American Specialty Hardwoods

About American Specialty Hardwoods — Hardwood Lumber in Clinton

American Specialty Hardwoods is Clinton, Michigan’s premier destination for quality hardwood lumber, serving furniture makers, cabinetmakers, woodworkers, hobbyists, and contractors throughout southeastern Michigan. Located on Tecumseh-Clinton Highway, this specialized wood supplier combines extensive inventory with personalized service to meet the demanding needs of serious woodworking professionals and enthusiasts.

The showroom features an impressive selection of domestic and exotic hardwood species available as rough lumber, S2S (surfaced two sides), or S4S (surfaced four sides) boards sold by the board foot. From classic American hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut to exotic species perfect for specialty projects, their inventory includes various grades from FAS (Firsts and Seconds) to Select and #1 Common, ensuring options for every project and budget.

Unlike big box retailers with limited selection and questionable quality, American Specialty Hardwoods specializes exclusively in premium lumber with proper kiln-drying, accurate moisture content, and expert grading. Their knowledgeable staff understands wood grain patterns, figure characteristics, and can provide custom milling services to exact specifications, something impossible to find at general home improvement stores.

Clinton’s strategic location in southeastern Michigan places it at the heart of a thriving woodworking community, with easy access to Detroit’s furniture restoration scene, Ann Arbor’s craft communities, and the broader Great Lakes woodworking tradition. This region’s rich manufacturing heritage has cultivated generations of skilled craftspeople who demand quality materials for their projects.

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What to Expect When You Visit

Visiting American Specialty Hardwoods means stepping into a woodworker’s paradise where you can see, touch, and select each board personally. The warehouse atmosphere allows you to examine grain patterns, check for defects, and hand-pick pieces that match your project vision, while knowledgeable staff provide guidance on species selection, moisture content, and grade recommendations.

Expect to spend time browsing through carefully organized lumber stacks, discussing your project requirements with experienced staff, and learning about different species characteristics. Many customers find themselves discovering new wood species or grades they hadn’t considered, often leaving with better materials than they originally planned thanks to expert recommendations and competitive board foot pricing.

Products & Materials

The lumber yard stocks an extensive range of domestic hardwoods including red oak, white oak, hard maple, soft maple, cherry, walnut, hickory, ash, and poplar in various thicknesses from 4/4 to 8/4 and beyond. Each species is available in multiple grades, from premium FAS boards perfect for tabletops and fine furniture to #1 Common ideal for painted projects or rustic applications.

Exotic species selection includes favorites like mahogany, padauk, purpleheart, zebrawood, and figured woods such as curly maple, bird’s eye maple, and quilted maple. These specialty boards cater to instrument makers, fine furniture craftsmen, and woodworkers seeking unique grain patterns and colors for distinctive projects.

Custom milling services transform rough lumber into precisely dimensioned boards, while their guitar-making supplies serve luthiers with carefully selected tonewoods. Whether you need a single board for a small project or enough lumber to build an entire dining set, their board foot pricing ensures you pay only for what you need.

Who Shops Here

The customer base includes professional furniture makers crafting custom pieces, cabinetmakers building kitchen and bathroom installations, hobbyist woodworkers pursuing weekend projects, and contractors needing quality hardwoods for trim and millwork. Guitar builders and luthiers frequent the shop for specialty tonewoods, while woodworking enthusiasts appreciate the ability to hand-select boards and get expert advice on species selection and project planning.

Serving the Clinton, Michigan Area

Clinton, Michigan sits in the heart of a region with deep woodworking traditions, where furniture making and craftsmanship have been passed down through generations. The area’s proximity to Detroit’s manufacturing heritage, combined with Michigan’s abundant forest resources, has created a community of skilled woodworkers who appreciate quality materials and expert service that American Specialty Hardwoods provides.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Bring your project plans and dimensions to get accurate board foot calculations and species recommendations
• Allow extra time to browse and hand-select boards – examining grain patterns in person prevents disappointments later
• Ask about moisture content and acclimatization time needed for your specific project and workshop conditions
• Consider upgrading to higher grades for visible surfaces while using lower grades for internal components
• Inquire about custom milling services if you need specific dimensions or profiles
• Bring measurements for your vehicle or trailer to ensure selected boards will transport safely

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Clinton, Michigan

Woodworkers near Clinton, Michigan can connect with the Washtenaw County Woodturners, a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners that meets monthly in nearby Ann Arbor and welcomes turners of all skill levels. The Jackson Area Woodworkers Guild, located about 30 minutes south of Clinton, offers regular meetings, workshops, and a supportive community for both hobbyists and serious craftspeople. Additionally, Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor provides woodworking classes and has well-equipped shops that serve the broader region including Clinton area residents.

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

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