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Woodworking Tips

Catering to Cabinet and Furniture Makers

Last updated on September 26, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

J. Gibson McIlvain helps craftsman produce fine workmanship by supplying premium raw materials for all kinds of cabinetry and furniture projects. From commercial office interiors and custom built-in designs to antique restoration pieces to modern furnishings, J. Gibson McIlvain has the top-quality materials you need for your next project. Two of the craftsmen we specialize in supplying are cabinet makers and furniture makers.

Unique Needs of Cabinet Makers

For cabinet makers, we supply both the domestic and exotic hardwoods needed for solid wood face frame construction and the hardwood plywood commonly used for cabinet panels and sides. We’re also equipped to meet the needs of high-end cabinetry jobs. For example, we stock carefully dried solid hardwood boards in wide widths suitable for door panels and case sides.

From our millwork ship, we run custom cope and stick door parts, door panel profiles, and moulding profiles. While we have the capability of milling, shaping, and delivering your product (and are more than happy to do so), we realize that you may prefer to receive only the raw materials in order to craft the product on your own. For those who pride themselves on in-house workmanship, we provide premium solid wood and plywood materials to fuel your project.

Instead of sourcing your exotic hardwoods like Mahogany from one supplier and domestic species like Red Oak from another, J. Gibson McIlvain allows you to do one-stop shopping, saving you and your customers time and- just as importantly- money. Even unusual requests for uncommon woods like Iroko or Zebrawood are readily available through us.

Unique Needs of Furniture Makers

McIlvain Lumber has a rich history of supplying furniture makers with the lumber they need. In fact, throughout the 1800s, our hardwoods were supplied primarily to furniture makers. While the furniture industry is no longer our main clientele, we are still well-equipped to provide the high-quality lumber required by these master craftsmen.

We understand that the manner in which lumber is sawn greatly impacts its end use in a furniture piece. For tables or desk legs, for example, rift-sawn lumber provides consistent grain that appeals to the eye. We also know that lumber movement is important, so quartersawn and flat-sawn lumber help compensate for the aesthetically pleasing rift-sawn wood. Finally, we understand that furniture makers generally prefer to build a piece from a single log or board in order to achieve consistency in grain and color. We cater to these special needs like no other lumber supplier.

For those who need assistance in selecting just the right species for a piece, the experts at J. Gibson McIlvain can help you realize the pros and cons of each prospective option. The style is limited only by your imagination, but the quality and selection is limited by your lumber dealer of choice. With J. Gibson McIlvain, you’ll be locked into the highest echelon of lumber but given a vast array of species from which to choose.

The furniture and cabinetry industries are only two of many to which we cater here at McIlvain. No matter the end use, our commitment to quality and capability to offer a variety of lumber products brings our customers back, year after year and century after century. Our commitment to supplying only the highest quality lumber at affordable prices has helped us to remain a lumber industry leader for over 200 years. For more information on what sets McIlvain Lumber apart, to request a free quote, or to see what else we have to offer (including softwoods, plywoods, and custom millwork), visit us online today. And for insider tips and woodworking tricks, check out these selections from our lumber blog:

  • Nationwide Shipping on Lumber Orders
  • African Mahogany Shortage Indicative of a Larger Issue
  • Lumber Dried With Radio Frequencies?

Filed Under: Lumber Companies, Millwork, Woodworking Tips

Increase Oak’s Lifespan By Staining

Last updated on October 17, 2012 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Old oak structures like furniture and decks could often use a new face lift. From cabinets to bookshelves, oak wood can be given new life through a stain. Luckily for first time DIYers, stains are easy to apply and can greatly enhance the look of oak wood. Stains also add a decorative, professional look to the project’s finish. Follow the tips below to successfully stain your oak.

Preparation is key to staining oak wood because preparation will determine how the stain reacts and how good it looks on the wood. It is important to use a 100- grit sanding sponge to evenly flatten all surfaces of the lumber. Be sure to sand any tight corners and to double check your work, as imperfections and missed spots will appear very visible when the stain is applied. Once the oak is smooth and flawless, wipe it with a clean dry cloth. If you see any missed spots or places you want to touch up, simply go back and re-sand them before again wiping the piece.

When it comes to the actual stain, you want to choose a stain that compliments your oak and is easy to apply. Stains come in a variety of colors and bases, though, so it helps if you do your research before selecting a type of stain. Pigment stains are easy to apply, but they do tend to obscure the grain of the wood. Penetrating stains, on the other hand, are absorbed into the wood and allow more of the grain of the wood to show. The color stain you choose for your project will vary based on the look you desire from your piece.

When applying the stain, be sure to do so in a even manner. Use a new, soft- bristled paintbrush to evenly coat the wood. It is important to follow the grain of the wood as you stain. Also, be sure to use clean, dry rags to wipe away any excess stain from the wood. If you fail to do so, the excess stain could run, causing unattractive streaking. Repeat the process of saturating the wood and wiping away the excess stain until you have achieved the level of color that you desire.

Before using your newly updated piece, be sure to let the stain dry overnight or for at least 10 hours. After your oak has fully dried, reevaluate the wood to make sure you are satisfied with the result. In order for your stain to last for years to come, it is usually beneficial to apply a sanding sealer and varnish. To do so, simply brush the sanding sealer onto the oak with a new paintbrush. As you follow the oak’s grain with the paintbrush, apply the sealer evenly.

After the sealer has dried, sand the surface lightly yet again. This will dull and smooth the surface. Again, wipe the oak clean with a dry cloth to remove dust and debris. As the last step, apply the varnish of your choice with a clean paintbrush, and then allow the varnish to dry for at least 10 hours.

With an extensive background in the lumber industry and more than 200 years of experience providing the highest quality lumber to the nation’s most discerning customers, McIlvain Company offers a lumber buying experience that is unparalleled. The lumber experts at McIlvain, a lumber importer and wholesale lumber company, are fully equipped to help customers determine their lumber needs. And whether those needs entail simply seeking advice or purchasing from McIlvain’s massive inventory of hardwoods, softwoods, plywoods, and specialized millwork,  McIlvain is prepared to act as supplier. For more information on how McIlvain Company helps customers choose the best lumber for any application, visit them online, or check out these selections from their lumber blog:

  • How Lumber Built This Country
  • Lumber Industry Set to Change
  • Affordable Mahogany Alternatives

Filed Under: Woodworking Tips

Give Furniture an Antique Look With Pickling

Last updated on May 15, 2012 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Adding a little brightness to a room never hurts, and pickling a wooden furniture piece can revitalize the look of any room in your house. Pickling is the process of staining a wood piece to give it a splash of white and a new look. It can also be used to give an antique feel to any wood product, from cabinets to porches. (If you aren’t familiar with the pickled look, examples of the style can be found here, here, and here.) [Read more…] about Give Furniture an Antique Look With Pickling

Filed Under: Woodworking Tips

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