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Posted: 12/7/2014 2:11:12 PM EDT
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I am going to build a 10ft reloading bench in an extra bedroom I have. I am thinking about using 3/4 plywood on the top with a pre fab laminate counter top on top of that. Anyone see any issues with that? This is the kind of top I am talking about
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| Going to put 2 36 inch wide cabinets on one side above it and leave the remaining 4feet for clearance with the case feeder and a peg board. Just going to do 6 4x4 legs with 2x4 for support for the top and bottom shelf with bracing spaced every 16 inches or so. I can't decide what height to make it however. I usually reload while standing but sitting works as well. Any suggestions? |
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Quoted:
Going to put 2 36 inch wide cabinets on one side above it and leave the remaining 4feet for clearance with the case feeder and a peg board. Just going to do 6 4x4 legs with 2x4 for support for the top and bottom shelf with bracing spaced every 16 inches or so. I can't decide what height to make it however. I usually reload while standing but sitting works as well. Any suggestions? I had a friend install it on top of 2 cabinets on both sides with the plan to add cabinets above. I set it up previously to get it at the right height for me using a mount that raises it up and moves the press on top of the bench. I also got a cheap adjustable bar stool at Wal-Mart that worked well for different scenarios while working on the bench. I'll snag some pics later tonight...maybe it will give you some ideas with what you want to do. |
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Quoted:
No issues. I built that onto my loading bench nearly 20 years ago. Has been a great working surface, however, it is mounted directly on top of 1/2 inch plywood for more support. It'll have 3/4 plywood under it for added strength. Just need to decide on height. I am thinking 36-40 inches |
Mine. I built an L shaped beam out of 2x4's for the front edge for rigidity. You can just see it in the pic. The cabinets were free.  There are also some braces under the counter top itself and all of it is glued and screwed.
Bolt your bench to the wall also. Just two screws is all it needs to get rid of wobbling as you pull the press handle. |
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Be aware those prefab tops have almost no strength. If I was building the bench I would use 2 layers of 3/4" plywood under the top. Or at least a very strong frame for the top. You have forces on a reloading bench a kitchen counter does not see.
Having a laminate top makes clean up real easy and it looks good until it gets beat up. A random pattern will help hide marks. I built a work top in my last house out of 3 layers of 3/4 plywood. I then put a laminate on it myself. Real easy. Just paint pn contact cement and lay the stuff on it. Then use a trim bit in a router and done. Kitchen counters are only 24" deep. I like workbenches to be 30-32" deep. I am getting ready to build a work area over Christmas. Mine will be in a corner. One wall is 11 feet the other 8 feet. I am going to go 30" deep, 2 maybe 3 layers of 3/4 plywood and oak flooring on top for a butcher block look. I have a bunch of oak flooring I remove from a kitchen I helped remodel. I am going to figure out a way to have an exchangeable mount so I can put a single stage press, large vise, small vise, gun vise or just a flat spot to match the bench. I am not super worried about looks as it is in a basement and not the living area of the house. |
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I'd also have concerns over the edge type of the laminate top. I'd prefer a squared edge for support under the press. The one you linked has a decorative piece added that pushes your edge mounted equipment out.
I like the laminate. you could do 2 layers of 3/4 and then glue your own laminate down. I just built 2 benches, one a general workbench with a large vise. The other is a cabinet style that I am making my own drawers and doors. both are just painted with medium gray enamel paint. I used one side sanded plywood. It could be smoother yet but it's ok. I have to get around to cabinets this winter. I'm actually working on my general home workshop area first. I'll do the gunny room later. |
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I would not want the relatively brittle laminate on a workbench.
I 100% would NOT have particle board, either. Particle board is what they use for the substrate for those pre-fab counter tops. If you use laminate, put it directly onto the plywood. It's not hard to do - contact cement, sticks, laminate trimmer bit in your router. |
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Quoted:
i used laminate flooring on my bench. if it gets beat up i just replace the bad peices. I got some peel and stick floor tiles for free. They are not that pricey anyway. compared to all the work you could put into a nice looking wood top. Tried them on a extra bench over a heavy sub layer. They have help up for five years. I have extra if I burn, cut or damage them. Easy to keep clean. |
| I glued a layer of 1/4" plywood on top of my 3/4" plywood top, then primed and painted it. Gray. I have most of a quart of that paint left, so if it gets dirty, I can repaint it. I have a number of rectangular chunks of 3/4" ply that I use on top of the bench if I need to whack on something on the top - that helps keep the actual top from getting beat up too much. I agree that laminate tops look pretty, but since they're brittle they will crack, chip and otherwise deteriorate. And unless you do the laminating yourself, the substrate will be as cheap as the prefab folks can get away with. Not a great idea for a bench top. |
3/4 inch plywood top with a 3/4 inch steel plate for press and tool mounting.
Untitled by zweitakt250, on Flickr |
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Quoted: I glued and screwed 2 3/4" pieces of cheap plywood together and then filled the top with wood filler and laid down polyurethane on the whole top. Nice and easy to clean up and won't damage metal. I did something very similar along with a piece of 1.5" trim around the edge. I still need to get the shelves put in on the left side.  |
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