Find Logs for Your Homemade Portable Saw Mill from Schmeg.com

   

The "kerf' is the area the saw blade has removed material from. The nice thing about "band saw" type sawmills is that their saw blades are about as thick as a dime (hence the term "Thin Kerf"), as opposed to a "circular saw" type mill, whose blades are 1/4" to 3/8" wide.

A kerf this thin means a lot less saw dust is being made and more useable lumber is coming off the saw. Depending on the type of wood being sawn, the saw dust can be used in meat and fish smokers to add flavor. Also, the fletches (bark and parts of the log) that can't be used as lumber can be burned in your next campfire. Smart usage of this renewable resource.

Logs will yield more usable lumber coming off my mill than from a circular saw type. A 24" diameter x 10' long log from my saw will yield 289 board feet of usable lumber as opposed to 192 bd ft from a circular saw.

Where to find logs for your portable sawmill

• Don't let your neighbor saw those trees into firewood!

• Clear out those nagging trees near your home that have the potential to cause damage or is clogging the rain spouting!

• Check with the contractor clearing the lot next door!

• Clean up and clear out storm damage!

• Purchase lower grade logs from a local logging company!

• Contact tree trimming services - they have to pay for the disposal of unwanted logs!

• Check with local farmers clearing a field or building site!