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Lacquer

A tough, fast-drying finish that contains very strong solvents. Lacquer is called a "hot finish" because the solvents it contains will dissolve most other finishes. For this reason lacquer should not be applied directly on top of an old finish other than lacquer. It is usually applied by spraying, but brushing lacquers are available.

Lacuna

A term used to describe missing pieces or voids, that which needs to be replaced.

Laminate

The bonding together of two or more pieces of material for decorative or strengthening purposes. An example of decorative lamination is a countertop made of plastic material glued to the surface of particleboard or flakeboard. An excellent example of lamination for strength is provided by ordinary plywood. Lamination can also be used for gluing up bent wood projects without the use of steam, chemicals or water.

Lap, Lap Joint

A simple wood joint where two boards are joined with opposite matching notches cut in the ends or along the board and the two pieces over lap one another. As a rule, the surfaces of lap joints are usually flush when assembled.

Lateral Adjuster

Lever on many hand planes used to skew the blade slightly left or right. True purpose is debated but could be to make up for improperly sharpened blade or to cause plane to take more material from one side or the other of a cut.

Latewood (Summer Wood)

The portion of a tree's rings that forms after the earlywood and is often characterized by smaller cells and a higher density.

Latex Stain

A water-based stain that behaves like oil-based pigmented stain. It should not be confused with water stain which uses transparent dyes to stain the wood.

Lathe

A power tool used to spin wood at a variable speed to cut a round shape in the wood. Generally used for turning spindles and open shapes such as bowls.

Length

The dimension of a board running parallel with the grain.

Let In (Saw Handle)

A method of saw construction where the user's hand is above the heel of the saw, rather than behind it, as in a Set Back handle.

Level

1. Indicates that something is parallel with the surface of the earth in relation to gravity. A perfectly flat imaginary horizontal plane. 2. A tool used to determine whether a surface is level or plumb.

Lignin

The natural glue that holds wood fibres together.

Linear Foot

A measurement of the length of a board.

Linseed Oil (BLO)

Is an amber-colored, fatty oil extracted from the cotyledon and inner coats of the linseed. The raw oil extracted from the seeds by hydraulic pressure is pale in color and practically without taste or odor. When boiled or extracted by application of heat and pressure, it is darker and has a bitter taste and an unpleasant odor.

Lipped

This is a door that has a rabbet cut all the way around the door on the back edge. This cut allows part of the door to go back into the cabinet and leaves the remaining part overlaying the cabinet or face frame.

Lipping

A facing of solid wood either to thicken an edge or conceal the edge of plywood, MDF and the like.

Listel

A square fillet in moldings. It is generally used as a narrow band to separate other moldings.

Loading Up

A term most commonly used to indicate that abrasive materials such as sandpaper, grinding wheels and sharpening stones are becoming clogged-up with wood or metal particles. Can also be applied to the loading of the twist grooves in drill bits. "Loaded" abrasives or other tools should be cleaned or replaced to restore their cutting efficiency.

LOML

Internet abbreviation for Love of My Life (see SWMBO)

Long Bent

A gouge, chisel or V tool where the blade is curved along it's entire length. Handy for deep work.

Long Oil Varnish

Varnish that contains 40-100 gallons of oil per 100 pounds of resin. The large amount of oil makes the film tough, durable and elastic, but it is not suitable for rubbed finishes and it dries to only a moderate gloss. It is mostly used for exterior applications.

Loop-back Windsor

Alternate name for an American bow-back Windsor.

Low-back Windsor

A Windsor with a single horizontal bow that supports arm rests and the back section.

Lumber

Logs which have been sawn, planed, and cut to length.

Lumber ruler

A tool resembling a ruler with a handle at one end and a hood at the other which is used to calculate the board footage of a piece of lumber

Lumber-Core Plywood

Plywood where thin sheets of veneer are glued to a core of narrow boards. Lumber-core plywood differs from regular plywood in that regular plywood is made up of successive layers of alternating grain veneer.

RD Glossary by Run Digital