Custom Milling Services
We mill reclaimed lumber to your exact specifications — from simple planing to complex multi-profile molding. Every cut is made in-house at our New Orleans facility.
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Your Vision, Milled to Spec
Reclaimed lumber arrives rough, irregular, and full of potential. Our custom milling service transforms raw salvage stock into finished, ready-to-install material that fits your project precisely — without sacrificing the character that makes reclaimed wood special.
Our facility is equipped with industrial-grade planers, moulders, rip saws, a wide-capacity bandsaw resaw, and a full complement of profiling cutterheads. We can plane a single board or process ten thousand board feet for a commercial installation. The same operators who have been working with reclaimed wood for years run every piece — they know how old-growth grain behaves, where hidden metal might lurk, and how to maximize yield from every board.
Whether you are a contractor needing 2,000 square feet of T&G flooring, a designer looking for shiplap in a specific width, or a homeowner matching the molding profile in a 150-year-old Creole cottage — we have you covered.
At a Glance
What We Can Do With Your Wood
A full range of milling services — from simple one-pass planing to complex multi-step profiling. Most projects use a combination of these operations.
Planing & Surfacing
Our industrial planers surface reclaimed boards to a uniform thickness and smooth finish. We can plane one face (S1S), two faces (S2S), or all four sides (S4S). Planing reveals the fresh wood grain hidden beneath decades of patina while maintaining the board's reclaimed character through nail holes, mineral staining, and tight old-growth rings.
Maximum width: 24 inches. Maximum thickness: 8 inches. Minimum final thickness: 3/8 inch.
Same day for orders under 200 board feet. 2-3 business days for larger orders.
Ripping (Width Cutting)
We rip reclaimed boards to your specified width using a heavy-duty straight-line rip saw. This is essential when your project requires uniform-width boards from variable-width salvage stock. Our rip saw produces clean, straight edges ready for glue-up or edge-to-edge installation without additional jointing.
Minimum rip width: 1-1/2 inches. Maximum board length: 20 feet. Capable of ripping stock up to 4 inches thick.
Same day for orders under 300 board feet. 2-3 business days for larger volumes.
Resawing
Resawing slices a thick board into two or more thinner boards through its width. This is the most efficient way to create thin stock (1/4 inch to 1/2 inch) for paneling, drawer bottoms, and backer boards from thicker reclaimed material. Our wide-capacity bandsaw produces clean, uniform cuts with minimal kerf waste.
Maximum resaw height: 14 inches. Maximum width: 24 inches. Minimum resulting thickness: 1/4 inch.
1-2 business days. Resawing is slower than other operations due to the precision required.
Tongue-and-Groove Profiling
We mill tongue-and-groove profiles into reclaimed boards for flooring, wall paneling, and ceiling applications. Our moulder cuts both the tongue and groove in a single pass, ensuring a consistent fit across your entire order. Available in standard T&G (flat joint) and V-joint (chamfered edge) configurations.
Board width range: 3 to 12 inches. Standard tongue depth: 1/4 inch. Thickness: 1/2 inch to 1-1/2 inches.
2-4 business days depending on volume and whether boards need planing first.
Shiplap Profiling
We cut rabbet joints into both edges of reclaimed boards to create authentic shiplap paneling. The result is a clean, overlapping joint with a consistent shadow line. Our shiplap profile matches the proportions found on historic New Orleans buildings, making it ideal for both restoration work and new installations seeking a period-appropriate look.
Board width range: 4 to 10 inches. Rabbet depth: 3/8 inch standard (adjustable). Thickness: 1/2 inch to 1 inch.
2-4 business days.
Bead Board & V-Groove Profiling
Traditional bead board and V-groove profiles for porch ceilings, wainscoting, and cabinet panels. We reproduce the exact bead dimensions found in 19th-century New Orleans homes — critical for historically accurate restoration work. Custom bead sizes and spacing are available on request.
Standard bead width: 3-1/4 inches or 5-1/4 inches (face to face). Single and double bead patterns available.
3-5 business days. Custom bead profiles may require additional setup time.
Edge Jointing
Our jointer creates perfectly straight, square edges on reclaimed boards — essential for edge-to-edge glue-ups (tabletops, countertops, panels) and for cleaning up waney or irregular edges from salvage stock. A jointed edge makes the difference between a professional panel and a gappy amateur one.
Maximum width capacity: 16 inches. Removes approximately 1/16 inch per pass.
Same day. Jointing is a quick operation typically combined with other milling services.
Custom Molding Profiles
We can produce custom crown molding, base molding, casing, chair rail, and specialty profiles from reclaimed lumber. Bring us a sample of the existing profile you need to match (common in renovation work) and we will set up our moulder to replicate it exactly. This service is invaluable for historic homes where original millwork needs to be matched or extended.
Maximum profile width: 8 inches. Maximum profile height: 6 inches. We can match virtually any existing profile.
5-7 business days. Initial setup and test runs require more time than standard profiling.
From Rough Stock to Finished Product
Every custom milling order follows the same five-step process to ensure quality, safety, and accuracy.
Consultation & Specification
Tell us what you need — species, dimensions, profile, quantity, and finish level. If you are not sure, describe your project and we will recommend the right approach. We can work from architectural drawings, a sketch on a napkin, or a sample piece.
Material Selection
We pull appropriate stock from our reclaimed inventory based on your species, grade, and dimension requirements. If you are supplying your own reclaimed material, bring it in and we will assess it for millability — checking for hidden metal, checking, and suitability for the requested profile.
Metal Detection
Every board passes through our industrial metal detector before touching a blade. Reclaimed wood can harbor hidden nails, screws, wire, and even bullets. One missed piece of metal can destroy a $500 moulder knife set in a fraction of a second. This step is non-negotiable.
Milling
Your boards are processed through the appropriate equipment — planer, rip saw, resaw, moulder, or a combination. We run test pieces first to verify dimensions and profile accuracy before committing your material. Waste is minimal — sawdust and shavings go to local farms for animal bedding and composting.
Quality Check & Packaging
Every piece is inspected for profile accuracy, surface quality, and defects. We stack and sticker the finished material for air circulation, band or shrink-wrap it for transport, and label it with your order number. Delivery or pickup is arranged to suit your schedule.
Custom Milling FAQ
Is there a minimum order for custom milling?
We have a minimum charge equivalent to approximately 50 board feet of milling. This covers the setup time required to adjust equipment for your specific profile and dimensions. There is no maximum — we have milled orders exceeding 10,000 board feet for commercial projects.
Can I bring my own reclaimed lumber for milling?
Absolutely. We welcome customer-supplied material. We charge a per-board-foot milling fee based on the services required. All customer material must pass our metal detection process, and we reserve the right to reject boards that pose a safety risk to our equipment or operators.
How does pricing work?
Custom milling is priced per board foot, with rates varying by service type. Simple planing is the least expensive; complex multi-step profiling (such as tongue-and-groove with a V-joint and back relief) costs more. We provide a firm quote before starting any work. Volume discounts apply to orders over 500 board feet.
What is the turnaround time?
Simple operations (planing, ripping, jointing) can often be completed same-day for orders under 200-300 board feet. Profiling work (T&G, shiplap, custom molding) typically takes 2-5 business days. Large orders or custom profiles that require special setup may take up to 7 business days. Rush service is available at a premium.
Do you kiln-dry as part of the milling process?
Kiln drying is a separate service from milling. If your reclaimed stock has not been kiln-dried, we strongly recommend doing so before milling — especially for flooring and paneling that will be installed indoors. Our kiln cycle takes approximately 5-7 days and brings wood to 6-8% moisture content.
Can you match an existing profile from my house?
Yes. Bring us a sample piece (even a short cutoff) and we will measure the profile and set up our moulder to match it. This is one of our most popular services for homeowners restoring historic New Orleans properties where original millwork needs to be replicated or extended.
What happens to the waste?
Nothing goes to landfill. Sawdust and shavings are donated to local farms for animal bedding and composting. Larger cutoffs and shorts are sold as craft wood or kindling. We are a zero-waste operation from salvage to final product.
Equipment & Capabilities
Our New Orleans milling facility is equipped with industrial-grade machinery purpose-built for processing reclaimed lumber — heavy enough to handle old-growth density and precise enough for finish-grade profiling.
Wide-Capacity Band Saw (Resaw)
36-inch wheel, 14-inch resaw height, 24-inch width capacityOur primary resawing machine slices thick reclaimed timbers into thinner boards with minimal kerf waste. The thin blade (1/8-inch kerf) means more usable material from every board — critical when working with irreplaceable old-growth stock. Carbide-tipped blades handle the embedded mineral deposits common in century-old wood.
Industrial Planer / Surfacer
24-inch width, 8-inch thickness, helical cutterhead with 80 carbide insertsThe helical cutterhead produces a smoother surface with less tearout than traditional straight-knife planers — especially important on dense, interlocked old-growth grain. Individual carbide inserts rotate to a fresh edge when dulled, and a single damaged insert does not require replacing the entire cutterhead. Feeds boards at variable speed from 8 to 30 feet per minute.
Five-Head Moulder / Profiler
5 spindles (top, bottom, left, right, and one universal), 8-inch maximum profile widthThe heart of our profiling capability. This machine cuts tongue-and-groove, shiplap, V-groove, beadboard, and custom molding profiles in a single pass. Changeover between profile setups takes approximately 30 minutes. We maintain an extensive library of cutterhead profiles including period-accurate moldings for historic restoration work.
Straight-Line Rip Saw
20-foot infeed, 4-inch maximum thickness, carbide-tipped bladeRips reclaimed boards to precise, uniform widths with a perfectly straight edge. The powered infeed rollers and laser guide ensure consistent cuts board after board. Essential for converting variable-width salvage stock into uniform-width material for flooring, paneling, and furniture.
Dehumidification Kiln
2,000 board-foot capacity, temperature range 90-160 degrees F, humidity controlledOur dehumidification kiln dries reclaimed lumber gently and evenly, reducing moisture content from as high as 25% down to the 6-8% range required for interior installation. The low-temperature cycle (compared to conventional kilns) minimizes checking, splitting, and stress in aged wood. A typical kiln cycle runs 5-7 days depending on species and initial moisture content.
Industrial Metal Detector
Conveyor-fed, detects ferrous and non-ferrous metal down to 1mm diameterEvery board passes through this detector before touching any cutting equipment. Reclaimed wood routinely contains hidden nails, screws, wire, staples, and even bullets. One missed piece of metal can destroy a $500 moulder knife set or a $200 band-saw blade in a fraction of a second. This machine is non-negotiable — it runs before every milling operation.
Jointer / Edge Planer
16-inch width capacity, helical cutterhead, 80-inch bed lengthProduces perfectly straight, square edges essential for edge-glue-ups (tabletops, countertops, wide panels) and for cleaning up waney or irregular edges from demolition salvage. The long bed ensures accuracy even on 12-foot boards.
Dust Collection System
5 HP cyclone collector, 2,500 CFM, HEPA secondary filtrationEvery machine is connected to a central dust collection system that captures sawdust, chips, and fine particles at the source. The cyclone separator and HEPA filter keep our shop air clean and our neighbors happy. Collected sawdust is donated to local farms for animal bedding and composting — nothing goes to landfill.
Custom Profile Options
Our moulder can produce virtually any profile shape. Here are the most commonly requested profiles — plus we can match any existing molding from a sample piece.
Tongue-and-Groove (T&G)
The industry standard for flooring and wall paneling. A protruding tongue on one edge fits into a groove on the adjacent board, creating a tight, interlocking, flush-surface joint. Available in flat-joint and V-joint variations.
Flooring, wall paneling, ceiling planking
Shiplap
Rabbet cuts on opposing edges create an overlapping joint with a distinctive shadow line. The most requested profile for accent walls. Our shiplap matches historic New Orleans proportions — 3/8-inch rabbet depth standard.
Accent walls, wainscoting, exterior cladding
V-Groove
A chamfered (beveled) edge on both sides of each board creates a V-shaped channel where boards meet. Adds visual definition and a traditional appearance. Can be combined with T&G joinery for both aesthetics and function.
Ceiling planking, porch ceilings, traditional paneling
Beadboard
A rounded bead profile milled into the face of narrow boards. We reproduce the exact bead dimensions found in 19th-century New Orleans homes — critical for historic restoration. Available in single-bead and double-bead patterns.
Wainscoting, porch ceilings, cabinet panels
S4S (Surfaced 4 Sides)
All four faces planed smooth to precise dimensions with clean, square edges. No profile — just a perfectly dimensioned, ready-to-use board. The starting point for furniture, trim, and any project where the builder adds their own joinery.
Furniture, shelving, trim, general construction
Rough-Sawn
The band-saw texture is left intact on one or both faces. This creates a rustic, textured surface that showcases the saw marks from the original milling or our resawing process. No planing — maximum character.
Rustic accent walls, barn doors, garden structures
Live Edge
The natural bark edge of the tree is preserved on one or both sides of the board. We can clean and stabilize the bark edge or remove the bark while keeping the organic contour. Live-edge slabs are the foundation for statement tables, shelving, and mantels.
Tables, countertops, shelving, mantels
Beveled / Clapboard
Boards are resawn at an angle so one edge is thicker than the other. When installed horizontally with the thick edge down, each board overlaps the one below, shedding water naturally. The classic exterior siding profile of colonial and Victorian-era homes.
Exterior siding, historic restoration
Do not see your profile? Bring us a sample piece and we will measure and replicate it. We maintain cutterhead tooling for over 50 profile shapes and can order custom knives for unique requirements.
From Quote to Delivery
Here is a realistic breakdown of how long each phase takes so you can plan your project schedule with confidence.
| Phase | Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Quote | 24-48 hours | You submit your specifications (species, dimensions, profile, quantity). We review inventory, calculate material and labor, and send a detailed written quote with per-board-foot pricing and total estimated cost. |
| Approval & Deposit | 1 day (your pace) | You approve the quote and submit a 50% deposit to lock in pricing and reserve material. We schedule your order in our production queue based on current workload and your requested delivery date. |
| Kiln Drying (if needed) | 5-7 days | If your material requires kiln drying, it enters our dehumidification kiln for a gentle drying cycle. Wood is brought from ambient moisture levels down to 6-8% MC. This step is skipped if the stock is already dried. |
| Metal Detection | 0.5 day | Every board passes through our industrial metal detector. Any boards with embedded metal are either re-cleaned or set aside. This step protects our equipment and ensures clean, safe finished product. |
| Milling & Profiling | 1-5 days | Boards are processed through the appropriate machines — planer, rip saw, moulder, resaw, or a combination. Simple planing jobs complete in 1 day. Complex multi-step profiling (T&G, shiplap, custom molding) takes 3-5 days for large orders. |
| Quality Inspection | 0.5 day | Every piece is inspected for profile accuracy, surface quality, dimensional consistency, and defects. Boards that do not meet specification are pulled and replaced. We photograph large orders for your review before packaging. |
| Packaging & Delivery | 1-2 days | Material is stickered, banded, and prepared for transport. Pickup is available same-day after inspection. Local delivery is scheduled within 1-2 business days. Freight shipments to other regions are arranged through our logistics partners. |
Typical total turnaround (including kiln drying)
Rush turnaround (pre-dried stock, simple milling)
Simple planing on small orders (under 200 BF)
Let Us Mill Your Next Order
Send us your specs — or just tell us about your project — and we will provide a detailed quote with pricing, turnaround time, and material recommendations.