Swedish Homestead Series: How to Sawmill a Log from Start to Finish

Simeon Fuchs and his father, Helmut, are experts in operating their fifteen-year-old LT40 Hydraulic sawmill. “We want to demonstrate how to mill a log from the first cut to the end with the bandsaw mill and give you a feel for it,” Simeon says. With one log, Helmut demonstrates his best techniques of sawmilling lumber.

Using hydraulic loading arms, Helmut lifts the log onto the sawmill bed. Then he rotates the log with the log turner choosing the best log position for first cut. He secures the log on the bed with the hydraulic clamp. After measuring the log diameter, Helmut decides where he wants the blade to enter the wood, engages the blade and moves the saw head forward. He follows the saw head along with the log while milling. The result is a clean, fresh timber surface.

Simeon removes the cut piece of lumber from the sawmill, while Helmut returns with the saw head to start the next cut. Sawdust piles up on the ground but it can be collected in a plastic bag connected to a sawdust exhaust hose if required. Turning the log using the hydraulic clamp, side supports and log turner, Helmut makes several more cuts to produce a four-sided cant. Helmut works quickly and efficiently with the hydraulic log handling controls as he doesn’t need to manually load or turn logs.

He can make about four boards from the cant. After cutting the boards, Helmut takes fresh sawn unedged timber and edges it with his sawmill. Placing three boards on edge at once onto the sawmill, he cuts them all simultaneously, trimming them so that they are clean and even.

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