About Us
About Minnesota Millers
At Minnesota Millers, we provide professional portable sawmill services and custom wood products across Central Minnesota and the surrounding areas. Our goal is simple: to help people turn fallen or harvested trees into beautiful, usable lumber and handcrafted furniture.
We specialize in on-site custom lumber milling, as well as creating one-of-a-kind wood products like:
Live edge river tables
Fireplace mantels
Construction lumber
Slab wood
Beams, timbers, and rough-cut boards
Our Mission – Reduce Waste, Reclaim Timber, Build with Purpose
We’re passionate about woodworking and even more passionate about preventing waste. Minnesota Millers was born from the idea that too many good logs were ending up in landfills or left to rot in the woods. We saw an opportunity to give these trees a second life—whether as raw lumber or finished pieces of functional art.
We believe wood is one of nature’s most valuable building materials, and we treat it with the respect it deserves.
Thank you for supporting local craftsmanship and sustainable milling. If you have logs to mill, a project in mind, or simply want to talk about the possibilities, we’d love to hear from you.
Common Questions
Pricing – Portable Sawmill Services
We charge by the hour for all on-site portable milling services. To help keep your project efficient and cost-effective, we strongly recommend having additional help on-site for offloading and stacking lumber. This can significantly reduce milling time and save you money.
Our Standard Rates:
Hourly Milling Rate: We have a hourly rate, with a 4 hour minnium.
Travel Time: Charged from our shop to your location
Minimum Booking: 4-hour minimum
Deposit Required: A small deposit is required to reserve your milling appointment
What You’ll Need:
At least one additional person to assist with handling lumber
A level and accessible milling site
A plan for storing or drying your milled boards
We serve all of Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, and we're happy to provide a custom estimate based on your specific location and project size.
Ready to book a milling session or get a quote? 612-306-9008
What Types of Trees Can Be Milled?
We can mill most hardwood and softwood species found in the Upper Midwest. Each type of tree has unique properties that affect how it mills, dries, and performs in woodworking or construction applications.
Commonly Milled Species:
Oak – Durable and strong, great for flooring, furniture, and beams
Maple – Dense and smooth, ideal for cabinetry and cutting boards
Walnut – Rich in color, perfect for high-end furniture
Cherry – Fine grain and warm tones, great for interior pieces
Ash – Strong and elastic, commonly used in tool handles and furniture
Pine & Spruce – Lightweight and easy to work with, often used for framing and paneling
Understanding the benefits and characteristics of your specific wood species can help you decide how to best use your lumber. We’re happy to provide guidance on milling and post-milling care based on the type of logs you have.
Not sure what kind of wood you have? Contact us and we’ll help you figure it out.
Log Size & Milling Capacity
Our Norwood HD36 portable bandsaw mill can handle logs up to:
Maximum Length: 12 feet 4 inches
Maximum Diameter: 30 inches
If your logs are longer than 12' 4", no problem—we can cut them down to size on-site to fit the mill. We’re happy to discuss the best approach to maximize your yield and make sure your logs are milled efficiently.
Have questions about log prep or sizing?
612-306-9008 and we’ll walk you through it.
Safety First – On-Site Milling Guidelines
For everyone’s safety, we ask that all clients and helpers follow the instructions of the milling crew at all times. Our equipment is powerful, and the milling process involves moving parts, heavy logs, and sharp blades.
Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can create serious safety risks. Please stay alert, respect the work zone boundaries, and listen to crew directions throughout the milling session.
Your cooperation helps ensure a smooth, safe, and successful project for everyone involved.
Preparing Your Logs for Milling
Proper log preparation helps us work more efficiently—and saves you money. To get the most out of your on-site milling appointment, we ask that the following steps be completed before we arrive:
Log Prep Checklist:
Cut logs to size: Logs should be no longer than 12' 4"
Flat ends: Ensure both ends are cut square and flat
Remove all branches and large knots if possible
Check for metal: Remove any nails, screws, or fencing—metal can damage the saw blade
Apply a log sealant: Sealing the ends helps reduce checking and improves drying results
These steps help us start milling right away and reduce wear on our equipment, ultimately saving you both time and cost.
Need guidance on how to prep your logs? Just reach out and we’ll be happy to help.
What to Expect: Sawdust
Milling lumber creates a large volume of sawdust and wood shavings. Please be prepared for this and plan your milling location accordingly.
We do not provide site cleanup after milling is complete, so it's important to choose a location where sawdust can be easily managed or repurposed. Some clients use the byproduct for composting, animal bedding, or garden mulch.
If you have specific concerns about cleanup or sawdust disposal, feel free to discuss them with us ahead of time.
Metal in Logs – What You Need to Know
Old trees often have hidden metal objects embedded in the wood. Over the years, people use trees for all sorts of things—clotheslines, dog chains, hammocks, support braces, tree stands, fencing, and more. Unfortunately, these items often leave behind nails, screws, wire, or other hardware that become buried in the tree as it grows.
Metal is a saw blade’s worst enemy. Striking metal during milling can destroy blades, damage equipment, and delay your project.
Before We Mill:
Inspect your logs for any signs of metal or past hardware use
Use a metal detector, if possible, to check for hidden objects inside the log
Mark or cut out any problem areas before milling begins
Taking time to check your logs before we arrive helps avoid delays, protects our equipment, and saves you money. Damaged bladed due to metal strikes are a $45 fee per blade.
Our Team
Meet Nick – Woodworker & Sawmiller
Hi, I’m Nick—woodworker, sawyer, and founder of Minnesota Millers. I run a small woodworking and milling shop in the North Metro area, and I’m passionate about helping people across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin reclaim the full value of their trees.
I grew up surrounded by forests and learned early on that trees are one of nature’s greatest resources. My father used to cut firewood every fall to heat our home, and it was through that experience that I gained a deep appreciation for the beauty, strength, and utility of wood.
Over the years, that appreciation turned into a craft. Today, I use my experience in both furniture making and construction to help others turn logs into usable lumber and custom wood products—from rough-sawn boards to handcrafted slab tables.
Whether you’re salvaging storm-damaged trees, working on a personal project, or simply want to put your own wood to good use, I’d be honored to help.