Timeless woodworking art with a portable sawmill

Founded in 1989, Oak Hill Iron has been serving western North Carolina with timeless works of art for over 30 years, with the help of a Peterson Portable Sawmill.

Owner Dean Curfman has always had a passion for woodworking, which took off in his teenage years living in rural Pa. He was raised on a large dairy farm, keeping him and his family very busy, but in the spare time he did have Dean would create all sorts of interesting things. As time passed, his interest in becoming an artistic blacksmith sparked, and he founded Oak Hill Iron in Morganton, North Carolina.

This is where Dean’s love for wood came rushing back. He and his wife, Lynn, witnessed the aftermath of a wicked storm that barreled through Morganton, knocking over many grand oak trees in the process. As the city began their clean up, limbing the trees one by one for firewood and then taking the trunk to the dump, Dean started researching sawmills and eventually found his all-time favorite – the Peterson.

Since then, Oak Hill Iron has used a Peterson WPF to cut hundreds of live edge slabs.

“We are able to cut 6 1/2′ ft wide and slabs can be as long as 16′-0”. Our first cut can be as high as 8′-0″ high, which is incredible. Also, while working with the Peterson team I was able to get my saw to power feed up & down as well as forward & reverse”.

 

 

Before purchasing his mill, Dean explored the entire sawmill market, both swing blades and band saws, but found that a Peterson portable sawmill was the best to suit his needs.

“I did a lot of research on the Peterson and was able to meet Chris and Nathan Waterfield. I enjoyed being able to speak with folks with the same passion. I also loved the thoughtful durability of this mill. It is important to have rugged parts that stand up to all that weather can hand you. The Peterson also offered the width in cutting that a band sawmill doesn’t.”

Dean has faced many hurdles in his business journey, but a particular one that he remembers was the challenge of drying the large 3” slabs cut on his portable sawmill. He was initially told this could not be done, however, like all the other challenges he has faced, Dean overcame it and now dry’s massive slabs all day long. This is a true testament to what can be achieved with a bit of ingenuity and perseverance.

 

 

As time progressed, the company’s sawmill and kilns grew as they became more well known for their ability to create beautiful live edge slab tables, countertops, and barn doors. Today, Oak Hill Iron is comprised of a professional team of eight highly trained blacksmiths and woodworkers, who are continually creating the most imaginative works of art in hand-forged steel and live edge wood slabs.

There’s always something new being crafted at Oak Hill Iron, and Dean has no favorites. “To be honest every piece we create is my favorite piece. From the design to the magnificent piece of wood and the addition of our hand forged legs… each piece is a masterpiece.”

Although our range of portable sawmills is widely known for it’s versatility, customers like Oak Hill Iron are a true testament to just what can be achieved with one. We can’t wait to see what Dean and his team come up with next!

If you’re wanting your own bespoke piece of woodworking art, visit Oak Hill Iron by clicking here.

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Peterson Portable Sawmills manufacture and export worldwide from our factory in Rotorua, New Zealand. Encountering fluctuating freight, raw materials, currencies and export costs, therefore we have tailored pricelists pertaining to each country.
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