The Lobdell Car Wheel Co. began in 1836 in Wilmington, Delaware. A century later, in 1939, the company acquired Nazel Engineering & Machine Works for their line of Nazel forging hammers and Dill slotters, with Nazel veteran Howard W. Wimer placed in charge of the new division. In 1942 the company changed its name to Lobdell Co., still headquartered in Wilmington.

Nazel hammers manufactured by Lobdell were marked with both the Nazel and Lobdell names.

In October 1949 United Engineering & Foundry Co., Pittsburgh, acquired the Lobdell Co., renaming it to the Lobdell United Co., which remained in Wilmington.

Parts and Service

Some parts and service for Nazel hammers are available from Postville Blacksmith Shop, Postville, WI.

Information Sources

• See our Information Sources section for Nazel Engineering & Machine Works.
• 1939 issue of Western Machinery and Steel World (Volume 30 Page 224).

  The Lobdell Car Wheel Company, Wilmington, Del., announces the purchase of the business of the Nazel Engineering & Machine Works of Philadelphia, Pa. The Lobdell Company, established in 1836...

• 1939 issue of Iron Trade and Western Machinist (Volume 105 Page 27).

  Lobdell Car Wheel Co., Wilmington, Del., has purchased the business of Nazel Engineering & Machine Works, Philadelphia. Howard W. Wimer, associated with the Nazel organization 35 years, will be in charge of the Nazel hammer and Dill slotter division.

• 1950 issue of Iron Trade and Western Machinist (Volume 126, Part 1 Page 74).

  ...United Engineering & Foundry Co., Pittsburgh, last October bought Stedman Foundry & Machine Works Inc., Aurora, Ind., and the Lobdell Co., Wilmington, Del. ...

• 1950 issue of Standard Iron-Steel-Metal Directory (Volume 12 Page 115), lists "Lobdell United Company, Wilmington, Delaware; Stedman Foundry and Machine Co., Inc., Aurora, Ind.,..."