Replies

1. 
   swenson | Sep 10, 2010 02:13pm | #1

   Wow

   How does one get a hunk of bowling alley?  Don't know how well it would work for a workbench but if it is bowling alley it must be flat.  Might work for other things like assembly table tops and such.  How thick is it?  What kind of wood?  I know bowling alleys throw out used pins on a regular basis, do they also do that with flooring too?

2. 
   acornw | Sep 10, 2010 04:10pm | #2

   Yes, It Will Work

   The Bowling alley section will work just fine. However, if you need to cut it in length or width be careful of hardware inside of it.

   On all the bowling alley sections I have ever seen, small sash pins about 3/16" x 1-1/2" were used to hold the laminations together and aligned while the assembly was put into the clamps.  These pieces of steel will really get your attention when you cut into them. They are scattered throughout the glue-up, so there is no predicting.  A metal finder may work.  Thery are not used on the outer plies.

   I just use junk blades, wear glasses, and go to work.

   The Maple alley will make a superior bench top.

   Dave S

   AcornWoodworks.com

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 10, 2010 07:11pm | #7

   Strike!

   Hi Dave,

   There is a salvage place about 40 miles from me and they have many sections of bowling alley.  They will size it for you for $25, and you buy the blades.  Can't remember the price for the sections but as I recall it was very reasonable.

   Regards,

1. 
   swenson | Sep 10, 2010 09:26pm | #8

   So what is it

   so what is it with all this bowling alley scrap.  Does it have to be replaced often or is it just the first 30 feet where the ball lands.  I know 30 feet sounds like a long throw but you havent seen me bowl.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Sep 11, 2010 07:31pm | #9

   I dunno

   At least in this neck of the woods it seems like bowling's popularity has declined significantly.  When I was growing up there was a bowling alley right close by and we used to bowl quite often.   Candlepin bowling was quite popular, actually that was the only kind within 50 miles.  Very few alleys still around, again, in this neck of the woods anyway.

   Regards,     

3. 
   HWG | Sep 10, 2010 04:14pm | #3

   Nice Find!

   That will make a great workbench or even a large kitchen island/chopping block. But as stated earlier do we careful of fasterners within.

4. 
   BruceS | Sep 10, 2010 04:36pm | #4

   Workbench top

   My assembly table/work bench is a bowling alley top,  just over 8' long and love it.   I have it backed up to my tablesaw and use it as an outfeed table, so it serves dual purpose.  And Yes they are FULL of nails as previously mentioned.

   My section is a "down stream" section,  Southern yellow pine.

1. 
   HWG | Sep 10, 2010 04:39pm | #5

   Down Stream

   That's interesting. I always assumed they were 100% maple the entire length. Now you have me wondering...

1. 
   BruceS | Sep 10, 2010 06:53pm | #6

   I assumed the same thing about maple.    I did a sight unseen trade for the for the length of bowling alley and made a 45 degree lock miter base pedistal that was tapered vertically for the guy,  2' X2' X 38" out of 3/4 "   oak ply.    What a let down.   But the SYP is still a very good top as 90% of the lumber is pretty much 1/4 sawn.

5. 
   traveller2 | Sep 13, 2010 12:04pm | #10

   I have a bowling alley for my main bench and a rolling bench with my lathe in it. The only problem with using  bowling alleys arethey need to be flattened. Alleys have a crown built into them. I planed mine flat with a Stanley #6 and a lot of elbow grease. I also mounted an Emmerts Pattern vise on the main bench along with a rapid action vise for the tail. I've had this  setup for about 30 years, and it's the heart of my shop.

   TX PS

1. 
   swenson | Sep 13, 2010 05:01pm | #11

   I KNEW IT I KNEW IT !

   That crown was the reason for all those gutter balls.  Thanks for nuttin, bowling alley people.

6. 
   Ray | Sep 14, 2010 02:31am | #12

   Bowling Alley Workbench

   They're great workbenches.  The one I got was nailed, I cut it to length using cheap carbide blades (wear safety glasses), then split off what I needed for the bench.  Keep the angle irons or make cleats across the underside to prevent warping.  About the first 1/3 of the lane is good, rock maple, then pine, then more maple where the pins fall.  Even the pine section makes a great assembly bench.