Have you ever hauled massive logs from a site to a sawmill? If you did, we bet you hated it a lot. Wouldn’t it be way better to have the great sawmill just by the worksite and get that job done instantly?

We highly recommend you pick a portable sawmill with- strong features, an accurate measuring system, sharper knife-blade, quick cutting scope, and flexibility. These features would guarantee that you will be able to take care of the different sizes of wood logs with proper measurement in a much shorter time than it used to take.

We’ve done the research for you, and picked out the top 10 best portable sawmills just for you. This portable sawmill comparison will surely offer important insights to help you make better decisions.

Take a few minutes to go through this post to make a clear decision.

Best Portable Sawmill 2022 – Comparison Table

Our team researched the best portable sawmill for the market in 2022 and analyzed its differences and advantages.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  

LumberMate 29
  • Size: 29 Inch
  • Weight: 800 Pounds
  • Features: Auto-locking Sawhead
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Wood-Mizer LT15
  • Size: 244 x 75 x 75 inches
  • Weight: 1,200 pounds
  • Features: Gas powered
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Norwood Lumberpro HD36
  • Size: 16 Inch
  • Weight: 1,400 Pounds
  • Features: Solid Frame
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Carmyra 36
  • Size: 14 Inches to 36 Inches
  • Weight: 16.36 Pounds
  • Features: Available in shorter & larger sizes
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Alaskan Mark-IV
  • Size: 36 Inches
  • Weight: 20 Pounds
  • Features: Great Cutting Ability
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Farmertec 24 Inch
  • Size: 24 Inches
  • Weight: 13.25 Pounds
  • Features: Height & Width adjustment kit
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Norwood PRO16G
  • Features: Stratton & Briggs Engine
  • Features: Blade Protection
  • Features: Four Post Carriage Frame
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Norwood PortaMill
  • Size: Diverse
  • Weight: 92 Pounds
  • Features: Works with 50cc or Higher
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Jasper 24″
  • Size: 24 Inches
  • Weight: 30 Pounds
  • Features: Can Occupy Pretty Fast
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SUPERPRO 180°
  • Features: Easy to Use
  • Features: Any Wood Can Cut
  • Features: 80-Degree Swing Blade
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Carmyra Portable Chainsaw Mill -Best Affordable Portable Sawmill

Product Overview

Best Affordable Portable Sawmill

The pick in ‘best portable sawmill reviews’ is the Carmyra Portable Chain sawmill, which had been there among the woodworking industry for about three years now. Throughout this time, it had earned immense popularity and that is the reason that drove us to have a special look at his portable sawmill as well.

So, why does it rank on the best portable sawmill list? Well, first of all, it’s the diversity of size that we are most pleased with. The model that we have picked up is 36 inches in size which means that the Carmyra portable chainsaw mill 36 can deal with lumber and logs that are up to 36 inches in diameter. In case you want to go for smaller logs, there is a 14 to 24 inches version as well. And in case you need to have a portable sawmill for larger logs than this, there are two bigger models of 36 inches and 48 inches each. So, picking up the right size for your woodworking or carpentry won’t be a hard task at all. 

Moving forward, some other features are equally appreciable for the best affordable portable saw mill. It can cut softwoods, and that’s in a smoother and better way than many of the expensive models of portable sawmills can. And when it comes to hardwoods, this cutting system is a jackpot.

Have you heard that cutting hardwoods like walnut, cedar, and oak comes to be very hard to deal with in a portable saw machine? I’m sure that you have heard of that. But hey, it’s not true for all kinds of machines. At least the one that we are talking about here is a pretty fine exception, it can easily deal with those hardwoods that we’ve mentioned and give you your desired size and shape.

A very common complaint to be heard about portable sawmills is that- they require a drilling bar to attach a chainsaw to them, which is kind of an extra expense for the user. Plus, finding the matching drilling bar for both the chainsaw and sawmill is quite difficult. But this product here is a pretty fine exception. You don’t need to have a drilling bar on top of this sawmill to attach a chainsaw, there is a pre-built place to install chainsaws, and that’s what we always desire.

The price point of this product is another reason why we have selected this item on this list.

Compared to the list of facilities and features that are given in the Carmyra portable chainsaw mill reviews, the price point seems to be too low. No matter whichever kind of carpentry you are up to, you can hardly find any deal that’s better than this one.

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What We Liked
  • Made of high-quality aluminum and steel.
  • Cna deal with hardwood and softwood both.
  • Can cut 36 inches wide and up to 13 inches thick lumbers.
  • Doesn’t require a drilling bar to attach the saw.
  • Quite a budget-friendly deal.
  • Available in even shorter and larger sizes.
What Need Improvement
  • Not any pre-built lubrication system.

Alaskan Mark-IV Chainsaw Mill – Best Small Portable Sawmill

Product Overview

alaskan chainsaw mill

This pick, Alaskan Mark-IV Chainsaw Mill, is another one of the top-rated portable sawmills that is small in size and portable.

Because of the strong built quality, standard design, and great cutting ability, we have to put it as another one of our top-rated products on today’s list. No matter if it’s softwood or hardwood, this one will work pretty fine and satisfy you by every means.

Let’s analyze the features and benefits of this small portable sawmill–

The greatest benefit of this product is the possibility of easily combining a chainsaw with a portable sawmill thanks to its great mechanism system.

There is a chain bar in the saw which is easily connectable to the Chamber of this portable sawmill. With a few turns of a wrench, you can easily connect them and get them into action.

The second factor is the size of the numbers we can deliver. It can cut slabs that are half inches to 13 inches in terms of thickness. In terms of width, it can go with anything that is 27 inches or less. Most of the trees that you have to do while woodworking, will lie within this range of dimensions.

Just like the first product that we have discussed in this paste, this Alaskan Mark-IV Chainsaw Mill is also able to do with both hardwood and softwood.

In terms of hardwood, you can deal with Cedar, pine, walnut, oak, etc. No matter how hard the wood is, the Alaskan Mark-IV Chainsaw Mill can give you high-quality lumber out of it if you put the wood into the machine in the right manner.

How good is durability? Well, this is another important question that we want you to be informed about. The basic structure of this portable sawmill is made of aluminum and high-quality Steel.

If you are familiar with this kind of structure, you might be aware of the heavy-duty durability that it comes with. Therefore, the product that we are facing right now, will give you a promise of years-long durability. You don’t have to invest in another new model within a few years of regular views.

All that being said, there is a single drawback of this product that we want you to be informed about and that is the length of size variation.

See, the product that we are talking about is 36 inches in terms of the number of links that we can do it. But if you are looking for something smaller or even bigger, there is no model provided to purchase. So the only size limit that you are provided with is 36 inches anyway.

Comparing the quality, price, cutting ability, and usability, this Alaskan Mark-IV Chainsaw Mill is a pretty solid portable sawmill equipment. As our recommendation says, you can give this best portable sawmill a try.

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What We Liked
  • Heavy duty aluminum and steel made construction.
  • Mounts to the chain bar of the saw easily.
  • Requires less maintenance.
  • Can cut lumber of up to 13 inches of thickness.
  • Can deal with a lumber width of up to 27 inches.
  • Both hardwood and softwood are compatible.
What Need Improvement
  • No size variations found.

Farmertec Portable Chainsaw Mill – Best Sawmill for Home Use

Product Overview

farmertec chainsaw

Our next pick is Farmertec Portable Chainsaw Mill. It is a 24 inches portable sawmill with three other versions of 20 inches, 36 inches, and 48 inches.

For general purposes, the Farmertec 24 inch Holzfforma portable chainsaw mill is the best choice. Hopefully, you will like it when we break down the features and benefits of this product- First of all, this portable sawmill is a perfect companion with a solid build quality. The material used to build this product is mainly aluminum but also contains components made with steel acrylic as well. 

To make sure that you can adjust the height and width of this portable sawmill, built-in adjustment settings are making it easier to set up the mill according to the sizes of logs you have to work with. 

As it is a portable sawmill, you would want it to be able to be easily set up in any possible place. This Farmertec Portable chainsaw mill has tools provided to help you install the sawmill easily and fast.

In this product, you will not only get the farmertec portable chainsaw mill but also an assembling set and user manual to help you throughout the installing process. No other extra purchases are made.

The overall weight of this product is 6.5 kilograms, so carrying it in your car or automobile will not be a problem at all. In case you want to carry it by hand, it will take two men to transport this portable Chainsaw mill. This feature alone makes it a worthy option for the best DIY sawmill, a decent choice for home use as well.

If you are a homeowner, woodworker, or carpenter, this would be the perfect product you need. If you want to build your lumber or wood, this will be the right pick to work with.

The price-point is another good side of this product we wish to talk about. Comparing two other popular portable sawmill models, this one comes at the cheapest among them. So it is the right pick if you are looking for something within a low budget.

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What We Liked
  • 24 inches version, 20 inches, 36 inches and 48 inches are availabe.
  • Comes with height and width adjustment kit.
  • Made of aluminum and steel acrylic.
  • Contains an assembly tool as well.
  • Easy to set up and transport from place to places.
  • Weighs only 6.5kgs, pretty lightweight indeed.
  • A perfect pick for homeowners and carpenters.
What Need Improvement
  • Not a great pick for professional woodworking.

Norwood HD36-PRO16G – Best Rated Portable Sawmill

Product Overview

Norwood PRO16G

Norwood is one of the best portable sawmill brands in the world. It has produced portable sawmills for over 200 years and almost 100 countries use Norwood. The Norwood company has so many portable sawmills and one of them is the Norwood LumberPro HD36. It can cut wood very fast making your work easier and faster. This sawmill is super productive and can manage many significant projects.

The HD36 comes with a quick-cycle sawing capacity. To process a large log, it has a 36-inch diameter. That is a durable sawmill that provides long-term services. It is one of the few reliable portable sawmills that can work faster and also has some excellent features making this sawmill enhanced.

Norwood Lumber-Pro HD36-PRO16G

The Norwood Lumber-pro Hd36 comes with affordable stationery that can be used for manual configuration. You can manage this sawmill easily and it maintains superior accuracy in wood cutting. The safety level of this sawmill is international safety standards as well and the blade has safety-switch armed protectors.

Design and Build

The HD6 is made in Canada and the U.S.A by skilled and highly trained operators. It has a four-post carriage frame and is customizable in areas of capacity, production, and efficiency of cutting wood. There is a three-sided saw blade, so it makes it more durable than rollers and bearings.

The HD36 blade has protection, so it is safe. The weight of this sawmill is 1,400 pounds. The dimensions are 192 x 79 x 60 inch that is perfect for cutting wood comfortably. That sawmill use Stratton and Briggs engine and the type of motor is vanguard V-Twin OHV.

Ultimate Versatility

The HD36 is so productive even with manual configuration. This sawmill has standard stationery at an affordable price, so you can build up your pro milling operation to grow. You also can manually log loaders or hydraulic, log turner, power feed, and toe boards. All these features can be added anytime and all at once as well which increases the productivity of this sawmill.

If we reel back and reflect on the feature set, then we see the balance. You have all the right features with this portable sawmill to complement your workflow. The final decision is for you to make.

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What We Liked
  • Effortless and auto-lock Sawhead.
  • The blade guide is adjustable and auto-locking.
  • Highly customizable sawmill.
  • Powerful engine/motor option.
  • Large blade capacity
  • Safety standards are international.
What Need Improvement
  • It not cut more than 13 ft long log.

Norwood LumberPro HD36 is a mighty sawmill. It has a large blade capacity that allows you to cut long logs. Its price is a little bit high but it is a quality portable sawmill.

Norwood PortaMill – Best DIY Portable Sawmill

Product Overview

Norwood PortaMill

In this part of the portable sawmill review; we would like to go for a product that is made for professional woodworking with a lot of inbuilt facilities.

The product that we are up to right now is called the Norwood PortaMill Chainsaw Sawmill. We will break down the features and benefits into bite-sized chunks, showing why it is the best DIY portable sawmill.

The first impression that this product showcases is the easy feeding system for numbers. There is a mechanism that will allow you to push the wooden pieces and numbers to solve this term of the product. Therefore, you can use it as a real-time mail of stationary time. And the overall sawing time is also decreased.

The next feature to think about the Norwood porta mill chainsaw sawmill is the quick connect and disconnect mechanism. With this feature, you can quickly connect and disconnect any components of this mill. Therefore installing this mill in any place will be fast. Installing and uninstalling this portable sawmill doesn’t take up a lot of time as well making it advantageous for you. You wouldn’t want to spend hours setting up a sawmill, do you?

You can equip chainsaws with this portable sawmill as per your requirement. In case you want to go with a 50cc Chainsaw with a ripping chain feature, you can deal with small and mid-sized logs and numbers. A great option, if you are interested in getting the right option for portable sawmill blades.

In case you want to deal with a bigger size lock and lumbar, you have to get a Chainsaw that has a power of 65cc or more. The greater the reading capability is, the larger the size of lumber it can deal with. The chainsaw mill assembly can be of great help in this case.

What kinds of wood and lumber this Norwood PortaMill Chain Saw Sawmill is compatible with? you may ask. Well, that is one of the biggest selling points of this product. With this portable Chainsaw, you can deal with smooth dimensional lumbers of 2x4s to 6x6s. In case you want to go with green wood instead of smooth dimensional lumber, you can go with up to 14 inches in diameter. But you have to make sure that your chainsaw permits you to do so.

To make sure that the operation and cutting are smooth enough to prevent any dabbing for the accident, there is an auxiliary oiler system. Although the oiler system does not come with the main product, you can spend a little more money to get it in your hands.

This change of mill is available with only the body and mechanism. It does not contain any change in an hour or size. We have to buy them separately. Since most of the former Honors or carpenters have a Chainsaw already, that does not look like a big problem to bother about.

The Norwood porta mill reviews give us the insight to make the right choices. It offers us a look into the ease of use and installation along with its on-point woodworking capabilities.

So, what do you think? Does it cut it for you?

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What We Liked
  • Easy and hand pushed the feeding system.
  • Takes less time to install and setup.
  • Quick connect and disconnect parts.
  • Works with a 50cc chainsaw or higher.
  • Can go with smooth and green- both kind of woods.
  • Quite durable.
What Need Improvement
  • Doesn’t contain the oiling system or chainsaw.

Norwood Lumberpro HD36

Product Overview

best portable sawmill for the money

A quality portable saw mill can make your work easy. You can find a lot of sawmill companies in the market and Norwood is one of the best sawmill manufacturing companies out there. Norwood has released their latest product , the Norwood Lumberpro HD36 sawmill.

The HD36 comes with a lot of simple features which make your work easy. It can work quicker and faster than other portable sawmills. The double-plated steel rails increase their durability and it also has so many features making it one of the best portable sawmills for the money.

Norwood Lumberpro HD36

Norwood brings their new Lumberpro series that is HD36. The Norwood Lumberpro HD36 is one of the best portable sawmills. You can easily use this sawmill. The diameter of this sawmill can cut more massive logs. Before blade covering hits can cut 8cm in from the upper of the log. So, you can find accurate and smooth wood cutting.

High-quality build

The HD36 is made of double-plated still rails and has a solid frame with heavy-gauge tubular steel. The start type of this sawmill is electric and cross bunk. The engine of Hd36 is Stratton a Briggs and the model of the motor is vanguard v- twin OHV. The dimension is 192cm x 79cmx 60cm. The applications of this sawmill are, rail 2 x 8-inch, portable milling, handles up to 36-inch diameter, and logs 28 inches. This sawmill is very durable and so provides long-term service.

Outstanding Performance

The performance of HD36 is excellent and can finish your work quickly. Almost anyone can use this sawmill because they are super easy to use. The diameter allows it to cut a large log easily thanks to the quality blade of HD36 which cuts wood accurately and smoothly. The handy customization option makes this sawmill even more productive.

You have the right combination of build, capacity, and workflow with this portable sawmill. Now the fact remains whether or not you want to go for it. If so, then you are in for a treat.

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What We Liked
  • Quick cutting capacity.
  • Customization able option.
  • Easy to use.
  • Double-plated steel rails make it durable.
  • It has a solid frame.
What Need Improvement
  • Cuts log only up to 13ft long.
  • Assembly and shipped knocked down required.

Norwood Lumberpro Hd36 is excellent for quick and fast cutting. Within a short time, you can cut many kinds of wood and the fully customizable capacity allows you to boost this sawmill. It is one of the best portable sawmills for under 10000 dollars. It gives you the best quality at an affordable price.

Norwood LumberMate LM29

Product Overview

Norwood LumbeMate LM29

Portable sawmills can cut wood quickly and easily, and the market has so many portable sawmill companies with great offers. Norwood sawmills are proven to be the world’s best portable sawmill technology and offer fantastic features. Norwood successfully released Norwood LumberMate LM29 recently. The LM29 has so many advanced technologies that are impressive. This Personal sawmill is productive, versatile, reliable, and easy to use. The LM29 comes with an auto-locking sawmill-head that saves your time.

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Norwood Lumber Mate LM29

Norwood LumberMate is by far the best personal portable sawmill available. It can handle any project and has so many essential features that make it reliable. The industrial-grade power-coat protected LM29 sawmill also has a high-quality blade that can cut smoothly.

Quality-Build

The Lumber Mate is built-in with high-quality fabrication, leading-edge, and machining technologies by high-skilled and highly-trained operators.

These Norwood lumber sawmills weigh 800 pounds and can cut a maximum of 7 inches. The Kohler Command Pro engine is used in the LM29 sawmills. The engine type is OHV and the handles of this sawmill are up to 29 inches. Rail and galvanized steel are used in this LumberMate portable sawmill. The dimensions are 192L x 71W x 61H inches.

Versatile

The LM29 is one of the best versatile sawmills that are fully customizable. All options of this sawmill you can open and add available attachments. That is why it is growing your sawmills’ production. The mill longer logs, rolling system/log loading, toe boards lap siding, board offloading rollers, etc. are a few extensions that you can add.

Law-head Feed and Blade

The LM29 has a smooth sawmill-head feed making it possible for you to cut through the cut just by a finger-tip compression, so that you can judge perfect speed for accurate cutting of wood. This sawmill uses a standard blade so it can cut pitch-free while cutting softwoods. It has a water reservoir that fills with a full mouth, and a clamping system that secures boards as thin as possible.

All in all, if you look at the overall feature set, then it’s obvious why the LM29 is in the top spot. You have all the right features to take your workflow to the next level.

The choice of getting/not getting it is up to you now.

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What We Liked
  • Auto-locking Sawhead that saves time
  • Laminated sawhead for smooth cutting.
  • Standard blade with lube system.
  • Smooth Sawhead Feed
  • Sawdust Exhaust
What Need Improvement
  • It cannot cut more than 7 inches.

You can use the Norwood LumberMate LM29 as a personal portable saw mill for small business purposes. It provides you with excellent performance and is one of the most reliable portable saw mill in the market.

Wood-Mizer LT15 – Best Portable Sawmill for Professionals

Product Overview

Wood Mizer LT15

If your sawmill is for timber framers, hobbyists, and small businesses, then wood Mizer LT15 will be the best option for you. The LT15 is one of the best entry-level portable sawmills that are ready for any project. This sawmill is a highly popular brand sawmill all over the world. It can produce high-class lumber and is small yet incredibly versatile. It can saw a more extended log with the 6-8m optional bed extensions.

The blade of this mill can engage effortlessly with the handle. The wide-length Blade is capable of cutting deep wood quickly and does not require a lot of fuel yet still gives enough power to cut all types of wood. This sawmill provides reliable performance with several outstanding features.

Wood-Mizer LT15

Wood Mizer is one of the best dynamic companies all over the world. The wood Mizer LT15 is one of the small sawmills of the wood Mizer Company. Small businesses and timber farmers can easily use this mill. It has a sharp blade capacity. You can cut more extensive logs effortlessly with this fast, portable sawmill. It can cut bigger wood that is up to 90 cm diameter and produces nearby 83 cm, wide boards. The LT15 is an affordable and durable sawmill.

Quality-Built

The LT15 is built using U.S Steel making it very durable. The weight of this sawmill is 1200 pounds which is why it is a complete sawmill for small businesses. The Mizer LT15 has 244 x 75 x 75 inches dimensions. The power source of this sawmill is gas-powered with 19 HP horsepower. No batteries are required for the LT15 sawmill.

Incredible Blade

The blade quality of the LT15 sawmill is so excellent that it might make you stunned. It has an adjustable guide arm that keeps the blade and gives support while it is cutting the different-sized woods. The blade can cut large size logs. The edge has a water tank lubrication that improves the performance of cutting and cleans the blade. It has proper tension that is adjusted.

In conclusion, we cannot stress the viability of the feature set. You have all the features you need to make your project a success. So, you should certainly give it a try.

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What We Liked
  • The power feed is very well that improves ease of operation and cut quality.
  • The trailer package types make that mill portable.
  • The log loading ramps are anti-rollback.
  • It includes the tapered wedge and can;t hook.
What Need Improvement
  • Small that not perfect for big businesses.
  • No batteries included.

The wood Mizer LT15 is one of the best portable sawmills for professionals. It is an affordable one for any small business but isn’t recommended for larger businesses.

24″ Jasper Portable Chainsaw Mill – Best Entry Level Portable Sawmill

Product Overview

Jasper Portable Chainsaw Mill

At this point in the best portable sawmill review; we would like to be a bit brand-specific.

What we mean is, the product that we have chosen now is compatible with these brands- Stihl and Husqvarna. If you have got a chainsaw from any of these two brands, this can be a perfect tool for you to go with. By the way, the product name is 24″ Jasper Portable Chainsaw Mill.

Let’s go and explore more of the features and benefits of the best entry-level portable sawmill.

The first thing that comes to our mind is the usability of this product. The reason is, the adjustable side bracket fits along with this portable Chainsaw mill. This will assist you with the bar length range of 15 inches to 24 inches. This will save you some time and will make the use of this product pretty much easier.

Moving forward from usability to construction, we got another reason to love this product. Just like any other good-quality chain saw portable mail, this one also has a solid and robust construction of aluminum and steel. In the case of this product, the Steel comes to be stainless steel which is the best kind of metal.

Save your time off of installing and assembling this product, there is a built-in Chainsaw assembling tool provided. To let you know about how it works and how to deal with it, there is a user’s manual provided as well.

The next big question is, what sizes of numbers this product is compatible with? Well, the types of lumber that this product can kill are up to 24 inches. In terms of thickness, it can go with 7.8 inches of lumber and wood.

The price point might be a little high, but that is ok considering the high-quality built-in structure it comes with. We hope that you will agree with us on that point. Because you have the proper build-in quality and powerful cutting and trimming capabilities. We believe that the few extra bucks are a fair sacrifice.

What do you think?

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What We Liked
  • Made of high-quality stainless steel and aluminum.
  • Can occupy chainsaw pretty fast with the assembly tool.
  • The side brackets are adjustable up to 16 inches to 24 inches.
  • Can cut lumber of up to 7.8 inches thick
  • Quite versatile in terms of use.
What Need Improvement
  • The price point might seem a little high.

D&L SB1020 SUPERPRO 180° – Best Portable Sawmill All Around

Product Overview

D&L SB1020 SUPERPRO

The 180-degree swinging sawmill is more efficient than a normal portable sawmill. The D&L SB1020 superpro 180-degree sawmills allow you to make a 90-degree swing. It also provides you 180° swinging saw. The superpro 180° has more advantages that makes your work easy and enjoyable. It was formed in Canada.

You can cut all large and edge lumber. To cut long lumber, you do not need to turn a log. It allows you to cut up to 10 x 20 beams without turning wood. The SB1020 uses six tooth blades to cut. The six-tooth edge provides you with smooth and accurate cuts. The blade is perfect for cutting any wood hard or soft. The double cutting makes work effortless.

D&L SB1020 SUPERPRO 180°

The D&L SB1020 SUPERPRO 180° is the only mill all over the world that gives the house a 180-degree swinging saw. Without turning the log or moving, this sawmill can process large logs. The repair and maintenance are easy. The SB1020 is designed perfectly for giving you safe operation. This portable sawmill has so many capacities over any traditional mill.

Design and build

The SB1020 is made of aluminum or steel material and finished with powder coating paint. The weight of this sawmill is around 3 pounds. The dimensions are 96 x 47 x 85 -inches. One 12V battery is required for this superpro.

The power source is gas-powered with 35HP horsepower. The SB100 comes in a rectangular shape. The sound level is 65dB with the standard measurement system. The quality build and design give remarkable performance.

Excellent Blade Technology

This superpro 180-degree sawmill has six teeth thin kerf blades. The blade of this sawmill provides you with smooth and accurate cutting. To sharpen, it uses a 12v diamond sharpener and jig. That is an ideal blade to cut any wood. You can cut long, soft, or hardwoods effortlessly. The blade doesn’t bounce while cutting the wood making it safe for use.

Versatility

The SB1020 has easily changed the variety option. There is some element that is easy to customize.

The stabbing bar, orbital sander, planer blade, drill attachments, and router are easily changeable. It is effortless to customize, you do not need specialized knowledge to change any component.

With portable sawmills, there are a lot of things that can help you make the wrong decision. But, we’re happy to report that with this sawmill, you just can’t go wrong.

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What We Liked
  • It is durable that provide you long-time service.
  • Very easy and comfortable to use.
  • Any wood can cut.
  • 180-degree swing blade.
What Need Improvement
  • Price is a little bit high.

The D&L SB1020 SUPERPRO 180° is best for effortless wood cutting. 180 degree of swing blade makes your work more comfortable.

Best Pick

hud son hunter portable sawmill

Hud-Son Hunter Portable Sawmill

A portable sawmill is an efficient option for occasional firewood cutting or other things. That is why we picked Hudson Hunter Sawmill. This one could be easily stored when not in use anyplace near your house or workshop.

It’s easy to roll on into the barn or garage for storage. It may be compact but powerful enough to handle any tough task. That is why we like it to call the best portable sawmill.
Here is some feature of this sawmill to learn about it more. Check it out.

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  • Powerful: The portable sawmill is competent to tackle the different sizes of wood logs or branches. It comes with 7 Hp gas motor so you can feed the blade dry and big chunks easily. The 21 inches and 12 ft. aluminum track with 2 log dogs make the cutting and wood processing a lot more quickly.
  • Measuring option: You get a chance to cut the different sizes of logs in various lengths. The saw-mill features a dual measuring system to do that. It comes with both a quarter and inches scale.
  • Sharp cutting edge: The machine comes with 132-inch X 1 ¼ all-purpose blade. The blade is made of stainless steel and can handle hard to dense trees logs effortlessly. Also, the Hud-son Shoe guide systems help to support the blade. So, the machine pushes through the wood without wasting much energy.

There are many other remarkable qualities in this sawmil, but now it’s turn for knowing some downsides. Such as,

  • Assembly problem: The saw-mill comes unassembled. That means you have to put all of your joints on your own or with the help of an expert. But in this case, this is not such an easy job. Infect the instruction guide come in a DVD. Who uses a DVD player on this day anyway?
  • Fuel: The sawmill runs with gas—many other portable mill powered by petrol or electricity. Petrol or kerosene is a better option to run because these are more available than gas. This might be a minor problem but will bother later.

If you have all these features integrated into a single saw mill, then you’ve scored the perfect deal. You should have no problems working with it for the years to come.

If you want a spare sawmill for occasional usage, then go for it. Processing firewood, cabin, fence logs, or DIY projects- the saw-mill will help you on that better.

The setup issue could be solved by a professional. So, find someone who can set the mill for you. But if you wanted, you could go with the diy route and set it up yourself.

But, unless you’re a seasoned professional, we would advise against that.

Nevertheless, the transportable sawmill is one of the top portable sawmills.

What We Liked
  • Easy to sift one place to another.
  • Firm structure.
  • Hud-son shoe guide system.
  • Powerful gas motor.
  • Sharp & rigid blade.
  • Quarter and inch scale for the measure.
What Need Improvement
  • Inflexible to pull together.
  • DVD instruction tape to learn.

Best Portable Sawmill – Buyers Guide

Thanks for going through the list of best portable sawmills. We have done our best to pick up the right picks based on the features that matter for real users.

What Is A Portable Sawmill?

Traditionally, when trees were cut down, they needed to be transported to a large sawmill to but cut down to working sizes. However, starting in the 1970’s, companies started to make portable sawmills.

A portable sawmill is a portable machine to cut down and resize lumber. The portable sawmill is transported on location via a trailer, and can be used to cut lumber down at the same place that the tree is chopped down.

A portable sawmill is quite small and can be carried wherever needed. So, you can quickly move it from one place to another. It has a large hook to attach the timbers while cutting.

What Do People Like About Portable Sawmills?

Portable sawmills are one of the best inventions of machinery. Its uses were started before an era ago but its popularity has increased in the late 90s.

There are many places where high-quality timbers are produced but due to the lack of a proper transportation system, carpenters can’t bring these timbers to their sawmills. A portable sawmill is a perfect gadget here, and thus it is popular with people for its portability and easy operating process.

There are many benefits of portable sawmills, some of them are mentioned below:

  • Option To Choose Engine: A portable sawmill offers an option to choose the type of engine. One can choose a gas-operated engine or an electrical engine or a diesel-operated engine.
  • Saves Money Of Transportation: It required a large amount of money for the transportation of logs. This transportation cost can be minimized by taking the portable sawmill itself to the timbers.
  • Saves The Manpower Cost: In a large sawmill, it requires a lot of manpower to operate the functions. A portable sawmill doesn’t need a lot of manpower to operate and thus saves money. A skilled person who can run the portable sawmill and knows all the function is enough to run this gadget.

What Are The Problems With Portable Sawmills?

Portable sawmills are incredibly convenient, but they are also expensive to operate. The sawmill uses a large bandsaw blade that is expensive to purchase and replace. Prior to replacing, the blade will need sharpening, which is also very expensive.

Another downside to a portable sawmill is that most don’t come with a hydraulic arm, which is used to load the heavy tree logs into the portable mill. Look for a mobile sawmill that has tracks on the ground to help overcome this challenge.

Portable Sawmill Features

Lets review the essential features that come with a portable sawmill.

Cutting Dimensions

Each portable sawmill comes with a maximum lumber size that it can handle. For ones that use a chainsaw, this is probably smaller than portable sawmills that use a bandsaw blade.

Entry level models can typically handle logs up to 36″ wide and 12-15″ thick. More expensive saws should be handle larger trees and logs.

Portability

As we are talking about portable sawmills, here comes the real fact. It should be perfectly easy to install or take off the parts. And that will make the installation process quicker.

Let’s face it, portability is the main feature here. You need to be able to move this sawmill meaningfully to keep in line with your workflow. So, it’s prudent that you pay extra attention to the portability aspect.

We would also like to point out that second opinions always come in handy in such situations.

Size and Weight

You don’t want your portable sawmill to be too heavy or too large, right? So make sure that the size that you are about to pick is easy to carry and transport.

Usability

The question you should ask yourself here is who makes the best portable sawmill?

There are many add-on features that you can find in chainsaws. And that’s something users always look forward to. Make sure that there is sample assistance to make your carpentry easy.

Price-Quality Ratio

The last buying factor that we would like you to focus on is the price-quality ratio. A portable sawmill cost is a huge factor when it comes to longevity and overall usability.

A portable sawmill is right for its project. For their quick setup and easy using process, portable mills have become popular among people. They also come in a very convenient form factor that allows medium and heavy workloads.

However, you need some information to choose the best portable sawmill for you. Though it is easy to use, you need to learn the using method and maintenance of this machine.

What Should Be Considered Before Buying A Sawmill?

  • Make a budget: First, you should make your budget. It is not a simple fact.
  • Time-saving one: Time is more valuable than money. Map your plan for what and why you need this sawmill. Then decide how much time and how many people you will need to complete the work.
  • Reputation: Try to know the advantages and disadvantages of the portable sawmill you want to buy. Take one that is popular among people.
  • Safety: Safety is the first thing in any work. Always see that you take a machine that is safe for you or whoever uses it.

Feature of a Portable Sawmill

Feature of a Portable Sawmill

There are many types of portable sawmills of different brands. Every model comes with various features, but there are some common features of a portable sawmill. If a portable mill has these features, you can go ahead and purchase it.

  • You can set your portable sawmill on the site where you need it.
  • The machine can cut the lumber accurately and quickly.
  • You can save your money using a portable sawmill.
  • You can use it to cut lumber for final use.
  • With your family members, you can produce hardwood for furniture and beams for your house building project.
  • You can also use it for salvage logging.

What Should You Take Care of Cutting Lumber with Portable Sawmill

You will need to cut dead or dying trees into the log as the need for fire-wood if you live in an area where winter could hit and freeze everything. We have three tips for using a portable sawmill for you to get firewood from the trees around your house. Either you could ask a professional to cut trees and process them into lumber, buy firewood from local stores, or order online or do it yourself.

For the first option, find websites for professional sawyers near your or the local phone directory. Many sawmills manufacture their links or sites in different areas. Chances are you could find a Sawyer who has a portable sawmill to the workplace.

The second option is more comfortable. Buy a portable sawmill or borrow it from a friend or neighbor. Sawing woods is not that complicated, you just need some energy and focus to do it.

The third option is the easiest option. Spend some money and buy the desired amount of firewood that you want.

Tips for Using a Portable Sawmill

Here are a few tips to follow while using a portable sawmill;

Inspect the Site: Examine the site where you need to cut or trim trees. You need to drive a pickup van or tow truck to collect all the cutting branches and make some corners to turn the vehicle around from one spot to another milling spot. The site you are going to keep the sawmill needs to be wide enough to work and park your tow truck. The best way to measure a place is the length of your log. Initially, a 30 square ft place is overall good work. Keep a separate flat space to store the logs you have cut.

Set the Track Rail: Setting the track rail of a portable sawmill on the ground is more continental when working with loading the logs. If you set the rail on the surface, you have to bed over every time and pick up the slabs or logs that you cut. There is an option to lift the portable sawmill to 8-14 inches by setting it above the rail ties or else cutoffs of the beam. For proper operation, the sawmill needs to level as flat as possible, so secure the adjustable feet of a portable mill with a leg screw so it stays stable all the time while using it.

Transporting the Woods: So, how are you going to get the logs to the mill from the place they are cut and stacked? You have options like a wagon, trailer, or a front-end load to transport the logs. We would suggest you get the handle device, the LogRite® Buck Arch. This is a wheeled sulky towed by a four-wheeled driver or ATV car. You could use the small hand-pulled model for this job.

If you are thinking to skip this part and drag the logs by yourself with the help of others. Then don’t, because the grim and dirt will stick to the bark of wood and will get to the saw blade. You will have to clean the logs every time you use them which will be a hassle. Your dragged woods will leave ruts in the soft ground which will gradually grow deeper and give trouble when walking around.

Loading the Woods: Stack the logs from best to worst. That means keep the long, high-quality logs up, and thin, bad woods under the stack. It will save both your item and energy. At the starting point, the bled quality stays grade which gives you more delicate cuts. As you get close to the poor quality, small logs, you will go to a point where it’s bigger workloads for a little lumber. Otherwise, you can cut some of the low-quality logs into blocks and stickers. 

Even if you hired a sawyer or do it yourself, don’t cut logs less than 8 inches long and 8 inches diameter because some lumber mills could clamp down if you go under this size. Make a List for Desired Dimension of Logs Before cutting the logs, you can make a list of dimensions to follow or at least determine what sized cuts you will want to make with your woods. Instruct the sawyer you hired these sizes or follow it if you do it alone.

It would be best to discuss what you will be doing to the lumber with your sawyer; he might give you advice on cut sizes with his experience. If it’s for making any tools or furniture, he will suggest you cut the wood in more thickness, so when they dry you will get the proper diameter and length.

So feeding the mill with wood and cutting them into different sizes is very satisfying. But to cut these logs accurately, you need to do some before and after work. That is why we decided to share these few pointers with you.

If you have previous experience doing this kind of job, then it won’t be hard to make a stack of logs within a few hours. Cutting fire logs is easier, but we suggest calling an expert if you are planning to create furniture with these logs. The more precise the cut, the better the furniture you could make.

Proper Way To Use Portable Sawmill – A How To Approach

Before purchasing a portable sawmill, you need to know the proper way to use it. If you do not use it properly, you will not benefit from it. Here are a few tips for you.

How to use a portable sawmill

  • First, place your machine properly at your workplace and check if all supports are correctly placed.
  • Now check your fuel tank.
  • Then start your machine to work. It is effortless so handle your machine carefully.
  • Keep the logs properly on the mill to figure them out.

Few things you should take care of before starting the mill.

  • Check the setting of this sawmill for any errors and fix them if found.
  • Set up your mill with the account of the wind’s direction to avoid sawdust spread.
  • Check the fuel level of your sawmill before starting it to make sure the work doesn’t hamper in the middle of the process. Different machines require different types of energy in different quantities.
  • The energy supply of this sawmill is different in different types. However, before starting your machine, check the fuel level. A sudden stop at the mill will hamper your work.
  • Take someone as your assistant. Working alone for the first time is not a good idea.

Things To Keep in Mind

Working with a portable sawmill is easy. But for the beginner, there are few things you should keep in mind;

  • It is necessary to use your sawmill in a suitable place. A big open space would be the best option.
  • Maintain the machine for better performance and longtime use.
  • Even if the machine saves you money and time, work with it only if you are confident and knowledgeable enough about it. 
  • Try getting advice from people who are familiar with portable sawmills.

Final pointers

These final tips are essential for you and your machine.

  • Always take proper care of the blades in your mill. Sharpen it before using the mill.
  • Clean the logs properly. Stones and dust that adhere to the logs can damage the blade. Sudden breaking of the blade is not suitable for your mill. So, clean the wood properly before sizing them.
  • There are three types of sawmills namely, chain-sawmills, swing-blade mill, and band-saw-mills. Make sure to choose what you want wisely.

For those who work with wood for small to average size projects, these portable sawmills would be the best option since you can take them anywhere you want to. The need of many people isn’t necessary when using a portable sawmill too. This would also be a great choice for hobbyists. Just make sure to pick the right machine and follow safety tips.

Safety Tips When Using a Sawmill

Before running and working with a sawmill, you need to take proper precautions to keep yourself out of danger, such as;

  • Wear necessary safety gear such as helmets, leather gloves, steel-soled shoes, etc. while using this sawmill.
  • Keep yourself away from sawdust.
  • Keep your eyes, ears safe. For this, use protective eyeglasses.
  • When the machine needs repairs, make sure to switch off every power supply to the mill before beginning the repair.
  • While working with the logs, move the band-saw to the other side of the rig to prevent accidental tangling and falling onto the saw.

Frequently Asked Questions

A portable sawmill is a very famous and efficient machine that allows you to cut wood. This review shows some common questions and answers on the best portable sawmills which might help you understand a bit more about sawmills.

Is a portable sawmilling worth it?

Portable sawmills are a great investment for personal projects and other side businesses. But most importantly, they’re worth it for their portability. You can move them anywhere, giving your business a unique selling point.

How long can logs sit before milling?

All the logs have to sit for at least 4 to 6 weeks before milling. Let’s say you cut down a tree for lumbers. Now, the best practice is to wait at least 1 year to give the wood its curing time. After that, it can sit in the sun for 4 to 6 weeks.

Does a portable sawmill require high maintenance?

With every tool and machine, comes the responsibility of taking care of them. A portable sawmill isn’t different. You have to regularly check if everything is working okay or not. There are other things too. So check the instructions manual to know what you need to keep in check.

Why should you buy a portable sawmill?

Even if you have enough inspiration and will, cutting your lumber is definitely hard work and sometimes it can become frustrating even if the result is satisfying. But by using a portable sawmill, you can easily cut your lumber by yourself and sell them or use them for your needs. 

Wrapping Up

Thank you for reading till the end.

We’ve taken usability, size, cutting ability, and many other features into consideration while selecting the best portable sawmills for you. You can find a lot of options as the best sawmill for hobbyists.

Hope that you have picked up the best ones among them and get along with the hectic buying procedures anyway.

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