Koffron Hardwoods

About Koffron Hardwoods — Hardwood Lumber in Tiffin

Koffron Hardwoods is Tiffin’s premier hardwood lumber supplier, serving furniture makers, cabinetmakers, woodworkers, and fine woodworking enthusiasts throughout Eastern Iowa. Located at 3637 Ivy Ave SW, this specialized lumber store focuses exclusively on quality hardwood boards sold by the board foot to professionals and hobbyists who demand the best materials for their projects.

The store stocks a comprehensive selection of domestic and exotic hardwood species available in rough, S2S (surfaced two sides), or S4S (surfaced four sides) formats. From classic oak, cherry, and walnut to exotic species like bubinga and padauk, Koffron Hardwoods maintains inventory graded to industry standards including FAS (Firsts and Seconds), Select, and #1 Common grades to meet diverse project requirements and budgets.

Unlike big box retailers that focus on construction lumber, Koffron Hardwoods specializes in properly kiln-dried hardwood lumber with documented moisture content suitable for fine woodworking. This local expertise means personalized service, species knowledge, and the ability to hand-select boards for specific grain patterns and figure – services impossible to find at chain stores.

Tiffin’s location in Johnson County places it at the heart of Iowa’s woodworking community, with easy access for craftsmen from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and throughout the corridor. The region’s strong tradition of craftsmanship and maker culture creates steady demand for quality hardwood lumber among both professional woodworkers and the growing community of hobbyist woodworkers.

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Location & Directions

What to Expect When You Visit

Visiting a specialized hardwood lumber yard like Koffron Hardwoods offers a hands-on experience where you can personally inspect and select each board for your project. The lumber is typically stored in organized stacks by species, with boards available for individual examination to assess grain pattern, figure, and quality – allowing you to choose pieces that perfectly match your project’s requirements.

Expert staff can guide you through species selection based on your specific application, whether you need the stability of hard maple for a workbench, the beauty of figured cherry for furniture, or the workability of walnut for detailed millwork. They’ll calculate board footage, discuss grain orientation, and may offer custom milling services to dimension your lumber to specific thicknesses or profiles.

Products & Materials

Koffron Hardwoods specializes in premium hardwood boards available in multiple formats and grades. Their inventory includes popular domestic species like red oak, white oak, hard maple, cherry, walnut, ash, and hickory, alongside exotic imports such as mahogany, teak, bubinga, and purpleheart. Boards are available rough-sawn for maximum thickness retention, S2S for consistent thickness with rough edges, or S4S for ready-to-use dimensioned lumber.

All lumber is properly kiln-dried to furniture-grade moisture content (6-8%) and graded according to National Hardwood Lumber Association standards. FAS grade offers the highest quality with minimal defects, Select grade provides excellent appearance for visible surfaces, while #1 Common grade offers good value for painted projects or where defects can be worked around.

Custom milling services allow customers to specify exact dimensions, with capabilities for planing to custom thickness, ripping to width, and specialty profiles. The store also stocks figured woods including curly maple, quilted maple, bird’s eye maple, and other premium selections prized by furniture makers and instrument builders.

Who Shops Here

Koffron Hardwoods serves a diverse clientele of serious woodworkers including professional furniture makers who need consistent quality for commissioned pieces, cabinetmakers requiring specific species matches, hobbyist woodworkers pursuing high-end projects, and contractors specializing in custom millwork and architectural details. Instrument makers, wood turners, and fine woodworking enthusiasts also frequent the store for specialty species and figured woods that showcase natural beauty in their finished pieces.

Serving the Tiffin, Iowa Area

Tiffin benefits from its proximity to the University of Iowa and the vibrant maker community in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids corridor, fostering a strong local woodworking scene. The area’s mix of professional craftsmen, university-affiliated makers, and skilled hobbyists creates sustained demand for quality hardwood lumber, while the region’s agricultural heritage maintains appreciation for traditional woodworking skills and locally-sourced materials.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Call ahead to confirm availability of specific species or grades, especially for larger quantities or exotic woods
• Bring project plans and measurements to get accurate board footage calculations and species recommendations
• Allow time to personally select boards – examining grain pattern and figure ensures the best match for your project
• Ask about moisture content and acclimatization time needed in your shop before machining
• Inquire about custom milling services if you need specific dimensions or profiles not in stock
• Consider purchasing slightly more footage than calculated to account for defects and matching grain patterns

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Tiffin, Iowa

Woodworkers in the Tiffin area can connect with the Eastern Iowa Woodturners Association, which meets regularly in nearby Cedar Rapids and offers demonstrations, workshops, and fellowship for turning enthusiasts. Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids provides woodworking classes and has well-equipped shop facilities for both beginners and advanced woodworkers. For supplies and additional learning opportunities, the closest Woodcraft store is located in West Des Moines, about an hour’s drive from Tiffin.

Find a local woodworking guild →  ·  Find an AAW chapter →

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