Every sawmill gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Mills are grouped by log capacity, up to 26 in and over 26 in, and price, capacity and engine have their own reference points in each group.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | price of the mill with its standard track | 25% |
| Capacity | largest log diameter | 15% |
| Engine | engine or motor horsepower | 15% |
| Features | powered feed, powered setworks and track extensions | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 25% |
Where the numbers come from
Log diameter, board width, log length, engine, blade, feed, setworks, weight and warranty come from the maker’s product page, spec table or manual, or from the maker’s own copy on the Amazon listing. Prices are for the mill with its standard track and engine, checked at Amazon and the maker’s own store, and the lowest is used.
The factors
Price is the current price of the mill with its standard track and engine, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. For mills up to 26 in, $6,000 scores zero and $2,000 full marks. For mills over 26 in, $15,000 scores zero and $5,000 full marks.
Capacity is the largest log diameter the maker gives. For mills up to 26 in, 18 in scores zero and 26 in full marks. For mills over 26 in, 26 in scores zero and 36 in full marks.
Engine is the rated horsepower of the engine or motor, on a log scale. For mills up to 26 in, 6 hp scores zero and 14 hp full marks. For mills over 26 in, 10 hp scores zero and 25 hp full marks. Electric motors keep their torque under load, so they have their own scale: 3 hp scores zero and 7 hp full marks up to 26 in, and 5 hp scores zero and 12 hp full marks over 26 in. Motors rated in kW are converted at 1.341 hp per kW.
Features is 35% for a powered feed that drives the head through the cut, 35% for powered setworks, a motor that raises and lowers the head, and 30% for track extensions sold by the maker. Only features that come standard count; options sold at extra cost don’t.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty on the mill: 1 year scores zero and 5 years full marks.
What isn’t scored
Widest board, log length on the standard track, blade length, engine name, displacement, power type, weight and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero, the same as the shortest warranty on the scale, and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.