Chain sawmill or Band sawmill?

A fair and comprehensive comparison of the differences between the different types of sawmills.

Whether you want to saw with chain or band, you can always choose Logosol, a complete chain and band sawmills supplier. Our range includes everything from simple chain sawmills to highly efficient band sawmills manufactured in our factory in Härnösand, Sweden. In this comparison, you can feel confident that we give a fair picture of the different options as we sell both chain and band sawmills. We take great pride in finding the perfect sawmill for you and that you are satisfied with your purchase! In this text, we go through the different advantages and disadvantages of the sawmills.

Speed of sawing

The sawing time is faster with a band sawmill, but the actual sawing time is only a small part of the working day for any manual sawmill. What really matters is smooth log handling and smart settings, something we have emphasized when developing our sawmills.  Regardless of the Logosol sawmill you select, we assure you that your sawing experience will be smoother and more efficient than that of other sawmills on the market.

To simplify your log handling, we offer more straightforward products like log turners and more advanced accessories and hydraulic functions for our larger bandsaw mills.  

Tip! We have streamed live demos of our sawmill competitions live on Youtube, where we match chain sawmills against band sawmills to showcase the remarkable capacity of our sawmills, check them out! 

Precision/Results

The result will be perfect no matter which sawmill you choose from Logosol. When sawing with a band sawmill (regardless of brand), it is extremely important that the blade is sharp to cut straight. You quickly learn to feel when it is time to change the blade. Here, the chainsaw has an advantage as it cuts straight even if the chain is not perfect, but it is slower.

The surface of wood sawed with a chain is hard to beat! The chain removes the sawdust as the timber is cut, leaving the timber clean and virtually nick-free when you're done. You can use the sawn lumber to build benches and outdoor furniture immediately.
A bandsaw-cut surface is similar but has a slightly prickly surface that may need to be sanded or planed in some cases. Just like chainsaw-cut lumber, it is perfect for painting!

A small point to remember when deciding whether a board is chainsaw-cut or bandsaw-cut is that when you run your hand over a chainsaw-cut board it feels soft. In contrast, a bandsaw-cut board feels prickly, even though both are dimensionally accurate!

Motor strength

We offer several motor options for our chain sawmills and band sawmills, both petrol and electric variants.  

On a band sawmill, it is the blade speed rather than the motor power that determines the cutting speed. So you won't cut twice as fast with twice as powerful a motor. It is enough to reach the right blade speed, usually 28-30 meters per second. The motors on Logosol's band sawmills have more than enough power to maintain maximum blade speed in the log diameters the sawmill is adapted to cut.

When it comes to chainsaw mills, you can saw with a chainsaw or with one of our electric saws. All chainsaws above 50 cc have a lower speed and sufficient cooling to cope with continuous operation, which is needed for sawing timber. Logosol sells powerful chainsaws, typically 60-90 cc, optimal for continuous sawing with high loads. There are two electric chainsaw models, the 4.6 kW ES5 and the extra powerful 8 kW ES8. Our high-efficiency electric motors provide almost double the rated power during sawing. 

Log Diameters

Logosol has several different band sawmill models for normal-sized logs and huge logs up to 1.6 m in diameter. With chain sawmill F2, the maximum log diameter is 0.5 m, and with the larger variant F2+, you can saw up to 0.7 m large logs. With the Big Mill Wide Slabber, you can saw up to 1.8 m wide planks. In short, there are great possibilities regardless of whether you choose a chain sawmill or a band sawmill from Logosol.  

Saw extra large logs on chain sawmill

Sawing extra large logs on band sawmills 

Log loading

Lower is not always better. The height for rolling in the log is basically the same on a band sawmill as on our larger chain sawmills, i.e., 30-50cm, depending on the surface. One advantage of chain sawmills is that they only need thinner boards as a base, which gives a minimal extra log loading height, so the difference is smaller than you might think.  
Whichever way you choose to saw, you'll need to organize a base to get up from the sand and gravel. A couple of sturdy logs will get you a long way! 

Logosol sells two different types of log tables, and our largest band sawmills have hydraulic log lifts as accessories. 
We have adapted the log loading height to an optimal level on both our chain and band sawmills. 
To work easily at the sawmill, you should also consider the appropriate loading height of the logs from an ergonomic point of view. This applies, for example, when clamping the log and lifting off the sawn planks. 

Lumber Yield

Logosol's chain sawmill has a saw kerf of about 6 mm, which is about twice as much as when sawing with our band sawmills. This means that the amount of chips is doubled, which is one of the chainsaw's few disadvantages. However, it generally saws straighter than many band sawmills, meaning there is less waste when planing, for example.

Well aware of this, Logosol has focused on designing the bandsaw's frame to allow perhaps the strongest blade stretch on the market. This distinguishes Logosol's band sawmills from all others in their size class. In fact, we have the band sawmills that cut by far the straightest in their size class.

Clean workplace

When sawing with a Logosol bandsaw, you avoid walking in sawdust thanks to the fan wheel that efficiently ejects the chips on the opposite side, far from the operator. There are also less chip because the saw blade gives a thinner cut than the chain. This means a cleaner and easier-to-work workplace.

Feed

Whether you choose a chain sawmill or a band sawmill, Logosol has options for feeding unites where you control the saw unite from the end of the sawmill, and feed the saw unite through the log. 

Noice Level

Logosol bandsaws cut quietly and are vibration-free. The petrol-powered version with a four-stroke engine rumbles safely and is gentle on you and your surroundings, while the electric motors make no noise. Only the sound of efficiently working saw teeth are added. If you want quieter sawing with a chainsaw, we recommend our electric saws, which run very quietly and smoothly. Regardless of the choice of sawmill, it is always important to use hearing protection. 

Easy transport

The chain sawmill is very easy to move and store. The material can be left outside all year round. The sawmill weighs no more than you can lift and move it by hand. You can saw just as well with a chainsaw in the forest as with an electric saw at home in the woodshed. If you want to increase capacity, there are several upgrade options. 
 
We have trailer kits for Logosol's B1001 and B751PRO band sawmills, making them easy to transport. With the right tools, you can effortlessly load our smallest band sawmill, the B751, onto a trailer on your own. Contact us if you want to know how to do it. 

Watch a film of us loading the chain sawmills on the roof of a car

Economy

A chain sawmill generally has a lower price than a band sawmill, but the band sawmill has a high capacity, giving a faster payback time. All Logosol sawmills have a long lifetime and a high resale value. 

Possibility to upgrade

Logosol's chain and the band sawmills can be extended, upgraded with various accessories, and equipped with a log moulder.

Ease of Use

All our sawmills have been developed with a strong focus on ergonomics, and they should be easy to use and comfortable. We have several films on our Youtube channel where we guide inexperienced people to see a log on our various sawmills! You will quickly become an expert on your Logosol sawmill. 
 
Many people who choose to buy a chain sawmill have experience with chainsaws and are confident with the technology, both in terms of maintenance, handling, and care of cutting equipment. Often, your own chainsaw can be used at the sawmill. The sawmill bench has been virtually maintenance-free for decades.

Saw for the first time with band sawmills

Sawing for the first time with chainsaws

Summary

Whatever you choose, choose LOGOSOL!

Each sawmill type has unique advantages that suit different user needs. At Logosol, we combine over 35 years of experience with innovation and quality in producing sawmills directly from our factory in Härnösand. When you choose a sawmill from us, you don't just get a machine but a complete solution that includes a 5-year warranty, which emphasizes our confidence in the durability and performance of the product. We aim to help you find the sawmill that best meets your needs.  

Contact us or visit our website for more information and to see our sawmills in action on our YouTube channel. Welcome to experience Logosol quality and innovation. 

The main advantages of chainsaws:

Main advantages of band sawmills:

See our films to help you take the next step in your sawmill purchase.

Which sawmill is right for you?

Review of our different band sawmills

Overview of our different chainsaw mills