# STL260: LVL Workbench IRL

- Show: [Shop Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live)
- Published: 2022-02-25
- Length: 58m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl260-lvl-workbench-irl

## Summary

Meghan Fitzpatrick, editor at Lost Art Press, discusses her recent purchase of a Benchcrafted workbench and explains why she replaced her previous LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) bench, citing compression issues in the LVL legs that caused the top to shift. She advocates for dedicated hand tools like the router plane for fitting tenons and argues for round dog holes over square ones due to versatility and ease of modification. The conversation also covers practical advice for handling wobbling panel saws, fixing concave bench tops with plywood overlays, and the high cost of sugar pine affecting class prep.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=6) Introduction: Meghan Fitzpatrick and Lost Art Press
- [5:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=331) Skew Block Plane vs. Shoulder Plane for Tenons
- [8:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=518) Using a Router Plane for Centered Tenons
- [13:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=825) Buying vs. Building: The Benchcrafted Workbench Decision
- [16:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=1017) The LVL Bench Failure: Leg Compression Issues
- [20:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=1203) Round vs. Square Dog Holes and Accessories
- [35:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=2108) Panel Saw Wobble and Cutting Technique
- [42:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=2542) Fixing a Concave Bench Top: Plywood Overlay
- [52:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d#t=3145) Class Prep: Sugar Pine Costs and Tool Chest Build

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Benchcrafted (company)
- Lost Art Press (company)
- Lee Valley (company)
- LVL (material)
- router plane (tool)
- skew block plane (tool)
- shoulder plane (tool)
- panel saw (tool)
- Baltic birch (material)
- sugar pine (material)
- mahogany (material)

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- [361: It’s complicated](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-07-08-361-its-complicated) (Making It)
- [Making It #010: If it looks straight….](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2015-02-26-making-it-010-if-it-looks-straight) (Making It)
- [486: If I Had $300, I Could Do That Too](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-06-16-486-if-i-had-300-i-could-do-that-too) (Making It)
- [540: Painful Consequences](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2026-10-02-540-painful-consequences) (Making It)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0af2876d. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Shop Talk Live.