![]() Leading portable sawmill brand Wood-Mizer recommends changing blades for fresh ones every 1½ hours. How long do the blades last on a portable sawmill? At the other end of the scale, those with big capacities and hydraulic log lifters can top $50,000. High-quality entry-level portable sawmills start at around $2,500 for self-assembly models or somewhere over $3,000 assembled. The above article includes some excellent examples from across much of the price range. The cost of a portable sawmill varies considerably. It’s not something we would recommend to novices. Buying a used portable sawmill can be a cost-saving option, but expertise is required to assess the condition of these machines. On the other hand, if you regularly fell your own trees or have access to a supply of whole logs, owning a portable sawmilling machine can not only save a lot of money over time, but also gives complete control over lumber quality. If you just need a couple dozen 2x4s for a project, it will probably be cost effective to buy them at your local big box DIY store or lumber yard. ![]() Even comparatively cheap portable sawmills demand a significant investment (see below). The following provides clear, concise answers. Best Chainsaw Mill: Granberg Alaskan Mark IVĬhainsaw mills remain a budget-friendly option for those with modest needs, and the highly rated Granberg can accept chainsaws with bars of up to 36 inches.īeyond trying to decide on the best portable sawmill for one’s needs, a number of questions associated with machine operation and productivity crop up regularly. This model makes work easier with hydraulic lifting of logs up to 32 inches across.Īvailable at Wood-Mizer. Large diameter logs can be very heavy, especially hardwoods like oak. This model has a maximum log diameter of 30 inches and comes with a wide choice of power units and custom add-ons.Īvailable at Norwood Sawmills. Assembly is required.Īvailable at Hud-son. With a maximum log diameter of 21 inches, this Sawyer is a small portable sawmill at a budget price. Best Bang for the Buck: Sawyer Portable Sawmill The following machines are also excellent and, depending on individual requirements, deserve further investigation. Get the TimberKing portable sawmill at TimberKing. The crank-driven saw head takes a while to master and can be tiring to use.Some assembly is required before the sawmill can be used.The American-made V-twin engine is both powerful and reliable.The heavy-duty cutting deck resists flex and offers terrific durability.A 4-post head provides rigid saw support for consistently accurate cutting.Power unit: 23-horsepower V-twin with electric start.It takes a little practice to produce consistently smooth cuts, and it can be tiring when working all day, but it is far less expensive than hydraulic models. Board thickness is set with a hand crank, with a depth gauge that allows remarkably precise cutting to 1/32 inch. The TimberKing 1220CRZ takes logs up to 33 inches in diameter and over 17 feet long. Saw drive comes from a powerful and very reliable 23-horsepower v-twin motor that has push-button electric starting. The saw head is supported by four posts, further adding to the impressive rigidity that ensures accurate cutting. It is heavily cross braced to resist the flex under load. ![]() The immensely strong frame is made from 2×6 box beam steel. Unlike cheap portable sawmills that need to be carried to and from a site, the TimberKing 1220CRZ is fully mobile with pneumatic tires and standard vehicle hookup. The company has been making portable sawmills since 1929, and it has an unrivaled reputation for performance and durability. When looking into the manufacturer of the best portable sawmill, we found the TimberKing brand consistently ranked highly in independent reviews and on homesteader websites. In doing so, we’ve discovered products for a range of users, from small homesteaders to full-time logging professionals. Rather than simply comparing similar tools, we aimed to provide examples of the best portable sawmills at various levels of productivity. We also compared results from other reputable portable sawmill reviews. We considered mobility, cutting capacities, and cost. To support my own knowledge, the Bob Vila team researched all the leading brands and the specifications of machines they offer. I have considerable experience using chainsaws and with small-scale milling, so although these portable wood mills are larger and more powerful, I do have a thorough understanding of the engineering. Our concise look at the best portable sawmills currently available will help buyers find the right solution. Those new to these types of sawmills should learn which features provide real value. Fortunately, there are plenty of high-performance machines to choose from and a wide variety of specifications to suit different needs.
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