The MechMaxx sawmill lineup covers one basic sawmill design in five sizes, from an 18-inch entry model to a 36-inch model that cuts full width. That part is straightforward. What isn't straightforward is Amazon's own listing structure for these mills, which bundles review counts across sizes and buries a real engine choice inside dropdown menus most buyers never open. Before comparing sizes, it's worth understanding both, because they matter more to what you'll get than the size number in the title.
The star rating you're looking at probably isn't just for the size you want
MechMaxx lists its 18, 22, 26, and 32 inch mills as size variants on shared Amazon listings, so the same 4.6 star rating and the same 48 review count show up on all four sizes. That's not a red flag on its own, since reviews of the same basic mill design at a different scale are still relevant, but it does mean the star rating you see isn't specific to the exact size you're about to buy. Read a handful of the actual reviews rather than trusting the aggregate number, and look for ones that mention your specific size. The 36 inch MAX models are a separate listing family with their own review pool, currently 4.4 stars across 37 ratings, so that number is real to that model specifically.
The MechMaxx Sawmill Lineup: Five Sizes, One Basic Design
| Model | Standard engine | Max log diameter | Max board width | Track length | Current price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM-18 | 212cc, 7 HP recoil | 18" | 15" | 10' | Check price |
| SM-22 | 274cc, 8.1 HP, recoil | 22" | 18" | 13' | Check price |
| SM-26 | 459cc, 15 HP electric start | 26" | 20" | 13' | Check price |
| SM-32 | 420cc, 15 HP electric start | 32" | 26.5" | 13' | Check price |
| SM-36MAX | 750cc, 25 HP V-twin | 36" | 36" | 20' | Check price |
Notice the gap between log diameter and board width on every size except the 36-inch model. The SM-32 accepts a 32-inch log but only cuts 26.5 inches of usable board, a 5.5-inch gap that's bigger than on any of the smaller sizes. That's normal for this class of mill and not a defect, but it means the size number in the model name overstates what you'll get in finished lumber on every size except the top one.
The real upgrade that matters isn't size. It's engine brand
Every MechMaxx size from the SM-26 up is also sold with a Kohler or Honda engine instead of the standard house-brand engine, at a higher price. The SM-26 jumps up considerably with a Kohler CH440 version, and the SM-32 is offered with the same Kohler engine or a Honda GX390, as listed on MechMaxx's own site and on Amazon. That's a meaningful jump for what looks, at a glance, like the same mill.
It isn't quite the same mill, though the difference isn't cutting performance. It's what happens when something breaks. Kohler and Honda both run extensive small-engine dealer and parts networks across the US, the kind where a local shop can source a carburetor kit or a starter assembly without a special order. The standard engines on the base-price models are capable but come from brands without that same dealer footprint here, so a warranty claim or a parts order is more likely to route back through MechMaxx directly rather than a shop down the road. For a mill you'll run occasionally, that's a real but manageable tradeoff. For a mill that's going to see regular use, the parts-network gap is worth the extra few hundred to over a thousand dollars, especially on the models where the jump also brings electric start.
The one model where the board matches the log
Every size below the SM-36MAX cuts less board width than the log diameter it accepts. The SM-36MAX is the exception: 36 inches of log capacity and 36 inches of board width, matched. If wide slabs or full-diameter boards are the point of buying a mill rather than a side benefit, weigh that gap on the smaller sizes against the SM-36MAX's higher price and larger footprint before you buy based on log diameter alone.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the SM-18 or SM-22 if you're milling firewood-diameter logs off your own property and want the lowest real entry cost into a bandsaw mill, not a chainsaw attachment. The SM-22's recoil start is a minor inconvenience at that price point, not a reason to skip it.
Buy the SM-26 if you want electric start and a real step up in log capacity for a few hundred dollars more. It's the size where MechMaxx's own jump from recoil to electric start happens, and that alone is worth a lot once you've fought a cold engine on a rope pull a few times.
Consider the Kohler or Honda engine upgrade on the SM-26 or SM-32 if this mill will see regular, ongoing use rather than the occasional weekend project. The parts-network difference grows over years of use in a way it won't over a handful of logs.
Buy the SM-36MAX if full board width matters more than price. It's the only size in this lineup that doesn't lose usable width, and the 25 HP V-twin engine is built for the larger logs that capacity is meant to handle.
Whichever size you land on, read the actual reviews on the listing rather than just the star count. Four different sizes share that number. Check current stock and price before buying since Amazon's pricing on these listings moves with promotions more than most tools in this category. If you're weighing this against a competing brand rather than just a size within the MechMaxx sawmill lineup, our MechMaxx vs BILT HARD comparison lines up the two head to head, and our budget sawmill guide covers where these mills land against other budget-tier brands.
Quick answers
Why do several MechMaxx sawmill sizes show the same star rating and review count?
MechMaxx lists its 18-, 22-, 26-, and 32-inch mills as size variants on shared Amazon listings, so they share one review pool. The 4.6-star, 48-review figure spans all four sizes rather than being specific to any one of them. The 36-inch MAX models are a separate listing with their own review count.
Is the Kohler or Honda engine upgrade on a MechMaxx sawmill worth the extra cost?
If the mill will see regular, ongoing use, yes. Kohler and Honda both have extensive small-engine parts and dealer networks in the US, so warranty claims and parts orders are easier to handle locally. For occasional use, the standard house-brand engine is a reasonable and cheaper choice.
Which MechMaxx sawmill cuts a board as wide as the log it accepts?
Only the SM-36MAX. Every smaller size, from the SM-18 through the SM-32, cuts a board narrower than its rated log diameter, with the gap growing larger on bigger models.
What's the cheapest real MechMaxx sawmill?
The SM-22 is currently the lowest-priced model in the lineup, slightly under the SM-18 despite its larger 22-inch log capacity, since MechMaxx's promotional pricing varies by size and doesn't always track model numbers in order.