How to properly build a laminated beam.

Step by step instructions for the full process of laminating a multi ply dimensional lumber beam.

[toolaholicsanonymous]

Got any other cool tips for laminating beams? Add them here.

[lectro]

Very Nice.
In the future I plan to do some glued laminated Oak beams with my sawmill lumber.
Had planned to dowel rather than nail.
And yes I can plane smooth before gluing. Biggest thing now is getting them dried.
Right now I have a 17" squared up Cant 10' long, (17"x 17" x 10')on the mill.
It took a bobcat and 5 series tractor to set the log on the mill.
And I have more than 10 left to do.

[JGoodwin]

Laminating boards together - be sure you can manage it when you are finished. Especially important if you are working alone.

[paullabossiere]

on a span that requires staggered joints, is there a simple little calculator app to optimize the lengths so that you leave long enough spans in the stagger, get the most out of your offcuts and availiable lengths, bias joints above teleposts and anything else you might want to consider? I was tasked with the layout yesterday and I just couldn't do it, it was my first time and its noisy on site and If someone seems me sitting there concentrating they will holler at me for help as sure as the sun rises.

[raybarsolutions]

Good note about 30 degree gun setting for 3-1/4 inch nails.

[DonnyBlack-ry]

Will this work for a 3-ply 2x6 post? Should screws and glue be used for a post?

[bricology]

Why would you NOT glue it as well? Doing so doesn't only ensure a better bond between layers, it also prevents the ingress of water, pests, etc.

[brandonwoll]

I would have expected construction adhesive between the boards, why don’t you use it?

[dantem]

Nice information, never thought about that many nails before. Do you have a good way to create a beam that needs to be 15 feet wide that will lay between two steel beams? I was thinking about just butting or 4" notching the two 2x6x8's and another 2x6x8 in the middle between the two and make it 15 feet. However, it needs to be able to hold about 60 lbs. in the middle. Do think that will work or do you have a few ideas. Thank you for any advice.

[lrw]

What do you do for variations Along the top/ bottom run where the they come together? Do you need to plane them?

[williambaker]

Mmm.... I dunno about that. This is no sub for LVL.

All you did was nail two boards together my dude and it took you 8 mins to do so. And you have an assistant lol.

[bennyc]

Dude your beard is wild👌🏻. How do you die it like that?

[MrSki-tyvm]

Glue is always highly recommended, and smart framers use osb in addition. Lumber, OSB, Lumber is the sandwich effect. The longer the beefer and more layers. Note, you can use thicker OSB as well to meet certain thicknesses.