Sawmills

It really comes down to the size of logs you plan on milling. Each of our sawmills is built to handle different log diameters, so it’s worth taking a look at your log pile, or the trees you expect to work with, before choosing a model.

While it might be tempting to just go for the biggest mill, we usually suggest a more practical approach: figure out the largest logs you’ll be milling, then choose a sawmill that can handle about 20% more. For example, if you’ve got 26" logs, the HM130MAX, which can handle up to 30", is probably the way to go. This will provide a little more wiggle room for positioning the log on the track and also allow you to mill some bigger logs in the future should they come your way.

You can always run smaller logs on a bigger mill, but trying to squeeze oversized logs onto a smaller mill? That’s a tougher game. Best to play it safe - you never know what might roll into your lot.

When it comes to picking the right sawmill, the two biggest things to think about are cutting capacity and engine size. The more horsepower you have, the faster you’ll get through your logs, but going with a smaller engine can save you some cash upfront and only affect cutting speed, not cutting capacity.

If you’re planning to work with smaller diameter logs and want to keep things budget-friendly, check out the HM122 or HM126. They’re two of our more compact models, but still pack plenty of capability for smaller-scale milling, and they might be all you need, depending on your projects.

So when looking for the best affordable sawmill, remember to balance the size of logs you want to mill and the amount of time you want to spend milling. Horsepower buys time, not cutting capacity.

As long as you’ve got trees, you’ve got lumber, and that’s the mantra of just about every sawyer out there. With a portable sawmill, people are doing everything from cutting live-edge slabs and building custom tables, to crafting benches, barns, and even off-grid cabins, complete with milled flooring, siding, and cabinetry.

Our customers have built some seriously impressive things. Check out our Facebook Community or Community Gallery to get inspired for your own next project. You might be surprised by what your mill can do.

If you're looking for the right accessories for your sawmill, we feature packages on each product page that include our customer's favourites. These are based on what our customers actually buying with their sawmills. They include the upgrades, accessories and replacement parts you need to get milling.

A blade sharpener is also something you may want to consider as it can extend the life of your blade and ensure you're never without a sharp blade. Blades can typically be sharpened up to 5 times, essentially turning 1 blade into 5 blades. This math often makes sense for most sawyers.

We’ve designed our sawmills to be simple to use and low on maintenance, so you can spend more time milling and less time wrenching. The engine is the part that needs the most attention, with regular oil changes and refueling. All of that is standard stuff and clearly outlined in the manual.

Beyond that, it’s pretty smooth sailing. As long as you keep up with basic checks, you’ll have no trouble keeping your mill running strong.

A portable sawmill is an upfront investment that pays off for years. Instead of buying pricey 2x4s or posts every time you start a new project, you can just cut your own lumber, right when and how you need it. That alone can save you a ton of money over time.

A lot of sawyers mill trees from their own property, which is pretty special when you know exactly where your wood came from. There’s also something satisfying about milling boards to the exact size you need, not just whatever’s on the shelf. Whether you’re building a shed, a deck, or something more custom, owning a mill gives you the freedom to do it your way.

A lot of our customers use their mills to bring in extra income, or even run full-time businesses. Some hit the road and offer mobile milling services, turning storm-damaged or backyard trees into usable lumber for customers. Others use their mills to create cool woodworking projects, like epoxy boards, benches, or live-edge tables, and sell them online or at local markets.

We've also seen sawyers turn into small-scale lumber suppliers, selling unique slabs and cuts you just won’t find at the local yard. We love seeing all the creative ways people use their mills to build something, whether it’s a project, a side hustle, or a business.

Your time is valuable, so unlike some other sawmills on the market that arrive in hundreds of pieces, we deliver our portable sawmills partially assembled to save you time. Most of the complicated parts - like our sawheads - are pre-assembled. We have also invested alot of time in creating easy-to-follow manuals to ensure the instructions don't leave you scratching your head. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions to finish assembling the carriage and track. Your manual is included in the black tube on the back of the blade guard and can also be viewed in PDF format here.

In terms of timing, if you’re working solo and comfortable with tools it will take about a day to finish, but extra hands will help speed up the process. If you're building your sawmill on our Woodlander trailer, it will take about two days total before you're ready to start milling.