Thread: Thoughts on LVL as a bench top

Megan built one a couple of years ago: Report: LVL Workbench After (Almost) 2 Years of Use | Popular Woodworking Magazine

Thanks Richard it was her build that has given me the idea. But I haven't seen any others and was wondering why.

Perhaps someone can explain what LVL stands for?

Sorry I should have expanded on that. Laminated veneer lumber.

it was her build that has given me the idea. But I haven't seen any others and was wondering why.

maybe because LVL is not that common in Australia?

More technical info can be found here HYNE - Hyne LVL.

It's pretty common these days most new houses will use it. Even Bunnings stock it. Hy-Span was an early brand I think. I used 9m lengths in my extention. Amazing, string line straight!

My plan was/is to rip it (300mm in 3) with my track saw (perfect straight clean cut) then use the domino joiner to line the top up during the glue up ( which should mean minimal planing). Not shore how the dog holes will hold up over time though. My cabinet maker mate reckons "don't muck around 2 sheets of 19mm CD ply with an edge band" (which is what he uses) I think he miss the point - it's the trip there that's fun not the destination.

I surfaced an entire kitchen bench with 45x250mm boards of LVL about 5 years ago and have heard no complaints.

It didn't look too bad, either! Mind you, it worked out expensive for what it was. Don't recall the details, though.

I can't see any reason whatsoever to not use it for a workbench, apart from finances and if you already have the pieces convenient to hand, well...

In fact, I suspect that in future decades such workbenches will become more common.

I made mine out of LVL:

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f213/t...ml#post1191425

I got it very cheap, so it was good value, and it works very well. The top of mine is 70mm thick so rather stiff...

Thanks for the reply NZStu how long ago and how is it holding up. Cost isn't as much a problem as time. I'm thinking that once I get started it should be a simple build. The top will set me back about $300.

It's holding up just fine - I've only been using it for year and bit though. I added a diagonal cross brace to the back of the frame to eliminate some minor racking (sp?), so it's all good now.