Why does FULLCUT™ on the new HM126MAX Matter?

The new expanded capacity adds additional value to one of Woodland Mills' oldest and most popular portable sawmill models

When Woodland Mills first started more than a decade ago, it began with founders Neil and Josh designing and releasing the HM126 Portable Sawmill.

Now this cornerstone portable sawmill model is getting a dramatic upgrade with the HM126MAX, adding a FULLCUT™ Sawhead that expands the mill's capacity.

It gives the HM126MAX class-leading 26" maximum cut width not seen on other 26" portable sawmills in its category.

But what is a FULLCUT™ and how does it actually improve the HM126? Let's discuss the story of one of Woodland Mills' most timeless products and how the HM126MAX brings it to the next level.

What is the HM126?

Founded in 2009, Woodland Mills was created when two engineers and childhood friends were looking at forestry equipment and wanted to create reliable products that landowners like themselves could afford.

The first result of that work was the HM126, a cornerstone portable sawmill that put Woodland Mills on the map and pushed the industry forward for landowners. Since then Woodland Mills has innovated and expanded into other product lines, including wood chippers, stump grinders, firewood splitters and more, but portable sawmills has continued to be a core part of the company's lineup.

The HM126 features a 26" diameter capacity, capable of milling boards up to 24" wide. While the final iteration has had numerous additions and upgrades over the years, the core of the product has remained the same, and has been proven reliable by many thousands of sawyers around the world.

What is FULLCUT?

In 2020, Woodland Mills took our, at the time, largest portable sawmill model, the HM130, and added FULLCUT™ to create the HM130MAX.

The innovation of FULLCUT™ created additional capacity on the mill, expanding its maximum cut width to match the maximum log diameter. That meant that for the first time you could mill 30" wide live-edge slabs on a 30" sawmill.

This design is exclusively available on Woodland Mills portable sawmills, including the HM136MAX, and gives sawyers more room to mill wider logs, great for those wanting to mill live-edge slabs and large logs.

How does a FULLCUT™ improve the HM126MAX?

Comparing the new HM126MAX to the original HM126, here is the big difference:

• • The original HM126: This sawmill was capable of milling logs up to 26" in diameter, with a 24" maximum cut width.
  • The new HM126MAX: This FULLCUT™-improved sawmill can mill logs up to 26" in diameter with a 26" maximum cut width.

That helps sawyers make use of every inch of their sawmill's capacity. It's great for sawyers who mill live-edge slabs and love to max out their sawmills.

If you're interested in doing slabs or wide live-edge cuts with your sawmill, then consider models featuring FULLCUT™, such as the HM126MAX, HM130MAX, or the HM136MAX.

What other improvements does the HM126MAX have over the HM126?

Another major upgrade with the HM126MAX is the option for an electric start.

With the option of a 14 HP engine either as a pull start or an electric start, prospective HM126MAX owners have the choice whether they want to add the upgrade to make starting their sawmill more convenient or pick a pull-start option.

The electric start takes a lot of the hassle out of starting your sawmill and it's been a commonly requested feature for the HM126, so the HM126MAX incorporates that feedback.

Which portable sawmill model is best for me as someone who wants to mill cants and live-edge slabs for personal use?

The HM126MAX is a big step up from the smaller HM122, while still being priced affordably for most landowners, with a much higher capacity to mill logs up to 26" wide.

Only Woodland Mills exclusively offers the FULLCUT™ seen on MAX models, and the HM126MAX is designed to fulfill the need for sawyers who want to get the most from their sawmills.

If you are thinking of sizing up for bigger logs, the HM130MAX is another popular option, capable of milling logs up to 30" wide. It acts as a great intermediate option between picking a larger mill and a smaller, more general-purpose model.

What is the best sawmill for someone looking to mill slabs for a small business?

The HM126MAX offers excellent value for woodworkers and slab makers who want to sell their boards or projects for profit, since it's designed to blend capacity, price and features into one accessible platform. It also has capacity for upgrades, including the Power Head and track extensions to mill longer logs.

For entrepreneurs looking to mill logs that are at least 26" wide and are looking for a great platform to help them transform their logs into profit, the HM126MAX offers incredible opportunity.

You may also want to consider the HM130MAX, as this model has consistently been popular with slab makers looking to turn their log pile into revenue, due to its wider capacity. It's a great option that's a step between the HM126MAX and Woodland Mills' largest capacity sawmill, the HM136MAX, which would give you the most amount of options for milling logs up to 36" wide. Both models tend to be great choices for slab makers who make gorgeous live-edge countertops, coffee tables or boardroom tables due to its amazing milling capabilities.

Are there any accessories I should get with the HM126MAX?

• • An optional upgrade for the HM126MAX that's been popular with existing HM126 customers is the Power Head 80. This attachment replaces the hand crank for lowering and raising the sawhead, instead allowing you to do it with the press of a button, greatly reducing the amount of manual effort required by the user.
  • The Toe Board is also a helpful accessory, capable of raising to help mill tapered logs that might otherwise be difficult. Consider this if you are milling logs that aren't perfectly straight and want a bit of help to keep them supported while milling.
  • The PRO Log Support is a handy add-on that makes adjusting log height faster and easier using single-handed operation.
  • The custom-fitted Nylon cover is also a great accessory that can help keep your sawhead protected from wind, rain, dust and more when not in use.

In Summary: Here's why the upgrades to the HM126MAX matter

At Woodland Mills we constantly strive to improve our products to make them easier to use, more convenient and ensure landowners are able to get more from the resources of their land. Over time we've made improvements to our sawmills, wood chippers and other product lines based on feedback from customers, and the HM126MAX is a significant step in addressing the evolving needs of landowners.

It combines everything learned from our existing MAX lineup of sawmills, such as the HM130MAX and the HM136MAX, and adds it to one of our most time tested and beloved sawmill models. The HM126MAX is a great model that merges the best of Woodland Mills' innovations with a high level of affordability and approachability. We're proud to see it being used by sawyers as they use it to build their next project, whether that's milling gorgeous live-edge slabs for charcuterie boards, coffee tables and more, or for milling dimensional lumber for their next building project.