
Behind the Scenes
Meet John
Learn what John does and everything involved in custom urban timber processing behind the scenes.
At John's Urban Timber, every slab is planed right here in our Whitmore Lake workshop — never outsourced. We take pride in preparing each board with precision so it's flat, stable, and ready for your next project.
The slabs we plane come from locally reclaimed logs — salvaged from homeowners, tree services, or customer-supplied wood. We never use commercially harvested lumber. Most rough-sawn slabs begin at 2½″–3″ thick, then are planed down to a smooth 1⅞″–2½″ finish. Custom dimensions are also available upon request.
Planing ensures your slabs are flat, even, and ready for woodworking. Each piece is carefully leveled and surfaced so it's stable and easy to use — whether you're building furniture, countertops, mantels, or custom projects. Many customers also bring in sentimental logs, such as a family tree or storm-damaged wood, and we treat each board with the respect its story deserves.
While we don't stock dimensional lumber, we can prepare it through planing and surfacing for larger custom orders. If you have a specific project in mind, we'll work with you to achieve the exact thickness and finish you need.
Watch

Behind the Scenes
Learn what John does and everything involved in custom urban timber processing behind the scenes.

Log Preparation
Why we paint and seal the ends of hardwood logs to control moisture loss and prevent splitting.

Shop Tour & Inventory
Tour John's shop in Whitmore Lake, explore live-edge slab inventory, and learn about hardwood species.

Vacuum Kiln Drying
John explains how vacuum kiln drying works, moisture testing, and why it prevents wood checking and warp.

Reclaimed Logs
John shows off a massive urban salvaged monster log at the Whitmore Lake shop.

Tutorials & DIY
Step-by-step masterclass on pouring, sealing, and finishing live-edge epoxy tables.
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