The Right Equipment for Architectural Millwork

Along with vast offerings of softwood and hardwood lumber, J. Gibson McIlvain (visit website) specializes in architectural millwork. Perhaps your project allows you to choose from the dozens of option is our current profile catalog. Maybe, instead, you need a custom-created moulding to match existing profiles in a restoration job or for a unique modern design. In any event, the moulding professionals at J. Gibson McIlvain can help you select or create the moulding profile that meets your project’s needs.

We guarantee top-notch quality control throughout our architectural millwork operation. Starting with FAS hardwood lumber that’s well-suited to each moulding profile, we build your job with specifics in mind. For instance, when we know details about your project aim, such as interior or exterior, we can help you select an ideal lumber species for the job. Weather-resistance, texture, grain, and other properties all figure into the equation. We work with you to choose the species, profiles, and finishes that will work best for you.

While our expert staff are certainly invaluable throughout the process, they could not provide the kind of consistent examples of high-quality architectural millwork that they do, without the proper equipment. Some of our most often-used pieces of equipment are the straight line gang rip saw, the radial arm saw, and the jointer.

Straight Line Gang Rip Saw

Our millwork operation includes three of these invaluable tools. A typical straight line gang rip saw includes a circular blade that cuts across stock. The blade of this saw is directly mounted onto the motor and rotates at a speed around 3600 RPM. The stock is fed into the front of the machine along a feed table that includes rolls and guides. The operator of the saw positions the stock, holds it in place, and grasps the sawing mechanism. To see a straight line gang rip saw in action, view this video below which someone posted on YouTube.

Radial Arm Saw

We have 4 radial arm saws, similar to the one you can see here in this next YouTube video (below). A radial saw is another circular saw, but this one cuts downward, either rip or crosscut. The feature that distinguishes a radial saw from a table saw is that the saw arm can be adjusted. Its blade can be replaced with accessories such as drum sanders, disks, or shaping cutters, as well. When operating a radial saw, the operator uses different techniques based on the type of cut desired. In any case, the saw blade moves upward, toward the operator, who then feeds the stock in the direction opposite the blade movement.

Jointer

We use an 8” jointer to make sure the finished edges are smooth, straight, and square. We also use it to joint small pieces of wood. To use a jointer, the operator keeps the stock even with a guide, while passing the stock over a cutter head with multiple knives. View a YouTube video of an 8″ jointer below.

Our fully equipped architectural millwork operation allows us to handle a wide assortment of orders and provide the kind of excellent workmanship for which J. McIlvain Lumber has become well known.

Read more tips from the McIlvain blog:

• Millwork quality control
• Take a tour of our millwork operation
• Value engineering architectural millwork specifications

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