The Value of a Board Edger: Why Every Sawyer Needs One

If you own a portable sawmill, you probably already know how much time it takes to edge boards after the initial cuts. A board edger isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s as essential as your sawmill itself. This one tool can double your production and increase the value of every log you process.

Save Time and Maximize Lumber Yield

Think about this: Edging with your sawmill can take as long as sawing the log into flitches and boards in the first place. Next time you’re milling, try timing each step. You’ll likely see that edging eats up 50% of your work time. Because it’s such a time-consuming process, many sawyers end up cutting thicker slabs just to avoid edging. But when you skip proper edging, you lose usable lumber that could have become 1x4s or 1x6s.

A dedicated sawmill edger solves this problem. By making clean, precise edges quickly, you can reclaim lumber you’d otherwise waste—turning more of your logs into valuable, finished boards.

Shop Cook’s Edgers – The Smartest Investment for Your Sawmill

How an Edger Helps You Produce Straight, Quality Boards

Beyond saving time, a board edger improves the quality of your lumber. Here’s a common scenario: You square up a cant at 12 inches wide and plan to cut 2x6s. If you split the cant right in half, you’re almost guaranteed to get warped boards. That’s because putting heartwood on the edge causes bowing—sometimes up to 6 inches over a 16-foot length. And no one wants to build with crooked boards.

Instead, try this approach:

• Saw boards from the sides of the cant, keeping the heartwood centered.

• Gradually reduce the cant to 6 inches wide by slicing off 2” or 1” thick pieces.

• Flip the cant on its side and cut your final 2x6s top to bottom.

This method keeps the heart in the center, resulting in straight, stable lumber. Finally, run your side boards through the edger to clean up the edges and bring everything to uniform size. This strategy works with any cant larger than your target board width.

More Lumber, Less Time, Greater Profit

You might be surprised by how much extra lumber you can produce just by adding an edger to your setup. And when you consider how much faster you can work, it’s clear why so many sawyers say an edger pays for itself. Your time is your most valuable resource—don’t waste it re-edging boards on your mill.

When you combine a portable sawmill with a quality edger, you’ll:

• Increase lumber yield

• Produce higher-quality boards

• Speed up production

• Boost your profits

The Best Investment You’ll Make for Your Sawmill Business

A board edger isn’t just an accessory. It’s one of the smartest investments you can make if you want to get the most out of your logs and your time. Whether you’re running a full-time lumber business or milling on weekends, an edger helps you work faster, waste less, and maximize the value of every board you cut.

Ready to take your production to the next level? Explore our line of reliable, easy-to-use board edgers and see how quickly they pay for themselves.

At Cook’s Saw, we’re dedicated to helping you succeed with reliable equipment and exceptional support every step of the way.

Contact us to begin your journey with Cook's Saw.

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