Visit to Hearne Hardwoods

[Hans Braul]

Last night we returned from Lancaster county PA, loaded with wood and quilt fabric (my wife's quilt passion rivals mine for wood). We visited Hearn Hardwoods in Oxford. For anyone within driving distance, this place is truly a mecca for wood lovers. They are working on a new office building, and everything in it is handcrafted of spectacular woods. Here are just a few examples:
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Their floors are stunning. One of zebra wood, one of curly cherry. It just goes on and on.

I took an hour to wrap and re-wrap my purchase for the expected downpour of rain. I was a bit nervous, as it rained buckets, but was relieved to find my load bone dry. Here is my acquisition for a dining table. Bookmatched figured 6/4 cherry.
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I'm excited to get started.

Regards
Hans Braul

[Van Huskey]

That is some seriously gorgeous wood you got!

[Shawn Morley]

Wow, what a place. Looking forward to seeing that table, or is this a down the road project.

[Prashun Patel]

I'm jealous. Please post progress pix.

[Nathan Palenski]

Those slabs look incredible. :eek:

[Mike Wilkins]

That was some serious wood porn. Hope you left with your wallet intact.

[Eric DeSilva]

The folks at Hearne are also very friendly--don't know if you asked for the tour or not, but they will happily run you around the various buildings and show off their rather spectacular bandsaw...

A really great place to visit with some really amazing wood.

[James Morton]

I am fortunate to live only a few miles from Hearnes. They do have an unbeatable selection of wood there. My only complaint is that they are very expensive, even for domestic woods. I was recently looking for cherry, and found a local sawmill that sells it $2.00 a BF cheaper than Hearnes. At 250 BF bought, that adds up. However, the local sawyer has a very limited species selection. If you need exotics, or large slabs, bookmatched, etc, Hearnes is the place to go.

[Mike Hollingsworth]

Definitely on my Bucket List!

[Stephen Cherry]

Also, if someone is coming in to visit Hearne Hardwoods, they should considering visiting the Winterthur museum. Lots of nice old furniture (and quilts) and not too far from Hearne.

[Rick Markham]

I second visiting Winterthur, that is one truly amazing estate! Longwood gardens is by far my favorite part, but all the tours I have been on in the house are best described as "unbelievable"! A.E.I Dupont's estate is equally amazing, and actually somewhat more impressive, quite a family... One can always "try to keep up with the Jones's" It's pretty pointless to try and keep up with the Dupont's LMAO

[Steve Friedman]

I am fortunate to live only a few miles from Hearnes. They do have an unbeatable selection of wood there. My only complaint is that they are very expensive, even for domestic woods. I was recently looking for cherry, and found a local sawmill that sells it $2.00 a BF cheaper than Hearnes. At 250 BF bought, that adds up. However, the local sawyer has a very limited species selection. If you need exotics, or large slabs, bookmatched, etc, Hearnes is the place to go.

Are you willing to share the name of the local sawmill. I live in NJ and was planning to take my maiden voyage to one of the Lancaster area sawmills because the one near me havs gotten a bit pricey. Any recommendation as to Hearne vs. Groff & Groff? I have heard terrific things about both. Is one better than the other for certain things?

Thanks,

Steve

[Bill Geyer]

Thanks for the photos - My wife wants to see the quilting fabric.....

[trevor adair]

The folks at Hearne are also very friendly--don't know if you asked for the tour or not, but they will happily run you around the various buildings and show off their rather spectacular bandsaw...

A really great place to visit with some really amazing wood.


+1 on the friendly. Mr Hearne gave me a tour last week as it was my first time visiting. I live 45 mins away in MD and was looking for heavy figure cherry for a shelf top and they had a great selection.
Luckily I did not have much time or my wallet would have taken a beating. Every different kind of wood imaginable from domestic to exotic and A+ service.

[James Morton]

Are you willing to share the name of the local sawmill. I live in NJ and was planning to take my maiden voyage to one of the Lancaster area sawmills because the one near me havs gotten a bit pricey. Any recommendation as to Hearne vs. Groff & Groff? I have heard terrific things about both. Is one better than the other for certain things?

Thanks,

Steve

Certainly. Two Guys Lumber in Thomasville, Pa. Just a bit west of York. Google Two Guys Lumber and youll find thier web site. Never been to Groff and Groff. Two Guys is by appointment only, but if you are making a larger purchase, the extra time in the vehicle is worth it. To me, anyway. If you go, try to avoid going through the city of York. Traffic and all. Plus, its a nice ride through some pretty farm country. Like I said, their species selection is not like Hearnes, but their prices are very good, and they have plenty of wood. Call them and let them know what you are looking for. If its standard domestic stuff, chances are theyll have it.

[David Keller NC]

Their floors are stunning. One of zebra wood, one of curly cherry. It just goes on and on.


If they've told you that's zebra wood as a floor in one of your photos, I guess it is, but it sure looks like Macassar Ebony. If so, that's one extravagant floor - at about $75 per board foot, and that's their cost. Retail's even more.

[David Thompson 27577]

IMO, every woodworker should look for opportunities to visit the great cathedrals of woodworking.

And Hearne's is one of them.

Six or seven years ago, my wife needed to attend an educational conference in Baltimore, and she wanted me to go along. That left me in Baltimore with a car during the days, and nothing to do.

On one of those days, I traveled up into Pa., visiting both Hearne's, and Groff and Groff.

Both were religious experiences. Groff & Groff was good. Hearne's was beyond my language skills to describe. So many pieces that were so breathtaking!

I particularly remember a piece of quilted maple that was probably 14" wide, maybe 4 or 5" thick, and probably 14 or 15 feet long. IIRC, the price was a major four-figure number. And the burls! And the Exotics!

[Hans Braul]

If they've told you that's zebra wood as a floor in one of your photos, I guess it is, but it sure looks like Macassar Ebony. If so, that's one extravagant floor - at about $75 per board foot, and that's their cost. Retail's even more.

You're right - it was Macassar Ebony - my mistake.

[Hans Braul]

Thanks for the photos - My wife wants to see the quilting fabric.....

As Requested...
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Hans

[Paul McGaha]

I've bought most of my wood from Groff and Groff the last few years Good pricing, quality wood, friendly people. I usually call in what I want a couple of days ahead and they will have it ready. They dont take payment until you pick rather than as soon as you make your order. Trusting, nice people.

I will take you guys advice though and go to Hearns to check it out. Sounds like a great place.

PHM

[Jim German]

Hearne's a great place, the guys there are real nice too. I came looking for a Pear board, and they guy spent like half an hour pulling out a pallet of it for me to look through, even though I was only going to buy one board.

Course I also bought two birds eye maple boards, and left having spent way more than I should have :-/

[Jim Becker]

Oooh...that's kewel you got to see the new office building before it's official debut!! And yea, Hearne is a virtual candy store for anyone who loves wood. It's where I go for "something special", for sure, despite the hour and a half drive each way, give or take.

BTW, that bookmatch is going to make a wonderful table! I can't wait to see the end result.

[Larry Fox]

Nice haul. I am also fortunate enough to live < 45 minutes from them and go there quite frequently. The new building has been in progress for quite a while now but it is going to be awesome when done. Did you get a chance to go up the stairs to their workshop? The floor up there is bubinga - it is awesome. They are really nice people.