Sawmill operation on a homestead involves converting logs into dimensional lumber for construction, fencing, and woodworking projects. Portable sawmills allow landowners to process timber from their own property, reducing the cost of building materials and utilizing trees that would otherwise be firewood or waste. The three primary sawmill types for homestead use are bandsaw mills, chainsaw mills, and circular saw mills. Each type has different trade-offs in cost, cut quality, speed, and kerf (the width of material removed by the saw blade). [[Chainsaw Maintenance]] applies to chainsaw mills and the chainsaws used in timber felling.
Bandsaw mills use a continuous loop of toothed steel band running between two wheels. They produce the most lumber per log due to the thin kerf, typically 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters (1/16 to 3/32 inch), which wastes less wood than other saw types. Portable bandsaw mills range from manual models costing 2000 to 5000 dollars to hydraulic models costing 15000 to 50000 dollars. A manual bandsaw mill produces 150 to 300 board feet of lumber per hour. Cut quality is excellent, with a smooth surface requiring minimal planing. Bandsaw blades require periodic sharpening every 2 to 4 hours of operation.
Chainsaw mills use a chainsaw mounted in a guide frame to cut logs into planks. They are the most affordable option, using a chainsaw that the operator may already own, with a mill attachment costing 100 to 500 dollars. Chainsaw mills are slower than bandsaw mills, producing 20 to 50 board feet per hour, and the kerf is 6 to 10 millimeters (1/4 to 3/8 inch), wasting more wood. The cut surface is rough and requires significant planing or sanding. Chainsaw mills are best suited for cutting small quantities of lumber or for use in remote locations where transporting a bandsaw mill is impractical.
Straight, knot-free logs produce the highest quality lumber. Logs should be milled within a few weeks of felling to prevent checking and decay. Freshly sawn lumber contains 40 to 100 percent moisture content and must be dried to 8 to 15 percent for interior use. Air drying requires 1 year per 25 millimeters (1 inch) of thickness under cover. Kiln drying accelerates the process but requires equipment. [[Timber Framing]] and [[Barn Design]] describe construction methods that use the sawn lumber.