Winter Sawmilling Tips
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Winter sawmilling tips for you and your portable sawmill
Sawing frozen logs? Here are some cold weather tips to keep your sawmill running all year round
Some sawyers pack up their mill for the winter, while others keep their portable sawmill running throughout the entire year in rain, shine or snow.
It's ultimately up to the sawyer whether they prefer sawing frozen logs during the colder times of the year, versus keeping their mill operating only during the warmer months.
"Actually spruce is best to cut frozen," says Torsten, a sawyer in the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community facebook group, who is among others who say they prefer winter sawing.
So there are benefits to sawing during the winter season, keeping in mind that you may want to run your sawmill slightly differently than you would during the warmer times of the year.
So here are a few tips to sawing frozen wood, and keeping your sawmill running all year long.
Use windshield washer fluid as blade lubrication
During the warmer months of the year, for blade lubrication it's recommended to use water combined with 1 tsp (5mL) of dish soap per tank in your lubrication tank.
When temperatures hit 32°F (0°C), you will want to switch to using windshield washer fluid in your lubrication tank instead. This will help prevent freezing while also allow for smooth operation of your sawmill while sawing frozen or partially frozen logs.
While some sawyers may recommend using diesel fuel in your lubrication tank, we recommend against it, as it could lead to premature wear on your belts.
One of the benefits of sawing partially frozen logs or completely frozen logs is that the frozen moisture inside the timber can also act as a lubrication while you're milling. That's why some sawyers prefer sawing in the winter, as it can potentially allow for a smoother cut.
Keep an eye on your sawmill's blade during milling and ensure you're keeping the blade clean and free of sap which could potentially slow you down.
Think about warm vs cold weather milling
"I find dragging the logs is easier and cutting is easy as well, no bugs, no rain so really just if I find it too cold would be the only downside," says Richard, another Woodland Mills product owner.
And he's right, choosing to mill during the winter means you're less likely to deal with pests and bugs which could potentially distract from your milling.
Some sawyers say cutting frozen logs is easier than milling them green during the spring, though that's usually a matter of preference up to each sawyer.
"Good thing about winter and snow is no picking up mud when dragging logs, though it does make debarking a bit harder," says Bob, another Woodland Mills Facebook contributor who has discussed the pros and cons of winter milling.
One of the downsides though is dealing with winter weather. Winter sawing means dealing with colder temperatures, so in addition to appropriate protective equipment, you also have to bundle up and keep warm. If it's too cold to mill, you can come back to it another day when it's warmer.
Look at the positives to frozen logs
Whether you're milling during the early winter when your timber is partially frozen through, or you're waiting until it gets really cold and you have completely frozen logs, there are a few things you may want to consider.
You could set up your log storage right beside your mill, meaning you won't have to move your logs far to get them onto the bed of your sawmill.
Some species also benefit more from being cut in cold weather. Some sawyers in the Woodland Mills community say pine and spruce mill better during the winter, but throw a few logs on the mill and see how they cut and form your own opinions.
Sawing partially frozen logs may have greater benefits too, over waiting for them to fully freeze, so consider milling earlier in the winter months as opposed to later.
Just keep a little slower feed speed and see how the log reacts when you mill into it, especially if it's your first time milling during the winter season.
More cold weather tips
If you choose to mill during the winter season, there are some best practices you may want to follow:
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If you find the frozen wood is giving you wavy cuts, check your blade tension, ensure your blade is getting the optimal amount of lubrication or go a bit slower
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Knock off as much of the snow as you can from your logs first, as dirt trapped in the snow could potentially dull your blades faster
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Keep your saw head covered if you can, and remove any snow or other winter weather debris from the tracks that might prevent a smooth operation of the sawmill
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Remember to cover your logs so you don't have to unbury them from snow before milling
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You may want to shovel the snow away from your sawmill to keep clear walkaways and prevent obstructions. Consider salting any areas where ice could potentially build up and lead to a slip or trip
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Frozen sawdust may create a tripping hazard, so ensure you have a solution for your sawdust planned in advance
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If you're just starting your portable sawmill for the very first time, don't use windshield washer fluid right away, break the belts in first by running it dry for the first 20 minutes. Also ensure if you're just setting up your mill that it's planted on a level surface that won't become uneven if the snow melts
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Operate the mill as you otherwise normally would, following all safety procedures laid out in the owner's manual
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Start your winter-time milling
With all this information in mind, you're ready to start your winter sawing experience. Always keep safety in mind, and ensure you're free of any slipping or tripping hazards before your start operating your sawmill.
"Putch’r boots on, and go to it!" suggests longtime Woodland Mills saywer Riven N Hewn on Facebook.
Different sawyers in the Woodland Mills community will offer different advice, so feel free to connect with the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook group, and see what other cold weather tips people suggest.
Winter sawing can be a great experience, so share your thoughts with other sawyers and see what other tips people may have to share.