Sawmill Tour

Come with us on a tour of Samsel Ltd. in Hancock, Wisconsin
to see a working sawmill in action. 
Click on the images for a larger view.
 

 

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All lumber begins its life here in the forest.

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 The Samsel's use sound management practices, utilizing their woodlot not only for timber production but also for education, recreation, wildlife habitat, and research.
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The first step for a tree on its way to becoming lumber is to be cut and stored in piles where it can undergo its first stage of drying.  
If the logs are too "green" when they are sawed the boards will warp when they dry. 

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Different types of trees are separated into different piles and logs are graded according to size and quality.  This grading process can determine what type of lumber a log will be cut into.

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 Before the logs can be sawed the bark must be removed by the peeler.

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 All of the bark is shredded and is used for landscaping or mulch.

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 Once the logs are peeled and dry enough they are ready to go to the mill.

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 In the mill the logs are cut by a 5 inch wide traveling band saw.  The logs can be up to 28 inches in diameter and 16 feet long.
saw closer.jpg (178162 bytes) The saw is operated by a master sawyer to ensure the best cuts are made and little of the log is wasted.

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 Each slab is removed by hand and sorted into piles.
slatbundles.jpg (178217 bytes) Nothing is wasted here.  Even the slats from the edges of the logs are bundled to be used as firewood.  This firewood heats the hot water and solar assisted kilns that dry the wood.

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 Once the log has been cut and sorted the boards are ready to go to the kiln.

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Boards are stacked and placed in the kiln to begin the final drying stage.

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 After the boards leave the kiln they are ready to be sold and used for building.

 

Special thanks to the Samsel family for allowing us to tour their mill.  To learn more about their products contact them at: 
Samsel Ltd.  
W10420 Beechnut Drive
Hancock, WI 54943
Tel: (715) 249-5602 
Toll Free: (800) 699-3793 

 

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