Forest industry workers occasionally need to cut and clear timber due to natural disaster, disease or development. Businesses and developers may also harvest timber. Foresters have the option of cutting rough logs and hauling them to a lumber mill. However, portable sawmills can also assist with cutting timber on site. Operators can use portable sawmills in areas where transporting timber has logistical problems, such as accessibility.

Making the most of sawmills requires evaluating several different models performing different functions. Some types of sawmills cut oversized timber, others mill large beams for log cabin construction and some businesses look for portable sawmills for sale to cut specialty woods for furniture or landscaping.

Several manufacturers make sawmill equipment of different types, capacities and strengths. Sawmill prices vary greatly depending on the size and strength of the machine. Most manufacturers also carry sawmill parts and sawmill blades. You should evaluate each of the different types of sawmills and decide which will perform best for your business.

1. Consider using band sawmills for your special timber cutting needs.

2. Decide whether a circular sawmill might provide the best choice.

3. Look at chainsaw sawmill options.

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Determine if a circular sawmill meet your needs

Circular sawmills come in portable and transportable models. A portable model requires only a few hours to set up, depending on size. Transportable models require heavy duty towing vehicles and a half day or more to set up.

I recommend: Woodsman Sawmill Company makes an advanced circular sawmill. This sawmill comes permanently mounted to a trailer. The Woodsman cuts logs up to 36 inches in diameter and up to 24 feet long. Mighty Mite Sawmills makes a circular sawmill that can produce 10,000 board feet of lumber in an eight hour shift. The Mighty Mite can cut hardwoods and timber up to 18 feet long or longer with optional extensions.

Decide whether a small chainsaw sawmill might work for you

For smaller jobs, a chainsaw sawmill works in remote locations and for smaller jobs. A chainsaw sawmill costs less but requires more manual labor to use. They do not produce large quantities for the labor involved.

I recommend: Granberg International manufactures chainsaw sawmills. The mill attaches to a chainsaw and operates with the use of a ripping chain. These devices lend themselves to smaller woodworking projects. Logosol produces several one man portable chainsaw sawmills. One person can transport the sawmill, set it up and cut boards, beams and thin sheets.

Look at band sawmills for cutting lumber

Band sawmills have approximately 3/32-inch kerf (loss of wood to sawdust on each cut), a small amount compared to circular sawmills. However, a band sawmill produces less timber in the same period of time as a circular sawmill. Band sawmills have four models: manual, power fed, hydraulic and high production.

I recommend: Baker Products sells band sawmills powered by 20 horsepower gasoline engines. These portable sawmills cut logs 30 inches in diameter and 20 feet long. Turner Mills makes hydraulic band sawmills in both trailer and ground models. The sawmill's design allows the operator to perform all tasks from the same side of the sawmill. The sawdust spits out on the opposite side of the operator.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider minimizing waste products when using your sawmill. You can make particleboard or wood pellets for pellet stoves. You can use bark for landscaping. Wood chips can feed pulp mills, who recycle the chips into paneling and other products.

When running an industrial lumber mill business, the sawmills you use can be the most important aspect in everyday functions. You always want to make sure that you own the best sawmill equipment and sawmill parts. From different types of portable sawmills to deciding on the right sawmill equipment, each decision can make the difference in your business profits.

There are a variety of sawmills available for purchase. Deciding on the proper equipment is one decision that a business owner will need to be most informed about. When you are searching for sawmills, have a few key points in mind:

1. Get a consultation on the right sawmill equipment for your business needs.

2. Do comparison shopping on sawmill parts and sawmill equipment to make a decision on whether to purchase new or used.

3. Get price quotes from more than one company to get the most economic sawmill prices.

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Consider portable sawmills for your business needs

Portable sawmills for sale can be less expensive and are able to be relocated. This can not only lessen your immediate expenses, but also if your business changes locations at any time, your portable sawmill can be moved just as easily as your other equipment.

I recommend: Timber King offers four different versions of their portable sawmill and has extensive information on which product to choose. Mobile Dimension Saw offers the adaptability to work at any job site. The company maintains the adage that you can bring the log to your site or bring your site to the log.

Inquire about used sawmills to save on your company's budget

Buying used sawmills can cut costs considerably. As long as you are knowledgeable about the warranty and return policy, you can purchase used equipment with confidence. Used equipment can also be a consideration if you are comfortable and familiar with a certain product that is no longer available as a new product.

I recommend: When trying to find used sawmills, The Sawmill Exchange offers many options and is the largest source of used portable sawmills in North America. MLS Machinery has used sawmill equipment, descriptions and the locations so you can review before you purchase.

Think about refurbishing your existing sawmill with new sawmill parts

Keeping the sawmill equipment you presently own can save you considerably. Purchasing new sawmill blades is a lot less expensive than buy a new portable sawmill. If you're already familiar with your own equipment and can simply replace parts, it can be a good idea to consider this option first.

I recommend: Bandsaw Blades Direct offers free shipping on qualifying orders and has an extensive line of products to view when considering new parts. Wood-Mizer Blades has a handy page that allows the buyer to choose by sawmill model, wood density, wood type and horsepower.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consult with dealers on the newest equipment offerings when looking for sawmill equipment. They can help inform you of any changes in technology and training.

Sawmills, like any other small businesses, need to turn a profit, and you can learn how to make your operations much more cost-effective by gaining some additional training and education. Safety is a central issue in sawmill operations, too, so learn more about how to protect yourself and your staff with easy online tools.

If you're thinking of investing in a lumber mill, look for forestry training and management to help you learn all you need to know about your wood sawmill operation. Look for:

1. Forestry education from universities with courses about sawmills and sawmill equipment.

2. Health and safety information for sawmill equipment and sawmill blades.

3. Training and information on ideas to make more money from portable sawmills.

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Take sawmills education and training courses from universities with forestry training programs

Many universities and colleges offer degree programs in forestry that apply to sawmill operations. Some sawmill experts offer courses, too. Before investing in portable sawmills for sale, used sawmills, a circular sawmill, or any other kind of wood sawmill, check out courses to help you prepare for your new industry.

I recommend: The Minnesota Forest Industry Web Community offers webinar courses on lean manufacturing for sawmills. Oregon State University, a premier forestry school, offers courses in Wood Science and Engineering.

Learn about health and safety information before looking at sawmills for sale

Safety is a big issue in any sawmill. Band sawmills, a chainsaw sawmill, or any kind of wood mill has safety issues. Learn how to prevent injuries with safety training and educational resources from a variety of sources.

I recommend: WorkSafeBC offers a wide variety of safety training videos and information on their website. OSHA offers several e-tools to learn about and measure every aspect of your sawmill operations, from log handling to kilns and plant-wide dangers.

Study information from industry experts on how to operate sawmills more effectively

Industry experts often come up with some innovative solutions to the unique demands of their industry, and sawmill operators certainly fall into this category. Utilizing forest and wood resources more efficiently is one way to make the sawmill more effective. Many industry professionals are using unique ways of managing and altering their sawmills that make them more productive and efficient than ever before.

I recommend: The US Forest Service offers an article on Utilizing Municipal Trees that is informative and innovative. Entrepreneur.com offers information on implementing a statistical process control system in an existing lumber mill.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget another important aspect of sawmills and their operations are the sawmill parts and machinery. Make sure you learn how to find and use good, reliable suppliers to keep your sawmill up and running efficiently. That can help keep your sawmill prices down, your margins profitable, and your employees working toward a successful and profitable future.

Knowing the key terms found in and around sawmills will help you make the right choice for your business. Sawmills not only furnish the wood we use for furniture and paper products, they supply a wide range of by products that help businesses as well. In relation to these products, learning and familiarizing yourself with sawmill key terms will help you better communicate in the field as well as keep yourself safe while you are on location.

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Debarking

Debarking refers to the process of removing bark from logs in preparation of cutting the logs into smaller pieces of lumber.

I recommend: Learn about the capabilities of the Nicholson A8 Debarker.

Cants

Cants are unfinished logs that are to be further processed. They are often used for log homes.

I recommend: Find out more about cants from Logcrafters Log & Timber Homes.

Flitches

Flitches are unfinished planks that have a smooth edge.

I recommend: Check out the flitch information and inventory of Hearne Hardwoods.

Kiln

Kilns are used to remove moisture and dry lumber. Sawdust and other mill waste are sometimes used to heat wood-drying kilns.

I recommend: Take a look at the wood kiln from Wood-Mizer.

Particleboard

Particleboard can be created from the sawdust and other mill waste. This helps cut waste disposal, reduces the need to cut down virgin lumber and gives sawmill owners another source of revenue.

I recommend: Take a look at the particleboard from The Collins Companies.

Barkdust

Barkdust is another sawmill byproduct that can be used for landscaping or burned for heat. When used for landscaping, it is also referred to as bark dust, bark chips, bark mulch, or beauty bark.

I recommend: Learn about the benefits of barkdust from M.D. Vaden of Oregon.