
Behind the Scenes
Meet John
Learn what John does and everything involved in custom urban timber processing behind the scenes.
John Haling shows off an extraordinary, massive urban salvaged monster log at the shop, sharing details on its species, grain pattern, and plans for sawmilling into wide live-edge slabs.
This is a heavy ½-inch chain that got cleaned up and painted with gold Rust-Oleum. I'm about 5 foot 9, so this log is right around 5 feet in diameter on this end where the tree started to split into a crotch. There will be extraordinarily beautiful figure and feathering in here. This is an exceptionally large urban reclaimed log. Look over here: these are smaller walnut pieces from somebody's yard. They're smaller in diameter and shorter, but when I look at that pile of wood, I see charcuterie boards, furniture legs, and small tabletop slabs. Nothing here goes to waste — it all gets used in one form or another.
Keep watching

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.

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