The wood
What is MillCuts?
MillCuts sells full packs of lumber from a working mill in Philomath, Oregon: mill cuts and factory seconds that don't fit the mill's large orders. Each listing is one specific pack, priced as a whole pack, picked up at the mill.
What are "mill cuts" and "factory seconds"?
Packs set aside from high-grade production: outs, rejects, shorts, D grade, flat grain, other defects, and boards pulled for a knot, a check, or a length the order didn't call for. The wood is usable. It comes in mixed lengths and grades a large order can't take, so we offer it here by the pack.
Is it kiln dried?
Most of it is. A listing says "kiln dried" only when the mill's record for that pack says so. If a listing doesn't say kiln dried, don't assume it is.
What do the grade words mean?
- Outs: boards pulled from the production line for any reason. Quality ranges widely, so check the photos.
- Rejects: boards pulled from production that didn't make the grade the order called for.
- Shorts: shorter lengths than the order called for.
- D and Better: mostly clear, with small allowed defects.
- D grade: one step below C and Better. Mostly clear, with small allowed defects.
- Flat grain / vertical grain: how the growth rings run across the board's face. Vertical grain is more stable; flat grain shows more figure.
- Culls: boards pulled from production for a defect. Sold as-is; check the photos.
- Project boards: packs we've set aside as a good fit for shop and hobby projects. They can be any grade; each listing's grade and tally show exactly what's in the pack.
What do S4S, rough sawn, and the sizes mean?
S4S (surfaced four sides) boards are planed smooth on all four sides, some with eased (slightly rounded) edges, ready to use. Rough-sawn boards come straight off the saw for you to plane and size. Combination ceiling is tongue-and-groove with a V-groove pattern on one face and a bead pattern on the other, so either side can face out; it's milled for ceilings, wainscot, and paneling, and its board feet are counted at 1 inch thick, the standard count for ceiling pattern. Sizes like 1x6 and 5/8x6 are the board's standard name, not an exact measurement. The length in a title is the longest piece in the pack; each listing shows the full length range and how many pieces are at each length.
What's a board foot?
A board foot is a volume measure. Picture a 2x6 one foot long: that's one board foot (the same as a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long). Every listing shows the pack's total board feet and its price per board foot, so you can compare packs with each other and with what you'd pay elsewhere. It's also how we estimate each pack's approximate weight. Board feet come from the mill's tally, so some variance is possible.
Why is it priced below a lumber yard?
Some packs don't fit the mill's regular orders: rejects, shorts, D grade, mixed lengths. Others are good packs that just don't have a home right now. Either way, we'd rather get them to someone who'll use them than let them sit. You buy the whole pack as it sits, with no sorting or handling, and you load it at the mill. Every listing shows its price per board foot so you can compare.
What species do you carry?
Douglas fir, hemlock, alder, western red cedar, Alaska yellow cedar, Pacific Northwest hardwoods, and other species. New packs show up as the mill sets them aside, so check back often.
Can I buy part of a pack, pick boards, or order a size you don't have listed?
No. Each listing is the full pack shown, and we only sell what's listed. We don't cut to order or sort through packs.
Can I see a pack before I buy it?
Every listing has photos of the actual pack plus the tally (how many pieces at each length). The pack you load is the pack in the photos. We don't hold packs for viewing; questions about a specific pack go to orders@millcuts.com.
How is the wood stored?
Every pack is wrapped in the mill yard, with its tag showing on the outside. Once it's home, store it flat and dry.
Buying
How many packs can I buy?
As many as you want, in one order or several.
How do I pay?
Online, through Shopify's secure checkout: credit or debit card, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, or Venmo. Your pack is reserved for you the moment you pay.
Is there sales tax?
No. Oregon has no sales tax.
Can I return a pack?
No. All packs are sold as-is, exactly as shown in the listing photos and tally, and all sales are final. Packs not picked up within 30 days of purchase go back into stock and aren't refunded.
Pickup
Do you deliver?
No. Every pack is picked up at the mill in Philomath, Oregon. The address is on the Pickup page and in your order email.
How do I schedule pickup?
You pick your pickup day and two-hour window in the cart, right before checkout. Windows are Monday–Friday, 7–9, 9–11, 11–1, and 1–3 Pacific. The earliest window is 48 weekday hours after you order, so the crew has time to pull and stage your pack. Weekends and mill holidays don't count toward the 48 hours, and there's no weekend loading. One order gets one window, however many packs are in it.
Your order confirmation email comes right away. If you don't see it, check your spam or promotions folder. When your pack is staged, you'll get a second email saying it's ready. Then come to the mill during the window you chose.
Why 48 weekday hours?
Your pack may be anywhere in the yard. Two working days gives the crew time to pull it, stage it, and have it ready when you arrive, so your loading takes minutes.
What do I bring?
Your confirmation email, a vehicle or trailer that can carry the pack, and straps or tie-downs. Each listing shows the longest length, approximate footprint, and approximate weight. Length is exact; width, height, and weight are calculated from the piece count and size, so treat them as close, not exact. Check those against your trailer before you buy.
Who loads it?
Our crew places the pack on your trailer with a forklift. Securing the load (straps, tie-downs, and a trailer that can carry it) is your responsibility.
I need to change my pickup window.
Use the phone number in your order email, weekdays, or email orders@millcuts.com.
What if I miss my window?
Use the phone number in your order email to pick a new one. Your pack stays reserved until day 30.
What if I can't pick up within 30 days?
Email orders@millcuts.com or use the phone number in your order email before day 30 and we'll work with you. Packs not picked up after 30 days go back into stock and aren't refunded. We don't have room to store sold packs. New wood is made every week, and we need somewhere to put it. We'd much rather load your wood than keep it.
The Friday drop
What is the Friday drop?
Every Friday at noon Pacific, three new packs go up at $50 each, and the email list hears first. First come, first served.
How do I get the drop email?
Sign up on the home page. One email a week, Friday at noon, with the three packs and a few others from the yard. Unsubscribe anytime from any email.
About us
Who's behind MillCuts?
MillCuts is run from the mill in Philomath. Orders, pickup, and questions are handled by the office there. MillCuts was formerly PerThousand. Same mill, same pickup.
I bought from PerThousand. Is my order still good?
Yes. Open PerThousand orders are honored. Email orders@millcuts.com if you're unsure.
How do I reach you?
orders@millcuts.com or the contact form · Philomath, Oregon