Metro millworks

About Metro millworks — Saw Mill in Albuquerque

Metro Millworks operates as Albuquerque’s dedicated sawmill, serving woodworkers, contractors, furniture makers, and property owners who need custom lumber solutions. Whether you’re bringing your own logs for milling or seeking specialty lumber cuts, this First Street facility provides professional sawmill services with modern equipment and experienced operators.

The mill specializes in custom-sawn lumber, live-edge slabs perfect for tables and countertops, structural beams, timbers for construction projects, and specialty cuts that big box stores simply cannot provide. Their capabilities include both bandsaw and circle saw milling, accommodating various log sizes and producing lumber in custom dimensions to meet specific project requirements.

Unlike large retail chains that stock limited, standardized lumber sizes, Metro Millworks offers personalized service where customers can specify exact dimensions, select from different grades, and work directly with mill operators who understand wood properties and grain patterns. This local approach means faster turnaround times, competitive pricing on custom work, and the ability to source locally harvested timber.

Albuquerque’s growing construction market and thriving community of artisan woodworkers create strong demand for quality sawmill services. New Mexico’s diverse forest resources, from ponderosa pine in the mountains to cottonwood along the Rio Grande, provide excellent raw material for custom milling operations that serve both commercial builders and individual craftspeople throughout the region.

Photos

Own this business? Claim your listing to add photos.

Location & Directions

What to Expect When You Visit

Visiting Metro Millworks typically begins with discussing your project needs – whether you’re bringing logs to mill or selecting from their available inventory. The facility features industrial sawmill equipment, stacks of air-drying lumber, and live-edge slabs displayed for customer selection. You’ll hear the distinctive sounds of wood processing and smell the fresh sawdust that characterizes an active mill operation.

Staff members are knowledgeable about wood species, grain patterns, and moisture content considerations. They can explain the difference between green and kiln-dried lumber, help you calculate board feet requirements, and provide realistic timelines for custom milling jobs. Many customers appreciate being able to see their logs transformed or hand-select specific boards for their projects.

Products & Materials

Metro Millworks produces custom-sawn lumber in various species commonly found in New Mexico and the Southwest region. Their inventory typically includes ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, oak varieties, and cottonwood, available in standard or custom dimensions. The mill can produce everything from thin craft wood to heavy structural timbers, accommodating both small hobbyist projects and large construction needs.

Live-edge slabs represent a specialty product line, featuring natural bark edges that showcase the tree’s original form. These slabs are popular for dining tables, countertops, and artistic furniture pieces. The mill also produces beams and timbers for post-and-beam construction, restoration projects, and decorative applications where the natural wood character is desired.

Custom milling services allow customers to bring their own logs – perhaps from a treasured tree removed from their property – and have them processed into usable lumber. This service includes sawing to specified dimensions, plain sawing or quarter sawing techniques, and advice on proper drying and storage methods.

Who Shops Here

Metro Millworks serves a diverse clientele including professional woodworkers building custom furniture, general contractors needing specialty lumber for unique projects, homeowners with trees to mill into lumber, artists seeking interesting wood pieces, and builders working on rustic or timber-frame construction projects. Ranchers and property owners often bring logs from land clearing or storm damage, while craftspeople visit regularly to hand-select boards with specific grain patterns for their creations.

Serving the Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

Albuquerque’s woodworking community benefits from New Mexico’s rich forest resources and the city’s blend of traditional Hispanic carpentry, Native American woodcraft, and contemporary maker culture. The area’s dry climate is excellent for lumber drying, while local demand spans from pueblo-style home construction to modern artistic furniture making. Metro Millworks serves this diverse market by providing the custom lumber solutions that Albuquerque’s builders and craftspeople require for their distinctive regional projects.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Call ahead if you’re bringing logs to ensure the mill can accommodate your size and species requirements
• Ask about moisture content if you need lumber for immediate use versus long-term projects
• Bring project plans or dimensions when seeking custom cuts to ensure accurate pricing
• Check availability of live-edge slabs if you’re planning furniture projects – inventory changes frequently
• Inquire about kiln drying services if you need lumber ready for immediate construction use
• Consider the mill’s advice on plain sawn versus quarter sawn cuts based on your project’s requirements

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Albuquerque area offers several excellent woodworking resources, including the New Mexico Woodturners chapter of the American Association of Woodturners, which meets regularly and provides hands-on learning opportunities for turners of all skill levels. Central New Mexico Community College offers woodworking classes through their continuing education program, providing access to professional-grade tools and instruction. Additionally, Quelab, Albuquerque’s hackerspace and makerspace, features a well-equipped wood shop where members can access tools, workspace, and collaborate with fellow makers on projects.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Ratings & Reviews