Finding the Best Portable Sawmill for a Small Business

Tips on what to look for for finding the best sawmill for commercial purposes

Looking for a quality portable sawmill model to mill your own lumber for your small business? 

There are plenty of budding entrepreneurs who are producing lumber for commercial purposes, including slab producers, carpenters making lumber for their own projects or those making charcuterie boards or other products for craft markets.

Whether for DIY projects or heavy duty lumber production, portable sawmills can be amazing pieces of equipment that can greatly accelerate your business. So what is the best portable sawmill model for your needs and what should you look for?

Let's find out:

Why is a portable sawmill a good investment for your business?

Producing dimensional lumber or slabs can be a big boon for your business, especially if you're currently buying lumber or materials from other sources. Some of the best advantages to having your own lumber mill include:

• • Reduced costs: While a portable sawmill requires an upfront investment, it can dramatically reduce your overall costs from buying materials from the hardware store, lumberyard or from other sawyers.

  • Customizability: Create lumber, slabs and posts with custom dimensions, either for customers or for your own projects. You're no longer beholden to whatever dimensions are easily available, letting you make truly custom projects.

  • Ease of use: A lot of sawyers begin by using a chainsaw mill, and while that type of setup can be great for beginners, it's very labor intensive and can require a lot of bending down. It's also a riskier milling method compared to a portable sawmill, where the blade is safely contained in the sawhead which is kept on its track.

  • Mill larger logs: Having a portable sawmill, especially a larger model like the Woodland Mills HM130MAX, gives you more options for turning oversized logs into something new. You might be able to mill a smaller log into something useful with a chainsaw, but for a log up to 30" in diameter a specialty piece of machinery is highly recommended.

  • Portability: Getting a portable sawmill on a trailer means having the ability to mill on the go. Mobile milling can be a big advantage if you have a large acreage, or if you want to drive to customers' homes and run a portable milling service.

What should I look for when buying a portable sawmill for my business?

While there are many models across the portable sawmill industry, you'll want a trustworthy, reliable and heavy duty piece of equipment that can handle routine milling, is easy to maintain and is supported by responsive customer service. Some of the things you should look out for include:

• • Size and Capacity: Look at mills capable of processing the logs you plan on milling. If you have smaller logs, models like the HM122 or HM126 may be sufficient, while larger models like the HM136MAX can handle logs up to 36" in diameter.

  • Portability: Intend on running your sawmill as a stationary mill or take it on the go? Ground mounting your mill is great if you want to build a permanent setup around it, but portable milling with a trailer offers advantages for adventurous sawyers who want to bring their sawmill to logs wherever they may be.

  • Cost: Every business should consider the upfront and operational costs for a new piece of equipment. Portable sawmills are very efficient, requiring just regular engine maintenance as well as replacing or sharpening blades when they get dull. Look at models that balance your ideal capacity with your budget.

  • Quality of Life Features: Since you'll be running your sawmill for your business, you may be more focused on efficiency and saving time compared to the typical sawyer. Features like Gas & Go AutoLube, available on all HM model sawmills, are a great example. Optional accessories like the Power Head can speed up milling time and save you time and money.

What are some portable sawmill recommendations for my business?

Want to know more about which models make sense for your particular type of business? Here are some ideas, but these are just basic suggestions. If you think you need a bigger or smaller mill, or want additional features not mentioned below, any of these models can make for great investments for your business. But here are some starting points to consider as you think about which model is best for you:

For budget-conscious sawyers running a startup business

Your Business: Just starting up running your own slab business or workshop? Or maybe you're looking to produce some dimensional lumber for your own projects at home, and wouldn't mind producing some lumber to sell on the side? Your business is small but your ambitions are high and you wouldn't mind a machine that can grow with your needs.

Our Suggestion: The Woodland Mills HM126 Portable Sawmill is a great starter sawmill for budding entrepreneurs. It features a max cut width of 24", giving you plenty of room for small slabs, dimensional lumber and posts and beams for timberframing. If you want to expand your capacity for longer logs consider a track extension. This entry level mill balances capacity, cost and features. You probably don't want to go any smaller than the HM126, not for commercial uses anyway, and this option gives you plenty of room for smaller live edge slabs and producing high quality materials.

For growing workshops, carpenters and woodworkers

Your Business: You run a workshop or make your own furniture already and are looking to expand your capabilities. Having a sawmill to cut logs on site means easy access to materials and reduced costs for your business. You intend to put thousands of board feet through your mill, but you're not sure you need the flashiest, most expensive model.

Our Suggestion: The Woodland Mills HM130MAX is a great option that features amazing capacity for doing slabs, posts and beams, as well as customization options including the Power Head and track extensions. It's wide 30" diameter capacity gives you lots of room, great for workshops with a forklift or log loader. The HM130MAX is ideal for businesses doing full-time work, that need a high production piece of equipment, but aren't quite at the point where they need the biggest, highest capacity option.

For serious business owners doing full-time lumber production

Your Business: You run a full-scale lumber production operation. You may be a small family run business, or have a few employees. Many arborists who take down trees will buy a high capacity portable sawmill to transform the lumber and make a profit from it, but there are also slab makers that specialize in producing high quality cuts year round.

Our Suggestion: The Woodland Mills HM136MAX Portable Sawmill is without a doubt the best tool for serious lumber producing businesses, because it features a high capacity that allows you to mill logs of all sizes, with its 36" maximum cut width capacity. It's especially great for milling burls and root balls to produce spectacular slabs for woodworkers, but it's equally efficient at making timbers for timberframing projects too. When you need heavy equipment that can do the job regardless of what type of tree ends up on your lot, the HM136MAX is up to the task.

For curious casual sawyers thinking of making some side money

Your Business: You're looking for a way of doing some small lumber production for personal reasons but you wouldn't mind the option of making some money if it makes sense. Maybe neighbors and friends have inquired about how to get custom lumber or milling up some trees on your property and it's got you thinking about how you can capitalize on it?

Our Suggestion: A small, budget-conscious sawmill model for those looking to mill small-to-medium sized trees would be the Woodland Mills HM122 Portable Sawmill. It's a great entry-level sawmill that features rich customizability like all HM model sawmills, and balances price and capacity to make for a great deal. If you're thinking of making money with a small you want a model capable of growing with your needs, hence why the HM122 is our pick for a small model that's full of potential.

Conclusion: What to look for when buying a sawmill for my small business?

With so many options available it may seem difficult to buy the perfect sawmill for your business, but hopefully this guide has helped narrow down your selection. You want a sawmill with great build quality, consistent performance and something that makes less waste, so you can start milling and make the most of your wood.

Any of the above portable sawmill models can make a big difference for your business, but here are the highlight tips for making your choice:

• • Pick a model that's the right size and has the right capacity for your needs

  • Think about track extensions, whether you want the trailer and any other accessories

  • Focus on your budget, and what features are worth the upfront cost to save your money and time down the line

  • Many serious business owners, even small ones, want a sawmill with more capacity, since it offers the best value and you don't have to worry about upgrading to a larger model down the road