A few points that are so important to a quality wagon that Hansen Wheel and Wagon will never compromise on...

First - The Wagon Construction

Having built wagons for nearly 30 years, I have studied the construction of the original wagons, built in the days when the wagons were used on a daily basis. I believe that what worked in that environment will prove to be the most durable wagon in today's world, and it is this that I base the construction of all our vehicles on. We use the traditional joinery and authentic construction details to replicate wagons of the past. These high standards are essential to your wagon, in order to make your purchase a long-term investment, in quality and durability. I've seen the 'short-term' wagons and makers come and go; and have witnessed the weaknesses of lack of design and construction in those wagons.

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Second - The Design

Wagon design is an art form. Just as you would feel inspired and in awe of a fine painting or sculpture, the viewer should also be moved when viewing the design of a well-built wagon. The old masters' attention to detail provides excellent guidance in the design elements of a wagon. We prefer to take the extra time and effort to hand-forge tapers that blend well with the overall wagon design, rather than attach sections of bar stock to the running gear. Cutting chamfers to give a pleasing flow to the end of a bolster is more time consuming, but much more gratifying to the aesthetic eye. It is this attention to detail and design throughout the entire construction of our wagons that sets them apart.

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Third - The Finish

Colors make an important impact in our lives and say something about us and influence others' interpretation of us. What makes a good wagon color is an important consideration. Once the color is decided, we need a finish that will last! This is where the solid construction comes into play, because loose joints turn into cracked paint.

The painted finish is the most visible aspect of the wagon. All the construction detail is covered within, but the finish is exposed for all to see. The greatest design and construction can be rendered useless by a poor finish. We use premium quality finishes, plus the same attention to detail that we give the rest of the wagon, to assure a mirror finish.

We make a special effort to assure an efficient sealing of the metal to wood components. This is required for long term durability- because the corrosive acids in the wood will develop rust bleed-outs in time. So we epoxy prime all the sandblasted metal components, to prevent this problem from occurring.

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Next - Hardware

Hardware is the jewelry worn by the wagon, and should reflect its individual style. We are capable of supplying hardware in brass, chrome, or stainless steel- and we have the facilities to custom forge a style that sets your wagon apart from the other. The castings and forging's are very important in representing the wagon's style, and should have a continuity throughout.