Abstract: A sawmill serving to cut logs into lengths which will allow for maximum use of the wood has a support for the log to be sawn. A number of saws are arranged alongside the supported log for individual lateral movement longitudinally of the log. Associated with the support is a locating device for determining the position of the log end relative to a reference datum line extending across the support. An electronic scanner surveys the log as it is delivered to the support and obtains log profile data which is fed to a computer. The computer has a memory in which is stored desirable cutting data as related to the reference datum line and the log profile data. A signal is sent by the computer to each of the saws whereupon the saws take up positions which will result in the log being cut into optimum random lengths.