Logs to Lumber - An aerial journey through the sawmill

This is the third installment of the Vaagen Brothers Lumber "Start to Finish" video series.
UAV footage takes you up close and personal through the complete sawmilling process that we use at our Colville mill. Hold on tight and see if you can follow along with the tour.

[@SawmillJourneys]

Outstanding! The sawmill process was so satisfying to watch. The way the logs are cut with precision is impressive. I learned something new today about sawmilling. I can't wait to see more videos. Please keep sharing these awesome videos!

[@debbie3218]

I'm watching this because I'm incredibly fascinated by it. When you make the first cut into a log, you get to see the beauty of it.

[@orotewilderness2913]

The logging industry has come a long way! Incredible feats of engineering and hard work! This is so cool!

[@atlantic_love]

Yeah, pretty soon it will be run by robots. Bet you love that, too, huh?

[@mtamech535]

@@atlantic_love Yes!

[@Winterascent]

@@atlantic_love It basically already is.

[@atlantic_love]

@@Winterascent That's sad. I miss the old days (old enough to call them that lol) when, well.....I'm old.

[@atlantic_love]

@@mtamech535 That's sad.

[@EnGammalAmazon]

As someone who grew up in the lumber and logging industries and worked in nearly every aspect of the forest industries, I deeply appreciate the ingenuity, design and implementation of the Vaagen Brothers mill. Congratulations to you for a world class mill and world class presentation of it.

[@CowboyCarCrushing]

Are the big chains on the "claw" to keep it from opening too far?

[@EnGammalAmazon]

@@CowboyCarCrushing I have not gone back to see the video again, but I think I know what you're talking about. What those are there fore is to apply downward pressure on the lift of logs as the grapple closes. this makes for a tight load as they move the logs to the deck and helps straighten out any logs that get crossed up. Let me know if you think this answers the question for you. If not, give me a time into the video so I can cruise over to see it again.

[@CowboyCarCrushing]

@@EnGammalAmazon Thank you so much. I thought being a year out it was a shot in the dark. Super Awesome you replying. I like heavy equipment and have limited exposure. But i will ask and keep learning. Thank you 👍. The conveyor system is just freaking awesome. The way it kicks out a log. How much weight is that? Anyway, I'm a small loader operator and moving any weight around is a challenge. I like the big Iron and cables and machine and a person can get in tune with it all. It's pure dominance of us (human beings) finding a way to do things the best we can. So the chains keep the top logs from being loose?

[@EnGammalAmazon]

@@CowboyCarCrushing Yes, I believe it is. If you think this mill is interesting, you should see some of the mills in Sweden. I used to work at a job that required that I visit all the mills in northern Europe once a month to check on their lumber grading of anything that was being shipped to the US. One of my mills was the largest sawmill in Sweden and on the adjacent site was the fifth largest pulp mill in the world. To meet the people the run operations like these is pretty amazing. We could learn a lot from the Nordics on just about any topic you choose. They have really figured out how to make a society work. The Swedes are incredibly active in creating new products in just about any industry. I am of Swedish and German ancestry and love being over there. Just being there I have come to realize why I think and act the way I do. I enjoyed it so much that I just bought a small farm over there and I'm moving over this coming year. There is a lot of what I love to do in just the area where I'll be living. Probably the biggest draw for me are the amazingly interesting and generous people I've come to know there. I encourage Americans to get out of the country at least once or twice in their lives for several weeks at a time and simply take a road trip. Stop when you see something interesting and ask questions. you will be amazed.

[@CowboyCarCrushing]

@@EnGammalAmazon spent 8 years in army. Went to a couple of war zones but everything else i visited was Awesome. You are exactly right. Visiting other places has done nothing but enrich my life. I've always tried to learn something of the host nations language. Met some girls and tasted some awesome food. Seen new things that i didn't reject. I applied it to my life. Made me the Cowboy i am today. I'm an International Cowboy

[@malacki6554]

Why would anyone dislike this,it's just a simple,informative video describing the processing of logs to lumber.

[@computer2492]

Tree huggers who are sitting in a wooden house at a wooden table in a wooden chair.

[@jklbubbublkj7939]

agreed. those environmentalists killed my home town in Oregon. used to be dozens of mills, hundreds of trucks goin through town each day. then, they found an owl. shut everything down. now only a couple dosen trucks and 2 mills remain, along with a dead town. i hate the EPA.

[@jklbubbublkj7939]

well for one, I'm not a dinosaur, two, without the logging industry your life would drastically change, three, logging is actually clean and helpful. it creates fire lines, clears brush, and help prevent disease

[@steeldriver5338]

@Dr Moriarty You do realize that it's due to the logging companies that forest coverage has increased on the NA continent, right? You don't know what the hell you're talking about

[@2Phast4Rocket]

@@steeldriver5338 : Moronriaty is one of those envirowackos who love trees than human. They don't wan to know the truth about logging increases the health of the forest or the forest in NA is greater than it was before. The rather see massive out of controlled forest fire than sound forest management.

[@brainsironically]

For every ten "stupid ass" drone videos, there is one like this that is absolutely amazing. Great vid!

[@oranaenterprises]

Takes some ballsy flying operating a drone in a big steel shed... compass gets all confused and they can get a mind of their own!... it is a great video

[@vincentzimka3819]

PArlamentni listy

[@KandiKlover]

It's not a drone. It's a fad quadcopter.

[@Darwizzinho]

thani

[@tomnovak7731]

I worked in the Ione mill from '89 until it shut down in '95. I never got the opportunity to tour the Colville plant. Thanx for the very well done drone production. Very classy. The automation of this plant (especially versus the Ione mill) leaves many in awe.

[@SawmillJourneys]

Amazing! The sawmill process was so satisfying to watch. The precision in handling those logs is unmatched. Great insights into the sawmill process. Excited for more sawmill-related content. Keep up the great work!

[@legomasterkyle1017]

This video is the first video on KZbin that has made me satisfied and has made me go and do something else for awhile

[@vaagenbrotherslumber5471]

LegoMaster 101 Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video. Take care

[@cakeinthenight5749]

wow the engineering that went into making this automated processing is mind blowing to me.

[@annmanu]

+cake in the night absolutely, exactly what i thought!

[@nasreenalisayyad6513]

cake in the night u

[@Drakey_Fenix]

It's needed to have automation. It's much cheaper then having people do the work plus you'll get the same perfect result in all the batches.

[@csmith6237]

I was thinking the same, many years of working out the kinks I'm sure

[@wijnandvredenbregt4302]

@@LegendLength 9

[@gtaylor2770]

What an amazing operation. It's hard to believe they can get any lumber at all out of some of those sticks. Which, I guess, is a real testament to the HewSaw's abilities.

[@shanidar]

Well done video...multiple steps, complex process boiled down to an enjoyable view, and an appropriate sound track. Thank you.

[@blackemmons]

That was interesting and I love those aerial shots. Great views one would never see from ground level. A whole different feeling. JimE

[@jasonfryling7577]

Man i always watch this when im feelin homesick been away 4 years now and still miss seein that big ol crane on my way to the store or the constant beeping you hear from the yard and the fresh smell of cedar constantly lingering ill go back home one day

[@robcur3151]

this was a theater of operational excellence. The skill and workmanship that went into the design and detail of the operation shows passion. Well done rob from aus

[@theforester_]

Gday mate lets put another shrimp on the barbie

[@cuddlemuffin.9545]

And a hella lot of money

[@afnDavid]

Just Wow! This is a very well done video of the process. I also must say that the working conditions look a ton safer and cleaner than the mills we had here in Florida back in the 70's and 80's that I worked at.

[@SegoMan]

Thanks for reminding the common folk where products come from, so few people have a grasp where things come from.

[@shpensive]

The reason so few people have a grasp of where things come from is because of operations like this... think about it.

[@oby-1607]

Nice well kept place. You can see they have spent some real money investing here. I have driven by this operation in Coville WA a zillion times hauling a load out of Spokane but this is the best view I have had of it. Thanks for sharing.

[@mtl-ss1538]

Hauling in NZ . kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGOVgY2oe56lbcU .2020 haulage. 57 tons. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJWvfKesZciSprs .. highway haulage..50T kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4KZoIOnqceFp6s . NZ-Timber trucks 150T kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXithapmbN6FfMk .. 57T chip hauler . kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3q7oI2wm6d9gZI ..200 ton off highway loggers , kzbin.info/www/bejne/nV6ln6qvd7Bofs0 .Classic chip trucking.39T

[@iangill6292]

Great descriptor of timber processing... amazing quantities. I used the video in class with a dozen 14 year olds and it kept them quiet!!!

[@ZteveW]

Thank you for NOT playing rock and roll! I could watch this all day.

[@Dgc-vz2bv]

Zt Weve Rock n Roll is life you uncultured swine.

[@Pauljohn696969]

That has to be one of the best videos I've seen on Lumber production.

[@vaughtmailcontractingllc3749]

That was honestly, unbelievable. Nice drone work, as well.

[@theunsent5054]

That was awesome I always wondered how wood was turned into lumber. The facilities look nice too.

[@manoelluisriscado6010]

Sim. Ho brazil. Presiza. Plantar. 05. Veze. Ho. Eucalipto. Pra. Manter. Floresta renovavesi ok

[@watcherdude1330]

Very interesting. Something I never put too much thought into. But yet another incredible operation in the manufacturing industry, that so many people do not understand or appreciate the ever expanding technology that is being used these days. Long gone are the days of heavy manual labor of moving those logs by hand. To me it's just mind boggling to see the machines in use these days in the factories. And then to think of how EACH machine in these factories was made in yet another factory. Technology is a never-ending, amazing thing.

[@journeystarr]

Former Colville resident here. I can still hear the beep boop of the crane as it moves in the yard. Great vid!

[@benb5430]

I use to work for them in republic

[@carrollcameron7472]

State of the art. Nothing goes as waste. Kudos to Vaagen Brothers!

[@dleland71]

The video is VERY well done! Thanks.

[@lindsayhengehold5341]

Love the logging industry & lumber jacks & lumbar yards!

[@bohhica1]

This is really awesome and I will be looking for more of this type videos, Thanks y’all, great job !👍👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@richardgrumpywelsh2485]

I have watched your videos for several years, they are great

[@SawdustStories-ny]

Incredible! I learned a great deal from this video. The precision and expertise in handling these huge logs are impressive. The clarity and detail in this video are excellent. I can't wait for your next upload. Keep producing such fantastic content!

[@WoodworkWhispers]

Exceptional! I was thoroughly impressed by the sawmilling techniques shown. The skill displayed in processing these huge logs is amazing. The clarity and detail in this video are outstanding. I can't wait for your next video. Keep up the superb work!

[@johnroberts9560]

Wow , that's a lot of lumber , I can watch this video all day long , thanks for showing us how they turn trees into lumber ! 👍😃🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

[@zloewen]

Respekt den Konstrukteuren solcher Anlagen ☝️

[@tomatoes3]

Fantastic video, what a set up to get that to flow so well, an engineers marvel .

[@kenrussell1093]

Thats what I was thinking, the complexity and precision was on a par with the Apollo space program.

[@tomatoes3]

@@kenrussell1093 Think your right there Ken. Regards John.

[@mheiss5004]

Great video! I have been trying to write a fictional piece about logging for awhile. This helped open doors to other videos and gave a better look at how sawmills actually operate.

[@WoodworkWhispers]

Outstanding! This video gave me a new perspective on sawmilling. The skill displayed in processing these huge logs is amazing. This video is extremely clear and well-made. I can't wait for your next video. Keep producing such fantastic content!

[@alexanderkoschenow2229]

It wasn’t till I watched this I realised how far behind the technology is at the sawmill I work at. We still stack by hand!

[@Fernandoh183]

I use to work at a small family owned sawmill here in Deep East Texas that started back in the 1980s, and even after 40+ years we still had to stack by hand.

[@tonymartin4255]

done saw milling all my life best spread I've ever seen kudos vaagen bros

[@johnmoore8016]

This is one hell of an operation from the start to the finish. thanks.

[@kaniapermadani4443]

Outstanding! I learned something new and interesting. It's fascinating to watch how you manage these giant pieces of wood. The clarity and detail in this video are amazing. Looking forward to your next upload. Keep producing such great content!

[@tractorsmachinesro1405]

ABsolute amazing work....Big like from Romania👍💖👀🤝

[@someasiandude4797]

Watching industry is always a good experience

[@predaking79]

Who else is watching this for school?

[@isaacarden2705]

Me

[@Dxacoe]

Me 😔

[@cpmbros_98]

Me

[@Thattruckerkid]

Nope. Thickin that skin 🐱 generation

[@Faith-qf2tt]

Currently failing my dt 😂😂😂😂😂

[@TomBrooklyn]

Awesome operation, Vaagen. Good job. Nice video work, too.

[@johnmyers6097]

I've seen a lot of mills but nothing like this. FANTASTIC operation. I would love to see it in real life

[@CaptainGancena]

This may sound silly, but I'd really like to thank you. I'm a writer of fanfiction and I'm trying to work on a scene that takes place in and around a logging plant, but I only had an idea of how it could work. Turns out this particular sawmill matches what I was trying to grasp at, and I already have a much better idea of how to go about the scene. Thank you for providing such valuable information!

[@philbradeen8312]

Glad to hear it helped you out. Let me know if you have any more questions

[@Quadflash]

The lumber ballet. Beautiful!

[@rubensanchez1797]

beautiful, efficient, high tech, smooth, intelligent operations.... thumb up.....

[@belfast479]

Fantastic operation. Thanks for sharing.

[@peterr6177]

Fantastic. I can almost smell the lumber

[@rustyspo0ns]

What a marvel. Thank you for the amazing footage.

[@godbluffvdgg]

That gantry is an awesome yard tool! Killer editing and upload too!

[@joshmeyer1167]

the first 20 or so seconds looking upwards at the giant crane thing. the blue box at the top of the stairs (attached to the crane) is that a port-a-potty?

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Nope...shitter

[@tomnovak7731]

Yes it is. Saves the operator having to traverse 75 feet of stairs down and back up to use the john. And it doesn't kill production for fifteen minutes while he's out.

[@emperorturtlez481]

i have a chrome extension that tells you how many dislikes there are on videos and for some reason (at the time this comment was written) about 1.7K stupid people didn't like this, this is a really cool video and it's amazing to see behind the scenes of how the wood from trees becomes smooth wooden planks, i never knew there was such a big process.

[@JSBIRD69]

WOW! I'm using products exactly like this now in Colorado, and kinda wondered how it got from tree to bunk to my hand. Now I know!! Many thanks for your enlightening video!

[@J_D_Adama]

As a craftsman who uses hand tools to hew and prepare timber. The speed that these logs are processed is staggering. Very impressive to see as I had no idea the vast amount of machines used to sort and shape the timber. Not as satisfying as working by hand tho IMO

[@tomhoyer2313]

Top level video for technique ,conten,t and style. Vaagen makes it look easy. 4 stars

[@kekoamaunakea4473]

🎙💨Worked for Home Depot lumber dept. and Terry’s lumber a local lumber yard in my neighborhood. Learned so much, terry’s was a truss yard also, I worked the Miter saw table and framed a little when one of the carpenters was absent. Good life experience. Great video thanks for the journey Ikaika Shawn.

[@anthonya1158]

I love Terry's in Peninsula

[@mejaz98]

😢I saw this in school and watching it again pureely for the beat lmao

[@sparks1504]

beautifully done from start to finished product

[@guymcelwee334]

Thanks for this video nice to see the whole process and what it takes to change logs into lumber.

[@briankeller9424]

LARGE GOLD MINING EQUIPMENT

[@sushilkoirala6645]

very clear and informative prog.

[@believeme5903]

Very well done video, the best I have seen having worked in such a place as this in Canada.

[@teacherannevlog8846]

T

[@BobcatMartin]

Wow I was enthralled the whole video! Very well done video and what a operation you have going on. Very impressive! Thanks for sharing.

[@bgoggin88]

Most epic saw mill music ever.

[@901EE]

What a great operation at Vaagen Brothers there in Colville!

[@energyoneeighty2887]

Whos watching this in 2021 when lumber prices are out of this world right now lol

[@mmmm69420]

Man, it's RIDICULOUS

[@mmmm69420]

I needed six 2x4x8's and It cost me $50!!!!!

[@bourbonsteak]

Same. Got a few decent pallets in my garage and hoping no one lifts them, lol.

[@bob-iv4ss]

Same

[@AmplifiedGamerEXTRA]

No wonder it's so priced when we cut down entire forests for chairs and tables

[@3arlskii]

This was awesome. First time watching the whole process. Amazing work. Cheers!

[@BIGFACTSENT]

Back in 1998 when i worked we had to sort the lumber ourselves stacking them on long steel carts, some of those logs were heavy asf

[@GlitchE1]

great video! I've seen it from the road many times but it was cool to see this mill from an aerial view.

[@mariarosaherrero6734]

.

[@annmanu]

Thats just amazing!! mordern technology has made the job so much easier compared to back in the day! wow! thanks for sharing

[@daddyrabbit835]

Great job, nice flying.

[@kennethjones3337]

That was a great video for 5 minutes perfect.

[@Caleta280]

Thank you lumber. Now drop your prices!

[@barrym4079]

Great video. I finally get to see the crazy guy with the stapler that put 300 staples in the lumber tarps. lol Us carpenters have to remove all those staples.

[@tomnovak7731]

I used to be both of those guys. Wrapping units and doing carpentry. All the staples should be into the end grain, so I don't think they all have to be removed. 😉

[@GriffinBenchmark]

This is fantastic! I'll be calling you guys from my day job to see if you need help finding back haul trucks to move product for your customers! 😉😆👍👊

[@westformanagementinc3319]

Great view! Thanks for sharing!

[@hydraulics]

these look a lot nicer than the hockey sticks they sell at my local yard

[@discoverykai1547]

*Logs to Lumber - An aerial journey through the sawmill" takes viewers on a fascinating journey through the process of turning logs into lumber. The aerial footage showcases the sawmill's various stages, from the initial arrival of the logs to the final cutting and stacking of the finished lumber. The video is accompanied by informative narration that explains each step of the process, providing valuable insights into the machinery and techniques used in the sawmill industry. The aerial perspective of the video offers a unique and captivating view of the sawmill operation, allowing viewers to appreciate the scale and intricacy of the process. This video is an excellent resource for those interested in the sawmill industry or woodworking, providing a comprehensive overview of the process from start to finish. Overall, "Logs to Lumber - An aerial journey through the sawmill" is an informative and visually stunning video that offers a fascinating glimpse into the sawmill industry.*

[@miriammunoz32]

Thanks for posting this, I will be showing it in my manufacturing class as an example of primary processing.

[@brucea9871]

Amazing automated process but what caught my eye near the beginning were the huge piles of logs in the background.

[@tejaspics]

Good work! Great dronage and excellent facility tour.

[@JeffS96]

I drive for a certain green coloured Canadian outfit, and I've pulled both chips and lumber out of this mill, as well as lumber out of the midway mill. Really cool to see what the behind the scenes looks like.

[@cliffgresham3234]

Im in the American southeast and I work for a certain green colored Canadian outfit

[@pltking]

Great product, well presented

[@kenrussell1093]

I had a side business cutting dead hardwood and cedar off of a ranch, and worked my ass off at it for several years. Then when I saw the massive amount of timber, and the precise operation, I had to laugh at the thought that I once called myself a lumberjack😏 But then again, mine was really more of a hobby, and I couldn't call it work, because I loved doing it so much!

[@finster101]

That was very interesting to watch. Neat angles and views. Thanks for sharing

[@cambleg]

Wow. I pull on the planer chain at a super old school mill and this is just a whole different world.

[@ryangemser7965]

Damn that place looks damn efficient amazing video mill I worked at sometimes handles the log up to 6 times

[@thek988]

wow was awesome, the machines were amazing

[@finaladvance5085]

Lumber workers please answer, whats the purpose of that large chain on the claw thing, and why are all lumberjackers always depicted as wearing checkered shirts?

[@tomnovak7731]

It stabilizes the individual logs in the grapple. It keeps them from tipping and sliding out endwise.

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

All the excess heat can probably heat a large green house or the rest of the factory.

[@marc.sw20]

Nice vid, I work at a sawmill and I like to see how each one is different

[@raccoons392]

Thank you for a very interesting video! Norm from Toronto

[@mikemyers5665]

I haul logs out of the woods every day to the saw mills in Southeast Oklahoma

[@terryrack2534]

from new Zealand where every port is full of export logs waiting for ships this is amazing. sawn timber is so expensive here.

[@wartoorder3555]

Great. The trees need to be felled as soon as possible so that not one is left. Good work!

[@glennsmith2896]

What an amazing operation 👍👌 I would love to have the opportunity to visit that wood Mill, or better yet have the opportunity to work in that lumber yard WOW 👍👌😎.

[@joshuayoung1935]

what a fine mill that is

[@coyoteguyke]

Impressive factory and video !