Reloading bench top
 

I'm going to be building my reloading bench very soon. Was in the lumber section of local Lowes yesterday and came up with a question on regarding the bench top. How thick/heavy should the bench top be? Would 3/4" fiber board be sufficient? They had a 1" glued pine top that's made of pressure glued strips, about 1"-2" each. Would that hold up to the pressures I'd put on the bench?

RE: Reloading bench top
 

The top of my loading bench is 2.50" thick. It is very sturdy. Good luck.

RE: Reloading bench top
 

Calnewbie,
I used two pieces of 1"inch flooring (plywood) laminated for a total of 2". Now on my portable benches I use a 3/4 inch plywood top with a 1/4 inch aluminum plate that extends 6 inches beyond the press - it eliminates flex as well as the 2" plywood.

PaulS

Think safety, act safely, live long enough to enjoy it

RE: Reloading bench top
 

I dont think the 1" pine by itself would be strong enough unless you supported it with a framework of some kind . the laminated joints would be the strongest point because pine is a softwood .
On my bench I used two layer of particle board laminated together with a 2x12 particle board laminated beam under it in the front and a solid sheet of obs at the back of the bench .Then I covered the whole thing with formica and a oak trim on the face of the double laminate top .Total cost was something like $40.00 . I designed it myself . All it required is two sheets of 3/4" particle board ,one sheet of 1/2" obs and a damaged sheet of formica I got for 5 bucks some glue and screws . I have built three more for friends since then .

RE: Reloading bench top
 

My bench has 4X4 legs and the top is framed by 2X12s nailed and lag screwed to the legs. The top is made of 2X12s nailed to the frame with 16p nails. It is 6 ft long and 38" deep. It is SOLID. You can work the press and have nothing move but the press parts.

NRA Life Member since 2003

RE: Reloading bench top
 

I also use 2x12's laid side by side- 6 ft long, 3 feet wide. I then screwed an sheet of 1/2" B/C grade plywood to the boards (B-side up) to make a very sturdy and smooth surface to work on. I currently use a 2x4 frame for legs- very stursy, but I'm going to upgrade to 4x4 posts if I ever have the time.

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms... who's bringing the chips?

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RE: Reloading bench top
 

I have 2 - 3/4&quot; fiber board's glued togeather and I wish it was heaver! If you reload &quot;BIG BORES&quot; a solid bench is a must when you re-size...<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Hunt Safe!

Jack

RE: Reloading bench top
 

I used a piece of butcher block for my benchtop. A section of an old bowling alley lane is also very sturdy - thick, laminated maple!!

Keep yore powder dry!!

Edited by - eldeguello on 02/02/2003 10:27:23

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RE: Reloading bench top
 

Morning. Looking at my bench edge-wise, it's particle board 1 1/2 inches thick. It also has a laminated top. I found it in the attic of a house we bought one time. It is heavy and very sturdy without any give. I ended up bolting it to the top of a Black and Decker Workmate as I was a bit limited on space. I use a RCBS Rockchucker press.
Regards.

RE: Reloading bench top
 

I did build my top using a section of Bowling alley. 3&quot; thick maple makes a very sturdy top. My dad bought pieces of a local bowling alley many years ago and most of it became workbenches in my shop, but we had a few pieces left for specialty uses like my reloading bench. Sort of an overkill, but works great and looks nice.


Shane Marquardt

RE: Reloading bench top
 

My reloading bench top is made of 2x6's and is 27&quot; deep by 8' long. It has six legs made of 4x4's and a full length shelf of 1/2&quot; plywood underneath that is 12&quot; off the floor. Height of the bench is 33&quot;. It is all put together with deck screws, no nails. It is very heavy and sturdy. If my memory serves me correctly, total cost was a little over $100. Should last a lifetime though.