The latest update for 99 Nights in the Forest introduced several new structures hidden throughout the map, but one of the most useful additions is the Sawmill. While it may look like just another abandoned building at first, this structure can help players get more value from every tree they cut down.
If you’re trying to upgrade your campfire faster or save resources during longer runs, learning how the Sawmill works is definitely worth your time. In this guide, we’ll explain where to find the Sawmill, how to activate it, and why many players consider it one of the best structures added in the update.
Where to Find the Sawmill
The Sawmill is located deep within the forest and usually won’t appear near your starting area. To reach it, you’ll need to progress through several campfire levels and continue exploring new sections of the map.
Many players have reported finding the Sawmill near some of the late-game areas and larger structures. Because of this, it helps to unlock more of the map before actively searching for it. Bringing food, weapons, and healing items is also recommended since dangerous enemies can appear in these regions.
The building itself looks abandoned and contains machinery that can eventually be used to process wood.
How to Activate the Sawmill
When you first arrive, the Sawmill may not be operational. Players have discovered that the machine contains a power box that needs to be activated before it can process logs.
Once powered on, the machine will show signs of activity and become ready to use. Some parts of the activation process are still being explored by the community, but interacting with the machinery and restoring power is the first step toward getting the Sawmill running.
If the machine stops working, you may need to investigate the power source again before it can be used another time.
How to Use the Sawmill
After the Sawmill is active, using it is fairly simple.
Take a regular wood log and place it into the machine. The Sawmill will process the log and turn it into wooden planks. Instead of getting a one-to-one conversion, players can receive multiple planks from a single log.
This means every tree you chop can provide more usable resources than before.
The process is quick and can save a significant amount of farming time during longer survival runs.
Why the Sawmill Is Important
The main reason players want access to the Sawmill is efficiency. Since one log can produce multiple planks, your overall wood supply lasts much longer.
Benefits of using the Sawmill include:
- More resources from every tree
- Faster campfire upgrades
- Easier base progression
- Reduced time spent gathering wood
- Better preparation for later days
Because wood is one of the most important materials in the game, increasing its value can make a huge difference during long survival sessions.
The Sawmill is easily one of the most useful structures introduced in the latest 99 Nights in the Forest update. Although it can take some time to locate and activate, the ability to convert logs into additional planks makes resource gathering much more efficient. If you’re planning to survive longer, upgrade your campfire quickly, or build a stronger base, finding and using the Sawmill should be one of your top priorities during every run.