Hobby Turned Business Overnight

Cutting Board Hobby Turned Business Overnight Part 2
Large production run of 68 cutting boards in my tiny shop here in Alaska.
This is the continuation of my cutting board hobby and my YouTube hobby both turning into a business simultaneously.

Part 1
After the last cutting board video took off here on YouTube I was receiving about 20 cutting board requests a day for a few weeks. This is the story on how those events unfolded in sequence (over 6 weeks) to share with you guys and gals, how my cutting board hobby / side job turned into an opportunity for a business practically overnight. Along with the ups and downs of trying to make it all happen on a larger scale.
I also have included plenty of woodworking tips and tricks, how to, and details on how I make these boards from start to finish.

I kindly ask if you are going to copy my designs that they are for personal use only.
Please take what you got from this and make it your own :)

Boards and other products sold on my website

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.

For all BEHIND THE SCENES! --
Starting 11/5/2023 I will be uploading weekly behind the scenes to Patreon. A personal Vlog of sorts of my woodworking and Alaska life. See whats coming up before the videos come out.

DeVo's WoodCraft page:

Kris DeVo's Photography:

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

Affiliate links:
Tools and supplies I use here-

10% off Laguna parts and accessories.
Blades (ReSaw King!), abrasives, cnc parts, replacement parts, power feeder, etc).
Sign up, create an account and use DEVO10 for 10% off-

An amazing book by Bob Taylor! A must read for makers!
Guitar Lessons: A Life's Journey Turning Passion into Business

Awesome CA glue! StarBond
Use: DEVO15 at check out for 15% off

Maverick Abrasives sand paper. Good stuff at a great price.
Use: DEVO10 at check out for 10% off

Helical head, Shelix from Bird tool. OEM

Drum Sander

Disclaimer:
Please do not attempt to do anything you see in these videos unless you are 100% comfortable in using these tools.
I am a professional and have been using these tools and more for 30 + years.
Some techniques I do are not recommended. You are 100% reliable for your own safety and comfort level of using these types of tools. .

[JuanBrolo]

This makes me really miss my dad... He passed away 2021 Christmas eve... I haven't stepped foot in his workshop since he died but I really think it's time to carry his word working stuff forward. This channel is really Inspiring.

[williampowhida]

America needs more people like you. I admire your capacity for sustained, directed work. Keep it up!! I want to be like you when I grow up, I am 82 and still hopeful.

[Killianwsh]

"Don't be eyeballing my scraps!? LOL!
Beautiful work Kris! 4 observations you might try that will make the long hours more comfortable.
1. If you raise your work table up by 3-6 inches, it will save a LOT of strain on your back.
2. If you haven't already, invest in a full face mask with a belt filter. It will be MUCH more comfortable when worn for hours at a time.
3. It appears your standing in a couple spots in your shop, repeatedly, for long stretches. If you put down some bar keepers (or similar) rubber floor mats, they also lower the strain on your feet, legs, & back.
And 4. Battery routers are great in the field where there's no electricity, but the cost of batteries is high. Old school corded tools are still king for cost effectiveness, durability, & power if you have plug in power available.
I hope some, or all, of these tips help you as you ramp up your business!
May God bless you, your family & your work!

[tweedledee]

I am 63 yr old and when I was a kid used to LOVE watching my dad in his work shop. You bring back so many good memories and I find your videos fantastic. Thanks for sharing your talent.

[stephenmcelroy]

I am former Navy aviation aircraft mech. And we had some strict tool control protocols that really instilled organizational skills in to me for my tools, I have to say your tool organizational skills are on the Next Level. That small space and what you accomplished would only be possible with you tool originationl skills. I'm pressed and those boards are top quality, when I retired from the Navy I started a business building plantation shutters and blinds. The satisfaction of getting your hands dirty and producing your own product is in matched. Great Job keep leading the way! Your children are watching. I learned this first hand my daughter is very successful due to the ability to see the whole picture in the work world.

[barzalou]

Kris, I went through 1hr 08mins of your video.... You told us 3 or 4 times that you appreciate us.... Well... Right back at you! It's clear that your heart is in your family, in your work and it's clear, following you, that you are improving a lot. Now that this batch is done, you're gona have to step back and see how to improve productivity with less effort.... Witch means, to find your own tricks and technics to continu growing without missing a beat with the family. And who knows, you may have to consider branching out and getting a bigger shop and someone to work with you. Remember, you are not only an inspiration to us but you will be one for your daughter and future kids? 😉 Keep up your great work!

[zPersius]

Before my step brother passed away a couple of years ago, he was sort of doing the same thing. He did kitchen counter tops and cabinets, but was trying to start a custom wood work business.

Watching this video made me think of all the times we would talk and he would be so excited because of a YouTube channel he had just watched where someone showed how to make something or do something.

No idea if you read your channel comments Mr. Devos, but I wanted to just thank you for this video and all the memories it brought back. Your work is beautiful and I really hope it turns out to be hugely successful for you and your lovely family.

[hukasb]

I work with stone and tiles, if someone ever told me "you will watch an hour long video of some random dude to make cutting boards in his garage" i would laugh. Dude you are awesome and the boards are beautiful! Got me all excited to do some woodwork!

[asknight]

Your humbleness, strong work ethic, and focus on the task is noteworthy and remarkable. You set so many positive examples and I want to say thank you for teaching us techniques to create awesome things in cozy sized workshops.

[mikeb]

I am overwhelmed trying to think of the journey from 13 y.o at the State Fair to this. It's not just the craftsmanship, but understanding the tools, selecting tools, setting up the shop, the processes...and having a lovely family. Great work.

[joanvolkman]

Oh Wow! Seeing the Northern Lights in person is on my Bucket List. They are so beautiful. I hope you don't get tired of seeing them.

[jameswilliamson]

At first i was thinking these boards were expensive to purchase but the amount of time & effort you put into making these, WoW great job

[thomasboese]

Kris, two points...
1). The "size" of the shop has no bearing on the "quality" of the work. It's all "heart".
2). My Dad had a small home business and on the wall was a simple sign, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right." You've nailed it!

[fredpretorius]

As a fellow woodworker I must add that you are a true master at the craft with unbelievable attention to detail, what a pleasure to witness you perform. God bless you and your beautiful family.

[skatterbrainz]

Holy cow! A true renaissance man! Mechanic, welder, diver, miner, woodworker, videographer/editor. And you don't slack on any of them it seems. Good work! Amazing! Thank you!

[conqueryourself]

With one man production and still have time for video editing for youtube fans. You are the man!

[lukehakaraia]

Man Kris the off cuts would make the most beautiful solid electric guitar bodies & necks. You are truly a gifted master craftsman bless you your wife & dear little girl brother.

[ritabatten]

Cannot begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this video. I think I must have been a woodworker in another life because I could smell all the scents coming from the wood as you worked thru each step. You truly turn out works of art. Thank you. (Your little one will be a woodworker like you!)

[jfsauer]

Kudos to you making a business like this in a 1-car garage. This is the hard work and determination that built America.

[artsymargo]

I really appreciate that you showed the WHOLE process, Kris. It adds a large layer of context when one looks at and holds a hand-made piece of art in their hands. My appreciation comes from being a former woodworker whose physical limitations have sidelined my ability to do that any more. Watching you make these boards was a little like working in my own shop again.

I used a lot of these same tools and techniques when I built a 3' x 5' maple tabletop that I attached to a wall over a radiator and under a double window in a friend's kitchen. Imagine the expansion and contraction factors I had to build for, including the huge climate variations in Minnesota. Cold and dry, and hot and humid. Twenty years later, it's still in perfect shape. Amazing!

I kept waiting to see how you were going to make two boards out of one thick piece. I was nervous just watching! It means a lot to stand by your side, as it were, in this small way to be part of trouble shooting and production. Brings back so many fond memories of even the boring, repetitive tasks in getting to the satisfying final product. Thank you for the opportunity to be a virtual woodworker.