Posted: 9/5/2009 5:15:52 PM EDT
| I am building a new reloading bench here and i am planning on using 2x4s. How do I go about securing the counter top to the 2x4s?? without distroying the top? I plan on using carriage bolts and some aluminum angle iron to hold the bench togther. I am doing it this way because I live in an apt and when I move I would like to take it apart to make it easier to move. |
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What type of counter top? Formica counter tops are usually attached with general purpose wood screws from the bottom up, in an appropriate length to not penetrate the top.
My bench has close to 1 3/4" thick MDF top with an oak venier glued to the top. It is secured to the base in the same manner. |
Ok this might help, If you look at the pics I was thinking of removing the 2 parts that have the blue X on them so I can put a length of 2x4 there. Another thought I had was in addition to the wood screws to go from the underside, also use some liquid nails as well as the screws to help hold it. Granted I only put some short pieces there just to be able to get the idea for the layout of the support as I want to eliminate as much flex as possible in the top for the presses. Oh and the angle iron stuff is aluminum I have 8 pieces of that.
What the countertop started out as and the surface of it and my thoughts on basically building it. |
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Ok this might help, If you look at the pics I was thinking of removing the 2 parts that have the blue X on them so I can put a length of 2x4 there. Another thought I had was in addition to the wood screws to go from the underside, also use some liquid nails as well as the screws to help hold it. Granted I only put some short pieces there just to be able to get the idea for the layout of the support as I want to eliminate as much flex as possible in the top for the presses. Oh and the angle iron stuff is aluminum I have 8 pieces of that. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c175/nightwolf457/100_0415.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c175/nightwolf457/100_0424.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c175/nightwolf457/100_0427.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c175/nightwolf457/100_0429.jpg What the counter top started out as and the surface of it and my thoughts on basically building it. I'm not seeing the blue X's. How thick is the counter top? IMHO you need a 1 1/2 inch thick bench top. If top is not thick enough, glue and screw 3/4 plywood to the bottom of the counter top. Place 2 x 4 braces every 16 inches to support top. Braces to go from front to back and screw to the bench frame. Screw and glue every joint. Screw size #8 min, ( #10 size would be better ) just short of going thru the joint. So for screwing two 2 x 4's together 2 1/2 inch screw. Use Carpenters yellow wood glue. Build frame first. Height? Will you sit or stand to load? Stand, Measure your kitchen counter. Is it a comfortable height for you? Add or subtract height to suit yourself. Sit, Measure a handy table when sitting in a chair. Add or subtract height to suit yourself. Once frame is built use the brackets to attach top to the frame. This will make top removable for moving. |
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Ah Ok, thanks for the input dryflash, looks like I need some 3/4 in MDF or plywood, which would be better? edit to put a pic back in http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c175/nightwolf457/100_0420.jpg Yes, remove pieces with the blue X. Top 2 x 4 in your pic is laying the wrong way. It needs to touch the top on the narrow side. You only need one 2 x 4 for the frame, not the two in pic. Also cross braces will not have to be notched. You have one laying flat, and one on top (correct way). So if you removed the two bottom 2 x 4's laying flat, you got it. You do not need the angle to brace the leg, just glue and screw leg to the two 2 x 4's that come together in the corner. The legs will need another frame towards the bottom that will be covered in plywood / mdf to form a shelf. The height of the shelf depends on what you might want to store under the bench. If no storage is wanted under shelf, then place bottom of 2 x 4 frame about three inches off the floor. This will form a 'kick space", or a place for your toes as you sit / stand at bench. With the frame at the top to attach the top to, and the frame / shelf at the bottom, the bench will be braced well. Plywood for strength, MDF because of budget. |
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With the frame at the top to attach the top to, and the frame / shelf at the bottom, the bench will be braced well. Plywood for strength, MDF because of budget. you havent looked at mdf prices lately... around here 3/4 mdf that was about 12 bucks two years ago is now 25... 3/4 plywood is about 20 bucks 
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With the frame at the top to attach the top to, and the frame / shelf at the bottom, the bench will be braced well. Plywood for strength, MDF because of budget. you havent looked at mdf prices lately... around here 3/4 mdf that was about 12 bucks two years ago is now 25... 3/4 plywood is about 20 bucks You are right, I have no idea what building materials cost in Va. |
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Here is a thread about building work benches.
The bench with the black top shows the frame details I was describing. Also has a bottom shelf. The RC work bench has no "toe kick". Also a couple of very heavy duty benches, one from the OP. |