About Gilmer Wood Co — Hardwood Lumber in Portland
Gilmer Wood Co is Portland’s premier hardwood lumber supplier, serving furniture makers, cabinetmakers, fine woodworkers, and craftspeople throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. For nearly a century, we’ve been the go-to destination for professionals and hobbyists seeking quality hardwood boards, custom milling services, and expert guidance on wood selection.
Our extensive inventory features both domestic hardwoods like oak, maple, cherry, and walnut, plus exotic species including zebrawood, purpleheart, and teak. We offer lumber in various formats from rough-sawn to surfaced-two-sides (S2S) and surfaced-four-sides (S4S), all properly kiln-dried and graded to industry standards including FAS, Select, and #1 Common grades.
Unlike big box retailers with limited selection and inconsistent quality, Gilmer Wood Co specializes exclusively in hardwood lumber with deep expertise in grain patterns, figure, and species characteristics. Our knowledgeable staff helps customers select the right wood for each project, and our custom milling capabilities ensure you get exactly what you need.
Portland’s thriving maker community and rich woodworking tradition make it an ideal market for quality hardwood lumber. From the city’s renowned furniture studios to weekend hobbyists crafting heirloom pieces, our customers demand the premium materials that only a dedicated hardwood specialist can provide.
Essential Hardwood Lumber Tools & Supplies
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What to Expect When You Visit
Walking into Gilmer Wood Co, you’ll find carefully organized stacks of hardwood lumber sorted by species and grade, with clear board foot pricing displayed. The distinctive aroma of different wood species fills the air as you browse through domestic favorites and exotic imports, many displaying beautiful grain patterns and natural figure.
Knowledgeable staff are always available to help you calculate board footage, discuss moisture content, or recommend the best species for your project. Whether you’re hand-selecting boards for a custom cabinet or ordering larger quantities for production work, expect personalized service and the expertise that comes from nearly 100 years in the hardwood business.
Products & Materials
Gilmer Wood Co stocks an impressive range of domestic hardwoods including red and white oak, hard and soft maple, cherry, walnut, ash, hickory, and popular cabinet woods. Our exotic inventory features species like mahogany, teak, ebony, rosewood, zebrawood, padauk, and purpleheart, many available in figured cuts with stunning grain patterns.
All lumber is available by the board foot in rough-sawn, S2S (surfaced two sides), or S4S (surfaced four sides) formats. We maintain proper moisture content levels and grade our lumber to industry standards including FAS (Firsts and Seconds), Select, and #1 Common grades to ensure you get the quality your projects demand.
Custom milling services include planing to specific thicknesses, edge gluing for wider panels, and specialty cuts. We also stock veneers, turning blanks, and specialty items like live-edge slabs for contemporary furniture and architectural applications.
Who Shops Here
Our customers include professional furniture makers, custom cabinetmakers, architectural millwork shops, and fine woodworking enthusiasts who demand premium materials. From hobbyists crafting jewelry boxes to production shops building custom kitchens, anyone working with hardwood lumber appreciates our quality selection, competitive board foot pricing, and decades of wood expertise.
Serving the Portland, Oregon Area
Portland’s vibrant maker scene and strong environmental consciousness create the perfect market for quality hardwood lumber. The city’s numerous furniture studios, custom cabinet shops, and woodworking hobbyists value sustainable, properly sourced materials, while the Pacific Northwest’s tradition of fine craftsmanship drives demand for premium domestic and exotic species that showcase natural beauty and superior workability.
Tips for First-Time Buyers
- Calculate your board footage needs before visiting, but buy 10-15% extra to account for waste and defects
- Bring a moisture meter if you have one – properly kiln-dried lumber should read 6-8% moisture content
- Ask to see different grades side-by-side to understand the difference between FAS, Select, and #1 Common
- Check both faces of boards when hand-selecting – one face may have better grain or fewer defects
- Inquire about custom milling services if you need specific thicknesses or edge-glued panels
- Ask about figured wood options like curly maple or bird’s eye if your project could showcase special grain patterns
Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Portland, Oregon
Portland woodworkers have excellent community resources including the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers, which offers classes, workshops, and a well-equipped shop space for members to use. The Oregon Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners serves local turning enthusiasts with regular meetings, demonstrations, and hands-on learning opportunities. Additionally, Portland Community College offers comprehensive woodworking programs at multiple campuses, while ADX Portland provides a modern makerspace with woodworking tools and classes for both beginners and experienced craftspeople.
Frequently Asked Questions
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