Montana Woodworks Information

Montana Woodworks® was founded in 1991 by Richard Harding. In 1996 Mr. Harding sold the business to Jr. Troyer. In 1998 the business was acquired by Delmar Schrock. Then in 2002 Mr. Schrock sold the company to Noah Hostetler and Duane Hostetler. This Father-Son team formed a partnership and the business became Montana Woodworks® LLP. During this period, Montana Woodworks® enjoyed massive growth. The brick and mortar business was expanded, new buyers were contracted, and an online presence was formed. Finally in 2006 the company was incorporated and became Montana Woodworks® Inc., and Duane Hostetler became the president of the company. Montana Woodworks® is currently a family business employing all members of the immediate working family.

About Our Products

The Logging Process
Our logs are harvested in the Kootenai National Forest via a very selective process. Lodge pole pine is chosen due to its superior strength versus weight ratio and because it is generally straighter, thus easier to work with. Skilled woodmen select each tree with an attentive eye toward the quality, straightness and size of each specimen. After felling, each piece is hand carried to the road to ensure that it remains undamaged and that its removal does not scar the landscape. As a measure of our commitment to the environment, Montana Woodworks prohibits the use of heavy equipment in the harvest our logs as the equipment and machinery would damage the surface texture of our products and most importantly, harm the surrounding environment.

Only trees that are "standing dead", that is, they have died but not fallen, are chosen for our furniture. Conversely, trees that have died and fallen to the ground are not used as they are subject to absorbing moisture. Some discoloration is likely even in logs prepared from standing dead timber. The most prolific form of this discoloration is varying shades of blue. Sometimes referred to as 'blue pine' these pieces exhibit unique characteristics often sought by customers. Montana Woodworks® prohibits the harvest and use of live trees in our operations as trees that are alive or "green" are subject to warping in the future. Removing standing dead timber from our forests greatly reduces the danger of catastrophic firestorms such as those recently witnessed throughout the West. No wildlife habitat is harmed in our operations, as trees large enough to be inhabited are generally too large to be used in our products.

The Preparatory Process
After harvest, the logs are stored until sufficiently dry for use in the building of our furniture. During this drying period, some checking or cracking is likely and expected to occur. This is a natural process; it does not in any way affect the structural integrity Log Peeling

of the log or the finished product. The Montana Collection pieces are peeled in a process that removes the outer bark using a very sharp, hand-drawn knife known as a "drawknife". We choose this method because it gives the finished product an excellent texture and color contrast, whereas mechanical peelers only produce an unattractive, generic texture and little color contrast. During the hand-peeling process, the craftsman also remove some of the inner bark creating a "skip-peeled" texture. The Glacier Country Collection pieces are finished in the unique, one-of-a-kind look reminiscent of the Grand Lodged of the Rockies, circa 1900. First the craftsmen remove all of the outer bark while leaving the inner "cambium: layer behind for texture and contrast. Then the finish is applied in an intensive, eight step professional spraying process that applies stain and lacquer for a beautiful, long lasting finish. For those customers who desire a 'cleaner' look, we also offer the option of removing all of the inner bark. This is type of peeling is known as "clean peeled" and incurrs a slight up-charge to cover the additional labor. Clean peeled items are special order items and must be specified at the time of order.

Mortise and Tenon Joinery
Our furniture is assembled using round mortise and tenon joinery. Simple and strong, the mortise and tenon style joint has been used for millennia by woodworkers around the world to join two pieces of wood into a rigid and strong assembly. For the mortise, or the hole, we use a variety of different drill presses and drill bit sizes. For the tenon, or the peg, we use a machine called a "Log Woofer". This machine works much like a very large pencil sharpener leaving a tapered end or tenon. Carefully sanding each piece of furniture before, during, and after the assembly process to smooth the furniture's surface and to reduce the risk of gaining splinters is a standard Montana Woodworks® procedure ensuring the highest quality product possible. During the assembly process, we apply a powerful adhesive into the mortise, or the hole, before joining the two pieces. After joining the two pieces, we use wood screws or staples to hold the two pieces firmly together until the adhesive sets. This drying period takes approximately twenty-four hours.

Finishing
After assembly, the items are again sanded and carefully re-inspected. Following the comprehensive inspection, the items are packaged to prevent dust collection and moved into inventory. If ordered by the customer, we varnish the item with a clear lacquer finish or stain and lacquer if ordered in the Glacier Country style. For those who purchase Ready to Finish items, we reccomend protecting the original color and texture of your rustic log furniture with a lacquer or water based varnish finish. If left unfinished, the wood will yellow over time. Most hardware stores and do-it-yourself warehouses sell small amounts of lacquer or water-based varnish and the tools necessary to complete the task. We highly recommend the application of two coats of clear lacquer or water based varnish finish to each piece of new Montana Woodworks® furniture; doing so will protect the color and the beauty of the wood for many years.

Environmental responsibility is more than just a phrase at Montana Woodworks®. We are truly dedicated to ensuring the sustainability of nature's finest treasures for future generations to use and enjoy.

Why Pick Montana Woodworks®?

Montana Woodworks® Inc., is the largest manufacturer and distributor of rustic log furniture in the United States. We manufacture all of our log furniture items in our own factory here in Northwestern Montana. This ensures a very reliable supply chain. To ensure the prompt delivery of your order, we do keep inventory at several locations throughout the United States. Nevertheless, most of our orders are drop shipped directly from our factory here in Montana. We make a large variety of furniture and decor items and are constantly designing new items or improving existing ones.
Our commitment to customer service is evident throughout the entire order process;
Ordering: Our website is constantly being updated and improved in an effort to provide the highest possible service and ease of use. Our seamless order process is done through a secure third party shopping cart by Lexiconn in order to securely and reliably safeguard your information.

Shipping: The shipping method we use is tailored to your specific order. For example; we may use UPS to ship small items and we may use one of several freight trucking agencies to ship your larger orders. To ensure prompt and reliable shipping of your order, we have agreements with several shipping providers ranging from small single-item shipments to large container shipments. This ensures the greatest reliability in our shipping process. We ship our product free of charge to anywhere in the lower 48 states.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use this Website?
From from any page on our website, click the links on the left sidebar to browse our items or place an order.

How do I place an Order?
You can either use our online shopping cart or call us toll free at 1-888-889-3728. To get free shipping you must order from the shopping cart.

How do I assemble a certain item?
We have designed a webpage to answer this question. Follow this link. If your question remains unanswered please call us toll free or send us an email.

The pieces don`t fit together when I try to assemble the item
Sometimes you may have to use a rubber mallet or a regular hammer, using a small block of wood between the hammer and the furniture piece, so you don't mar the finish of the furniture. If you still can't assemble the item please call us toll free or send us an email and ask for a replacement. We will be happy to resolve your issue. Be prepared to give the date and location of your purchase.

Our Company

Retail Locations

Authorized Retailers

A Brief History

About Our Products

Why Pick Montana Woodworks®?

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any suggestions for us to improve any aspect of our company or
customer service please let us know, using our easy suggestion form.

Our Company

Retail Locations

Authorized Retailers

A Brief History

About Our Products

Why Pick Montana Woodworks®?

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any suggestions for us to improve any aspect of our company or customer service please let us know, using our easy suggestion form.

If you have any suggestions for us to improve any aspect of our company or
customer service please let us know, using our easy suggestion form.