Okay, here’s my blog post about using LVL timber for a volleyball engineer board, written in a casual, personal-experience style:

So, I’ve been wanting to build, like, a really solid practice board for volleyball. You know, something that can take a beating and not fall apart after a few hard spikes. I did some digging, asked around the club, and kept hearing about this “LVL” stuff. Turns Out, LVL stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber – basically, it’s like super plywood.

Getting Started

First things first, I grabbed some LVL timber from the local hardware store. Man, this stuff is HEAVY. I’m not gonna lie, I almost threw my back out getting it into my car. Note to self: next time, bring a friend (or rent a truck!). I opted for a thicker piece than I probably needed, figuring it’s better to be overbuilt than underbuilt.

The Cutting and Shaping

Next up, I busted out my trusty circular saw. I’m no carpenter, but I can handle a straight line (most of the time). I marked out the dimensions I wanted for the board – pretty standard size, nothing fancy. I’d looked at a bunch of ready-made boards online for inspiration first. The LVL cut pretty cleanly, surprisingly. Way less splintering than I expected. I did wear my safety glasses, though. Always gotta do that!

Assembly is Key

I decided to keep the design super simple. No crazy angles or anything. Just a flat board with a solid back support. I used some heavy-duty wood glue and a bunch of screws to attach the back support pieces. I clamped everything down overnight to make sure the glue really set. Seriously, those clamps are a lifesaver. Don’t skip that step.

Finishing Touches (or Lack Thereof)

Honestly, I didn’t bother with any fancy finishing. I thought about painting it, but then I figured, nah, it’s just going to get smashed with volleyballs anyway. I did sand down the edges a bit, just to make sure there weren’t any splinters waiting to attack my hands. I also applied weather-proof to the wood, for rainy days.

The Result

• Solid as a rock: This thing is STURDY. I can wail on it with my hardest serves and it doesn’t even flinch.
• Heavy: Yep, still heavy. But that’s a good thing in this case. It means it’s not going to move around when I’m practicing.
• Looks… functional: Let’s be honest, it’s not winning any beauty contests. But it does the job, and that’s all that matters.

Overall, I’m super happy with how this LVL volleyball practice board turned out. It was a pretty easy project, even for a woodworking newbie like me. And it’s definitely going to help me up my game. If you’re looking to build something similar, I’d definitely recommend giving LVL timber a try. Just remember to lift with your legs!