American Science & Surplus

I’ve always kinda wanted to be in the movies. Sci-​fi movies, in particular. Not really *IN* the movie though, but I thought it’d be cool to be a Production Assistant and run around and find random ass props.
«HEY, PA! We need 6 Erlenmeyer flasks, a Spanish medial poster about the ‘tracto gastrointestinal’ and a manikin torso, STAT!»
And then I’d drive to American Science & Surplus. Because they have these things.
They also have a lot of weird gimmick toys and games. Crafty stuff. Weird shaped plastic bottles. Old electronic parts (with schematics). Ball bearings. Petri dishes. Regular dishes. Airline dishes. Satellite dishes. Look, if you’re seeking a dish, they probably have it.
They also don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s a junk store, mostly, but it’s well organized, and EVERY SINGLE ITEM has a goofy name or label on them. It’s great, and I love it. So, if you’re looking for a weird something-​or-​other, try here. You might end up with things you didn’t even know existed. A+

This place is wacky, and I love it. The excitement starts every time I park my car in their lot. I mean, the signs, the entrance, the décor, and everything is covered in an aura of nerdiness. I’d explore every isle and find new cool stuff. It’s like a treasure hunt.
You have to check out the frog! They say they’ve had the frog for many years, and they still sell these grow-​a-​frog kits. It’s just amazing. I’ve been tempted to buy one of these kits, but am not sure how long I can keep it alive. Who knows? Maybe I’ll start growing a frog after my next visit?

One of my favorite jaunts in the city when I travel out to King Spa (not too far away) I love looking through all the parts and pieces of what my hubby calls a «junk» store filled with science scrap and odds/​ends.
I particularly like the beakers, bottles and all the signs through the store that are quirky and silly. It’s a neat place and you never know what you will find. Last time I was here I bought a bunch of little test tubes to use as shot glasses and a crystal ball.
The people that work here are friendly and funny as well. I had a great conversation about Doctor Who that turned into a mini war about sci fi with a few of the patrons! It was a good time and we had some laughs!

Nerd paradise! Even if you’re not a mad scientist or engineer you will be amazed by this store! There’s nothing like it. They have so much crazy stuff with humorous, wacky hand written signs that just walking around is quite entertaining. I’ve been coming here for many years and they always have the usual suspects, but a lot of their inventory does change.
What you’ll find: Lab supplies, telescopes, arts and crafts, dental tools, motors, military surplus, disco balls, novelty gifts, toys for all ages, educational tools, kitchen gadgets, African clawed frogs (they will eat all the fish in your fish tank!), sea monkeys, ant farms, magnets, laser pens, lots and lots of gadgets, and a whole lot more.
I highly recommend walking every aisle in the store especially if it’s your first time. You’ll most likely find something that you absolutely need.

It’s like a toy shop for men. And for kids. Love it.

I would come here just to read the hand written signs.
Kooky, wacky place – come here if you’re looking for odds and ends, or if you’ve got a couple hours to spare!

When my good friend, Dr. Jessica O., PhD completed her doctorate and became a doctor in the field of Physiology, we knew American Science and Surplus would come in handy for the celebration brunch we were going to throw for her. With the help of Pam M. and Mike M. we found vials and petri dishes to fill with tasty treats to decorate the table. The staff are always friendly and happy to help, too.
Dan also replenished his dwindling googly eyes supply. That’s just a necessity.

Dude this store is Rad.
As a young kid I came here and remember thinking it was the coolest store that ever, ever was!
It’s still pretty cool as a grown-​up.
They do have some cheapy type clearance crap stuff that they clearly got for a bargain so that they could try and make a few pennies. Guess one can’t blame them. But keep your receipt, lol.
Also, you’ll find lots of cool sciency things as well as stange-​ness (as in what «is» this or what would anyone «do» with this?!).
See? Fun!
Stop by if you get the chance and bring the kids!

I’ve never seen anything like this place! It’s full of everything! A great place to bring friends, families, visitors, and children.

I’ve been coming here for well over 10 years and there is always something new in stock.
Ant farms, embalmed frogs for dissecting, anatomy charts of all kinds, gears, beakers, Bunsen burners, s hooks, casters, police tape, WW2 helmets… it’s all HERE!!!
Do you have a friend who is an engineering geek? Bring them here… they’ll think they died and went to heaven!
Your friends that think they can MacGyver anything will love it here too.
I like to peruse the goods and come up with alternate uses for them. On my to-​do list: make a spice rack out of test tubes and the test tube holder.
64÷2014÷68

Weird things in here. Amazing that if you’re looking for something weird they pretty much have it. Looked for a jewelers loupe and couldn’t find it anywhere. Guess what. They had many of them. Awesome.

Even though I live 10 minutes away, I’ve never been. Their adverised tent sale put them on my radar for this past weekend’s activities. I had no intention of buying anything, but I couldn’t help it.
They have gadgettes and trinkets galore, items that at first glance you think why would anyone buy this. Then you take a second glance and realize that YOU have an application for that item. Plus, it’s only 75 cents today, so why not.
The next thing you know, you’ve bought $ 10 worth of various items that you thought were needless at first but realized there was a need indeed, just not an immediate need.
The next time I’m at a bonfire and someone asks for a tool that has a knife blade, philips head screwdriver, flat head screwdriver, and bottle opener all in one, I’m going to be the hero, and it only cost me $ 3.00!
Oh, I’ll be going back again for sure. I already saw some props for Halloween costumes.
Yup, they saw me comin’.

Not just interesting, but useful. Sure, this place has a ton of outrageous miniature kits or little plastic doohickeys, but I’ve also found lots of seriously useful stuff. Their collection of beakers and cylinders can be useful for both their intended purpose and for cool containers. I’ve wanted to start a jarrarium with shrimp and stuff out of one of the huge boiling flasks they sometimes have. They’ve also got lots of corks to fit your new containers. I’ve found bathtub stoppers, nail clippers, a variety of electronic components, and neodymium magnets that have proved useful as well. A lot of their military surplus has seen better days, but there is stuff from all over the world in there, as well as stuff you would never expect to find. Need a WWII era French road flare? Here’s your place.

I roamed this store as a child so maybe I’m biased but I don’t know of a better place to find wacky miscellany. Their prices are reasonable and the staff if generally helpful, if not wacky themselves.
Great selection of science posters and glassware, craft supplies, random hardware and many things I couldn’t name. This is a fun time if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for but have some time to browse.

There is something here for every member of the Lambda Lambda Lambda Fraternity.
I live a block away from this place, and I have to say it brings a lot of joy into my life. I always slow down when I’m driving past to read whatever clever quip they have on their outdoor sign.
I try to make a trip here twice a year, mainly to read all the signage inside the store and to buy goofy doohickeys and other random stuff. I stopped in just to look around and read some signs since I was walking to the neighboring comic shop anyways. I ended up spending one hour here. This last trip I bought construction paper and almost bought a Mr. Bill action figure. This might be the least I’ve ever spent here.
I’d probably waltz in here more if I was into the whole «build your own rocket» lifestyle, but I do dig doing the occasional art project and this place comes in handy for that. I also dig having really weird knick knacks all over the house, and this place will get me in trouble sometimes when I buy too many.
If you have older kids and throw birthday parties for them, this is where you buy their party favors.
If the Zombie or any other Apocalypse ever hits and everyone is looking for supplies at grocery or big box stores, I’ll be raiding the shelves here. I’m going to be the MacGyver of all the survivors.

Within 3 minutes of walking in, I had to call my sister to tell her that when she visits, we’re going here. It smells weird and looks like everything will be ridiculous, AND EVERYTHING IS RIDICULOUS. But in the best possible way.
I snagged a Sunprint kit (total throwback to my childhood), a steel Eiffel Tower that I get to assemble myself, and a bunch of awesome glassware. All for $ 20. They have cool toys, army stuff, random hats, medical and science supplies, posters, office supplies, electronics paraphernalia, and so much stuff I couldn’t even take it all in. I want to take everyone here to spread the joy that is American Science & Surplus.

I admit it. I am a «surpie.» We’re people who love to go to AS&S and fondle the bric-​à-​brac, play with the the doohickeys, and peruse the possibilities that can be produced if one can envision what to do with it all.
This place is an inventors paradise. I am sure that one could build a robot with the mix of bits and transistors and odd things to be found. I know a friend who replaces his toggle switches and parts in his Atari 2600 with finds here.
But really, there’s something for everyone at this place. Mad scientists can find beakers, fleakers, stands and tubing. Village People can find headdresses and helmets. Teachers can find gizmos to demonstrate solar and wind energy. Oddballs can find other odd things for their collections of oddities.
I like buying gifts for my two godchildren there so that I appear to be the «cool uncle» who buys stomp rockets or skeleton models for the two boys.
One cannot really describe the scavenger hunt (an actual one if you wish) that is AS&S. It’s an adventure in a storefront. Go there.

I love this place. I’m considering approaching the staff to see if I can get paid for bringing patrons in since I bring all of my out of town guests here for some reason. I swear I’m not not as huge a nerd as that sounds.
You can find the oddest things here… and things you didn’t know you needed and things you must have and things you must give to your funny friend and things that are genuine crap and things that inspire you. It’s kinda like TJ Maxx for random stuff — most of their stuff is literally ‘surplus’ from somewhere. You will find that some items are cheaper than dirt. Others are inappropriately expensive. it’s a little unpredictable, really.
There are toys here, but the toys aren’t what it’s about. There’s all kinds of bits and pieces for hobbyists, but that’s not what it’s about either. At least not for me. I wander about looking for anything that grabs me. I think I would do the store the most justice by making a list of some of my recent purchases:
–glass jars for a wedding centerpiece
–small containers that fit perfectly inside a paperbag to hold things for decoration
–oversized playing cards for the grandparents
–a small tote that says Grandma! on it (will maybe come in handy someday to break news…)
–tiny jars with tiny corks for spices
–solar powered yard glowsticks
–military helmet
–wheels, reflectors, and cord straps to complete our cardboard box cars
–a fake hollow leg to be used as a giftbag
–sporks
–carabeners
–a fake Oscar, called a Dave
The list is not all comprehensive, I fear you might start thinking me weird. Just go here sometime in the middle of a fun afternoon with friends. Ok?

American Science & Surplus was the perfect place for my son and I to find a rainy day science project for him (Windmill generator) and me (Solar Chirping Bug), and a few other things as well.
AS&S is a mixture of science kits, Hobby, DIY electronic repair, and goofy fun knick knacks store! As we walked in I spied a red «Panic» button for a computer keyboard (when Ctrl-​Alt-​Del just won’t do the job), and there is a whole bunch of unique toy-​type things here. Great for a kid’s birthday, or for putting together grab bags for kids.
We spied some police tape and Cougar duct tape (see pics), and they also have a nice art supply section, and I picked up some pencils for my new sketching/​painting class.
This place is just full of curious things, you have to see it! It’s well-​stocked, and well-​maintained, and is certainly on my radar for future visits.

This might be my favorite place in all of Milwaukee.
I mean, maybe not… but maybe. AS&S is SO good. It certainly ranks up there as one of my favorite MKE institutions.
I don’t even know where to start. I’m overwhelmed just thinking about the place.
Erlenmeyer flasks and microscopes and foam bits and PVC piping and old coat hooks and French military helmets and semi-​precious stones and a Rube Goldberg magnet set for your fridge and yarn and magnets and sheets of stainless steel and weird little circuits and grow your own Venus Fly Trap and wacky bendy straw glasses and fake moustaches and strange lightbulbs and and «caution» tape and old Christmas decorations and weird metal glue and old radio parts and a random pile of springs or pens or whatever.
I usually wander around until I get an idea for a project. This usually takes approximately one hour. One time, I got these strange used metal rods that kind of looked like Lincoln logs and some jute and I made some picture frames. Last time, I snagged three random coat hooks, some metal glue, and a sheet of tarnished metal and made a thing to hang all my necklaces on.
Their tiny signage explaining some of the more random items available for purchase always cracks me up. Near the science-​y stuff, affixed to a small plastic bin of glass rods — used for stirring, and other science-​y type things, I’m assuming — was a tiny sign that read «Glass Rod Stewarts, ten cents. Do you think they’re sexy?» … or the area that has all the «long» stuff — old hoses and PVC pipe and random items four feet in length or longer; the signage there reads: «Like Proust? Like Dune? Like War & Peace? Do you like the DMV? Then you’ll dig this really looooong stuff.»
They’re smart, they’re awesome, it’s funny, it’s awesome. This place is a wonderland and I freaking love it. If you’ve never been, go. Now.