“My wife and I began our careers as scientists in the pharmaceutical industry. My degree is in chemistry, and Carolina’s is in biology. After several years in the field, we decided to take a different path. Today, we’re full-time sawyers running our own business.
From the lab to the sawmill
Leaving the corporate world wasn’t a quick decision. We were looking for independence, hands-on work, and the satisfaction of building something of our own. Two years ago, we started Twin Oak Sawmill, and we haven’t looked back. We’re passionate about sawing and about growing a business we truly believe in.
We needed a strong, mobile sawmill
Because much of our work is done on customer sites, we knew from the start that we needed a strong, mobile sawmill. That led us to TimberKing. The welded steel frame, large saw throat, powerful engine options, and 4-Post Head design stood out immediately. Stability and durability mattered to us, and the TimberKing delivered on both.
Why we chose the TimberKing 1220CRZ
We chose the TimberKing 1220CRZ. While the 1220 is TimberKing’s smallest mill, the upgraded CRZ Transport Package makes it fully road-towable — a major advantage for our business. It’s a professional-grade mill that’s sturdy, strong, and capable of handling large logs, often larger than its winch can pull.
The mill is manual rather than hydraulic, but it will handle logs up to 16-1/2 feet long and 33 inches in diameter. When needed, we’ve sawn even larger diameter logs by trimming them down with a chainsaw first. We’ve pushed this mill hard and taken it to its limits, and it has proven itself every time.
Continuous improvement through smart upgrades
Even with a mill that has performed beyond our expectations, we’re always looking for ways to make it better. One of the upgrades we’re currently implementing is an electric drive and lift system for our TimberKing 1220CRZ.
The electric drive and lift system will integrate cleanly with the mill as it’s currently configured, improving efficiency without sacrificing the simplicity and reliability that drew us to the 1220 in the first place. The system will reduce physical strain during long days of sawing, improve sawing consistency, and allow us to work more efficiently while maintaining the precision and quality our customers expect.
We’ve also seen TimberKing continue to refine and improve the design of their mills over time. Because we’re local to the factory and put heavy, real-world hours on our 1220CRZ, we’ve had opportunities to test new ideas and prototype components as the TimberKing company developed them. Running one of the hardest-worked 1220 mills in the field gives us practical insight into what works, what lasts, and what can be improved.
Being part of that feedback loop has been valuable to us and to TimberKing. It’s rewarding to contribute to improvements that make an already solid mill even better for operators who rely on it day in and day out.
Building our business from scratch…debt-free
We built Twin Oak Sawmill from scratch, with a clear commitment to staying debt-free. For nearly two years, Carolina and I essentially worked two full-time jobs. After our day jobs, we’d come home and saw lumber, handle administrative work, and line up future jobs. Most weekends were spent milling, and even our vacation time went toward building the business.
That approach allowed us to grow deliberately and responsibly. Today, we have close to $100,000 in business equipment, all paid for in cash. From the beginning, we chose to reinvest earnings instead of taking on debt, believing that long-term stability matters more than fast growth.
In the early days, everything was moved by hand. We relied on cant hooks, chains, and a winch to load and position logs, putting in long, physically demanding hours to get the work done. Over time, that effort paid off, and we were finally able to afford a skid steer — another major step forward for the business, purchased outright.
Today, we’re both full-time in the business. Staying debt-free remains a core principle for us, and it continues to guide how we grow Twin Oak Sawmill.
Full-service sawing and woodworking
We offer portable sawmilling, custom sawing, kiln-dried live-edge slabs, dimensional lumber, CNC engraving, and custom woodworking. Our focus is on producing high-quality lumber and live-edge slabs, primarily white oak and black walnut.
Our customers range from hobby woodworkers to professional cabinetmakers and contractors. Some ask us to mill trees planted by their grandparents; others work with us as part of their long-term forest management plans. We’ve also done extensive work for a local arborist. The reviews and repeat customers reflect our commitment to quality, service, and expertise.
Support from the TimberKing team
TimberKing is a small, Kansas City–based company, and the support has been outstanding. Being only 30 minutes away makes it easy for us to stop by for service, maintenance, or parts. When we call with questions, they’re either answered immediately or followed up quickly — and consistently.
Matt at TimberKing has shared countless tips with us, and we’re connected on Facebook. I’m also active in online groups where I can go directly to other sawmill owners with questions or ideas.
The training TimberKing provided was thorough and hands-on. With logs right at the factory, they walked us through proper operation and sawing techniques on our own mill before we ever left the lot.
Our competitive advantage
There are many sawyers in the area, but our TimberKing gives us a clear advantage. We’re able to complete jobs faster and with greater precision, efficiency, and consistency than operators using lower-cost mills. Cheaper mills often lack horsepower and heavy-duty construction, which directly affects output quality.
Looking ahead
Right now, we operate out of our Kansas City home and yard, but our focus is on growth. The next step is purchasing property and building a larger facility. We plan to add more and larger equipment and expand into additional products, including molding.
Our long-term goal is to grow into a high-production, family-owned supplier of hardwood slabs and lumber, offering high-quality materials at competitive prices. We’d like to supply larger customers with higher volumes — filling semi-trucks with lumber — and possibly move into retail in the future.”
— Evan & Carolina, Twin Oak Sawmill, TimberKing 1220CRZ, Kansas City, MO
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