Lewis & Hockenberry Inc

About Lewis & Hockenberry Inc — Saw Mill in Emporium

Lewis & Hockenberry Inc operates as a full-service saw mill in Emporium, Pennsylvania, providing custom lumber milling services to woodworkers, builders, farmers, and loggers throughout the region. Whether you’re bringing your own timber for custom cutting or need specialty lumber for your next project, this established sawmill combines traditional craftsmanship with reliable equipment to deliver the exact cuts you need.

The mill offers custom-sawn lumber in various dimensions, live-edge slabs perfect for furniture making, structural beams and timbers for construction projects, and specialty cuts that big box stores simply cannot provide. Working with both hardwoods and softwoods, they can process logs into boards, planks, posts, and custom profiles according to your specifications, with options for air-dried or kiln-dried lumber depending on your project requirements.

Choosing a local sawmill like Lewis & Hockenberry means getting personalized service, competitive pricing, and the ability to see your lumber being cut to order. Unlike purchasing pre-cut lumber from large retailers, working with a local mill gives you control over dimensions, allows you to select the best boards from your own logs, and supports sustainable local forestry practices while reducing transportation costs and environmental impact.

Emporium sits in the heart of Pennsylvania’s timber country, where dense forests of oak, maple, cherry, and pine provide abundant raw materials for quality lumber production. This region’s long history of logging and woodworking creates a knowledgeable customer base that appreciates the value of custom-milled lumber and the expertise that comes from generations of sawmill operations in Cameron County.

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What to Expect When You Visit

When you visit Lewis & Hockenberry Inc, you’ll typically find the sawmill equipment running during business hours, with the distinctive sound of blades cutting through timber and the fresh scent of sawdust in the air. The yard usually contains stacks of drying lumber, log piles waiting to be processed, and finished products ready for pickup, giving you a chance to see the quality of their work and browse available inventory.

Expect a straightforward, no-nonsense approach from experienced sawmill operators who understand wood and can advise on the best cuts for your project. They’ll discuss your specific needs, explain options for different cuts or drying methods, provide realistic timelines for custom work, and help you understand the characteristics of different wood species to ensure you get lumber that meets your project requirements.

Products & Materials

The mill produces custom-sawn lumber in standard and non-standard dimensions, from thin boards for fine woodworking to thick planks for heavy construction. Popular products include dimensional lumber for framing, wide boards for flooring and paneling, and specialty cuts like quarter-sawn boards that showcase the wood’s natural grain patterns. Live-edge slabs are available for furniture makers and craftspeople seeking unique pieces with natural bark edges intact.

Structural timbers and beams represent another specialty, with the mill capable of producing large-dimension lumber for post-and-beam construction, barn restoration, and timber framing projects. Species commonly processed include Eastern White Pine, Red Oak, Hard Maple, Cherry, Ash, and other native Pennsylvania hardwoods and softwoods, each offering different characteristics for specific applications.

Additional services may include custom kiln drying for customers who need lumber with specific moisture content, planing services to achieve smooth surfaces, and consultation on the best wood species and cuts for particular projects. The mill can work with customer-supplied logs or source timber locally, providing flexibility for different customer needs and budgets.

Who Shops Here

Customers include local builders and contractors needing custom-dimension lumber for unique construction projects, woodworkers and furniture makers seeking quality hardwoods and live-edge slabs, farmers requiring posts and beams for agricultural buildings, and homeowners with trees on their property who want to turn their timber into usable lumber. Craftspeople particularly value the ability to hand-select boards and work directly with the sawyer to get exactly what they need for their projects.

Serving the Emporium, Pennsylvania Area

Emporium’s location in Pennsylvania’s northern tier places it in prime hardwood forest country, with abundant oak, maple, cherry, and ash trees providing excellent raw materials for quality lumber production. The region’s logging heritage and active forest management create a strong local market for sawmill services, while the area’s hunting camps, vacation cabins, and rural building projects provide steady demand for custom lumber and timber products that support the local economy.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

• Call ahead to discuss your specific lumber needs and confirm the mill can accommodate your project timeline and specifications
• Bring detailed measurements and project plans so the sawyer can recommend the best cuts and wood species for your needs
• If bringing your own logs, transport them soon after cutting to prevent checking and insect damage
• Ask about air-drying versus kiln-drying options based on your project timeline and moisture content requirements
• Inspect lumber carefully and select your boards if possible, as each piece of wood has unique characteristics
• Plan for proper storage and stacking of green lumber if you’re not using it immediately

Woodworking Clubs & Resources near Emporium, Pennsylvania

Woodworkers in the Emporium area can connect with the North Central Pennsylvania Woodturners, which meets regularly in nearby State College and welcomes turners from across the region. The Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, about an hour south of Emporium, offers excellent woodworking and cabinetmaking programs that provide continuing education opportunities for hobbyists and professionals alike. For supplies and classes, the nearest Woodcraft store is located in Pittsburgh, though many local woodworkers also utilize online resources and regional lumber suppliers throughout north-central Pennsylvania.

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