I’ve sawed lumber my whole life.
“I grew up on my grandfather’s farm where he had an old-style circle sawmill. I helped saw since I was a kid. My dad, brothers, and I sawed out lumber for neighbors for 40 years!
Then it clicked…
I got a mechanical engineering degree and worked in the chemical industry for 20 years in maintenance management. I grew tired of the corporate world and, walking past that old circle mill, it clicked: I decided to buy a bandsaw mill. I started my business, quit my day job, and never looked back!
My first mill was a fully-hydraulic Norwood. It was good but not heavy-duty enough for what I was sawing. So I looked at other brands including Wood-Mizer and TimberKing. The TimberKing really stood out. They’re USA-made and I just liked the design with fully-welded deck and four-post head. TimberKing’s really heavy-duty and I can source parts locally if I need to.
Endless torque 
I chose the 2220 TimberKing because of the strength of the build and because it has a 49HP, 4-cylinder Kubota diesel. That’s an engine you’d find in skid steers or medium-size tractors. Diesel gives me lots of torque so I can saw big stuff without bogging down. And the mill has full hydraulics, a swing command post, and more.
Business really took off
With the 2220 TimberKing, business really took off. Too, we had hurricane Helene go through here and it took down so many trees, it put my business to a whole new level. I hate the hurt the hurricane brought but people used the lumber I sawed to build barns, furniture, and more, turning a bad event into something good.
I saw a lot of white oak lumber for trailer flooring. I saw a lot of southern yellow pine, 1×6 fencing boards for horse pastures. And a lot of hickory for flooring and furniture. I’m doing a lot of sawing for a construction company that’s renovating a whole airfield with rustic board and batten hangars and other buildings. I’m sawing for another customer who’s rebuilding a rodeo arena, bleachers, concession stand, and all!
Website and word-of-mouth drive business
My family sawed for decades so word-of-mouth got me started. Now I have a website and it gives me SO much business. I get hundreds of people visiting my site and at least 20 emails or phone calls a week. I can’t do that many jobs!
I’ve got sawdust in my veins
I’m busy and I love it. I guess I have sawdust in my veins. My wife, Donna, and I both run the 2220 mill. It’s a joint operation and we’re out there sawing all the time. I typically square-up the log on the mill and Donna runs the controls. She’s very mechanically-minded and can work on and build anything. We’re a good pair.
Every sawmill business needs a specialty
Some sawyers charge by the job; I charge by the hour and my goal is to give my customers 140% – more for their money than they expect.
I’ve sawn a lot of slabs for folks but mine is more of a specialty-sawing business. I’ve sawn custom mantles, countertops, stair treads, lots and lots of custom cutting. I saw while the customer’s right there with me. They tell me what they want and I saw it for them.
Paid for itself in ONE YEAR
I’ve been very fortunate in this sawing business. A mill like this is a big investment but it’s paid for itself in just one year. Most equipment takes three to five years to pay out but I really hustle and am out there sawing almost every day.
Can’t say enough about TimberKing service
TimberKing’s service department is great. They almost always answer the phone and if they can’t, I leave a message and they call me right back. They’ve always helped me out. I’ve gotten warranty coverage with almost no questions asked. Jason Harris is my sales guy and he’s great to work with. Quick with answers and keeps me informed on new products.
Sammy’s advice: Go see a TimberKing in action
Here’s what I tell anybody who’s thinking of getting a sawmill: do your research online but bear in mind – ALL the mills look good online. Before you buy, go see one operate. TimberKing has owners all over. They set me up with an owner for a demo and it was well worth the drive. Seeing his TimberKing in action convinced me.”
— Sammy Woodruff, TimberKing Owner, Woodruff Sawmill,Woodruff SC. 
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