OPERATING THE MILL & SAWYERING
THE SAWMILL
The mill employs a traditional 6-foot diameter circular saw powered by a Detroit diesel engine.
The saw blade is stationary, and logs and lumber are cut by moving them through the saw on a carriage that runs on rails. Logs are secured on the car with “dogs” (see picture), and the carriage is moved by cables operated by the sawyer. The sawyer adjusts the thickness of sawn lumber by pulling a lever to advance the head blocks closer to the saw, as close as ½ inch from the blade.
When cutting, the sawyer operates levers from his station to control the feed rate (the speed of the carriage along the rails) and the rotation speed (RPMs) of the blade, both of which are critical to prevent stalling.
HISTORY OF THE CIRCULAR SAWMILL
The circular sawmill stands as one of the great innovations in timber production, a tool that transformed an industry and shaped the expansion of nations. Its origins trace back to late 18th-century Europe, where Samuel Miller patented a circular saw design in England in 1777. But the concept itself likely predates that, with early versions appearing in the Netherlands and beyond.
By the early 19th century, the circular saw found its way to America, where it quickly replaced the labor-intensive pit saw. Water-powered mills revolutionized lumber processing, allowing for greater efficiency and production. The 19th century saw further advances as steam engines freed sawmills from riverbanks, enabling timber harvesting deep in the frontier.
In the 20th century, improvements in blade design, automation, and motorization made sawmills even more efficient. And while modern technology has introduced new machinery, the circular sawmill remains an enduring symbol of progress in woodworking and construction.
