jbultman Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Hey guys, I've been using a heavy wood desk as a temporary reloading bench while we get settled into our new house. However, I'm at a point now where I'm planning and executing building a proper reloading bench. I have all the plans laid out for what I want EXCEPT the work table top. What is everyone using for their table top? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAM Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 I used grade A 3/4 inch plywood. I didn't finish mine, but a friend stained his and put polyurethane on his top and it look good and cleans up nice too. If you want a real heavy duty top I have seen benches with double 3/4 plywood that made for a real strong top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman195 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 3/4 plywood on top of whatever composite wood came with the actual bench. Spray painted it white and bolts it to the top of the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lefty o Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 i like a cleaner look, so used plain old kitchen counter tops. now they do have a bit of flex so under the presses i use 3/4" boards as load spreaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbultman Posted July 6, 2017 Author Share Posted July 6, 2017 I originally thought about plywood. But, how did you guys take care of the rough edges of the plywood? I was thinking 2x4s or 2x6s and making a table top then screwing MDF to it to make a smooth work surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudyVey Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 My table top are two quarter sheets of MDF screwed together, so the thickness is about 1.5". The top is mounted on a table structure I built from 2x4. Two 550 and one SQD are on the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbultman Posted July 6, 2017 Author Share Posted July 6, 2017 (edited) 10 minutes ago, RudyVey said: My table top are two quarter sheets of MDF screwed together, so the thickness is about 1.5". The top is mounted on a table structure I built from 2x4. Two 550 and one SQD are on the bench. What kind of structure build of 2x4? How's it holding up? Edited July 6, 2017 by jbultman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techj Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 I used double 3/4" plywood sheets with wood glue between them on a 2x6 frame and 4x4 legs. Used a pine wood strip around the exposed edge and coated with polyurethane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssanders224 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Go to a lumber supply, and ask if they have any damaged or un-usable solid core wood doors. Best cost effective bench top by far. You'll need some help, they can be HEAVY. Rip it up on a table saw to the dimensions you want, and finish edges with molding. Or best case scenario, finish in Formica. My second option, is two layers of 3/4 MDF glued and laminated together, finished in Formica. MDF is heavier and more dense than plywood, and makes a much better bench top (when finished in Formica). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudyVey Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 7 minutes ago, jbultman said: What kind of structure build of 2x4? How's it holding up? Just a simple table structure, I got some brackets from HD, some 2x4 and made a simple table. I used this as an assembly table when I made furniture in the past. Really nothing fancy, but it works fine. Used to have a big workshop, but now I am very limited to space. Lower shelf holds my compressor, nail guns and hose wheel for compressed air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssanders224 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Or another really nice option... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Mine is 3/4 inch oak ply doubled up and a frame made of 2x4 and 4x4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssanders224 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 All that being said, I'd just get one of these two benches and spend my time reloading They are both great, and I have two 1050s mounted to the Gladiator version, and love it. They look much cleaner than a homemade bench too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssanders224 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Mine is 3/4 inch oak ply doubled up and a frame made of 2x4 and 4x4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS_A18138 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 (edited) Edited July 6, 2017 by MarkS_A18138 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS_A18138 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 I bought 2 of the tables from Sams and i love them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximis228 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 2 minutes ago, MarkS_A18138 said: Alright, now I'm intrigued. What is the gold press? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkS_A18138 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 The Dillon 1050 of the shotgun world...That is the "Buy Once Cry Once" Spolar Gold 12ga reloader! Trust me 200k plus reloades and Every other Shotshell loader is playing for 2nd place!...LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMechanic Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 I have about $40 in my bench. Legs are doubled-up 2x4s. Entire frame work of 2x4s - with long diagonal 2x2 braces to triangulate the legs so it's rock solid. Top is two sheets of 2ftx4ft plywood. Screwed the first one down then used about half a tube of wood glue and a few dozen screws to mount the second one and give me a cheap 1.5" thick top. Works great. Whatever you build, though, take the time to screw it to the wall right away. I waited a year before simply running two long screws into the studs and the difference is night and day when you're rocking even a really sturdy bench around with that pry bar that cycles your press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximis228 Posted July 6, 2017 Share Posted July 6, 2017 Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustygun Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 I have two benches one is a 2x6 frame and top with a layer of rubber from truck mud flaps. Surface is easy to clean and nearly indestructible. Dillon 550 is mounted right over the leg area and the table does not flex but even with 3" lag bolts in the studs in the wall it wiggles. I hate a wiggly bench. Just finished a second bench bench made with sandwhiched 2x4"s for the top. It is 3.5" thick and 24" wide and about 6 ft long. Legs are designed to eliminate racking and wiggle. Shelves underneath hold woodworking tools so Bench weighs about 300lbs. It does NOT wiggle. Total cost including heavy duty retractable casters was under $200 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Spar Urethane is great for bare wood( 3 coats). Double up or get any solid scrap wood or door over 1 inch thick. One of my benches is thinner, and too springy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 Not my reloading bench, but it's stronger. Double 7/16" plywood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD45 Posted July 7, 2017 Share Posted July 7, 2017 This is 5/8". I wish it were thicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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