Armory Sponsor
Posted: 4/27/2017 5:20:23 PM EDT
|
Would this make a decent reloading bench? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Signature-Development-72-in-Fold-Out-Wood-Workbench-WKBNCH72X22/203083493
I know MDT isn't the best surface. Is there a good way to reinforce the top? |
|
Made hot...
Doesn't look bad... could always add extra bracing. |
|
Quoted:
Would this make a decent reloading bench? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Signature-Development-72-in-Fold-Out-Wood-Workbench-WKBNCH72X22/203083493 I know MDT isn't the best surface. Is there a good way to reinforce the top? If you don't have any building skills, get a steel frame bench with a butcher block top. |
|
I have moved 8 times in the last 6 years so a bit of portability is welcome. Also the only space I have right now that I can dedicate to a bench is somewhat hard to get to. Someday I will have a room like the rest of Arfcom, but for now I'm limited.
I was going to buy one of the 2x4 Basics kits, but the cost of that kit alone, before lumber, is about the same as this bench. Is there anything I could do to improve the usability of this bench? I have been using an old heavy office desk as a combination reloading desk, gun cleaning station, and computer desk. I want a dedicated reloading space so I can get a progressive press set up. |
|
Quoted:
I have moved 8 times in the last 6 years so a bit of portability is welcome. Also the only space I have right now that I can dedicate to a bench is somewhat hard to get to. Someday I will have a room like the rest of Arfcom, but for now I'm limited. I was going to buy one of the 2x4 Basics kits, but the cost of that kit alone, before lumber, is about the same as this bench. Is there anything I could do to improve the usability of this bench? I have been using an old heavy office desk as a combination reloading desk, gun cleaning station, and computer desk. I want a dedicated reloading space so I can get a progressive press set up. |
I bought my workbench at Sam's, https://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip
|
|
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/work-benches/open-leg/adjustable-height/60-w-x-30-d-ash-butcher-block-safety-edge-workbench-adjustable-height-black
You can also buy just the legs if you want to make your own bench top. http://www.globalindustrial.com/c/work-benches/components/legs-shelves |
|
Quoted:
I have moved 8 times in the last 6 years so a bit of portability is welcome. Also the only space I have right now that I can dedicate to a bench is somewhat hard to get to. Someday I will have a room like the rest of Arfcom, but for now I'm limited. I was going to buy one of the 2x4 Basics kits, but the cost of that kit alone, before lumber, is about the same as this bench. Is there anything I could do to improve the usability of this bench? I have been using an old heavy office desk as a combination reloading desk, gun cleaning station, and computer desk. I want a dedicated reloading space so I can get a progressive press set up. Needs more bracing and an 1 1/2 inch thick top. If you don't have any building skills, get a steel frame bench with a butcher block top. |
|
Quoted:
You must of not read my previous post; Needs more bracing and an 1 1/2 inch thick top. If you don't have any building skills, get a steel frame bench with a butcher block top. It seems the "good" benches with steel legs and solid tops cost ~$300 which seems kind of high... especially if I find myself somewhere else in a year where that bench might not fit well. |
|
Brace the legs, add a brace in the middle of the bench (2x4 legs and cross member) Add a sheet of 3/4 plywood to top.
Glue (wood glue) and screw everything together. 
My bench has legs every 16 inches and 1 1/2 inch top. Notice legs on either side of press. Stain/finish drawers are optional. Build some shelf's for the back of the bench. |
|
Quoted:
So if I added a 2x4 brace to the legs and glued/screwed on another inch or so of plywood it would be good? It seems the "good" benches with steel legs and solid tops cost ~$300 which seems kind of high... especially if I find myself somewhere else in a year where that bench might not fit well. |
|
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/290870_Official-HOW-TO-build-a-basic-reloading-bench--Plans-and-Process-w-pics.html
Thread about bench building. Just look at how it's constructed, notice top bracing. One major mistake was made with this style bench was the shelf on the bottom. It should not be at floor level, it should be around 6 inches above the floor. Why? The term for this is "toe kick". This bench has none, and your feet will hate not having any "toe kick". Go look at your kitchen cabinets and see what I mean. Woodworking lesson over for the day. 
|
|
Quoted:
Would this make a decent reloading bench? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Signature-Development-72-in-Fold-Out-Wood-Workbench-WKBNCH72X22/203083493 I know MDT isn't the best surface. Is there a good way to reinforce the top? That is similar to what I built. I used 4x4's for the legs and more bracing between the left and right legs and front to back. I also put 2x4's left to right for the top and then put a 1/2" plywood top. |
|
imo you could look at some butcherblock counter tops or find a used butcherblock slab and put it on some bench legs like i did for my computer desk.
if not look at maybe make your own with 2x4's  DIY Butcher Block WorkBench |
|
You could do the entire thing out of 2x4s. Tools; circular saw, drill, square and some wrenches.
Lap joint your legs drill through. Bolt legs and bracing with carriage bolts to make it knock down for Moving. Obviously don't glue the joints that need to come apart for moving. I have built several of this style. A 24" depth is a touch shallow but it uses a plywood sheet cut in half and doubled. Ie 3/4 plywood doubled for A 1.5 inch top. A 24" counter depth does help in smaller garages. It doesn't take too much crap tying up space in a garage before you cannot get the vehicles in. Off topic but hey. It's free info. I am making one now in the garage for a regular workbench. 12 foot by 28 inch depth. I like that counter depth as it's not too small and yet I can reach the Back wall. Top frame band is 2x6, 4x4 legs, 2x4 bracing/bottom shelf support. Bolt and glued with construction adhesive up Top. Lower shelf suppost 2x4 supports attached with adhesive and 3.5 inch construction screws. Top will be 3/4 ply doubled. Lower shelf will be remnant 3/4 ply in single thickness. This will have a 6 inch mammoth vise on it. |
|
Quoted:
I bought my workbench at Sam's, https://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip http://i.imgur.com/U7coqrD.jpg |
|
I wanted something custom to fit the space. Frame is 2x4s with the top support at 16" on center. Then I used 2 layers of 3/4" plywood, glued and screwed. On top of that I put 3/4 oak flooring strips and finished it with urethane. The bench is attached to the wall which is my foundation.
The cabinets I built as well and need to install the doors but other projects have put this on the back burner. 
|
|
Quoted:
I made a top like that (gluing 2x4's together). Gunpowder gets in the cracks between the boards. It's a lot of work for nothing. The Sam's Club bench is what you want. If you had a table saw ripping the sanded round over edges off would go be you a square edge. Coincidentally if you rip Enough off I found you have get a nice piece of cheap trim which I use for dressing the edge of my doubled three quarter inch plywood. I stumbled upon that accidentally. Now that I drive a jeep I'm not ashamed to have the big box store cut my plywood in half with their Awesome panel cutter. |
|
Quoted:
Also it f you do buy a bench with an MDF top you can buy some plywood to go underneath for structure and use your MDF as a sacrificial surface. Do not glue the MDF. You flip it upside down when battered for a second new surface later. |
|
Quoted:
I wanted something custom to fit the space. Frame is 2x4s with the top support at 16" on center. Then I used 2 layers of 3/4" plywood, glued and screwed. On top of that I put 3/4 oak flooring strips and finished it with urethane. The bench is attached to the wall which is my foundation. The cabinets I built as well and need to install the doors but other projects have put this on the back burner. http://i60.tinypic.com/33lfpxj.jpg |
|
Quoted:
I wanted something custom to fit the space. Frame is 2x4s with the top support at 16" on center. Then I used 2 layers of 3/4" plywood, glued and screwed. On top of that I put 3/4 oak flooring strips and finished it with urethane. The bench is attached to the wall which is my foundation. The cabinets I built as well and need to install the doors but other projects have put this on the back burner. http://i60.tinypic.com/33lfpxj.jpg I too have stalled on the cabinet door phase. I got totally stalled on my basement reloading area work when I started the garage. Once I get the garage workshop mostly set I will get back to it. It was kind of like the song "There is a hole in the bucket dear Liza". I am glad to get the wood shop dust out of my reloading area. ETA the combined shop with its sawdust is why I am a huge proponent of putting doors on, turning shelves into cabinets. I can avoid more cleaning work that way! Hiding the unsightly mishmash of stuff is secondary. |
|
Quoted:
I glued a 1/4" sheet of white Melamine to the top of my bench top, and figure that once it is battered and worn, I can flip it over and glue a new sheet on the other side. Mistake, MDF I avoid because it sags like a mo fo. All the gorilla shelving units I have with any Weight on the MDF panels sag. I would sooner use real plywood with the melamine top. Thanks for the wake up. |
|
Quoted:
I tried that exact bench from the home de pot. It was too flimsy. The legs moved too much. I use it for stoage age and use the wife's old work desk for reloading HF, has also been putting their block top work bench on sale the last couple of months and it is a nice sturdy bench, would work good for a reloading bench. |
|
Quoted:
I bought one of the Home Depot fold out benches, with a small amount of work, it is fine, I fixed the legs so they won't move, and put laminate flooring on the top, two roll around tool boxes beneath it and my mini mill and lathe are mounted to it, I got mine when it was on sale for $60 has worked just fine for me. HF, has also been putting their block top work bench on sale the last couple of months and it is a nice sturdy bench, would work good for a reloading bench. Its not a bad workbench and maybe it was just the one that I got but it had a whole lotta wobble to it. |
|
Quoted:
I thought about bracing the legs but we had my wife's old desk. Its not a bad workbench and maybe it was just the one that I got but it had a whole lotta wobble to it. |
Armory Sponsor