Choosing between the lumber tycoon 2 sawmax 01 and the Sawmax 02 shapes how quickly you turn raw logs into sellable planks, which directly determines whether you hit the lumber tycoon 2 1m money milestone in days or weeks. The Sawmax series represents the core milling progression at Wood R Us, and picking the wrong model for your current wood types wastes thousands of in-game dollars. This guide breaks down exact prices, plank length limits, and the unloader setups that make each sawmill profitable.
Sawmax Series Overview and Wood R Us Pricing
The Sawmax lineup at Wood R Us forms the backbone of any serious milling operation in Lumber Tycoon 2. The original Sawmax 01 serves as the entry-level premium sawmill, while the Sawmax 02 upgrades both cutting capacity and plank cross-section support. According to the community wiki page on Sawmax 02, the Sawmax 02 is described as "a beefy sawmill for super serious saw milling needs," which reflects its role as the mid-tier workhorse before players reach the extended-length Sawmax 02L.
The pricing structure at Wood R Us follows a clear progression curve. The Sawmax 01 costs significantly less than the Sawmax 02, making it the natural first upgrade for players who have outgrown the basic starter sawmill. The Sawmax 02 used to carry a higher price tag until 2018, when the developers adjusted costs to improve game progression pacing. Community reports indicate that the current pricing makes the Sawmax 02 attainable after roughly two to three hours of focused money farming with mid-tier wood types like Fir or Pine.
| Sawmill Model | Location | Max Plank Cross Section | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawmax 01 | Wood R Us | 2 studs | Early-game milling, short planks |
| Sawmax 02 | Wood R Us | 3 studs | Mid-game milling, wider planks |
| Sawmax 02L | Wood R Us | 3 studs (extended length) | Long Koa Wood planks, endgame |
The Sawmax 02L stands apart because it adds extra length capacity rather than just width. This matters enormously for players working with Koa Wood from the Tropics, which grows to lengths that shorter sawmills simply cannot process. The community wiki notes that Koa Wood is most commonly used to fill blueprints rather than for selling, but when you do need to mill it for a blueprint, the 02L's extended bed becomes essential.
Milling Speed and Plank Cross Section Differences
Milling speed differences between the Sawmax 01 and Sawmax 02 are subtle but compound over long sessions. The Sawmax 02 processes logs at a slightly faster rate than the Sawmax 01, though the more significant upgrade is the maximum plank cross section increase from 2 studs to 3 studs. This allows the Sawmax 02 to handle thicker logs that the Sawmax 01 would reject or cut inefficiently.
The practical impact of the cross section upgrade appears most clearly when you compare wood types. Fir Wood from the Taiga biome has a hardness rating of 5.5, which places it in the mid-range for milling difficulty. The Sawmax 01 handles Fir without issue, but when you transition to harder or thicker wood types, the Sawmax 02's 3-stud capacity prevents the frustrating "log too thick" errors that interrupt milling workflows.
| Wood Type | Location | Hardness | Best Sawmill Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fir Wood | Taiga | 5.5 | Sawmax 01 or 02 |
| Koa Wood | Tropics | 6.0 | Sawmax 02L |
| Pine Wood | Taiga | 5.0 | Sawmax 01 |
| Oak Wood | Mainland | 4.5 | Sawmax 01 |
The hardness rating affects how quickly each sawmill cuts through a log. Higher hardness values mean slower cuts and more wear on the blade, which is why the Sawmax 02's improved motor becomes valuable when you start milling harder woods. Players report that the Sawmax 02 cuts Koa Wood roughly 15-20% faster than the Sawmax 01, though this figure comes from community testing rather than official documentation.
Setting Up Your Sawmax with an Unloader
A sawmill alone does not generate income — you need an efficient lumber tycoon 2 unloader setup to move planks from the sawmill to your truck or conveyor system. The unloader attaches to the output side of your Sawmax and automatically transfers cut planks, eliminating the manual carry step that slows down every milling cycle. Without an unloader, you spend nearly as much time walking planks to your vehicle as you do actually cutting wood.
The optimal unloader configuration depends on your sawmill placement. For the Sawmax 01, a simple straight-line unloader works well because the sawmill's output port sits at a standard height. The Sawmax 02 and 02L benefit from an angled unloader that compensates for their slightly higher output position. Players who also invest in a wood dropoff system can chain the unloader directly into a conveyor, creating a fully automated milling line.
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Place the unloader directly against the sawmill's output port to prevent plank gaps
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Use a conveyor after the unloader to route planks toward your truck bed
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For the Sawmax 02L, extend the unloader with additional segments to handle longer planks
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Test the setup with a single log before committing to a full milling session
The lumber tycoon 2 factory concept extends this idea further. A factory setup combines multiple sawmills, unloaders, and conveyors into a single processing line that turns raw logs into stacked planks with minimal player input. While the Sawmax 01 works in a factory, the Sawmax 02's faster cutting speed and wider capacity make it the better choice for high-volume operations.
Sawmax 02L and Long Koa Wood Planks
The Sawmax 02L earns its premium price through one specific capability: milling long Koa Wood planks that other sawmills cannot handle. Koa Wood grows exclusively in the Tropics biome with an average growth time of 19 minutes, making it a relatively slow resource to farm. Its hardness rating of 6.0 places it among the harder woods in the game, which means milling it requires both the right sawmill and patience.
The plank color for Koa Wood registers as 143, 76, 42 in RGB values, giving it a distinctive reddish-brown appearance that blueprint builders value. Because Koa Wood is inefficient for selling due to its location and sell price, most players use it specifically for blueprint completion. The Sawmax 02L's extended bed allows you to cut full-length Koa planks without the awkward mid-cut repositioning that shorter sawmills require.
| Feature | Sawmax 02 | Sawmax 02L |
|---|---|---|
| Max Cross Section | 3 studs | 3 studs |
| Length Capacity | Standard | Extended |
| Best For | General milling | Long Koa Wood planks |
| Price Tier | Mid | High |
| Blueprint Utility | Good | Excellent |
The price difference between the Sawmax 02 and Sawmax 02L reflects this specialized capability. If your current money-making strategy focuses on selling standard woods like Fir or Pine, the Sawmax 02 provides everything you need. The 02L only becomes worth its cost when you regularly work with long tropical woods or complete blueprints that require extended plank lengths. For players chasing the best wood for money, the standard Sawmax 02 often suffices.
Building a Million-Dollar Milling Operation
Reaching the lumber tycoon 2 million mark requires a systematic approach to milling, and your Sawmax choice plays a central role. The most efficient path involves upgrading to the Sawmax 02 as soon as you can afford it, then focusing on high-value wood types that maximize profit per milling cycle. Players who skip the Sawmax 01 entirely and save directly for the Sawmax 02 often reach profitability faster, though the initial grind takes longer.
The lumber tycoon 2 1m money goal breaks down into manageable chunks when you calculate your per-load profit. A full truck of milled Fir planks sells for a predictable amount, and the Sawmax 02's faster cutting speed lets you complete more loads per hour. Community data suggests that a dedicated player running a Sawmax 02 with an unloader and conveyor setup can process 8-12 full truckloads per hour, depending on wood type and travel distance.
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Upgrade to the Sawmax 02 before investing in cosmetic items or secondary tools
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Pair your sawmill with an unloader and conveyor to eliminate manual plank carrying
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Focus on wood types with favorable sell prices relative to their growth time
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Use the best farm locations to minimize travel time between trees and your sawmill
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Reinvest profits into additional sawmills rather than spending on non-essential items
The lumber tycoon 2 factory approach accelerates this timeline further. By running two Sawmax 02 units in parallel, you can process logs from two different wood types simultaneously, effectively doubling your milling throughput. The initial investment is steep, but the payback period shortens dramatically once both sawmills operate at full capacity with unloaders attached.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Sawmax 01 cost in Lumber Tycoon 2?
The Sawmax 01 costs less than the Sawmax 02 at Wood R Us, making it the affordable first upgrade from the starter sawmill. Exact prices vary slightly by server, but community reports consistently place the Sawmax 01 in the low-to-mid thousands of in-game dollars, attainable after roughly one hour of focused wood selling.
Is the Sawmax 02 worth the upgrade from the Sawmax 01?
Yes, because the Sawmax 02 increases the maximum plank cross section from 2 studs to 3 studs and cuts harder woods faster. This upgrade becomes essential when you start milling Fir Wood or harder tropical woods, where the Sawmax 01 struggles with thicker logs and slower cut times.
What is the difference between the Sawmax 02 and Sawmax 02L?
The Sawmax 02L adds extended length capacity to the standard Sawmax 02 design. This extra bed length allows you to mill long Koa Wood planks without repositioning, which is critical for blueprint completion. The 02L costs more and is currently considered the best sawmill in the game.
Do I need an unloader for my Sawmax sawmill?
An unloader is not strictly required, but it dramatically improves efficiency by automatically moving cut planks from the sawmill to a conveyor or truck. Without an unloader, you manually carry each plank, which can consume more time than the actual milling process during long sessions.
Can the Sawmax 01 mill Koa Wood?
The Sawmax 01 can mill shorter Koa Wood pieces, but its 2-stud cross section limit and standard length capacity make it inefficient for full Koa logs. The Sawmax 02L is the recommended sawmill for Koa Wood because its extended bed handles the full log length without requiring awkward mid-cut adjustments.