Milling Capabilities
At Bourbon Bigfoot Woodworking, we offer comprehensive sawmilling and custom milling services from our 3,000 sq ft workshop in Galena, Ohio. Our Woodmizer LT70 wide full hydraulic sawmill can handle logs up to 41″ diameter and 20′ long, and we specialize in turning your raw timber into beautiful, usable lumber. Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or woodworker, our services offer sustainable and customizable solutions for your woodworking needs.
Custom Milling Services
- Customer Log Milling – Bring us your logs and we’ll mill them to your specifications
- Urban Lumber Processing – We specialize in repurposing urban timber for sustainability
- Custom Dimensions – Any size, any specification for your unique project needs
- Tree to Table Service – Complete processing from standing tree to finished lumber
Understanding Kiln Dried Wood – What’s Best for Your Ohio Project?
At Bourbon Bigfoot Woodworking, we often get asked about different types of lumber and when kiln drying is worth the investment. Here’s what we tell our Ohio customers:
For Basic Construction Projects
If you’re building a deck, shed, or doing general framing work, kiln dried lumber isn’t necessary. Many of our customers actually prefer fresh-cut “green” lumber straight from our sawmill for these projects. Green lumber is easier to cut and nail, and as it naturally dries in Ohio’s climate, it shrinks and conforms to whatever it’s attached to – creating a strong, custom fit. Take hickory framing lumber, for example: it’s easy to work with when green, but as it dries and hardens, those nails become nearly impossible to remove!
For Furniture and Cabinets – Here’s Where It Matters
When we’re crafting your custom cabinets or furniture pieces, the story changes completely. Air dried lumber can reach about 12-14% moisture content in Ohio’s climate, but that’s still not dry enough for fine woodwork.
Here’s what happens: When we bring that air dried wood into your home (where the moisture level is typically around 7%), the wood continues drying and shrinking at an unpredictable rate. We’ve seen beautiful red oak pieces that were air dried for years start cracking within days of being brought into a heated Ohio home during winter.
Why We Choose Kiln Drying for Your Fine Woodwork
Our kiln drying process takes wood down to 6-8% moisture content in a controlled environment. This removes what we call “bound moisture” from the wood’s cell walls, causing it to contract and become truly stable.
While all wood will still expand and contract slightly with Ohio’s seasonal changes, kiln dried lumber does this at a much slower, more predictable rate. It’s already been through those moisture swings during the kiln process, so it won’t surprise you with sudden cracks or warping in your home.
Our Kiln Drying Services
We offer vacuum kiln drying capabilities, allowing us to provide our customers with the highest quality lumber for their fine woodworking projects. Our controlled kiln drying process ensures your lumber reaches optimal moisture content for long-lasting stability.
Kiln Drying Benefits:
- Controlled moisture reduction to 6-8%
- Eliminates bound moisture for maximum stability
- Reduces future cracking and warping
- Perfect for custom cabinets, furniture, and millwork
- Faster processing than traditional air drying
Why Choose Bourbon Bigfoot for Custom Milling?
Local Expertise
We understand Ohio’s climate and how it affects different wood species. Our 14 years of experience in Galena means we know exactly how your lumber will perform in local conditions.
Advanced Equipment
Our Woodmizer LT70 can handle substantial logs – up to 41″ diameter and 20′ long – giving us the capability to process large timber that other mills can’t handle.
Sustainable Practices
- Urban lumber utilization
- Repurposing mill waste into useful products
- Supporting local forestry and sustainability
Complete Service
From standing tree to finished lumber, we handle every step of the process. Our “Tree to Table” service means you get exactly what you need for your project.
Pricing Structure
The Bottom Line for Ohio Homeowners
For your custom cabinets, furniture, and millwork projects, we recommend kiln dried lumber because we want your investment to last for generations. For construction projects, we can discuss whether green or air dried lumber makes more sense for your specific needs and budget.
Get Started
Ready to turn your logs into beautiful lumber? Contact us to discuss your milling needs. We’ll help you determine the best processing method for your specific project and budget.
Questions about what’s right for your project? Let’s talk – we’re here to help you make the best choice for your Ohio home.