Lumber Lookup Blog
Buying guides, cost breakdowns and selling advice for the forestry and lumber industry — written from the market, not the brochure.
Portable Sawmill Buying Guide
Use this portable sawmill buying guide to match capacity, hydraulics and budget to your logs.
Read the guideUsed Sawmill Costs in 2026
See what a used sawmill really costs in 2026 by mill type, hours and overall condition.
Read the guideBest Portable Sawmills
Compare the best portable sawmills by use case — homestead, farm and full-time business.
Read the guideFirewood Processor Buying Guide
Cords per hour, log size and power options — compare processors for your operation.
Read the guideHow to Sell Used Forestry Equipment
Price, prepare, photograph and list used forestry equipment for its full value.
Read the guideHow to Calculate Board Feet
Learn how to calculate board feet with the formula, a quick chart and worked pricing examples.
Read the guideHow to Start a Sawmill Business
Start-up costs, the right mill, pricing and first customers — how to start a sawmill business.
Read the guideForestry Equipment Financing
Loans, leases, SBA options and what lenders check — forestry equipment financing explained.
Read the guideUsed Forestry Equipment Buying Guide
An inspection checklist to price hours, hydraulics and undercarriage on used forestry equipment.
Read the guidePortable Sawmill Prices
Compare portable sawmill prices by class — manual, mid-range and hydraulic mills, new and used.
Read the guideWood-Mizer Sawmills
Compare Wood-Mizer sawmills from the LX30 to the LT70 — capacity, hydraulics and prices.
Read the guideWood-Mizer vs Norwood vs TimberKing
Wood-Mizer vs Norwood vs TimberKing compared on price, capacity, frames and support.
Read the guideBest Firewood Processors
The best firewood processors compared on cords per hour, log size, power and price class.
Read the guideHow to Price Lumber
Learn how to price lumber by the board foot, species and grade, with worked examples.
Read the guideKiln Drying Lumber
Kiln drying lumber explained — schedules, moisture targets, defects to avoid and kiln types.
Read the guideUsed Skidder Buying Guide
A used skidder buying guide — cable vs grapple, center pins, tires, hydraulics and hours.
Read the guideChainsaw Mill Guide
How a chainsaw mill works — bar and power sizing, kerf, and making the first cut.
Read the guideLumber Grades Explained
Lumber grades explained in plain terms — FAS, Select, No. 1 Common and softwood grades.
Read the guideBest Chainsaw Mills
Compare the best chainsaw mills by slab width, bar size and budget.
Read the guideIs a Sawmill Business Profitable?
Sawing rates, cost stacks and break-even math — is a sawmill business profitable?
Read the guide