Whether I’m carving a 6” x 6” owl or a towering 6-foot bear, it all starts with the right piece of wood. I’ve turned logs into everything from cute little mushrooms and cardinals to bold centerpiece bears, but none of it would be possible without solid blanks—and that’s where my HM136MAX sawmill comes in.

The HM136MAX’s 36-inch max cut width is a game-changer for my business. I can mill just about any log that comes my way. Nice, straight logs are ideal—they’re easy to turn, easy to mill, and produce the most lumber. But the real magic of the HM136MAX is its ability to handle big, gnarly logs that other mills might struggle with.

That 36-inch capacity means I don’t have to pass up curved or oversized logs with character. Plus, the sawmill’s 8 ¼-inch throat makes it easy to cut perfect 8x8 cants, which are the foundation for so many of my carvings—from mushrooms to owls to mini bears.

One of the best things about the HM136MAX is how versatile it is. I can take a 24-inch diameter log and cut blanks for all kinds of projects. Whether it’s 6x6s for cardinals or 12x12s for larger bears, this sawmill lets me create exactly what I need. Having that flexibility is a huge advantage because every piece of wood has a unique story, and I want to make sure I honor that with my carvings.

"The HM136MAX is more than just a tool; it’s a cornerstone of my business."

What I love most, though, is the reliability of the HM136MAX. It doesn’t stall, and it never struggles—it just works. That dependability means I can focus on the creative part of carving without worrying about my tools slowing me down. The big motor also allows me to rip right through smaller logs with ease, as well as power through giant, solid logs without skipping a beat.

The sawmill has also completely changed how I approach my work. Before, I was limited to carving logs in the round, but now I can quarter saw logs to avoid the pith. This creates more stable carving blanks and helps me produce a better product for my customers. And because I can mill my own blanks, I’m no longer at the mercy of finding the perfect log—I can make it myself.

The HM136MAX is more than just a tool; it’s a cornerstone of my business. It has made me exponentially more efficient, which is especially important during the holiday season. My wife and I sell our carvings at craft shows nearly every weekend, and the demand keeps growing. Without my HM136MAX, I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with that demand—or grow my business to where it is now.

John

Sawdust and Sapwood