The concept Peterson Portable Sawmills use a unique process where a power head drives atungsten-tippedcircular blade through a log, which then rotates 90 degrees to achieve both horizontal and vertical cuts, in order to free a perfectlydimensionedpiece of timber from the log. A rise and fall mechanism is mounted within a carriage which is pushed and pulled upon parallel tracks over a stationary log. The first cut To start a log, the blade unit is positioned at the top left of the log, with the blade in a horizontal position. The operator gently pushes the mill frame through the log to affect the first cut. Carriage movement through the log requires about 10 lbs. pressure as you are letting the blade do most of the work. A simple hand movement swings and locks the cutting unit into a vertical position, which is then pulled back down the log. Due to the originality of the design, no special locking mechanisms are required, making the whole process quick and simple – many of our customers comment on how easy it is to use in comparison to other brands! The return cut The operator now pulls the unit back through the log in the vertical position to complete a cut. Your dimensional board is now free for removal, and fullyedged! Once a row of cuts across thelog facehas been completed, the entire unit is lowered to the desired depth of the next cut. This is done using a simple hand or electric winch, and takes about 5-10 seconds. One of its many strengths is the Peterson's ability to handle a wide variety of cuts. These steps are repeated until you have only a thin firewood slab remaining at the bottom of the log - you have no need to move the log at any time during the whole sawing process. The concept is extremely inventive, but surprisingly simple. Running a single blade instead of two at once also means you do not need a huge motor, which reduces both overall costs and weight.