A sawmill is a facility or machine that cuts logs into dimensional lumber. For homesteaders with access to timber, a sawmill transforms standing trees into building materials, fencing, and firewood. Portable sawmills have made on-site lumber production accessible to small-scale operators.
Portable band sawmills are the most common type for homestead use. They use a thin steel blade running between two wheels to cut logs into lumber. Band mills produce a kerf of 2 to 3 millimeters, resulting in less sawdust waste than circular mills. Popular manufacturers include Wood-Mizer, Norwood, and Hudson. Most portable band mills handle logs up to 50 to 80 centimeters in diameter and 4 to 6 meters in length.
Circular sawmills use a large circular blade and can cut faster than band mills but produce a wider kerf of 6 to 10 millimeters. They are less common for homestead use due to higher cost and greater power requirements.
Chainsaw mills are the most affordable option, using a chainsaw guided by a rail system to cut lumber. They are slow and produce rough surfaces but allow a homesteader with a large chainsaw to mill lumber without specialized equipment.
Logs are debarked and positioned on the mill bed, then stabilized with log dogs. The blade makes repeated passes, each cutting one board. The first pass creates a flat face; subsequent cuts produce boards of specified thickness. Log rotation between cuts maximizes lumber yield.
Home-sawn lumber is used for construction, fencing, flooring, furniture, and cabinetry. Proper drying is essential. Green lumber is stickered and stacked in a dry, covered area. Air drying to 20 percent moisture content takes approximately one year per 2.5 centimeters of thickness.