Vocab - L

Lacquer

A spirit or organic varnish (such as shellac) or a number of synthetic organic coatings that forms film as the carrying solvent evaporates.

Lag Screw

A large, heavy-duty fastener most often used to anchor heavy components directly into a structure's wood framing; also called a lag bolt

Laminate (noun)

A thin plastic layer attached to sheet material to create a smooth, colorful, and durable surface, such as Formica

Laminate (verb)

(1) to attach laminate to sheet material; (2) the process of gluing up a larger workpiece from several smaller pieces

Lap Joint

This joint adds strength to a frame corner. The corner lap (also called an end lap) is better than a reinforced (dowels or splines) butt joint, but weaker than mortise-and-tenon joinery. It can be at the corner (called an end lap), in the middle of one piece (called a Tlap) or in the middle of two pieces (called an X-lap).

Laser Engraver/Cutter

A device featuring a thin, focused, laser beam to cut and etch materials

Latewood

The smaller portion of a tree’s annual growth ring that grows through the summer and early fall

Latex

Water-borne synthetic rubber or plastic used in paints and adhesives

Lathe

Machine used for turning wood on an axis

Left-Tilt

Referring to the direction a table saw blade tilts when moved from perpendicular to make an angled cut (see “right-tilt”)

Lignum Vitae

A type of wood, more commonly called “ironwood”

Linkbelt

A generic name for an adjustable V-belt attached to pulleys in stationary machinery

Linseed Oil

A substance extracted from the seeds of the flax plant and used as a wood finish; available both boiled (referred to as BLO) and raw

Lip

A glued-on or overhanging border of wood

Live Center

One of two mounting points on a lathe for spindle turning, it spins on its own bearings and is installed at the nondriven, tailstock end

Lock-Miter Joint

An improvement on the standard miter joint that doesn’t require a third piece of wood (a dowel, biscuit or spline). Still offering a tight corner, the lock miter provides greater gluing surface, strength and easier alignment.

Locking Half-Blind Rabbet Joint

This is a strong joint often used in drawer construction and small boxes. It adds strength and easy alignment for squaring the box.

Long-Grain

Wood cells that grow parallel to the center of the tree; when glued together this grain forms the strongest bond

Loose Knot

A knot that is detached from the surrounding wood, but frequently held in place within a board by its shape

Lumber

The product of the sawmill and planing mill not further manufactured other than by sawing, passing lengthwise through a standard planing machine, crosscutting to length and matching

Luthier

Woodworker who specializes in making stringed instruments