HM130MAX After 3 years | Highlights from Two Guys Timberframing

Inside the sawmill shed with two guys timberframing: 3 years, 4000 logs, and an HM130MAX that keeps on delivering.

If you are someone who appreciates the smell of freshly cut lumber and the satisfaction of building something with your own two hands, you are going to love this. 

Dan and Jay, the duo behind Two Guys Timberframing, have been running their HM130MAX portable sawmill for three full years.  Over 4000 logs later and they’ve got plenty to say (and even more sawdust to sweep up).

Upgrades that Dan swears by

If your idea of fun is milling beams the size of telephone poles, this one is for you.  The track extension lets the guys mill up to 26 foot long logs, which comes in handy when cutting the massive beams they mill for their timber frame projects.

When you’re moving thousand pound logs, leverage is everything.  The cant hook lever lets Dan nudge and pivot logs onto the bunk without needing to call a second person – or a chiropractor.  They even plan on buying a second one for the end of the mill!

Dan and Jay kicked things off on their HM130MAX by raising and lowering their blades the old-fashioned way – by hand. When they finally made the jump to the electric power head, they weren’t totally convinced it could deliver the precision needed for timber framing, that was until they tried it.  Their minds were immediately changed once they say that with the simple press of a button they could achieve the same accuracy with less shoulder pain.

Speaking of accuracy, Dan raves about the magnetic ruler gauge saying that it helps him achieve consistent cuts every time, and he doesn’t even have the upgraded version!

what have they built?

Watching a Two Guys Timberframing video feels like stepping into a dream for anyone who loves working with wood.  You’ll see timbers, beautiful joinery, and a ton of personality in every project that they work on.

Over the years, Dan and Jay have been very busy making lumber and constructing unbelievable buildings.  There is the sawmill shed so that the HM130MAX has somewhere cozy to live.  A wood kiln to help dry their lumber before use.  Their very own timber-frame house, filled stunning beams and custom interior details.  That’s just naming a few!  Not to mention the thousands of beams and boards that are stacked up and ready for their next project!

So, would they recommend it?

Absolutely!

After three years of near-daily use, they say the HM130MAX still performs like a champ.  It has held up great, it is super accurate, and thanks to the upgrades, it is even more enjoyable to use.

We love how Dan and Jay keep things real.  They are just two guys with a dream, a lot of logs, and a sawmill that they have come to trust. A sawmill is not just another tool to them. It is the center of their whole workshop and the reason that they have been able to build everything that they have.  We are honoured that they trusted a Woodland Mills sawmill to hold such an important role in their operations.

Whether you are milling your first log or just here for some timber frame eye candy, their story is as inspiring as it is covered in sawdust.

Subscribe to the Woodland Mills YouTube Channel for more more stories from seasoned sawyers and landowners as they share more awesome projects and provide inspiration for new ideas.