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Portable sawmills are convenient, functional, and easy to deal with. To choose one, you need to consider every little detail and have a complete comparative analysis. Luckily for you, I’ve already done that. Here’s your guide to the best portable sawmill.
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Top 5 Portable Sawmills Reviews
Portable sawmills need to be fully functional, easy to move around and disassemble, and preferably affordable. With these considerations in mind, I chose the market’s top five picks for you to pick from.
Best Overall Portable Sawmill: Timber Tuff TMS-24, 24″ Saw Mill
With its value for money and high-level features, it’s hard to put the Timber Tuff TMS-24 in comparison. The portable sawmill is made of aircraft-grade stainless steel, which is highly durable and resistant to corrosion. So if you work in an area with high humidity, you won’t have to worry about the material wearing out.
The machine also has aluminum parts because it’s durable and lightweight. It weighs only 14.3 pounds, gaining little leverage over the 15-pound Imony portable sawmill. In addition, the lightweight makes the machine easy to move around without needing multiple hands.
The Timber Tuff is smaller than both the Granberg Alaskan and the Imony, having a compact 24-inch width. As a result, it can fit in your workspace even if it’s smaller than average, which is a bonus.
However, the Timber Tuff can only work with saw bars up to 24 inches due to the small size. The saw brackets are adjustable, though, so you can work your way from 16 inches to 24 inches.
The Timber Tuff is designed conveniently with clamps to connect the chainsaw bars. So that way, you don’t need to do any drilling to attach them. In addition to that, all the tools you’ll need come with the purchase, so you don’t have to visit a hardware store.
For further convenience, the portable sawmill comes fully equipped with calibrated bars and a guiding handle. You’ll be able to move the machine quickly from one place to another. Not only that, but you’ll also know how much you’re cutting off your logs each time you’re working.
Pros
- Compact size to fit your small workspace
- Highly durable thanks to the aircraft-grade stainless steel
- Easy to assemble and move around
Cons
- The instructions manual is hard to decipher
- Some users reported that the screw holes’ threads weren’t threaded correctly
Best Value: Imony Portable Chainsaw Mill
Despite its affordable price, the Imony Portable Chainsaw Mill offers excellent value for money. It’s made of aluminum and 304 stainless steel, offering durability, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. The machine barely exceeds 15 pounds, so it’s on the lighter side of the market.
The sawmill is 36 inches long, which means you can use it with chainsaw bars from 14 to 36 inches. You can use it to cut wide wooden slabs in a matter of seconds, accounting for efficient and quick woodworking. Additionally, it’s versatile, suitable for using it in both houses and work sites.
The Imony portable sawmill comes with a lifetime warranty, which is more than comes with the Carmyra, for example. Although both sawmills are in the same price range, the Carmyra only comes with a 30-day money-back warranty.
Like all other portable sawmills on this list, the Imony attaches to the chainsaw bar with clamps. So, you don’t need to do any drilling to work. Read more about the best chainsaw for milling in my guide.
Pros
- Affordable price and excellent value for money
- Suitable for both homes and the woods so you can use it anywhere
- Easy to use for beginners
Cons
- Not suitable for small chainsaw bars
- Some users complained that the instructions manual isn’t detailed
Best Budget: Carmyra Portable Chainsaw Mill
The Carmyra Portable Chainsaw Mill is one of the most affordable options on my list, but that’s not the only reason it’s here. Aside from its budget-friendly price, the sawmill is highly versatile. You can use it to cut both softwoods and hardwoods equally efficiently.
In fact, while most portable sawmills will find it challenging to cut woods like oak, walnut, and cedar, the Carmyra cuts through them without budging.
Besides, it comes in different sizes for different uses.
This one here is a 36-inch sawmill, but if you don’t need that size, you can go for the smaller 24-inch version. On the other hand, if you’re tackling extra-large logs, you can go for the 48-inch version.
The machine is made of steel and aluminum, accounting for durability, lightweight, and corrosion resistance. It weighs 16.5 pounds, which may be heavier than the Timber Tuff, but it’s lighter than the 20-pound Granberg Alaskan. Besides, the Carmyra here is larger than the Timber mill, so the extra weight is justified.
The good thing about the Carmyra is it’s not only highly convenient, but it’s also easy to use. Like the Timber Tuff, you can attach your chainsaw bar to it without needing a drilling bar. There’s a built-in place for that, so you don’t need to have any drilling skills or pay extra expenses.
Some users found it inconvenient that the Carmyra sawmill comes without the guide bar and chainsaw. However, considering the affordable price, I’d say it’s expected for the package to miss some accessories.
Upon purchase, you’ll only receive the sawmill, its user manual, and the assembly tools. You may need to buy a ripping chain for milling wood if you want a narrow cutter angle. If you’re only doing basic cutting, you won’t need to purchase other extras.
Pros
- It can cut different types of woods equally efficiently
- No need for a drilling bar to attach the chainsaw
- Affordable price for tight budgets
Cons
- The instructions don’t have steps for assembly
- The guide bar and chainsaw aren’t included in the purchase
Best Premium Sawmill: GRANBERG Alaskan Mark-IV Chainsaw Mill
The Granberg Alaskan Mark-IV may be more expensive than most options on this list, but that’s only because it offers considerable value for money. For one, it’s made of aircraft-grade aluminum and features zinc-plated steel components. It also comes equipped with CNC-machined billet end brackets, accounting for high quality, better accuracy, and durability.
Not only that, but the new brackets are also easier to adjust. They produce less noise and vibration, so you can mill and cut your wood without having to endure much nuisance. The past versions had die-cast brackets, which could easily break with any slight wrong move.
Both the aluminum and steel used in manufacturing the sawmill are resistant to corrosion and daily wear and tear. However, they add to the machine’s weight, which stands on the verge of being lightweight with its 20-pound body.
That’s still not heavy, but it’s heavier than the Carmyra sawmill, for example, and its size isn’t too different.
The Granberg sawmill can cut wooden planks up to 32 inches wide. The good news is you can attach the chainsaw bar without doing any drilling. The machine is generally pretty easy to use, and it doesn’t need previous experience. You can even use it to mill wood lumbers where the tree falls.
Granberg suggests using their ripping chain with the sawmill for best results. With such a heavy price tag, I wouldn’t want to risk using cheap accessories, so I recommend getting the brand’s chain too.
Pros
- It can cut different types of hardwood and softwood with ease
- New CNC-machined brackets for easier adjustment and longer life expectancy
- You can connect the chainsaw bar without any drilling
Cons
- No other sizes available of the model
- Some users mentioned that the depth marks on the sawmill aren’t accurate
Best for Home Workers: Farmertec Portable Chainsaw Mill
Whether you want a small, medium, or large portable sawmill, the Farmertec Chainsaw Mill offers all sizes. Unlike the Granberg Alaskan, there are four sizes available of it, so you can find a suitable one for whatever project you’re working on. They’re all also moderately priced according to their sizes.
Like most sawmills, the Farmertec is made of aluminum with hints of steel and acrylic. The choice of materials accounts for the lightweight and durability. The machine weighs around 16.5 pounds, which falls in the center of the scale.
It’s heavier than the Timber Tuff but lighter than the Granberg Alaskan sawmill. Its size allows you to carry it in a car trunk, which is a bonus.
The sawmill is adjustable, so you modify its width and height according to how you’re working. That way, you won’t have to bend while woodworking to reach a low mill bed. You can also adjust the mill easily to fit different sizes of logs.
As for the assembly, the Farmertec is easy enough to understand. It comes with a user manual, but like most others, it’s not too detailed. You won’t face trouble, though, because you’ll receive an assembly kit with the sawmill.
The Farmertec is cut out for home use, and its price is a good catch considering its useful features. If you work at home, and you don’t want to break the bank getting a sawmill, this one is for you.
Pros
- Available in four different sizes for all kinds of uses
- The width and height are adjustable to fit different working positions
- Assembly kit included in the purchase to save your money
Cons
- Not cut out for professional projects
- The user manual isn’t detailed, so you may spend some time in the assembly
Features to Consider When Buying a Portable Sawmill
When choosing a portable sawmill for your woodworking, there are a couple of features to consider. Here’s a rundown of the essential ones.
Portability
Buying a portable sawmill, you’d expect all available options to be easy to move around and uninstall. In the end, you’re buying a portable sawmill so that you can use it anywhere. But that’s not always the case.
You should aim at a sawmill that has easily removable parts, so you don’t spend forever trying to install and disassemble it. Sawmills that don’t need drilling to attach the chainsaw bar are incredibly convenient.
You should also keep the weight in mind when choosing. Ideally, a portable sawmill should be between 14 and 18 pounds, so you can move it along without needing extra hands.
Cutting Dimensions
All portable sawmills have size limits they can’t exceed. For example, a 36-inch sawmill can’t cut logs with diameters larger than 36 inches. So, you should choose your sawmill depending on the size of wood you intend to cut with it.
The larger you want to cut, the more you’ll pay because sawmills with larger cutting dimensions typically cost more. Beginner or entry-level sawmills usually range from 24 inches to 36 inches.
It’s worth noting that sawmills with chainsaws are often smaller than ones with bandsaws. So, that’s one more thing to take into consideration.
Height
Some sawmills come with waist-high beds. These may be convenient for tall users, but they’ll make it harder to manually lift the logs, so you’ll need to take care of that before buying. On the other hand, some beds are too low, which will have you bending to cut the wood. That’s not any more comfortable.
Some sawmills alternatively come with winches, so you can lift the logs without exhausting yourself. Meanwhile, more luxurious options come with hydraulic lifts. In all cases, considering the height is essential because it may make or break your wood cutting experience.
Service
It’s essential to consider how you’ll provide maintenance and replacement services for your portable sawmill. You need to make sure replacement parts are available in your area. For example, saw blades are prone to frequent replacement, so you need to have those readily available.
Having a local dealer in your area will make your life much easier, considering that portable sawmills need more maintenance. Dealers will also help you learn how to use your mill properly, in case you’re a beginner.
On top of that, they’ll know how to follow the manufacturer’s instructions in replacing parts, so you don’t lose your warranty over a wrong replacement.
One more thing to consider is the sawmill’s warranty. You want to ensure that the manufacturer will compensate you for any damage, so make sure there’s at least a motor warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have some questions regarding portable sawmills, here are some answers to frequently asked questions.
Are Portable Sawmills More Expensive Than Regular Ones?
Portable sawmills may not be more expensive than other ones as a whole, but they’re typically more expensive to use. You’ll need to get a bandsaw or chainsaw to use the sawmill, which will cost you a lot.
In addition to that, portable sawmills often need more maintenance because they move around a lot. When you constantly assemble and disassemble your sawmill, you’re typically subjecting it to wear and tear. So the regular maintenance may cost more.
Do Portable Sawmills Come With Hydraulic Arms?
Most portable sawmills don’t come with hydraulic arms, and the ones that do are expensive. These arms are often used for loading heavy logs, so their absence may make your mission a bit harder. However, most sawmills come with ground tracks, so loading them shouldn’t be too hard.
How Should You Maintain a Portable Sawmill to Extend Its Life?
To maintain a portable sawmill properly, carry out regular checks and do the necessary replacements. You should change the filters and spark plugs whenever they need replacements and check the oil regularly to see if it needs changing too.
Aside from those, you’ll want to check the clutch regularly to make sure that its disengaging motion is working correctly. If it’s slipping, it needs repairing.
Not only that, but you should also lubricate the sprockets and chains when they start squeaking and check the other parts for signs of wear and tear.
On top of that, try to schedule repairs without delaying them. Any minor issue can turn into a major one if left unattended. Do daily checkups before starting to work, and don’t neglect routine maintenance. Sawmills are expensive to replace, so it’s better to maintain yours.
Conclusion
The top pick on my list is the Timber Tuff TMS-24. Despite its small size, it’s highly efficient for wood cutting and milling. It’s lightweight and easy to move around, and it doesn’t require any drilling. It’s compact, so it’ll fit in any work site. On top of that, it’s made of aircraft-grade stainless steel, promising durability and corrosion resistance.
