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Chainsaw and bandmills
A comparison of chainsaw mills and bandmills for small-scale production. March 28, 2001

Sawing utility poles
Is it safe and practical? Advice from those who've done it. August 25, 2003

Sawing Utility Poles
Information on the wood species and treatment chemicals found in utility poles. May 11, 2005

What's a Chainsaw Mill Good For?
Chainsaw mills have their particular strengths. Here's a long discussion on how to get good use out of one. March 31, 2008

Toxicity of Black Locust
The leaves, bark and wood of Black Locust are poisonous to both people and livestock. March 31, 2008

Sawing Up Some High-Grade Cherry
Most sawyers advise flat-sawing nice Cherry for grade. March 31, 2008

Electrical Grounding for Metal Buildings
Good grounding (and fire insurance) are prudent measures for a metal sawmill building. March 31, 2008

Estimating Blade Sharpness by Temperature
Blades heat up more as they get dull, but other factors can also have this effect. March 31, 2008

Lumber from Trees Killed by Oak Wilt
The lumber should be fine, but check for insect damage. March 30, 2008

Durability of Eastern Red Cedar
Short answer: it's the heartwood that is rot-resistant. But you'll learn more than that from this discussion. April 11, 2008

Sawmill recovery rate
Does one sawmill's recovery rate make it a better choice over another mill? (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) February 18, 2003

Bandsaw Mill Choices
Sawmill owners tell what they like about their equipment. August 29, 2006

Rates for custom milling
An extremely detailed look at different systems of charging for custom milling. May 30, 2001

Value of Logs from Tree Services
Logs from tree-removal services can be interesting, but they're not worth paying a lot for. Here's a long discussion on the ins and outs of dealing with tree services. April 27, 2007

Strange stories from the sawmill
Sawyers trade tales of unusual objects discovered in wood, during processingd - June 21, 2000

Bandsaw manufacturer resharpening service
Is bandmill blade sharpening a job for the shop, or should you send 'em out? September 19, 2001

Glued-Down Wide Pine Flooring
A long discussion of installation methods for wide board floors. August 21, 2006

An overview of sawmill operations
Sawmill operators swap experiences, "war" stories, and ideas for production profitability. October 17, 2000

Portable bandmill vs. circular mill
Comparing the efficiency and production capabilities of both types. December 17, 2002

Quartering a huge oak
Methods for quartering a log too large to fit on the mill. May 9, 2001

Splitting big logs
Advice from sawyers on what to do with logs that are too big for your mill. September 19, 2001

Sawing & drying framing timbers
Tips for producing timbers for timber-frame construction. September 19, 2001

Bandmill horsepower
Will a higher horsepower diesel engine speed production? January 1, 2003

Processing Trees to Lumber -- for the Hobbyist and Small Business
Two experts share their secrets of success for small-scale milling operations. January 19, 2002

Price sawmilling by the cut?
Pricing by the hour, the board foot and the cut. (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) February 12, 2003

Reality Check for Urban Wood Sawmilling Idea
What a cool idea — invest in some equipment, saw up "free" logs, and make a tidy profit. If it were only that easy. December 11, 2007

Power Comparison Between Electric and Gasoline-Powered Bandmills
Electric motors have more torque at the same horsepower rating. Here's a discussion of the reasons. March 14, 2006

Crowns on Band Wheels
Why do crowns exist, and do they improve band tracking? January 29, 2004

Is It Practical to Store Logs for Long Periods?
Most logs will deteriorate quickly if not cut and dried. Here's a long debate on the practicality of pond storage and other proposed ways around the dilemma. April 19, 2006

Cutting and drying beveled siding
Producing beveled siding from green lumber, with special attention to the drying process. June 24, 2001

Advice for a Sawmilling Beginner
Here's a truckload of good advice for the man who just bought his first bandsaw mill. May 14, 2006

Expanding portable sawmill business
A hard look at the pros and cons of expanding a business. October 9, 2002

Wood, the environment, and Man
A wide-ranging overview of the state of the primary processing industry, and where it may be going from here. August 10, 2000

Shopping for Portable Sawmills
Portable sawmill owners and would-be owners discuss equipment preferences, operating characteristics, and why they even bother in the first place. November 13, 2005

What Does "Old Growth" Mean
The sawing and drying forum discusses what "old growth" means when used to describe lumber, and what qualities "old growth" wood may or may not have. May 14, 2006

Lubricating band mill blades
Options for lubricating your blades, including environmentally-friendly ones. April 17, 2002

Log Handling Solutions
Loading and turning monster logs can really knock a small bandmill around. Here are tips on some subtle forms of log persuasion. February 12, 2007

Troubleshooting a Bandmill Electrical Fault
A bandmill operator gets help with diagnosing electrical system troubles. October 20, 2005

Sawing for Grade, or Sawing for Character?
A discussion comparing "grade sawing" and "flitch sawing" (one aims for highest grade lumber, the other for character). April 27, 2007

Swing-Blade Mills Versus Bandsaw Mills
An extended discussion of the capabilities of both portable sawmill types, and some info on how to extend the swing-blade mill to handle super-sized logs. June 27, 2006

Log-Hauling Equipment Choices
Sawmill operators talk about the rigs they use to move logs from off site. October 3, 2007

Log scale and overrun
Different types of scales, formulas and methods of figuring overrun. January 28, 2002

Chainsaw Choice
Choosing a chainsaw to use in an Alaskan sawmill. January 4, 2001

Swing Blade Safety
How dangerous is a swing blade sawmill? Operators kick the topic around. June 30, 2007

Lumber: Quantity or Quality?
The debate over speed or grade when sawing for profit. January 29, 2004

Moving Beyond Drying
A small drying operation wants to invest in planing, jointing, and ripping. March 18, 2005

Low-Budget Log Handling
Sawmillers discuss winches, trailers, and other sophisticated and economically optimal implements of log manipulation. April 10, 2007

Swing blade woes
What are the drawbacks to this type of mill? April 29, 2003

Building your own bandmill (maybe)
Advice is offered on building your own or buying factory-built. January 21, 2002

Calculating board feet
The board footage debate rages on--Professor Wengert and others offer up methods of calculation. June 24, 2001

Value-Added Processing -- for the Sawmill
How to make sawing, drying and other processing operations profitable. March 22, 2001

Portable Sawmill Comparisons
Users share views and experiences on portable sawmill types. November 13, 2005

Bandsaw blades: Sawyer survey
Sawyers cite their preferred bandmill blades by brand name. July 11, 2000

Obtaining and Handling Logs
Sawmill operators discuss ways to get free logs from contractors clearing land, and ways of loading and transporting the logs. August 31, 2005

Drying rough-sawn timbers
A large outdoor project raises questions about drying large, rough-sawn timbers for long-term use. June 20, 2000

Creosote-treated timbers: Cut with care
Some wise precuations to take if milling lumber previously treated with creosote. September 21, 2000

Borate-Treating Freshly Sawn Wood
Ideas, thoughts, and tips for using borax and borate solutions to make green lumber bug-resistant. June 12, 2006

Sawing Techniques for Cherry
Pros explain how to go about getting the best lumber from some nice cherry logs. July 28, 2006

Harvesting Urban Lumber
For some, turning urban and suburban trees into useable lumber can be a successful niche business. July 30, 2007

Starting a portable sawmilling business
Advice on making a living with a start-up sawmilling business. June 24, 2001

Power for an Electric Bandmill
Information on the power requirements of electric bandsaw mill motors. April 19, 2006

One-man swing milling
Running a one-man swing mill operation, loading and unloading mills and more. March 4, 2002

Pre-Surfacing Lumber Before Drying
Planed green lumber dries with significantly less checking. March 3, 2006

Three-Phase Power from a Generator
Sawmill operators discuss the technical issues posed by running power-hungry three-phase electric equipment off a generator, as compared with the costs of getting utility power to the site. August 30, 2007

Cutting crotch wood
Details on the right equipment and techniques to get the job done. March 4, 2002

Gang-Resawing Thin Strips with a Frame Saw
The "frame saw" allows rapid high-volume production re-sawing. October 12, 2007

Measuring Logs and Lumber
Lumber measurement - Professor Gene Wengert clears up questions regarding proper measurement techniques. May 28, 2001

Band Saw Blade Life in Hardwood
Thoughts on sharpening, lubrication, alignment, blade quality, and other factors that affect how long a bandmill blade will stay sharp in heavy use. February 24, 2008

Sawdust-Fueled Boilers
Practical considerations around burning sawmill sawdust for heat. October 4, 2007

Changing Wood-Mizer from gas to electric
Process and parts involved in converting an engine. February 19, 2002

Drying cedar slabs -- and stepping up sawmill production
Effective drying and basic sawing with a scragg mill. September 2, 2002

Maximizing Lumber from a Log
Can quartersawing produce as much usable lumber as one company claims? January 29, 2004

Portable Mill Types -- Chain-Saw Versus Band-Saw
Pros and cons of the options for slabbing and milling. February 26, 2005

Making Money with a Sawmill Business
Plan with a focus on high-margin production, and you might make money — not just wear out a saw. January 14, 2008

Setting up a milling business
How much land, what equipment is needed, and in what order, for a startup sawmill. April 24, 2002

Troubleshooting a Wandering Blade Problem
A portable band-saw mill owner gets help figuring out what makes his blade "dive" into cuts. June 22, 2005

Rough-Sawn Thickness Versus Finished Thickness
or how to minimize thickness loss when they plane their rough lumber smooth. October 14, 2006

Milling large logs
Techniques for sizing down logs too large for the mill. December 22, 2002

Checking Concerns with Massive Wood Posts
A custom home project calls for 15-inch-wide solid timber posts. Here's a discussion of the inevitable checking that will occur, and how to minimize it. November 13, 2005

Troubleshooting a Diving Cut on a Swing Blade Sawmill
Swing-blade owners run through the usual suspects trying to find the source of a hard-to-explain blade-diving problem. February 12, 2007

Quality Expectations for Bandsaw-Milled Lumber
Sawmillers chime in on whether wavy cuts and thin ends are acceptable in walnut boards. June 28, 2006

Essential sawmill equipment
Determining the equipment necessary to operate a part-time, stationary sawmilling business. January 4, 2001

Home-built band blade sharpener
Plans and pictures. February 18, 2003

Drive Train Protection for a Sawmill
Pros debate the ins and outs of a slip clutch versus a shear pin to protect the power train of a sawmill driven by a tractor's power takeoff. January 27, 2007

Thickness of Rough Lumber
Identifying and sawing for specific dimensions. May 19, 2004

Milling for shares
Sawyers discuss the practicality and profitability of share-cutting. March 4, 2002

Thick Slabbing Versus Edging
Sawyers debate the decision: saw and edge for grade, or start by slabbing to create a square cant? Many factors enter into the choice. August 21, 2006

Burl Wood in the American Sycamore?
A discussion of sycamores, burls, and sawing techniques. April 27, 2007

Problems with Bio-Diesel
Switching to bio-diesel fuel for log-handling equipment is not always trouble-free, according to some. December 28, 2006

Swing blade vs band mill
Is one better suited to cutting large cants? August 13, 2002

Best sawmill for exotic hardwoods
Bandmills vs. swing mills for a new operation. September 2, 2002

Price and Quality — Sawing Oak Boards for Dump Truck Beds
Sawing for a utility market like truck bed liners carries its own set of economic calculations. Here's a practical business discussion that delves into the pennies and the board feet. May 23, 2007

What to charge for on-site sawmilling?
A discussion of approaches to charging for on-site sawmilling work. March 12, 2000

Surfacing Thin Walnut Boards
What's an efficient way to re-saw and plane (or sand) quarter-inch thick boards? Pros share tips and techniques for reliably achieving a smooth surface. June 20, 2005

How much land for a living
How many forested acres are needed to supply enough timber to support you? June 3, 2003

Resharpening Bandsaw Blades
Arguments for and against sharpening your own bandmill blades versus sending them out to a resharp service. May 11, 2005

Building a bandmill from scratch
Advice and examples concerning home-built mills. (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) January 21, 2003

Green barn siding
Making board and batten siding from freshly sawn lumber. June 19, 2003

Black Powder Log Splitting
You can split large-diameter short logs with black powder. But is it worth the risk, or should you stick with a chain saw and wedges instead? July 13, 2006

Edging boards
The most efficient methods. December 17, 2002

A Brief History of Portable Sawmills
September 10, 2001

Slabbing and Drying Big Logs
Preventing cracks in Monterey cypress. April 18, 2004

Sawyer survey
A host of sawyers share their preferred techniques for sawing logs, and the reasoning behind them. June 20, 2000

Logging Equipment
Essential equipment for a small-scale logging operation. April 25, 2001

Evaluating a Down Oregon White Oak
Sawyers advise a colleague on how to assess the quality of lumber he's likely to get from a White Oak that has been on the ground for two years. July 10, 2007

Sawmill horsepower assessment
Figuring the horsepower and speed needed to run a circular mill. April 20, 2001

Flatsawn to Quartersawn
Cutting both types of lumber. December 17, 2003

Bandmill Blade Breakage at the Weld
A discussion of bandmill blades, welding, and what might cause blades to frequently break at the weld. August 29, 2006

Start-up portable sawmill business
Advice on establishing a portable sawmill service. January 4, 2001

Cutting dadoes in sawn logs
Tools and techniques to get the job done. October 20, 2003

Recovering Lumber from Tree-Service Oak Logs
A woodworker has a tree-service friend who is looking at some fine old oak trees that need to come down. Here, sawmillers discuss the market and the milling choices for that nice wood. July 28, 2006

Cutting "shake" out of logs
What is shake, why does it occur, and how can it be removed? April 29, 2003

Preventing Insect Infestation in Lumber Production
Pesticides have limited usefulness and significant hazards. Good yard hygeine and application of heat are the more practical choices. February 14, 2006

Blade Lubricant and Component and Blade Life
Soapy water, kerosene, or what? Keeping the blades clean and reducing friction is one thing, getting longer life out of your equipment is something else. February 8, 2008

Getting the Best Yield of Quartersawn Boards
If you rotate the log during the sawing process, you can get more quartersawn wood and less rift-sawn. March 13, 2007

How to move logs
Creative and practical ways of loading, unloading and transporting logs. Illustrated. (Sawing and Drying Forum) March 23, 2003

How to Charge for Custom Sawing
A discussion of realistic fees for sawing a customer's logs at their location with a portable mill. January 14, 2008

Log trailers
Bought, homemade and home-improved varieties. October 9, 2002

Carbide-Toothed Chainsaw Blades for Milling
Carbide blades will cut through embedded metal or even rock, but they're not cheap. August 30, 2007

Upgrading a Manual Bandmill for Powered Control
Advice on taking muscle power out of the equation for operating a bandmill. April 10, 2007

Bandwheels and Blade Wear
A spirited discussion on blade life in bandsaw mills, including tips on sharpening schedules. June 28, 2005

Shop-Built Bandmill Blade Sharpeners
Sawmillers share ideas for blade-sharpening rigs. August 29, 2006

Sawmill Engine Life
Small motors last a few thousand hours on average, but careful maintenance can stretch their useful life. October 14, 2006

Value of Walnut Sawlogs
What is a nice standing walnut tree worth as saw timber? That depends on many factors. January 11, 2007

Electric vs gas mill
Which is simpler and cheaper to run? (Sawing and Drying Forum) April 29, 2003

Sawing the Biggest Logs Your Mill Can Handle
Will that bandsaw mill really cut a 36-inch diameter log? If only it were that simple. In this thread, owners of various mills discuss the tips and techniques you need to manage monster logs in the real world. July 12, 2005

Lubricating Sawmill Blades
Further discussion of soap-and-water or oil-based blade lubricants and lubricating devices. June 27, 2006

Chainsaw-Driven Bandmills
Is a chainsaw motor a good choice for powering a bandsaw mill? September 10, 2007

Cold Weather Bandmill Blade Lubrication
Advice and observations on blade lubricant and cooling fluids for sawing in way-below-freezing weather. June 30, 2007

Cupping of newly cut lumber
Why would all the lumber in one kiln load cup toward the sapwood? January 16, 2002

Resawing on a Bandsaw Mill
It's tricky, but doable. May 14, 2006

Sawing a Black Walnut Root
The lower stump and root of a big walnut tree can yield beautiful figured wood, but the work is a huge hassle. January 27, 2008

Drying and Sawing Tips for Gun Stocks
Advice on how to dry and saw walnut for use as gun stock blanks. August 21, 2006

Pros and Cons of Sawing Your Own
A solo cabinetmaker wonders if he should mill his own lumber on the side. March 14, 2005

Choosing a "Starter" Bandsaw Mill
Sawmillers share thoughts about entry-level bandsaw mills for occasional use that might hold their value for when the user decides to upgrade. February 14, 2006

Causes of Shake
Bacteria is what causes shake in trees. September 24, 2003

Where to Get Free Logs
Start-up sawmiller gets advice on working with sources of free sawlogs. October 4, 2007

Short blade life
Band mill blades that don't last, burnt tips and bad bearings. December 18, 2001

Building a slab saw
Advice and images on creating a contraption for chopping bundles of kindling. January 16, 2002

How to quartersaw
Sawyers share details and pictures of their preferred methods. May 17, 2003

Propane Tank Log Hauler
Photos and descriptions of a small-log hauler built by adapting a propane-tank trailer. December 15, 2005

Troubleshooting Wobble in a 48-Inch Sawmill Blade
Detailed discussion of the factors that can make a circular sawmill blade deform enough to start wobbling. August 30, 2007

Modifying Chainsaw Mill Chain Length
Advice on lengthening, shortening, or patching chainsaw mill chains. June 9, 2007

Hydraulics for a Bandsaw Mill
An operator posts photos and explanations for the hydraulic system in his custom-built mill. July 12, 2005

Rates for sawmilling/kiln-drying
Sawyers post their individual rates for sawmill and kiln-drying services. June 27, 2000

Sawing and Drying Sycamore
Sycamore is attractive and useful, but moves drastically while drying. Here's good advice on how to minimize movement and make the most of each board. June 27, 2006

From Slab to Tabletop
How one craftsman took a big chunk of tree and turned it into furniture. January 27, 2007

Rotating logs when sawing
Advantages and disadvantages of turning logs 180 degrees when sawing. January 4, 2001

Cracks in bandsaw blades
Causes of small cracks in blades, and the blue stains that appears on oak after sawing. October 15, 2001

Store-bought and home-built log trailers
Suggestions on buying and building log trailers and loaders. (From WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Forum) January 21, 2003

The limitations of juvenile lumber
Exactly how useful is the lumber yielded by less-than-mature trees? August 10, 2000

Uses for shavings and sawdust
A discussion of uses for and the marketablility of waste from the primary processing of lumber. July 18, 2000

Washing Fresh-Cut Lumber
Washing excess sawdust off boards should be no problem. But why not used compressed air, or just a broom? November 28, 2006

Milling lumber from logs
Here's the steps it takes to harvest, skid, and mill a log into lumber using my Norwood Lumbermate band saw mill. April 25, 2001

Pricing and Legalities for Portable Sawmilling
What should you charge, and should you let the customer help? February 26, 2005

Allowing for Shrinkage when Sawing Framing Lumber
If you want the lumber in service to end up comparable to commercial kiln-dried softwood framing lumber, how much thicker and wider should you saw? November 28, 2006

Cutting angles
Cutting angles recommended by Forest Products Laboratory for hardwoods. May 9, 2001

Showing Off Some Curly Maple
A bandmill operator shares photos of a huge curly maple log, before and after sawing. December 15, 2005

Poison oak prevention and treatment
Sawmillers share thoughts on the best preventions and cures for exposure to poison oak. September 6, 2000

Keeping a tally
Ideas for tallying BF while custom sawing. May 2, 2001

Troubleshooting Bandmill Blade Breakage
What causes bandsaw mill blades to break after one or two sharpenings, and how to prevent it. March 29, 2006

Planning Your First Cut for Best Lumber Quality
A little forethought can help a sawyer get the best wood out of every log. April 10, 2007

Bandmill enclosures for all-weather milling
Ideas for a structure to house a bandsaw mill, with thoughts on heating and dust collection. February 13, 2001

Kerf thickness' effect on yield -- and profitability
How profoundly does the thickness of blades used in sawmilling affect yield, costs, and wise use of resources? June 20, 2000

Sycamore for a Post and Beam Frame?
Beautiful as the wood is, Sycamore's tendency to twist makes it a questionable choice for timber framing. December 28, 2006

Manufacturing Pellet-Stove Fuel
Thoughts and information on how to process sawdust into fuel pellets. March 14, 2006

Sweetgum Character
If you saw much Sweetgum, you'll find that the lumber has a strong personality. November 27, 2007

Five Points for Efficient Sawmilling
Gene Wengert shares his expertise on sawing economically and profitably. January 29, 2004

Quartersawing Sycamore for Fleck
Making the most out of a sycamore log. May 11, 2005

Logging arch
Designing and building your own. November 22, 2003

10,000-Year-Old Mystery Wood
Sawmillers try to guess the species of wood recovered after thousands of years buried in the mud. November 13, 2005

Is storing cants feasible?
Can large cants be stored until an order for custom-cut lumber is received? February 19, 2002

Sawmill waste disposal
Producing power and other ideas for utilizing waste from a milling operation. January 21, 2002

Calculating board footage
Professor Gene Wengert explains it all. February 18, 2003

Sawing for half
Sawmillers trade their takes and tolerances for sawing in exchange for a share of the yield. August 10, 2000

Sawing to Prevent Tapered Logs
Making the proper cuts in the right order, to produce flat, quality lumber. May 11, 2005

Quarter-Sawing Technique
What's the best way to quarter-saw a sycamore log? April 10, 2005

Sawing Cherry for Quality
Sawmillers advise on how to get the best quality lumber out of a Cherry saw-log. July 30, 2007

Timber Mats for Construction Sitework
Information on heavy-timber mats used to support heavy excavation equipment on soft ground (a potential value-added product for sawmillers). November 28, 2006

Recognizing Curly Wood
A practiced eye can spot interesting grain figure in a stump by looking at the bark. October 4, 2007

Bandmill run by generator
Using a diesel generator to provide electric power to bandmill. January 16, 2002

Why Saw Lumber Thinner?
Sawmillers discuss the economics and practicality of sawing 12/4 versus 4/4 lumber. January 13, 2006

Sapwood and heartwood
Questions on sapwood and heartwood of pecan and hickory, and how-to instructions for quartersawing. April 4, 2001

Running a Bandsaw Mill on a Three-Phase Converter
Lessons of experience on converting power sources for a bandmill. January 13, 2006

Sawing Tapered Logs
Tips for getting high-value lumber with either portable or fixed equipment. April 10, 2005

Maintaining a TimberKing B20
Tips on care and feeding of a portable sawmill. November 27, 2007

Remove pith when sawing boards?
Removing inferior wood from sawlogs. June 24, 2001

Hand-Powered Saws for Milling Logs
A discussion of pit saws and an idea for adapting a bandmill blade for a hand-powered frame saw. May 11, 2005

Does a Tow-Behind Sawmill Need Vehicle Tags?
Just because you can tow it behind a truck, doesn't mean it's officially a "trailer." In some states at least, sawmill equipment on wheels is not a vehicle and it doesn't need a license plate. December 30, 2007

Entering the Cut
Bandmill operators discuss the problem of a brief "bump" in blade tracking as the blade first enters the log. Usually, blade tension is the issue. October 14, 2006

Sealing Log Ends
Thoughts about log-sealing products and application methods. September 15, 2006

Home built bandsaw mill
Profusely illustrated piece on building your own bandmill. June 16, 2003

Red Cedar Grain Patterns
A craftsman gets advice on sawing techniques for achieving beautiful book-matched grain effects. June 22, 2005

Gig-back techniques for manual mills
Sawyers offer various ideas on gig-back techniques, and their impacts on saftely and profitability. June 20, 2000

Estimating Sawmill Overrun
Understanding the difference between the board feet estimated in a log and the board feet actually produced. May 11, 2005

Dealing with Blade-Diving Waves
More blade tension, better blade lubrication, and a sharpening modification may help keep bandsaw blades from wandering when cutting larger logs. December 1, 2005

Promoting a new sawmill business
How to get the word out that you have a mill and you're sawing wood. January 16, 2002

Shipping Bandmill Blades
A bandmill operator got some blades back from the resharpener with broken teeth. Were they damaged in shippping? August 31, 2005

Sawing and drying mesquite
Dealing with many-trunked mesquite trees. February 6, 2002

Sawing Short Walnut Logs
Advice on getting good lumber yield from a batch of 5-foot and 6-foot logs cut from a nice, fat Walnut tree. February 12, 2007

Port Orford Cedar — Milling Tips and Uses
Ideas on how to saw a nice Port Orford Cedar log, and for what to make with the wood. October 25, 2006

Dealing with Heavy Pitch
Antique heart pine and other pitch-heavy woods can clog blades up quickly. Here's some good advice on keeping blades clean. May 11, 2005

Splitting Large Cants
Sawmill operators discuss ways to cut a 12x12 cant down into 4x6 cants using different types of mill. July 28, 2006

Winching Big Logs
Thoughts on the selection and use of winch equipment for moving and loading large, heavy logs. May 11, 2005

Amish mills
Some perspectives on Amish sawmill operations. June 27, 2000

Judging bandsaw blade longevity
How to tell when blades are dull, and reasons they might dull quickly. August 12, 2001

Sawing Eastern Red Cedar
Tips on handling and sawing cedar logs to obtain marketable product. October 4, 2007

More Strange Tales from the Bandmill Zone
Another blade bites the dust, as the list of odd items encountered in logs continues to grow. January 13, 2006

Uses for Cottonwood
Cottonwood is a useful and versatile species. Here, pros discuss aspects of working with the wood. August 30, 2005

Leveling your mill
Instruments and methods for ensuring your sawmill is level when you set it up. November 18, 2002

Guide Alignment and Blade Breakage
Premature blade breakage could result from excess tension or misaligned drive wheels and guides. October 4, 2007

How I cut a 5-sided beam
Fully illustrated details. October 30, 2002

Three sided house logs - with swing blade
How can these be milled? March 4, 2002

How milling impacts figure
How milling influences figure in sawn lumber. November 15, 2000

Sawing Long Timbers on a Bandmill
Logs that are too long for your bandmill can still be sawn, but it takes some extra handling. Here are some ways that sawyers get it done. April 10, 2007

Blade Maintenance for Bandsaw Mills
Pros discuss the selection, care and feeding of bandsaw mill blades. August 31, 2005

Band mills versus circular mills
Choosing the right sawmill for your unique operation. April 3, 2004

Resawing with a Bandsaw
Fewer teeth makes for a cleaner cut. Here's why. July 28, 2006

Choosing an edger
What to consider when buying an edger for a primary processing operation. January 4, 2001

Lubing Blades When Sawing Utility Poles
Old utility poles can be rough on blades. Here, sawmillers discuss why, and suggest blade lubricating fluids. August 21, 2006

Bandmill blade guide pressure
Proper set-up techniques for blade guides on bandsaw mills. November 29, 2000

Sawing and Drying Tips for Pecan
Orchard-grown pecan wood warps badly when drying. Here is advice on how to cut and dry pecan in order to minimize warping and improve quality. July 28, 2006

Drying Apple Wood
Advice on how to saw and dry a big old Apple tree trunk. May 10, 2007

Blade sharpeners for band mills
Experiences with different brands of blade sharpeners are shared. January 3, 2001

Roughening Cedar Boards
We know about planing rough lumber smooth. But how do you make smooth lumber rough? April 30, 2006

What Causes Burl Figure in Wood?
Nobody really knows why some trees form burls, but that doesn't stop us from speculating. December 28, 2006

Keeping sawblades cool
What to use and how to do it safely. October 24, 2001

Troubleshooting a Slipping Drive Belt
Drive belt pulley slipping? Try belt dressing, and tighten it up. November 27, 2006

Selling Wood Scrap
Figure out what wood-carvers and other craftsmen need, and you may be able to make money from sawmill off-cuts, odds and ends. May 13, 2005

Value of a Skid-Steer for Sawmilling
A skid-steer at a good price is a smart investment for a bandmill operator. April 10, 2007

Cutting Logs with Burl
It takes years of experience to get the hang of predicting what sort of grain figure may be inside a log, and how to saw it for the best value product. June 30, 2007

Removing Turning Blank Pith
Techniques to prevent cracking from the pith. January 6, 2005

Gasoline Versus Electric Motors for Powering a Sawmill
Sawmillers discuss a mill's power needs and the differences between gasoline and electric motors. August 29, 2006

Cutting the butt off blowdowns
Cutting the butts off blown-down trees can be hazardous. Here are some safety tips. June 27, 2000

Characteristics of Honeylocust Wood
Thoughts on Honeylocust, a little-known but attractive and useful wood species. June 30, 2007

Pitch-coated bandsaw blades
Sawyers share their secrets for cleaning pitch from blades. October 15, 2001

Cleaning Bandmill Blades
Tricks for getting the sap and pitch off bandsaw mill blades. March 3, 2006

Large Volume Scragg Mill Operation
Things to keep in mind when starting up a large-scale sawmill operation. April 30, 2006

Charging for Thin-Sawing Lumber
When sawing thinner than 4/4, adjust the board-foot rate accordingly — or just charge by the hour. August 30, 2007

Sharpener and Setter Choices
Sawyers consider their options in blade sharpening equipment. July 10, 2007

Modifying a Bandmill for Resawing
Thoughts on how to set up a bandsaw mill for efficient resawing operations. June 30, 2007

Troubleshooting Blade Wandering
Tooth set and tension are factors to look at when a blade wanders shortly after entering the log. October 25, 2006

Cant Hook Versus Peavey
Useful information on the relative merits and characteristics of these basic logging and sawmilling tools. May 11, 2005

Cambium miners' effect on standing cherry
A woodlot pest causes gummosis in cherry. June 21, 2000

Onsite sawing prices
Further discussion of how people charge for onsite, rough sawmilling services. January 24, 2001

Showing Off Sycamore
Sawing and drying pros show photos of sycamore (quartersawn, spalted, and clean-shaven). February 14, 2006

Sawing frozen logs
Solutions for problems encountered when sawing frozen logs. February 7, 2001

Quarter-Sawing Technique on a Large Mill
Sawmillers discuss how to go about quarter-sawing logs on a large mill. August 30, 2007

Charging for Stickers
Stickers, like anything else, have a value and a price. October 25, 2006

Circular Mill Alignment
Advice on fine adjustments to a circular sawmill for accurate cutting performance. February 12, 2007

Cutting 5-sided timber
Hewing a pentagon-shaped ridge beam on a Wood-Mizer. October 9, 2002

Advice for Ripping Large Logs
How the pros make longitudinal cuts in the field, in order to expedite getting their harvest to the mill. January 25, 2005

Troubleshooting Wavy Lumber
A load of custom-sawn lumber has high and low spots. Pros weigh in on the likely causes. August 22, 2005

Removing Boards While Sawing a Log
A beginner asks: when running a bandsaw mill, is it better to remove boards one at a time or let them stack up? That depends, explain experienced sawyers. August 31, 2005

Value and Uses of Eastern Red Cedar
The sawing and drying forum kicks around the question of tailoring red cedar products to meet market demand. February 14, 2006

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