Frugal Woodworking

If you already have a bandsaw, it can be pretty easy to create a sled or jig to allow you to turn logs into dimensional lumber. This can be a great way to turn found wood into nearly free lumber.
Here are two simple approaches. The size of the log is limited by what you can safely lift and support on your bandsaw, and the resaw capacity of your bandsaw.
Here are a couple of easy to build jigs.

This first one is really simple, but it does rely on your bandsaw’s rip or resaw fence which may be too much to ask of the fence for large logs.

americanwoodworker.com/blogs/tips/archive/2009/01/29/Simple-Lumber-Maker.aspx

This next one is a little bit more complicated using a pipe clamp, but it requires only a miter slot on your bandsaw table.

www.timberframe-tools.com/tools/bandsaw-milling-sled/

When milling logs, a good resaw blade is key to getting good results.  I’ve had excellent results from my Woodslicer blades, but if your logs are less dry, you may want to go with a blade designed for cutting green wood.

Frame saws are usually pretty inexpensive to build.  The hardware is typically the most expensive.  I’ve seen people use eye-bolts with a slot cut down the middle to hold and  position the blade, but this very clever use by Sean Hellman makes that even easier.  He uses a large cotter pin to hold the blade and allow the blade to be turned when tension is released.

Sean Hellman’s Frame Saw with split pins