Why Choose Peterson
Peterson Sawmills Compared to other portable sawmill types
Since the invention of the swingblade mill by Peterson Portable Sawmills, many people have tried to replicate the technology. The ease of use, amazing versatility and the machine’s portability all make Peterson’s swingblade the best portable sawmill available. Replicas on the market offer some of these things also, but they do not have the quality of the original swingblade mill, nor do they show as much innovation in their designs.
Peterson Sawmills and blades are built to last and are made of extremely durable components; this makes the re-sale value high; most owners only losing about 10% from what they paid for it many years later.
The Peterson difference
Why you need a Peterson Swingblade over Bandsaw Mills
Cut different dimensioned lumber out of one log with ease for higher yield
A bandsaw blade’s thin kerf reduces the ability to track or cut a straight line. Peterson Blades provide a true cut with far less deviation when hitting a knot or foreign object, giving you improved accuracy and a better quality finish.
Where some logs may be deemed ‘worthless’ by bandsaw operators due to irregular shape or size, a Peterson is the best sawmill for the job
No costly blade sharpening. Petersons circular blades require far less maintenance than bandsaw blades as they’re so durable.
It is much easier to quarter saw with a Peterson because the saw moves around the log
Use the double cut feature on any of Peterson’s swingblade range for obtaining wide boards and slabs
Petersons provide an all in one machine, without the need for additional machinery like edgers or re-saws. Add a Peterson Planer Blade to finish and dress dried slabs and beams with ease.
Add a Peterson Sander Disc Kit to add the finishing touches on your high-end products like beams and slabs, leaving a fabulous almost-gloss finish
Produce high value, full width live slabs with an optional clip-on slabber or if you’re looking at a commercial slabber, check out the DWS (Dedicated Wide Slabber)
Handling lumber, we've made it easy
No log-turning required! Peterson Sawmills can cut dimensional lumber straight away and you can grade as you go. A Peterson can handle large, abrasive logs with ease, allowing you to load logs over or under your tracks.
Petersons Hi/Lo track set-up comes standard on the ASM models, and as an optional extra on the WPF and DWS. The Hi/Lo tracks allow the operator to either load logs over the track on the low side, or roll logs under the high track, giving the utmost in versatility for mobile or fixed site applications.
The Peterson difference
Why you need a Peterson Swingblade over a Lucas Mill or D&L Swingblade
Peterson Portable Sawmills pride themselves on consistently producting high quality, safe machines built from the best materials, not simply bolted together or built using plastic parts
Peterson Portable Sawmills are the original designers of the world’s first portable swingblade sawmill
Petersons continue to revolutionise the portable sawmilling industry with new inventions and upgrades to our proven range
Our reputation for pre and post sales and service is exceptional – read these testimonials for proof that Peterson have some of the best portable sawmill products available
Sizing adjustments for all of the Peterson range are made at the operator’s end of the mill – not at the opposite end of the tracks like other brands
Peterson continue to refine our blade technology enabling faster cutting with no burn out
All Peterson Sawmills are fit with a repetitive sizing slide for milling the same dimensions quickly
Electric start on all Peterson Sawmill motors – this also means you have a battery to sharpen your blade right on the mill, saving more time
The Peterson blade handle works on gravity. Pivoting the blade is effortless, and it locks into place safely and easily
Double cutting like no other
Double cut wide boards and slabs up to 10″ x 20″ easily without having to turn the mill around like other brands. Simply remove two bolts and take off the sawdust deflector (or make no adjustments at all with the Junior Peterson) and you’re away!
The Peterson difference
Why you need a Peterson Swingblade over a Turbo Sawmill
Peterson sawmills are not manufactured in China or merely ‘assembled’ at the factory. We proudly cut, weld, treat, build, and individually test every single machine with love and care and to the highest workmanship standards, right here at our factory in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Peterson sawmills feature a rigid track frame that offers fixed supports that do not allow sag or flex when the head unit is in the middle. They can be broken down very easily into smaller segments for transport.
Peterson Sawmills offer easy and safe access to all sawn boards. With the ‘open’ design there’s no need to walk around frames, duck under beams, or get in the way of sawdust exits. With the board remover, the board even comes right back to the operator!
Peterson Sawmills have models to suit your terrain or site. Our production frame models have open access on the safe side and from both ends. Our all-terrain model can operate safely on the side of a hill, and the operators are still well out of the sawdust path.
Peterson Sawmills don’t have end frame sizing near the ground, which could become covered in sawdust affecting operation. All Peterson sizing is done in well elevated positions.
Peterson advertises achievable production and recovery figures, taking into consideration setup time, timber sorting, and site maintenance. Production figures that operators can consistently obtain, week in, week out.
Peterson sawmills feature industrial gauge frame extrusions. We use deeper, thicker wall sections and copyright track die designs. You don’t get serious sag, bounce or wavy timber and all your horse power is going into the cut rather than being lost in wasted movement.
World's fastest portable slabber!
The Peterson DWS (Dedicated Wide Slabber) is not a swingblade sawmill like the rest of our range. The sole purpose of the DWS is to cut logs into high value wide slabs using a chainsaw slabber style bar. This makes light work of the toughest hardwoods. And it’s fast. The fastest dedicated portable slabber in the world!
Watch a time trial between Peterson the Clip-on Slabber (fitted to WPF) and the Dedicated Wide Slabber (DWS)
What people are saying about their Peterson's
Don't take our word for it
Speak to Peterson owners in your area
If you’re researching a sawmill purchase, the best people to speak to are those who operate the machines on a regular basis. The millers in our Owner’s Network have made themselves available to you to ask questions by phone or email, and some of them even offer private demos and open days at their milling sites.
Some owners aren’t publicly listed. Reach out to us, we’ll check our records and connect you with owners in your area.
