Portable Sawmill vs Chainsaw Mill: Which Should You Buy?
Portable bandsaw sawmill vs chainsaw mill compared on cost, speed, board quality, log size and setup, with MechMaxx and Granberg picks.
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Buy a chainsaw mill for a few slabs or beams a year and very large logs: it goes where the tree falls and uses a saw you may own. Buy a bandsaw mill for steady lumber: thinner kerf, flatter boards and far faster production, at many times the cost.
Side by side
| Chainsaw mill | Portable bandsaw mill | |
|---|---|---|
| Picks here | Granberg G778-36 | MechMaxx SM-26 |
| Capacity | Slabs to 30 in wide, 1/2 to 13 in deep | 26 in logs, 20 in boards, 7 in thick |
| Power | Your 70cc+ chainsaw | 459cc 15 HP engine |
| Setup | Clamps to the bar, needs a rail | Track on level ground |
| Best for | Occasional slabs, huge logs | Regular lumber |
Chainsaw mill
Granberg G778-36 (per the Amazon listing).
Bandsaw mill
MechMaxx SM-26 (per the Amazon listing). Woodland Mills says blades can typically be sharpened up to five times.
Either way, dry it right
Clemson Extension: stickers 3/4 to 1 inch thick every 16 to 24 inches; about one year per inch of thickness to air dry. Guide: milling and drying. Picks: sawmills, chainsaw mills.
Frequently asked questions
Is a chainsaw mill as good as a bandsaw mill?
For occasional slabs it works; a bandsaw mill is faster with a thinner cut and flatter boards.
What is cheaper, a chainsaw mill or a sawmill?
A chainsaw mill, by a wide margin, if you already own a big saw.
Can a chainsaw mill cut big logs?
Granberg's 36 inch mill cuts slabs up to 30 inches wide; longer bars and mills go bigger.
How big a log can a portable sawmill handle?
The MechMaxx picks run from 22 to 36 inch logs. Buy the mill for the widest logs you expect to saw.
Which wastes less wood?
A bandsaw mill, whose blade cuts a thinner kerf than a chainsaw's chain.
Sources
- Frequently Asked Questions about Woodland Mills Portable Sawmills, Woodland Mills
- Using Your Portable Sawmill to Cut Stickers for Lumber Drying (LGP 1203), Clemson Cooperative Extension
Related guides
Best Chainsaw Mills of 2026 (Alaskan-Style and Rail Guides)
Turn a big chainsaw into a sawmill: Alaskan-style mills and rail guides.
Best Portable Sawmills of 2026 (Bandsaw Mills for Homeowners)
Bandsaw mills that turn your logs into lumber, from 22 to 36 inch capacity.
How to Mill Lumber With a Chainsaw Mill (and Dry It)
From log to dry lumber: first cut, slabs, stickers and drying time.