# 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
- Listen: https://shoptalklive.podcast.static.taunton.com/stl260-lvl-workbench-irl-0

## Summary

Meghan Fitzpatrick, the new editor at Lost Art Press and author of the blog Read Mechanicals, joins Shop Talk Live to discuss her recent purchase of a Benchcrafted workbench and her experiences with LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) benches. She explains why she replaced her previous LVL bench due to compression issues in the legs and advocates for round dog holes over square ones for versatility. The conversation also covers tool selection, specifically the router plane for fitting tenons and the limitations of skew block planes, as well as practical advice on fixing concave bench tops and hand saw technique.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl#t=6) Introduction and Router Plane Champion
- [5:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl#t=331) Skew Block Plane vs. Shoulder Plane
- [13:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl#t=825) Buying vs. Building a Workbench
- [16:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl#t=1017) The LVL Bench Failure and Round Dog Holes
- [35:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl#t=2108) Hand Saw Technique and Panel Saw Wobble
- [42:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl#t=2562) Fixing a Concave Bench Top
- [52:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2022-02-25-stl260-lvl-workbench-irl#t=3145) Teaching the Anarchist Tool Chest

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Lost Art Press (company)
- Benchcrafted (company)
- Lee Valley (company)
- Router Plane (tool)
- Skew Block Plane (tool)
- LVL (material)
- White Pine (material)
- Sugar Pine (material)
- Cherry (material)
- Anarchist Tool Chest (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 163: Live Edge Bowling  Ball](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-04-06-episode-163-live-edge-bowling-ball) (Making It)
- [438: It Feels Like a Big Boy Saw](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-04-19-438-it-feels-like-a-big-boy-saw) (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)
- [484: No One Sees Your Underwear…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-05-23-484-no-one-sees-your-underwear) (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. 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.