding supplies, stove piping, and current pump parts. We still hold NOS parts that those searching for hard-to-find parts for restoration or repair work are looking for, as well a new, and usually are able to order in those we do not have in store or suggest local stores that have them. So stop by to see what we can help you with, and see one of Waupaca’s longest running establishments!
