Portable Sawmill Types

Q: Dimension mills are a little different than the normal portable. They have major advantages but also have some disadvantages. Give us some help here.

Ron Wenrich: Dimension mills are multi saw mills. They have one horizontal blade and 1 or 2 vertical blades. The advantage is that you can make a dimension cut that can produce a 2 by 4 or 2 by 6 in one cut. These units quite often have large motors. Some run with a VW engine. They are somewhat portable but are limited when compared to other portable mill types.

Advantages are that these units feed on their own. You don't have to push the saw through the cut - the mill has an automatic feed. On the return, a dimension mill brings the finished lumber to the operator. The saw blade cost is low since sharpening is done on the mill. With an added track, up to 60 foot logs can be milled. The disadvantages of using this sawmill type include turning logs and maximum board size and kerf.

Dimension mill manufacturers include Mobile Dimension, Might Mite, and D & L Doublecut. The one I really like is Mahoe from New Zealand. It is small and portable.

Q: Ron, the final decision to purchase a mill just may come down to where the production and the pocketbook are in agreement. What kind of production can you expect from each type of mill?

Ron Wenrich: For production, a chainsaw mill can mill 200 to 400 board feet per day, a band mill can mill 800 to 2,000 board feet per day, swing mills can produce 1,500 to 3,000 board feet per day and dimension mills 2,000 to 4,000 board feet per day. A lot depends on log size, species and products being cut. For small timber, band mills seem to do a better job. For large timber, the circle mills seem to be better.

Q: Great interview Ron and thanks for helping me here...