Mechanic John Peltonen — likely one of the few people remaining in the Bay Area with the expertise to complete the task — rebuilds a small engine’s carburetor. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
Axel’s owner Dan Grahek reaches for a part hidden among the scores of boxes, drawers and cabinets at Axel’s Saw and Tool Sharpening in Ashland, which is closing its doors after 35 years of keeping small engines running in the Bay Area. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
Saw-sharpener John Peltonen (from left), owner Dan Grahek and mechanic Dan Anderson in the showroom of the shop on Ashland's Main Street. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
John Peltonen stands next to the sharpening machine on which he has honed thousands of chainsaw blades over the past three decades. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
Stacy Lukasiewicz visited Axel's looking for a gasoline cap for a Chinese-made snowblower, and sure enough, the part was tucked away among the shop's shelves. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
holds a gas cap that will fit his Chinese-manufactured snowblower, a part found in one of the many boxes containing a wealth of small engine spare parts at Axel’s.
An old saw blade has marked the entrance to Axel’s for decades. Owner Dan Grahek said the business is for sale, but he hasn’t yet had any serious offers.
Mechanic John Peltonen — likely one of the few people remaining in the Bay Area with the expertise to complete the task — rebuilds a small engine’s carburetor. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
For the past 35 years, there has been a reassuring sameness in stepping through the door at Axel’s Saw and Tool Sharpening at 800 Main St. W. in Ashland — the sharp scent of gasoline and exhaust fumes, chainsaws and brush cutters, snowblowers and rototillers, either for sale or awaiting repair. And the idle chatter of folks who come by to get a lawnmower fixed or maybe just to hang out and shoot the breeze.
The crew of three who work there, mechanic Dan Anderson, saw-sharpener John Peltonen and owner Dan Grahek, are never too busy to talk about whatever topic seems interesting, from the market price of timber and the need to have a reliable chain saw to what kind of rototiller is best to prepare a vegetable garden bed.
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Axel’s owner Dan Grahek reaches for a part hidden among the scores of boxes, drawers and cabinets at Axel’s Saw and Tool Sharpening in Ashland, which is closing its doors after 35 years of keeping small engines running in the Bay Area. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
Stacy Lukasiewicz visited Axel's looking for a gasoline cap for a Chinese-made snowblower, and sure enough, the part was tucked away among the shop's shelves. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
holds a gas cap that will fit his Chinese-manufactured snowblower, a part found in one of the many boxes containing a wealth of small engine spare parts at Axel’s.
John Peltonen stands next to the sharpening machine on which he has honed thousands of chainsaw blades over the past three decades. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
An old saw blade has marked the entrance to Axel’s for decades. Owner Dan Grahek said the business is for sale, but he hasn’t yet had any serious offers.
Saw-sharpener John Peltonen (from left), owner Dan Grahek and mechanic Dan Anderson in the showroom of the shop on Ashland's Main Street. (Rick Olivo/Staff photo)
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It's a pity some young person couldn't be mentored in this business with assistance in purchasing it in the near future. Congratulations on the retirement, I hope you can find someone to carry on your excellent service.
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