“This is your absolute basic sawmill, which is why you get it so cheap. Great for someone who just wants to cut a little bit of wood and not get into regular production, which is exactly what I wanted. It cuts true, a nice smooth board. That little 7 HP engine has to grunt when making a full cut, but it gets the job done.
One complaint - it's supposed to be able to take an 18 inch log, but there isn't nearly enough room between the log clamps and the rest to hold a log at that size. Also greasing instructions are confusing, I can't figure out how to do it.”
Thank you for your purchase of the Frontier OS18 and for taking the time to leave a review. We're delighted to hear that you're satisfied with the sawmill's performance and that it meets your needs.
To address your concern about the log size, the OS18 is designed to handle an 18" diameter log on the log bed. This allows for an opening face cut on the top of the log and subsequent processing of boards with a maximum cut width of 16", which is the distance between the blade guides.
Regarding the greasing instructions, we apologize for any confusion. Please feel free to reach out to our customer service team for detailed guidance and support at 1-855-880-7152 (or +1-705-325-0030 for international clients) or by email at info@FrontierSawmills.com.
Thank you once again for your purchase and your valuable feedback.
Happy sawing!
Frontier Sawmills
“Only cut one 17"popple tree, not sure how you can cut 18" because this seemed max. Higher important things on the to do least right now. Was fun and have lots of ideas. Bought the small portable but think I will end up getting bigger. HIGHLY recomend! Great people to deal with.”
“Although I think the tracks, bunks and frame are well built, there's a lot to be said about how cheaply some parts are. The water valve was cheap and broke within a week, the clutch didn't have a shaft screw and lock washer and it came off. Moat bolts should have came with lockwashers because the vibration loosens everything. Have yet to receive my permanent heat shield, the cheap foil tape has already burnt and came off. Why not just install the permanent heat shield with the purchase? Better to invest in the 9+ hp range. The 7 hp bogs down through any knot......still waiting for the heat shield. Very disappointed in the service and quality. I'll definitely be looking to a new company when I upgrade that's for sure.”
We appreciate your detailed feedback and have forwarded your comments to our product team for further review. We want you to know that the heat shield on the OS18 has been modified, and new models now include this improvement. Your heat shield upgrade was sent separately, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Regarding the OS18's power source, the original Norwood sawmill, designed by Peter Dale, operated on a 7 HP engine and was so successful that it launched the entire line and revolutionized the portable sawmill industry. The OS18 has been designed and tested for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. A heavier engine was tested but added too much weight, compromising this key functionality.
Knots can be challenging even for experienced sawyers, requiring practice and technique to handle effectively. To start, keep your blades sharp and slow down slightly before hitting the knot.
We offer several heavier-duty options with bigger engines in our Frontier and Norwood line-up. The OS23, for example, provides exceptional value with more powerful engine options and greater log weight capacity.
Thank you for your understanding and we are here to help with any further questions or concerns.
Best regards,
Frontier Sawmills
