This handbook is intended as a guide for entrepreneurs who wish to generate income for themselves by sawing lumber and other products using portable bandsaw-type sawmills, either on a part-time or full-time basis. The handbook is based on a series of case studies of successful sawmill operators located throughout eastern Canada. This approach permittted FERIC staff to study a variety of equipment and operating techniques and to make recommendations on how to improve sawing efficiency and reduce costs. The study also determined that since 1982, when the first portable bandsaw mills were introduced, there have been many design improvements made by the manufacturers which have resulted in higher productivity, greater mechanical reliability and lower operating costs.