To build a sawmill on your own, with or without a guide, takes proper planning calculations, and most importantly depends on the materials and tools used. This DIY will show you over 15 amazing guides that you can apply to make a sawmill effortlessly. Some of the guides on this list below will be expensive while others will be cheaper. It’s not about the amount but it’s all about if the building plan can work for you. So, here are a few guides to try out, let’s begin.

What You Need To Know – Before You Build A Sawmill

Expertise

Most of the projects listed below are for experts only in the field of woodworking and metalworking, if you are a beginner you should consider buying a sawmill other than building one and if you must build one, seek professional help.

Safety

Your safety comes first, a sawmill has parts that could cause severe damage while in use, be extra careful while using one. During cutting make sure no one is close. Make sure you lock the log in place before cutting and wear safety gear when building or using the sawmill. Ensure you adhere to all the safety tips.

Location

The location in most cases should determine the size of your sawmill, if you are building it for outdoor use, you can go with a large sawmill based on the area of space you have, if you are cutting wood indoors consider a smaller sawmill.

1. 100 Dollar Portable Sawmill

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$100-$150

Although it might be challenging, chainsaw sawmilling can also be a lot of fun and incredibly gratifying. The purpose of this mill’s design is to make chainsaw milling simpler, safer, and more affordable. You only need a chainsaw and some construction-grade lumber to get started.

This is a 100-dollar portable sawmill made with some 2x4s. The creator got the chainsaw he used to make the sawmill for $50, and the remaining $50 goes for the other materials and tools used.

It’s a simple making process that requires hard work and patience. In addition, in order to make this $100 chainsaw sawmill you need to have some pretty high-end sophisticated tools at your disposal, and you need a little experience in Woodworking projects.

In the video guide, he explains most of what was done to make this portable sawmill, you can purchase the complete plan by checking out the video and clicking on the link in the description. Drilling holes in the saw blade was the tricky part, this isn’t included in the main plans, use high-quality drill bits to make two holes on the blade, then drill some corresponding holes through the wooden frame, and finally mount.

Materials Needed

• Wood
• Drill bits
• Screws
• Boat winch
• Bolts and Nuts
• Metal
• Cable
• Pulley

Tools Needed

• Drill
• Saw
• Wrench

2. Building A Large Bandsaw Mill

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$100-$150

With this video tutorial guide, you’re going to be making a large cut-width bandsaw mill. In the description, you will see the building plans that are available and how to use them to make a large bandsaw mill with ease. Although the plan isn’t free, I think it’s worth it!

The creator of this guide didn’t bother going into the making process he just spent all the video time explaining how the bandsaw mill works, and it’s good to understand that, it gives you an idea of what you’re about to build and helps you fully comprehend the bandsaw build and even add your creativity to make it more unique.

You get to see how this bandsaw works and some things he did to make sure it came out successful, even though you want to purchase the plans, I would suggest you watch the video as there are some tips that would be of help to you if you’re eventually going to build this bandsaw mill.

Materials Needed

• Wood
• Screws
• Wheels
• Threaded rod
• Chain
• Sprocket
• Drill bits
• Iron
• Steel
• Bolts and Nuts

Tools Needed

• Drill
• Wrench
• Saw

3. Portable DIY Sawmill Build

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$150-$250

Here, we have a portable sawmill, this video tutorial guide is all about assembling the portable sawmill from scratch. The creator used a wheelset mechanism to make his sawmill, it’s a simple setup because the set is made of metal so you’ll need screws to tighten the top and sides firmly.

The first step is getting the track the mill runs on, the creator added removable wheels to the track to make moving it easier. There’s also a smaller track that is going to be attached to the full system to make the whole track longer and removable wheels were added to it too.

The tracks were bound together using bolts in both middle and at the side. After the track is completed, then comes the main build for this sawmill, placing some wooden supports to hold the main beam. Attach the left and right pulleys, add some more supports then assemble the left carriage runner. Make sure all four wheels are on the rail. Placing blocks of wood at the end of the tracks stops the carriage from running off.

Attach other necessary parts and a couple more things and you are good to go, this isn’t an easy build and the video tutorial does not show the full plans, however, you can get the complete plans by commenting on the video or messaging the creator via email address and he would deliver the full plans free of charge, feel free to drop a tip if you want to.

Materials Needed

• Wood
• Bolts and Nuts
• Metal
• Screws
• Wire
• Saw
• Drill bits

Tools

• Wrench
• Drill

4. How To Make A Sawmill With A Circular Saw

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$100-$150

The creator of this guide used a prazi beam saw attachment for his sawmill set up. He also used a circular saw attached to a metal frame to make the sawmill.

It’s not an easy DIY project, but if you follow the steps properly, you’ll get it right in the end. It’s the perfect portable sawmill, easy to carry around, and super effective in cutting. The only downside is that it doesn’t have wheels for mobility, this would have been perfect, I guess the creator didn’t think of that.

This is basically a miniature sawmill made out of 1-inch square tubing that has got a box on one side and two runners behind it. The creator used a beam saw for the cutting part of the sawmill. He then went on to do some welding in order to create the frame where the circular saw will sit and run through.

After the frame is completed the next step is mounting the saw on the frame, this takes a while to complete, but you should easily get the hang of it. The whole build process is a very smart idea if you are considering building a small sawmill, this guide is ideal!

Materials Needed

• Metal
• Wood
• Bolts and Nuts
• Screws
• Welding magnets
• Drill bits

Tools Needed

• Welding gloves
• Brushes
• Wrench
• Drill
• Clamps

5. DIY Band Sawmill And Railbed

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$200-$500

This is a great guide for this band sawmill and railbed. I admonish you to read through to the end of the guide before you begin building anything. This guide can be a bit complicated if you’re not an experienced professional in welding and metalwork, and if you don’t read through the guide to understand the makeup of the sawmill, you won’t be able to get the steps right.

In the first step, the creator casts four wheels and an axle wheel hub for the structure, the next step is mounting the aluminum roller wheels, then the sawmill rolling frame, the engine support frame, and then assembling the engine. He purchased a brand-new Duramax 18 HP horizontal 1″ crankshaft engine with an electric start.

After the engine was installed, next were the wheels. The entire outside diameter of the aluminum wheel hub is 6 inches, its outside edge thickness is 1 inch, its inner hub thickness is 3 1/2 inches, and it has a 1/4-inch keyway carved out of it. You will need to measure the inner wheel hub diameter, trim the hub to size, or buy a hub that fits the wheel.

then construct the wheel wells, Install the battery box first, then the left axle assembly. Install a tank so that when the blade gets too hot, it may be cooled. When the saw is running, avoid standing in front of it since the blade could fall off and gravely hurt or kill you or someone else.

Construct the rail bed, Depending on what you buy or have on hand, the length and weight of the logs you intend to use, and the direction you decide to go, this can be built in a variety of ways. Click on the link below to view the complete plans of how this sawmill was built from start to finish.

Materials Needed

• Metal
• Wheel
• Hub
• Axle shaft
• Chain
• Saw
• Bolts and Nuts
• Wood
• Drill bits

Tools Needed

• Drill
• Wrench
• Measuring tape

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6. DIY Sawmill From 12-inch Bandsaw And A Mower

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$600-$800

The creator of this guide made an interesting sawmill from a 12-inch bandsaw and a mower. He bought the 12″ bandsaw for $100 and it worked well for him, it might be more expensive or cheaper in your area, nevertheless, you’ll need that to begin the making process.

The mower is another important component of the build. You won’t be using the entire mower, you’ll strip it apart to use only the 13hp honda 2-cylinder water-cooled engine for the sawmill, so ensure it’s a mower that you’re no longer using.

The engine is amazingly silent and can work for a long period of time, which is great for the sawmill if you’re going to be cutting for a long time too. The rest of the steps is to assemble the parts, weld the iron base where the engine and bandsaw will rest, and other construction before the build is over, and your mower is ready for testing.

Materials Needed

• Metal
• Mower
• Bandsaw
• Wood
• Bolts and Nuts
• Screws
• Welding magnets
• Drill bits

Tools Needed

• Cutting Tools
• Welding Tools
• Drill
• Wrench

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7. DIY Sawmill

Level	Expert
Material	Metal
Cost	$200-$500

This is an impressive sawmill that the creator made for under $800. That’s quite expensive but the sawmill was worth it in the end.

The creator made a guide roller, and ball bearings made from a 3d printer, he got tires, wheels, scrap metal, and lots of other essential supplies. A 3D printer was used to create the nylon guiding rollers. Ball bearings that were press fitted were then employed. When cutting wood, these wheels assist in keeping the blade on the tires and tracking straight.

Although it was a little overdone, he constructed the carriage out of 4x4x3/16″ square tubing because that was all the steel structure manufacturer had in stock as cutoffs. The making process isn’t so easy because the creator didn’t show how to build from scratch, if you are a beginner you should try something else, however, if you are a handy man you could get some ideas from this guide.

Materials Required

• Wood
• Screws
• Centrifugal clutch
• light gauge tubing
• Flat Bar
• cold rolled steel
  

Tools Required

• Drill
• Saw
• Mitre saw
• Wrench

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8. Homemade Sawmill Build

Level	Expert
Material	Metal
Cost	$700-$960

You thought the previous homemade sawmill was expensive? Here is a sawmill made for under $960, and it’s using a 7hp h.f motor. This motor is what drives the entire mechanism to work efficiently and effortlessly.

For the power of this sawmill, the creator used 18.75-inch pulley sheaves to work for the wheels, 10hp Briggs, ⅝ v belts for the tires, and a 1-¼ inch 304 stainless band wheel drive shaft, all these components are what made the project to be as expensive as it is, yet providing a quality sawmill that is durable, sturdy, and fast.

Materials Required

• 7hp h.f. Motor
• 10hp briggs
• Metal
• 1-1/4 ” 304 stainless band wheel drive shafts
• 2000 lb axle
• Bolts and nuts
• Centrifugal clutch
• copper wire

Tools Required

• Drill
• Wrench

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9. DIY $50 Sawmill Plans

Level	Intermediate
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$50-$100

Now, because you’ve seen sawmills made with $800, and $960, doesn’t mean a $50 sawmill won’t be effective and productive. This sawmill was made for $50 and it’s super-efficient. It’s made up of lumber, wood, and some other easy-going components.

This guide is budget-friendly and it’s easy to build. The good thing is that it’s a portable sawmill, it can fit at the back of your car regardless of the size unless it’s a sports car. The downside is that it’s pretty stressful.

You’ll need to manually use your hand to wheel the sawmill to cut the lumber, and that can be stressful and tiring, and you might not cut enough lumber in a given time frame. Nevertheless, it’s a great sawmill to make.

You’ll need a metal vice, sanding glove, band file sander, log tenon cutter, mag switch, center square finder, wood threaded tap or die, a spoke-shave, utility knife, roto tape, and lots more.

Materials Required

• Wood
• Chainsaw
• Bolts and Nuts
• Screws
• Ripping chain
• Drill bits

Tools Required

• Wrench
• Drill

10. Sawmill Plans in 3D

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$300-$500

First, you’ll need to check the video description and download the SketchUp software for this project. You’ll use the software to create a 3D sawmill design that you’ll work with. The design is in the video, so now you’ll need to check the video to learn more.

Once you have your design, the next step is gathering the materials and tools needed to get the project started. The sawmill is sturdy and pretty durable and can cut long logs in seconds.

This is a scale model of a bandsaw mill that can cut full-sized logs and, to some extent, resaw them. The machine as a whole moves back and forth over the lumber on a track as the primary cutting apparatus goes up and down. The machine is lowered for the following cut after each.

The “dogs” that hold the log in a place ordinarily are absent from this image of the mechanism. The machine is pushed along the track by people power because it is wired for 240 volts, which drives the motor.

Materials Needed

• Saw
• Bolts And Nuts
• Drill bits
• Wood

Tools Needed

• Drill
• Wrench

11. Homemade Chain Sawmill

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$200-$500

This is a unique homemade chain sawmill powered by an electric motor, a narrow bar, and a ripping chain. This chain sawmill can cut different sizes of wood for your homestead or any other purpose you have for cutting long logs of wood. It’s super easy to make and it takes the shape of most of the other sawmills on this DIY.

It’s movable, but not mobile, you can carry it assistance to several locations or back in your garage or shed without the use of tires.

When one is familiar with steelworks or knows a guy who knows a guy who can build it for them, owning a chainsaw mill is a less expensive option than buying lumber from the store. The mill in the plans is based primarily on the mill in the video above. It has quick-release log dogs with eccentric actuators. You can use a 6 m long railroad to cut logs up to 5 m long, but you can add another piece to cut up to 11 m at once.

The way the railroad is built makes it possible to later add sections as needed. With an 18″ bar, you can cut logs up to 60 cm in diameter. Check out the blueprint for a well-detailed guide on how to build this sawmill.

Materials Needed

• Wood
• Saw
• Bolts And Nuts
• Screws
• Drill bits
• Metal

Tools Needed

• Drill
• Wrench

12. Giant BandSaw Mill Build

Level	Expert
Materials	Metal
Cost	$10,000-$16,000

An item of machinery called a band saw mill allows you to lay a log on its bed and cut it into slabs. This is an alternative to utilizing a chain saw mill. Large band sawmills are absolutely available off the shelf, but they are very expensive and unquestionably not manufactured as well. It costs about $75,000 for something with this cut capacity because I know it will be questioned.

For less than $16,000, the developers were able to construct a massive band saw mill with a 12′ long and 76″ wide cut capability. Given the labor it took to develop one from scratch, it is certainly larger than anything they would ever cut in the South, but they would rather have more than they need than less.

After cutting all of the joint material with the Diablo Cermet blade, she proceeded to drill and tap each hole. There has been drilling and tapping here for roughly two and a half days. Although it isn’t difficult, moving around takes time because everything is so heavy.

They started by preparing the locations where they would be welding the bed’s components together after they had all been cut to length, drilled, and tapped.

This is a tasking project and one of the most difficult sawmills to build due to its large size and diverse parts and tools required, it should take about 5-7 days to complete this with about 5 hands on deck. See the full guide for a complete tutorial on how this was built.

Materials Required

• Metal
• Screws
• 10hp electric motor
• Bolts and Nuts
• Welding materials
• Metal Cutting materials

Tools Required

• Welding tools
• Drill
• Wrench

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13. Quick And Dirty Bandsaw Mill

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood
Cost	$300-$500

Large trees may be cut down using this DIY bandsaw machine, which has a wooden frame. Ideal for construction in your garden so you may mill wood for making one-of-a-kind furniture pieces.

These free strategies are available in video, making them simple to follow and rewatch whenever necessary. The bandsaw mill is easy to construct and doesn’t require much garden space. Ideal for the carpenter or artisan who works on a hobby basis and wishes to lower the cost of the raw materials for construction.

You may mill the lumber to your requirements and save a ton of money if you have a sawmill in your backyard. If you have a sawmill for processing the lumber at your house, you can build whatever you want when you want. This type of DIY sawmill can be constructed for a lot less money than purchasing one. Owning a sawmill in your backyard can save you time and money. It can also be used to generate income.

Materials Required

• Wheels
• Wood
• Screws
• Bolts and Nuts
• Drill bits
• Saw

Tools Required

• Drill
• Wrench

14. How To Build A Sawmill

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood
Cost	$300-$900

Sawmills are quite simple structures. A power supply, a motorized carriage on a track, a saw blade, and various shafts and bearings, all connected by gears or a jumble of drums, belts, and pulleys, are all present in a typical mill.

Not everyone will be able to design and construct a mill from the start because it does need some mechanical talent and specific tools. If you are able to smoke one out and have unlimited funds, purchasing a ready-to-run mill or a kit is an alternative.

But this do-it-yourself mill is evidence that you can build your own considerably more affordably with little more than common sense and good old-fashioned perseverance. Building a sawmill just requires rudimentary mechanical knowledge and a few simple metalworking tools, not all the trades I’ve worked in. And there is always the option of finding someone who will provide a hand.

The process begins with in-depth information on how the track was built, next up was assembling the Husk Frame and feed works to hold the mandrel, the shaft, and the brackets that separate the engine’s power wheel and blade. After building the major components, assemble the mill and attach the splitter.

Materials Needed

• Wood
• Screws
• Wheels
• Threaded rod
• Chain
• Sprocket
• Drill bits
• Iron
• Steel
• Bolts and Nuts

Tools Needed

• Drill
• Saw
• Mitre saw
• Wrench

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15. Building A Sawmill

Level	Expert
Materials	Wood, Metal
Cost	$300-$900

There are only essentially three components to a bandsaw mill: the bandsaw, a gantry that supports it horizontally, and rails that allow the entire assembly to travel along. There are several challenging areas, but the creator initially disregarded them and quickly dived into construction.

There are only essentially three components to a bandsaw mill: the bandsaw, a gantry that supports it horizontally, and rails that allow the entire assembly to travel along. The construction of this involved no CAD designs or paper sketches. Only calculations for pulley diameters and wheel spacing for a certain blade length were performed in order to get the proper blade speed (2800 fpm). It was created on the spot, guided by intuition and experience.

Based on milling machine techniques, he devised a creative design for tensioning the blade and discovered how to create the blade guides with just some scrap metal and basic bearings.

The rails are the next item. The 2×8 lumber that was screwed together worked very well, but the developer predicts that the project will only last one season. He screwed the logs to the wood after rolling them. Although it has largely been successful, this is sluggish and wears out the rails.

Materials Needed

• Wood
• Metal
• Screws
• Welding materials
• 1 HP AC motor

Tools Needed

• Drill
• Wrench

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16. How To Build A Backyard Sawmill

Level	Easy
Cost	$900-$1000

Chainsaw mills come in a few distinct designs, with Granberg’s Alaskan Mill being the most well-liked. If you haven’t already, you should try it out someday because it’s a terrific tool for slabbing up logs for furniture and getting the maximum yield out of the first stage of milling.

To get started, you’ll need a few tools, including a chainsaw and a mill from Timberjig (or another brand). The creator utilized a 455 Rancher with a 20″ bar, which allows you to do logs that are roughly 14″ wide, including the depth taken up by the mill and any sweep or crook in the log. Ideally, it should be 70cc or more.

A ripping chain is also necessary for milling; it is similar to a standard chain but produces a cleaner cut. Instead of being filed at 30 degrees, as is customary for cross-cutting, it is filed at 10 degrees.

Rails and a jig are also required. The basic plan and brackets for Timberjig are included, but the lumber is not. To keep hi from bending, the maker added a few more supports. In order to maintain the cuts as straight as possible, he also used ground supports. As long as your rail is in place, you may make your cuts. Pick up your log, set up your first cut, then make the cut with the Timberjig.

Materials Needed

• Chainsaw mill
• Chainsaw
• Screws
• Fuel
• Jigs and Rails
• Ripping chain

Tools Needed

• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• Drill

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Conclusion

That’s all for now, ensure to read the safety precautions in every guide if any, and if there are none, also take safety measures yourself, some of the equipment can hurt you if you don’t understand how to use them, best of luck, and thanks for stopping by, see ya!