New Bench Questions???????

[mebe007]

Ok so I get to move my reloading stuff into the house into one of the spare rooms and out of the garage. So I'm trying to design a new bench. Found a 6.5ft live of counter top with a 3ft L at the habitat store for $18. I can make a wooden frame for it, but my question to you guys is, is it strong enough for reloading. It seems like 3/4 particle with a formica top

[flashhole]

It will make a fine top but I would mount the presses to a metal plate and mount the plate to the bench for added strength. You might even consider plates above and below the top for added strength. The idea is to distribute the forces the top will encounter during difficult sizing operations. I mounted my pesses to a 5/16" steel plate.

[Ben]

I just finished building my friend Jason, a reloading bench out in his garage.
The top is made of 2 sheets of 3/8 " plywood put together with construction
adhesive and screws.

A sheet of " wafer -board " was used for the shelf underneath.

Not seen in these photos are 3 shelves ( 12 inches deep ) that will be on the top of the bench that will be attached to the wall , running the full length of the bench

The frame is made out of 2 X 6's , everywhere wood touches wood, there is 3 inch deck screws and construction adhesive.

Ben

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Loading%20bench/05282011002.jpg

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Loading%20bench/05282011005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Loading%20bench/05282011004.jpg

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Loading%20bench/05282011008.jpg

[468]

Ben, Nice work!

My bench, which is not dedicated to just reloading, is of similar construction except:
I tied into the wall since it will be stationary.
Used 4X4's for front legs.
used 2X6's and 2X4's for the top, with a masonite cover.

I store my presses/equipment in a deep drawer underneath. I have holes drilled into the bench top for the various presses, with steel threaded inserts. It takes only a minute or two to mount the press and get at it...

[birdadly]

I just made a bench like this as it's going in a spare bedroom! I've yet to post pics in the bench thread but figure I'd put one up for you to see. I did what flashhole said but used 3/4" wood pieces instead of metal as I didn't have any. I think it helps in it's sturdiness.

I did add another press already and a bunch more mess... I need to take more pics and put them in that other thread soon!

Oh, make sure the counter top doesn't have a lip on it. A lot of newer ones do now so liquids don't spill off as easily. I wasn't sure the press would go on as nicely so I looked until I found a straight one. This one was a closeout at Lowes for $25.

Since it went into a spare room I didn't want a full base, so it's attached to a set of drawers on one side and a wood strip on the other, and the entire back of it is sitting on a 2x8 as well. It's quite sturdy... so far.

Good luck! -Brad
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_179634dfba61a13470.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1217)

[mebe007]

this one cannot attach to the wall in any way. the counter top i found does not have the lip. i love the l because one portion will be in front of a window and i will put the production pot there long with the rcbs sizer and the rest of the bench will be for loading. so far there will be 2 single stage presses mounted on it. i want to have it like a desk almost so that i can get my legs under it a tad if need be and i can use an office chair etc.

then maybe i can get a book case for next to it to hold components.

now how do i mount the counter top to the frame or cabinets. sorry ive built plenty of work benches before but never used counter tops.

[birdadly]

Since I didn't trust the countertop's particle board to hold screws very well, I used liquid nails and glued another 1/2" plywood to the underside of it. I then screwed up from underneath (mine was thru the wood on the drawers, yours would be whatever your base is) into the plywood and just a bit into the particle board (I think). Plus that pulled the counter down flush, as it was slightly warped. (I hope that made sense!)

I, too, need to think of more storage room. As much as I wanted to keep the underneath clear and clean, I think I will need to add another set of drawers or shelving on the right side. -Brad

[m1g]

I too have a countertop 6' long I use for a bench. Little metal 90 degree angle brackets from the hardware store or even Walmart will do nicely to fasten the top on to your frame underneath.
I have shelving on my walls for storage. Getting ready to put up even more 'cause my bench is getting run over with reloading stuff. Don't know what I'll do when the walls are covered with shelving and I still run out of room. AHHH, the room next to it is only being used for storing things, maybe I'll have to knock the wall out and expand, HMMMM! I could even build a second bench to mount my other presses.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I saw two really nice benches at Sam's Club today. One was a very nice 6' long butcher block laminated top about 1.75 thick attached to a six legged steel stand. Very solid $189.

The second was a rolling cart 7' long x 2' wide with the same style Butcherblock style top. Had good solid big wide casters with locks on all 4 wheels. And it had drawers enough to handle a large amount of tooling I would say off hand it had 12 drawers and a cabinet syle door in the center. $398. this seems like alot but it would be hard to build something like this for $400.

I have been going to make a new bench for all of my Shotgun loading equipment using a kitchen cabinet with drawers and doors, and a Formica top. You mount the progressive so it drops the loaded shells into a hole in the top with a drawer underneath to catch them.

Many guys over on Trapshooters.com have very serious reloading rooms and it would be worth a trip over there to see them and get some ideas.

Randy

[cbrick]

A few years ago Costco had similiar benches except 8 feet long, 1 3/4" maple laminate top on really strong tubular frame & legs. Don't remember the exact price but they were about 175-185 bucks each. While looking at them in the store I realized that I could not buy the materials and build my own for that amount.

Two of the 3 benches I had at the time were the formica kitchen counters (6 ft) with plywood glued & screwed on the under side for strength. Two of the Costco benches followed me home and the kitchen counters went into a friends garage where he promptly set a Dodge 440 big block complete motor. He now has 1 kitchen counter in his garage.

Rick