LVL Workbench

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  • pelligrini
    Veteran Member
    • Apr 2007
    • 4217
    • Fort Worth, TX
    • Craftsman 21829

    LVL Workbench

    The new issue of Popular Woodworking has a pretty cool bench article. It was made using LVLs. The design and also being knockdown is neat too.

    There's a video tour on their website: http://www.popularwoodworking.com/ar..._LVL_workbench
    Erik
  • chopnhack
    Veteran Member
    • Oct 2006
    • 3779
    • Florida
    • Ryobi BT3100

    #2
    I like the idea of being able to knockdown the bench for moving etc., however, lvl? As you see in the video, the there are some overlapping laminations that have some gaps. Minor for sure, probably will collect dirt and dust. I would venture that SYP can't be that much more expensive to build this bench out of over lvl, so the question would be why? What benefit is gained using the lvl? Or was it just a test to see if it could be done and how it would perform?
    I think in straight lines, but dream in curves

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    • pelligrini
      Veteran Member
      • Apr 2007
      • 4217
      • Fort Worth, TX
      • Craftsman 21829

      #3
      The magazine article by Cristopher Schwarz and Megan Fitzpatrick said she was ready to make a real bench as the spare that was in magazine's shop was small "And she was game to try out LVL". It seemed to be an experiment with the material and to do Schwarz's knockdown Roubo design.

      Theres'a a sketchup model of it and a neat article on flattening with planes here: http://www.popularwoodworking.com/nov09
      Erik

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      • chopnhack
        Veteran Member
        • Oct 2006
        • 3779
        • Florida
        • Ryobi BT3100

        #4
        It's a good article on benchtop flattening, but I can hardle see Chris ruining his planes trying to flatten the lvl. That stuff is tough on blades.
        I think in straight lines, but dream in curves

        Comment

        • pelligrini
          Veteran Member
          • Apr 2007
          • 4217
          • Fort Worth, TX
          • Craftsman 21829

          #5
          Hehe, I just read that part in the article:
          "We flattened the benchtop using handplanes, which had no problems with the adhesive in the LVL. That was a pleasant suprise after all the nasty router dust."

          There wasn't any mention about the small voids. They didn't like the way the faces of the LVL looked though. Said "the front and back edges looked like they had a nasty skin disease"
          Erik

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          • chopnhack
            Veteran Member
            • Oct 2006
            • 3779
            • Florida
            • Ryobi BT3100

            #6
            That was suprising....so was Chris emailing me back at this hour:

            Actually, LVL is more expensive that yellow pine. However, it is more widely available and is more stable to work with.

            And I've wondered if it is more dimensionally stable in the long run as well.

            It's simple to dimension/flatten it with regular tools. People get worked up about it, but posh posh...

            Chris
            --
            Christopher Schwarz
            Editor

            Popular Woodworking magazine
            Woodworking Magazine
            4700 E. Galbraith Road
            Cincinnati, OH 45236

            Learn How. Discover Why. Build Better
            I think in straight lines, but dream in curves

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            • headhunter636
              Established Member
              • Jul 2004
              • 161
              • Federal Way, WA
              • Ryobi BT 3000

              #7
              I liked the bench, since I move every couple of years it would be nice to have something like that. I also noticed the Saw Stop cabinet saw still in the box, I will take that as well if they don't need it for anything.
              Dave

              BT3000

              "98% of all statistics are made up"

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              • cgallery
                Veteran Member
                • Sep 2004
                • 4503
                • Milwaukee, WI
                • BT3K

                #8
                Been there, done that :

                This forum is the place to post photos of your completed projects. Please try to limit pictures to 540px wide or less so that is is viewable to all. Off-topic threads in this forum will periodically be purged so as to keep it "clean".


                I don't think LVL would make a very good top. The stuff is undeniably strong, but it isn't very hard. I think I'll stick with "disposable" doors.
                Last edited by cgallery; 09-30-2009, 10:19 PM.

                Comment

                • crokett
                  The Full Monte
                  • Jan 2003
                  • 10627
                  • Mebane, NC, USA.
                  • Ryobi BT3000

                  #9
                  I care less about the LVL and more about the vises. I would love to have a leg vise or a quick release vise.
                  David

                  The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.

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                  • chopnhack
                    Veteran Member
                    • Oct 2006
                    • 3779
                    • Florida
                    • Ryobi BT3100

                    #10
                    Then you will really enjoy this one crokett....



                    It's art as much as workbench and I am in envy indeed
                    Last edited by chopnhack; 10-01-2009, 07:51 PM.
                    I think in straight lines, but dream in curves

                    Comment

                    • pelligrini
                      Veteran Member
                      • Apr 2007
                      • 4217
                      • Fort Worth, TX
                      • Craftsman 21829

                      #11
                      There's an update blog on the LVL bench over at Popular Woodworking. Intresting to hear that it has held up well after 2years. http://www.popularwoodworking.com/wo...2-years-of-use
                      Erik

                      Comment

                      • Richard in Smithville
                        Veteran Member
                        • Oct 2006
                        • 3014
                        • On the TARDIS
                        • BT 3100

                        #12
                        Was it just me or was she messing around in that shop in bare feet and sandles?
                        From the "deep south" part of Canada

                        Richard in Smithville

                        http://richardspensandthings.blogspot.com/

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