Who we are
Our saw allows for custom cutting of large logs, especially to make long beams, but we also produce dimensional lumber at full width (for example full 2” boards rather than nominal 2” available in lumber yards that measures 1 1/2”).
We pride in being able to accommodate special or unique requests.
Jack and Jan Helsell circa 1975
Our sawmill was designed and built by Jack Helsell in the mid 1970’s on his and his wife Jan Helsell’s property located near West Sound on Orcas Island. Jack (1921-2028), a mechanical engineer who graduated from Dartmouth and Thayer School of Engineering in 1949 after serving in the US Army in Europe during World War II and Japan during Occupation and working 18 years at Pacific Car & Foundry (PACCAR), was a talented builder with prodigious energy. In addition to the sawmill, he and Jan constructed numerous buildings on the property including two residences with Swedish dovetailed logs and sod roofs, a barn, a shop, a greenhouse, a maintenance shed.
Jack engineered the system using the rail and carriage system originally to use timber located on the property for its buildings, and the first lumber was milled there in 1975. With time, word spread that the mill could cut beams and custom sizes that were not generally available. and West Sound Lumber Company’s beams and full inch-sized lumber now appear in residences and buildings on Orcas Island and throughout the Puget Sound area.