Our Milling Shop
A Full-Service Reclaimed Wood Milling Operation
Our 15,000-square-foot milling facility in Long Island City is equipped to transform raw reclaimed timber into precision-finished products for any application. From a single mantel beam to 20,000 square feet of custom-milled flooring, our team and equipment can handle projects of any scale.
What sets our milling operation apart is our deep understanding of reclaimed wood. This material behaves differently from new lumber — it is harder, drier, more brittle in some cases, and more likely to contain hidden metal despite thorough de-nailing. Our operators have years of experience working exclusively with reclaimed stock, and our processes are designed around the unique challenges and rewards of this material.
We invest in industrial-grade equipment that can handle the density and hardness of old-growth reclaimed wood without compromising precision. Our 36-inch re-saw, 24-inch planer, 6-head moulder, and CNC router are all maintained to exacting standards, with blades and cutters replaced on a strict schedule to ensure clean cuts and tight tolerances.
Whether you need a standard product like tongue-and-groove flooring or something completely custom — reproduction architectural millwork, bookmatched tabletop panels, or a CNC-carved sign from 200-year-old oak — our facility can deliver. We work with architects, designers, contractors, furniture makers, and homeowners, and we are happy to consult on material selection, profile design, and finishing options.
Services
Milling Services & Capabilities
Our milling services cover every stage of processing, from rough breakdown of raw timbers to precision finishing of architectural millwork. Here is our full capability list with specifications.
Planing & Surfacing
S1S, S2S, S3S, S4S — we surface reclaimed wood to any smoothness level while preserving as much character as you want. Our 24-inch planer handles stock up to 6 inches thick and 24 inches wide. For wider pieces, we use our drum sander, which accommodates slabs up to 43 inches wide. Surface finish ranges from a rough skip-plane (removing only high spots) to a glass-smooth 150-grit sand that is ready for final finish.
Tolerance
+/- 1/64" thickness
Min Order
No minimum
Lead Time
1–3 business days
Re-Sawing
We re-saw thick reclaimed timbers into thinner stock — perfect for paneling, veneers, bookmatched pieces, and maximizing yield from limited-supply species. Our 36-inch re-saw bandsaw can handle stock up to 18 inches wide and 14 inches tall. Re-sawing is the key to getting multiple usable boards from a single heavy timber, and it is how we produce our thinnest paneling stock (down to 3/8 inch).
Tolerance
+/- 1/32" thickness
Min Order
50 board feet
Lead Time
2–5 business days
Tongue & Groove
Precision T&G profiles for flooring, wall paneling, and ceiling planks. We run standard T&G with 1/4-inch tongue and matching groove, offset to center on 3/4-inch stock. For thicker flooring (up to 1-1/4 inch), we adjust the profile proportionally. We can also run reverse T&G (groove on both edges with a separate spline) for specialty applications.
Tolerance
Profile accuracy: +/- 0.005"
Min Order
100 sq ft
Lead Time
3–7 business days
Shiplap & Bead Board
Rustic and refined profiles for accent walls, siding, and interior design applications. Our standard shiplap has a 3/4-inch rabbet that creates a clean shadow line when installed. We also run V-groove shiplap, nickel-gap shiplap, and traditional bead board profiles. Custom gap widths and bead sizes are available.
Tolerance
Profile accuracy: +/- 0.005"
Min Order
100 sq ft
Lead Time
3–7 business days
Custom Profiles
Crown molding, base trim, chair rail, wainscoting, casing, door and window trim — we can match existing profiles or create new ones from reclaimed stock. Bring us a sample of your existing molding and we will grind custom knives to reproduce it precisely. We maintain a library of over 200 standard architectural profiles.
Tolerance
Profile match: +/- 0.010"
Min Order
50 linear feet
Lead Time
5–10 business days (includes knife grinding)
Live Edge & Slab Work
We flatten, sand, and finish live-edge slabs from reclaimed logs and large timbers for tables, countertops, desks, and shelving. Our slab flattening setup uses a router sled that can handle pieces up to 5 feet wide and 12 feet long. We sand to 220 grit and can apply oil, polyurethane, or epoxy finishes.
Tolerance
Flatness: +/- 1/32" across the slab
Min Order
No minimum
Lead Time
5–14 business days
Edge Profiling
We rout decorative edges on reclaimed boards for shelving, tabletops, countertops, and architectural details. Standard profiles include roundover, chamfer, ogee, cove, and bullnose in various radii. Custom edge profiles are available with a one-time tooling charge.
Tolerance
Profile accuracy: +/- 0.005"
Min Order
No minimum
Lead Time
1–3 business days
Notching & Mortising
We cut notches, mortises, tenons, and lap joints in reclaimed timbers for structural connections and decorative joinery. This service is essential for timber frame construction, beam-to-post connections, and furniture applications that require traditional joinery.
Tolerance
+/- 1/32" on all joint dimensions
Min Order
No minimum
Lead Time
2–5 business days
Equipment
Our Equipment
We operate industrial-grade woodworking equipment specifically chosen and maintained for working with reclaimed hardwoods and softwoods. Every machine is fitted with carbide tooling rated for the extreme density of old-growth timber.
36" Re-Saw Bandsaw
Capacity: 18" wide x 14" tall. 3" blade width. 15 HP motor. Produces cuts down to 3/8" thickness with minimal kerf waste.
Used for: Re-sawing heavy timbers, producing paneling and veneer stock, cutting bookmatched pairs
24" Thickness Planer
Capacity: 24" wide x 6" thick. 4-knife cutterhead at 5,000 RPM. 10 HP motor. Achieves 0.001" depth-of-cut precision per pass.
Used for: Surfacing lumber S1S through S4S, dimensioning stock to precise thicknesses
43" Drum Sander
Capacity: 43" wide x 4" thick. Dual-drum design with 80-grit and 120-grit drums. Variable feed speed for optimal finish.
Used for: Wide slab surfacing, final sanding of panels and tabletops, evening out glue-up surfaces
6-Head Moulder
Capacity: 9" wide x 6" tall. Six spindle heads for simultaneous top, bottom, and side profiling. 50 ft/min feed rate.
Used for: Tongue & groove, shiplap, bead board, crown molding, and all continuous profiles
Shaper with Power Feeder
5 HP spindle, 1/2" and 3/4" spindle options. Accommodates standard and custom profile cutters. Power feeder ensures consistent feed rate.
Used for: Edge profiling, custom molding profiles, small-run specialty shapes
CNC Router (4x8 bed)
Capacity: 48" x 96" cutting area. 3-axis movement with 0.005" positioning accuracy. 3.5 HP spindle at 24,000 RPM.
Used for: Sign carving, decorative panels, precise mortising, template-based cutting
Panel Saw
Capacity: 4x8 sheet goods and panels up to 3" thick. Precision fence with digital readout. Scoring blade for clean cuts.
Used for: Cutting panels to size, breaking down wide slabs, precision crosscutting
Dehumidification Kiln
Capacity: 2,000 board feet per load. Temperature range: 90–160 degrees F. Humidity control: 20–90% RH. Full-cycle monitoring.
Used for: Drying reclaimed stock to target MC (6–12%), heat treating for insect elimination
Metal Detector (Industrial)
Walk-through conveyor style. Detects ferrous and non-ferrous metals as small as a broken nail tip. Audible and visual alert.
Used for: Scanning all reclaimed stock before milling to protect tooling and ensure clean product
Chainsaw Mill (Portable)
Granberg Alaskan Mark III. Capacity: up to 36" diameter logs. Used on-site for initial breakdown of large timbers.
Used for: Field-processing oversized beams and logs that cannot be transported whole to our shop
Scheduling
Turnaround Times
Turnaround times depend on the service required, order quantity, and current shop workload. Standard turnaround applies to most orders. Rush service is available at a 25–50% premium and is subject to shop capacity.
| Service | Standard | Rush |
|---|---|---|
| Planing / surfacing (in-stock material) | 1–3 days | Same day (if capacity allows) |
| Re-sawing | 2–5 days | 1–2 days |
| Tongue & groove / shiplap milling | 3–7 days | 2–3 days |
| Custom profile (existing knife) | 3–7 days | 2–3 days |
| Custom profile (new knife required) | 5–10 days | 3–5 days |
| Slab flattening & finishing | 5–14 days | 3–7 days |
| Kiln drying (full cycle) | 2–6 weeks | Not available — drying cannot be safely rushed |
| Large commercial orders (1,000+ BF) | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks (premium rate) |
Quality Control
Our Quality Control Process
Quality control is not a single checkpoint — it is woven into every step of our milling process. Here is how we ensure that every board, plank, and profile that leaves our shop meets or exceeds our standards.
Incoming Inspection
Every board entering our milling process is inspected for species identification, moisture content, hidden metal, structural defects, and dimensional accuracy. Material that does not meet specifications for the intended product is rejected or re-graded.
Metal Detection Scan
All material passes through our industrial metal detector before touching any cutting tool. This protects our expensive tooling and ensures your finished product is free of hidden fasteners. We also do a manual scan with a handheld wand for extra-thick stock.
In-Process Measurement
During milling, our operators measure output dimensions every 10 boards using digital calipers. For profile work, we use go/no-go gauges to verify that T&G, shiplap, and custom profiles are within tolerance. Any drift is corrected immediately by adjusting the machine.
Visual Grading
After milling, every board is visually inspected for tear-out, snipe, machine marks, and any defects introduced during processing. Boards that do not meet our quality standard are either re-run through the machine or downgraded.
Moisture Content Verification
For kiln-dried material, we verify moisture content with a pin-type meter on a sample from each load. MC must be within the specified range for the product (6–12% for interior use, 12–19% for exterior). If MC is out of range, material goes back to the kiln.
Final Packaging & Documentation
Finished material is stacked on pallets with stickers between layers for air circulation. Each order is tagged with species, grade, dimensions, MC reading, board footage, and date milled. Pallets are wrapped for protection during transport.
Kiln Drying
Kiln Drying Specifications
Our on-site dehumidification kiln is an essential part of our milling operation. Kiln drying brings reclaimed wood to the moisture content required for interior use, eliminates any potential insects, and stabilizes the wood for dimensional precision. Here are the technical details.
Type
Dehumidification kiln (energy-efficient, gentle on wood)
Capacity
2,000 board feet per load (approximately 1 full truckload)
Temperature range
90–160 degrees Fahrenheit (adjustable by species and MC target)
Humidity control
20–90% relative humidity (graduated schedule to prevent defects)
Typical cycle time
2–6 weeks depending on species, thickness, and starting MC
Target MC range
6–12% for interior, 12–19% for covered exterior
Heat treatment
All kiln loads are held at 140F core temp for 2 hours minimum (ISPM 15 compliant)
Monitoring
Wireless MC probes in the load, data logged 24/7, alerts for out-of-range conditions
Defect prevention
Graduated drying schedule with stress relief cycles to minimize checking, cupping, and case hardening
Species-specific protocols
Different drying schedules for softwoods (faster) vs. hardwoods (slower), dense species (gentlest), and thick stock (extended)
Finishing
Shop-Applied Finish Options
We offer six standard finish options that can be applied in our shop under controlled conditions. Shop-applied finishes are more consistent than field-applied finishes and allow your material to arrive ready to install.
Raw (No Finish)
Material is delivered after milling with no surface coating. Ready for the client or installer to finish on-site. This is the most common option for custom milling orders.
Penetrating Oil (Tung or Danish)
A natural oil that soaks into the wood fibers to enhance color and provide basic moisture resistance. Applied in our shop in 1–2 coats. Low sheen, natural feel. Good for furniture, shelving, and wall applications.
Hardwax Oil (Rubio Monocoat or similar)
A premium single-coat oil-wax finish that provides excellent protection with a natural appearance. Applied and buffed in our shop. Extremely popular for tabletops, counters, and high-touch surfaces.
Water-Based Polyurethane (2–3 coats)
Professional-grade water-based poly applied in controlled shop conditions for the best possible finish. Available in matte, satin, or semi-gloss sheen. Best for flooring, high-traffic surfaces, and commercial applications.
Custom Stain + Finish
We can apply any stain color to reclaimed wood before applying your chosen topcoat. We offer standard stain colors as well as custom-mixed colors to match existing woodwork. Stain samples provided for approval before the full order is stained.
Epoxy Fill (for defects)
Open knots, nail holes, checks, and cracks can be filled with clear or tinted epoxy for a smooth, level surface. Popular for tabletops and counters where a level surface is needed but the character of the defects is desired. Color options: clear, black, metallic, custom.
Transformations
What Custom Milling Achieves
To illustrate the transformative power of our milling process, here are descriptions of common before-and-after scenarios that our clients encounter.
Rough Barn Board to Shiplap Paneling
Before
Rough-sawn hemlock barn boards, 10 to 14 inches wide, with original weathered gray surface, nail holes, and saw marks. Inconsistent thickness (7/8 to 1-1/8 inches). Some boards cupped or bowed.
After
Precision-milled 3/4-inch shiplap with nickel-gap profile. One face planed smooth to reveal the wood beneath the weathered surface (warm reddish-brown). Opposite face left with original patina for reversible installation options. Consistent width (6 inches) and dead-flat.
Factory Beam to Mantel
Before
12x12 Douglas fir industrial beam, 20 feet long. Machine-cut, with bolt holes, oil staining, and surface checking. Dark brown to black patina from a century of factory use. Weight: approximately 60 lbs per linear foot.
After
6-foot mantel section cut from the best portion of the beam. Wire-brushed on three visible faces to clean while preserving texture. Ends cut square. Original bolt holes left as character features. Light coat of natural oil to enhance the grain. Weight: approximately 60 lbs.
Mixed Hardwood Stack to Flooring
Before
A mixed lot of 2x10 and 2x12 white oak joists pulled from an 1890s warehouse in Red Hook. Some boards still have plaster residue and sub-flooring nails. Moisture content: 14 to 18 percent.
After
3/4-inch tongue-and-groove flooring in 5-inch and 7-inch mixed widths. Kiln-dried to 7% MC. One face smooth (select grade), reverse face with moderate character. Each board runs through the metal detector twice — once before re-sawing, once after profiling. Ready for nail-down installation.
Chestnut Timbers to Tabletop Panels
Before
6x8 American chestnut beams from a barn in Connecticut, estimated 1870s construction. Hand-hewn marks on two faces. One face has original bark edge. Some insect tracking visible. Extremely rare and valuable material.
After
Bookmatched 1-inch tabletop panels re-sawn from the center of each beam. The two halves opened like a book to create mirror-image grain patterns. Panels flattened, sanded to 220 grit, and finished with Rubio Monocoat hardwax oil. The insect tracking is preserved as a feature, with clear epoxy stabilizing any loose areas.
Tolerances
Machining Tolerance Specifications
We hold tight tolerances on all milled products, ensuring that your reclaimed wood performs as reliably as new material in precision applications.
| Operation | Tolerance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness planing | +/- 1/64" | Measured with digital calipers at 3 points per board |
| Width ripping | +/- 1/32" | Table saw with precision fence and digital readout |
| Length crosscutting | +/- 1/16" | Radial arm saw or panel saw with stop block |
| Tongue & groove fit | +/- 0.005" | Checked with go/no-go gauges every 10 boards |
| Profile matching | +/- 0.010" | Custom profiles compared to sample or template |
| Slab flatness | +/- 1/32" across full width | Verified with straightedge and feeler gauges |
| End squareness | +/- 0.5 degrees | Checked with precision square |
| CNC positioning | +/- 0.005" | Machine calibrated weekly, verified with test cuts |
Process
How to Submit Your Custom Milling Order
Whether you have a detailed cut list or just a rough idea, our process is designed to take your project from concept to delivery smoothly and efficiently.
Describe your needs
Tell us the species, dimensions, profile, quantity, and any special requirements. You can send a detailed cut list, a sketch, a photo of an existing profile you want to match, or just a description of what you are trying to achieve. Email, phone, and in-person consultations are all welcome.
We review and quote
Our milling team reviews your specifications, confirms material availability (from our inventory or sourced for your project), calculates processing time, and provides a detailed written quote. Quotes include material cost, milling labor, any finishing, and delivery. Quotes are valid for 30 days.
Material selection (your choice)
For larger orders, we invite you to our yard to hand-select the specific boards or beams that will become your product. You can pick material by color, grain pattern, character level, and length. This step is optional but recommended for projects where material appearance is critical.
Milling & processing
Our team mills to your specs with quality checks at every stage. For complex orders, we send progress photos and can arrange a mid-process visit. If we encounter any issues (hidden defects, unexpected grain direction), we contact you before proceeding.
Finishing (if requested)
Shop-applied finishes are done in a controlled environment for optimal results. For stain-and-finish orders, we apply the stain to a sample board first and send you a photo for approval before processing the full order.
Delivery or pickup
We deliver throughout the tri-state area with our own trucks, or you can pick up at our Long Island City facility. For out-of-area orders, we ship via common carrier with full packaging and protection. Large or fragile orders are palletized and shrink-wrapped.
Order Minimums
Minimum Order Quantities & Pricing Notes
We keep minimums as low as possible to accommodate both large commercial projects and small residential or craft orders.
Planing & surfacing
No minimum
Per-board pricing for small orders
Re-sawing
50 board feet
Setup time makes smaller runs impractical
Tongue & groove
100 sq ft
Moulder setup requires minimum run length
Shiplap / bead board
100 sq ft
Same moulder setup requirement
Custom profiles (new knife)
50 linear feet
Knife grinding cost ($150–$300) included in setup
Custom profiles (existing knife)
25 linear feet
Reduced setup since knife is already ground
Slab flattening
No minimum (per-slab pricing)
Priced per slab based on size and condition
CNC work
No minimum
Priced by machine time ($150/hr) plus programming
Kiln drying
200 board feet
Smaller loads can join a shared kiln run (longer lead time)