displacedhillbilly Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 I have a source for Douglas Fir GluLam beams. They are 5 1/8 x 12" x 12'. The prices on these is almost ridiculous, $5 per linear foot. Would this be a good material to make a bench out of? I know I've read that Douglas fir can be good, but I have no experience with glu-lam beams. -Displaced Hillbilly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 I have no experience with them either, but it sure seems like it would work. If you use them let us know how it comes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SignWave Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 My bench is laminated doug fir that I glued myself. I'm sure Glu-Lam would work fine. The only concern I can see is that 5 1/8 would be pretty darn thick for a bench top,and resawing a beam that thick is going to be a trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davestanton Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 I have 2 douglas fir glulam beams in my home. They are the main ridge beams and very, very, very strong and stable.!!!! Mine are a bit longer than your's, Being 11 metres and 7.2 metres. They would make an insane bench. My beams are 18 inches deep and cost me $1600 Australian for the pair. Buy them and do not look back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 are you talking LVL? i think that's lamSYP? The Schwarz has a write-up on LVL benches (I think it was called 'high-tech bench' or 'high tech roubo' or '21c roubo' or something along those lines. if you google lvl and roubo you'll probably find it). General impression was the he liked it a lot due to strength and speed of construction. his one knock (i think) was that he used carriage bolts for base frame and the heads dug-into the laminate -- aesthetic issue only... and could have been fixed with bolts and washers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 My bench was a lamination of many 2x6s laminated together it is a very heavy, and an excelent work surface. I think your idea of useing glue lams would be a great time saver, and almost be an instant bench top after I compleated my bench top I made a sled, and planed my top with my router it turned out very flat good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted January 28, 2013 Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 My top wieghs in at about 250-300LBs so with all my jointery, flattening of the top I had to flip the bench over many times I also set it on edge to preform all the jointery that needed to be done here is video of how i managed these tasks by myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displacedhillbilly Posted January 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2013 These are the pics I have of the beams. I think they will work out. I should be picking a couple up this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davestanton Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 are you talking LVL? i think that's lamSYP? The Schwarz has a write-up on LVL benches (I think it was called 'high-tech bench' or 'high tech roubo' or '21c roubo' or something along those lines. if you google lvl and roubo you'll probably find it). General impression was the he liked it a lot due to strength and speed of construction. his one knock (i think) was that he used carriage bolts for base frame and the heads dug-into the laminate -- aesthetic issue only... and could have been fixed with bolts and washers. LVL usually is plywood. The laminations being thin and vertical instead of thick and horizontal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenaissanceWW Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 I think Schwarz would back me up when I say, build your bench out of anything you can get your hands on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 My only beef with fir is that the stuff we get here is both soft and brittle. The slightest knock and you have a dent, knock on an edge and you have a chip or splinter. Those beams will make an insanely sturdy bench though. How are you going to move them? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displacedhillbilly Posted January 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2013 Well....I'm honestly considering cutting them down to 6 feet long. I can't see why I would need a bench that is close to 8 feet long. (I know...I'll probably regret this one day), but I have to get them into my basement shop....but only to assemble the bench. The USAF Academy has a pretty awesome woodworking shop, and that's where I'll do most of the milling/construction. Then I figure I'll buy some cadets some Pizza and have a moving party! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crashkaloop Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 I am also in Colorado. I don’t know if these beams are available to anyone, but if they are, would you be willing to share where you are sourcing them? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
displacedhillbilly Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I found them on a craigslist ad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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