With a great portable chain sawmill anyone wanting to work with wood can become their own logger. They are made to be easy to move around so you can transport them where the wood is and use them. Many people are becoming loggers and sawyers as a result in their spare time. All you need is a property with wood on it, and when you need more, you likely have a lot of neighbours wanting someone to care of theirs too. Before you go and buy the first sawmill you see here are some things to keep in mind.
Consider your budget
When you are planning on buying a portable sawmill you should explore the prices and make sure you have the budget. Smaller mills are going to be more affordable, but they are also not going to be as powerful. They also will not be great at cutting logs that are on the larger side of things. For some a small mill is still the best plan, starting slowly and easing into it all. But if you know you are going to be needing to cut large logs, or plan on cutting wood for friends or even turning this into a side business you are going to be upgrading pretty quick from that small mill, in which case it saves you money to just get that larger size straight off.
Finding parts when repairs are needed
At some point, small repairs are needed and you need to be able to get a hold of the parts easily. A smaller portable sawmill and older ones are more likely to need repairs sooner, even when maintained properly.
Type of lumber you have available
Key to your choice is the kind of lumber you are mostly cutting. Large logs or hardwoods are harder to cut and you need a portable chain sawmill that is more heavy-duty to handle them. If it is mostly brush and small logs then a smaller mill is fine.
How easy is it to use?
If you are experienced with sawmills then ease of use is less a factor but if you are new to it then this is important too. There is no point buying something great but you are unable to use it. Some need two to operate and some are good with one. What features do you need it to have? Some come with automatic de-barkers, log turners and some with a hydraulic log lifter.
Maybe consider renting first
A great idea when you are looking at buying a portable sawmill is to rent the model you are thinking of buying to see how it works for you. You can see if there are any issues you are not happy with, whether it is large enough and easy to use, and whether it meets all your needs without having to spend a lot of money on the wrong one.
Summary
By considering the above points you can better find a portable sawmill that meets your needs and falls within your budget.
