Turning Rough Sawmill Lumber Into Countertops - Alaska

A general contractor friend of mine needed some work bench / countertops made out of local Alaska birch. It was something he needed done right away and I was able to accommodate.
Making countertops and tables is right in-line with the direction of what I want to do in the new shop. With all the orders for cutting boards I still have not found the time to make some in my style so I jumped at the chance to make these.
Alaskan birch has a reputation of getting really twisted when you cut it up. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to work with. The birch is from a local saw mill here in Big Lake, Alaska and is kiln dried.
Hope you guys and gals like this little video, I am almost done with the huge run of product and will have a video on that soon!
Cheers
New KZbin channel for all my short form content.
/ @devoswoodcraft
Website - www.krisdevo.com/
DeVo's WoodCraft page:
/ devoswoodcraft
/ devoswoodcraft
Contact Kris DeVo: www.krisdevo.com/contact
At the request of a few amazing people I have set up donation links for those who want to take another step in supporting me and this channel.
paypal.me/devoswoodcraft?loca...
/ krisdevoalaska
Tip$, tools, a letter, a postcard or whatnot. My business box to receive mail;
DeVo's WoodCraft
11471 Business BLVD, Unit 773503
Eagle River, AK 99577
USA
My Laguna Tools:
Bandsaw 24x24 bit.ly/3JqBx1m
Planer bit.ly/3CP5Lc1
Air Filtration bit.ly/3ihVkUI
Power Feeder for bandsaw
www.shop.lagunatools.com/Medi...
JLT Panel clamp rack
www.jamesltaylor.com/product_...
TSO Products for Festool tools
tsoproducts.com/
Affiliate links. Doesn't cost you anything and helps my channel if your going to buy anyway. Thank you!
Amazon store - www.amazon.com/shop/devoswood...
An amazing book by Bob Taylor! A must read for makers!
Guitar Lessons: A Life's Journey Turning Passion into Business
amzn.to/39nx9jn
Maverick Abrasives sand paper. Good stuff at a great price.
Use: DEVO10 at check out for 10% off
www.maverickabrasives.com/dis...
Awesome CA glue! StarBond
Use: DEVO10 at check out for 10% off
www.starbond.com/?rfsn=551737...
Glowforge Laser engraver. $125- $500 off glowforge.us/r/JARFHJAT
Powermatic Micro Dust Filter amzn.to/3E0T8dS
Table and blade spray:
Bostik GlideCote amzn.to/3z1jlWg
Bostik Bladecote amzn.to/2WXtN3A
Sandpaper abrasive cleaner stick amzn.to/3mmQZSu
My favorite tape. Best thing ever- amzn.to/3Xw5HYr
3m hearing protection with tunes amzn.to/3uSR0Af
DeWalt folding work table amzn.to/3hMLxH7
Helical head, Shelix from Bird tool. OEM
amzn.to/3uNxF5M
Festool RO 150 sander amzn.to/2WO8DBB
Festool MFT clamp table amzn.to/39hHrlN
Sandpaper storage amzn.to/3iLCEgX
Drum Sander
lagunatools.com/classic/sande...
My little DeWalt planer (I still use this as well) amzn.to/3pNnZ6H
8" VS bench grinder amzn.to/3pz9SAO
Bar clamps amzn.to/3if7ldc
Howards Butcher block oil amzn.to/35Q9OFZ
Mineral oil amzn.to/2Mb9I4u
Food safe glue amzn.to/2Lu659j
Disclaimer:
Please do not attempt to do anything you see in these videos unless you are 100% comfortable in using these tools. .

[@debandmike3380]

It's great to have all that room now for you to do your work no one deserves it more

[@mikewheaton2846]

The combination of tools, editing, skill, and final product are the best. Keep it up Kris!

[@stephanie09.11]

From the last video to this one, you have really moved in. This is so wonderful. Just having way too much fun. :)

[@daveoflogheadaxemods5387]

Maaaaaaaan, that Bandsaw is a BEAST!

[@gustavoandrade4710]

The wood will be very good, but what a beautiful workshop and tools! Bravo. big hug

[@Joshnadell]

Man. Those coasters are the best.

[@ThraX_86]

Hey Kris, I always enjoy the craftsmanship and attention to detail you apply in your work. I look forward to your next video and be safe.

[@ericsimpson4045]

Love the band saw setup

[@alankane8686]

Now that's the true definition of 'Clean as you go'. 👌

[@brendad585]

So beautiful - thank you for sharing.

[@bettym.6766]

I sit here watching and can smell the fresh cut wood. Awesome.

[@TKcustomWoodworks]

I am subscribed to about 60 woodworking KZbinrs and your videos are store the ones I get the most excited when I see you posted ,Great stuff keep it up

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate that Tzvi!

[@jonathanhadden8199]

That's a really awesome bandsaw attachment. Game changer.

[@josiecapps2555]

Darn good workmanship ‼️

[@chipperkeithmgb]

What an amazing shop I live in a tiny house in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and do all my stuff on my front path

[@fourpressmedia2674]

You make that Birch work look easy. Those counter tops look heavy!!

[@Richard-om7vd]

Excellent video, as always.

[@jeremykuberka9780]

That is a really cool clamping system I want it😂

[@moldings_etc]

Nicely done Kris, something you might want to look into is the panel flattener from JLT if you continue doing lots of large glue ups. Will make your life easier!!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks Dustin. Just got a price quote from JLT last week for the flattener. Its definitely on the list to get but will have to wait a bit to pull the trigger.

[@needstacos4892]

That birch sure is pretty.

[@peteyscott45]

I get notified a lot when makers post videos on here, but I am genuinely excited when I see you from you. Cutting boards are my favorite item to make, and I always learn new tricks in your videos. I especially like your 1 hour long video format showing all the behind the scenes.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you Peter

[@whateverrrrrr123]

I salute to all those that supported you, I would really love to but shipping would kill me…I am in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia JEALOUSLY PROUD FROM MALAYSIA

[@DB-jd9ht]

You should make and sell firestarters with all that sawdust from cutting and sanding. Sawdust+candle wax+mold=Firestarter

[@richardkelleher1711]

Looking forward to seeing the installed counter tops.

[@christopherweikart132]

Great video and work!

[@beachbum200009]

I have tool envy!!! Nice work Kris.

[@whateverrrrrr123]

Great Job 👏🏻

[@melissaruelas]

I live in Anchorage and am wanting to get started in woodworking. I was so excited to see that you are nearby and I have been binging all your videos! I have so many questions and am looking forward to the "woodworking Q&A page" you mentioned on your website since I know we'll probably never get the chance to talk. Looking forward to the knife handles video!

[@KrisDeVo]

Hi Melissa! Hope we can get to the Q&A stuff in the next few months.

[@matthewkimball602]

Imagine a counter top made with the patterns of his cutting boards...

[@KrisDeVo]

Can't wait to make some!

[@Xander-dx6mw]

They would be gorgeous, but insanely expensive.

[@matthewkimball602]

​@@KrisDeVo looking forward to the video of it, you do amazing work man. congratulations on the business and hope you continue killing it!

[@wildtwindad]

Or Doors. A custom front door slab would look stunning.

[@farmboy0214]

Great video! The tease with the sneak peak; can’t wait to see 350 coasters being made. I struggle with making a set of 12!

[@SorexSan]

Beautifuly prepared for next stage.... just only wait to see next episode. Congratulations ! Cheers !! RESPECT !!!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you, cheers!

[@alaskanawesomeness9017]

Ak birch is such a pain to use. Good work!

[@charles5259]

Lol I remember last cutting board season

[@stuartraffle7148]

One of my favourite places in all of KZbin, my only humble request is for more content, please 🙂

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you Stuart. Been doing more short form stuff on IG. Find me on there for more. Will work on this channel more when I can. Cheers

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant work as always 👍🏻👍🏻

[@kristoferibarra3170]

Great editing and filming! Love that huge countertop!! Keep up the great work my friend:)

[@caka8662]

Hey Kris, great video as always! Like the editing as well! Cant wait for the next vid!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you!

[@jean-luctraynard8752]

Beautiful works. I love

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you, cheers!

[@redzed40]

Nicely done

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks!

[@kellypatrick887]

Your the man. Great shop. I would love to do that. Keep up the great work.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks, will do!

[@btcusick]

Awesome! USA

[@finnmaccool3385]

That bandsaw setup is sick :) And why have one dust extractor when you can have 3 :)

[@TailEndCustoms]

Been busy! 👍🏼

[@KrisDeVo]

100%

[@housecleaning3405]

@KrisDeVo é fonte de inspiração e admiração!!! Parabéns pelo belíssimo trabalho!!! Espero um dia poder ser como você aqui no Brasil!!! Grande abraço meu amigo!!!

[@jessilopes]

I need a scissor jack trolly in my life .

[@KrisDeVo]

Game changer for sure

[@tomahoks]

You make a good money making these by yourself, compared to buying them ready.

[@autobargmann4036]

Fine......

[@VaPHpk]

At 1:23 I wanted the sound of the planer to up about a half-step to match the music 🎵

[@medicineman311]

Kris, it’s always a pleasure watching a true craftsman get into his work! Is that just ear protection you wear or are you rocking some 🎶 while you’re in your zone? I seemed to notice a little head bob at 3:08 and it looked like you were enjoying more then just the satisfaction of your labors! Either way, keep rocking these videos! ☮️ & 💟 from Virginia Beach, VA!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks Anthony, definitely rocking out!

[@lloydlow727]

Awesome work as always, and issit just me or has your editing got better again? Love seeing you work and your works of art!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you so much, trying to.

[@scrotiemcboogerballs4967]

Looks good. Couldn't you just use the whole slab with the natural edge trimmed off and c channel to prevent cupping?

[@KrisDeVo]

You could. That would be more work and probably less stable.

[@lancem5965]

Can you imagine doing that in your garage?

[@KrisDeVo]

That would be brutal

[@workshop4979]

Hey looks amazing may I ask how did you grow on this platform it would be really helpful to know thank you

[@KrisDeVo]

Lots of work over the years

[@philliplynch5943]

Hi Kris. Phill from Cairns Queensland. Always love you work. Is this now your full time work or do you have other activities. Take care

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks Phillip. Been full time for 1.5yrs now.

[@philliplynch5943]

@@KrisDeVo Must be nice to be inside now LOL

[@user-em7op2pu9w]

you are very cool take me to work

[@stevehowe1792]

As a slab enters the planer or band saw, do you ever get nervous? I do just watching..

[@KrisDeVo]

Not since after the 1st few days on the new tools

[@blackowl6890]

Do you Haven cutting head in wide belt sander?

[@KrisDeVo]

I dont

[@ericfg806]

Not very pretty wood that birch. Not that I could see much from here (Fla.). But for a workbench top I'm sure it'll be fine. And probably much better then the bench top I'm gonna make out of reclaimed restaurant MDF table tops.

[@smicksmookety]

why do you use a bandsaw to rip instead of a table saw?

[@sparksmcgee6641]

With the number of cuts he makes a table saw would eat a few final pieces worth of material. Wider blade.

[@KrisDeVo]

Safe and efficient.

[@globalrealtysolutionsllc4013]

Kris. How can I get in touch with you about buying in bulk? I'm in the US

[@KrisDeVo]

www.krisdevo.com/contact

[@geoffbrumpton8544]

So what do you do for a hobby now 🤣

[@KrisDeVo]

Haha! Thats pretty good. To be fair I did need one less hobby