Bench Top
- Thread starter Tony
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M3845708Bama
Active Member
While working, I moved a lot with my company I built one small bench that was movable. It was used in four states. The last room I expanded and have a large (for me) reloading room. I have found that MDF -medium density fiber board with a number of coats of sander sealer makes a nice honey brown durable top. Two layer of 3/4 glued and screwed with edges rounded with router makes an inexpensive durable top
Walter Laich
Member
bought some DIY wooden workbenches at HD. raised them up about 4" (more comfortable height for me) attached to wall.
so top is side by side 2x4s
so top is side by side 2x4s
Cherokee
Medina, Ohio
My bench is ~40 years old now and been moved around the country as I have moved. 4x4 frame & legs, 2x4 underframe for the top covered with doubled 3/4" plywood with a Masonite cover. I have some short pile carpet that I usually use on top of that so things don't roll off the top. My casting is on a separate bench of 2x6 construction with a 3/8" wood top, primarily used in the wood shop and secondarily for casting. I cast standing so the pot is on a riser above the bench so I can see things happening.
Elkins45
Active Member
I went the laminated 2X4 route. The posts are screwed to the concrete floor below and to the floor joists above. It's pretty sturdy 
I used a scrap of plywood with screws and glue to tie it together under the press. I wish now I had just done the entire bench with a single plywood sheet.
I used a scrap of plywood with screws and glue to tie it together under the press. I wish now I had just done the entire bench with a single plywood sheet.
Creeker
Well-Known Member
I use an old metal desk I've reinforced for loading. My casting is done on milk crate/plywood set up on my double bow laundry sink. Nothing fancy here.
Before most my benches have been 2X4 framed with 2X4 cross members on 16" centers covered with 1/2" CDX plywood. Everything was screwed in place & anchored to the concrete floor & block wall. It was steady.
Before most my benches have been 2X4 framed with 2X4 cross members on 16" centers covered with 1/2" CDX plywood. Everything was screwed in place & anchored to the concrete floor & block wall. It was steady.
Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Under construction, again. But what I've done for my reloading bench tops is used scrap/leftover glue lam beams. These pictures are the new bench they measure 3.5" thick X 12" X 96". I've taken 2 beams this size and bolted them together with 16" timber screws to make a 24" deep bench. The nice thing becides being heavy, is there's lots of meat to bolt into. This is the upgrade, I used to have a 6" thick X 24" wide glue lamb top but in the new room height was tight. Needed evey inch. Also I used Craftsman work benchs with drawers to rest the bench on top of. The drawers on the Craftsman left a lot to be desired. These new drawered benchs I think they are Kolbolt sold at Home Depot, not sure, I'll check, but drawers are on bearings and they come all the way out, rather than 2/3's.
As you can see from this picture my height problem, low ceiling. Besides bolting to the benchs and the wall, I stack a layer of bullets in factory boxes to additionally weight the top down. I'll next post my "new' and under construction casting bench.
The oil stains on the floor are because this room used to be our generator room. lived off grid from 1975 to 1997.
As you can see from this picture my height problem, low ceiling. Besides bolting to the benchs and the wall, I stack a layer of bullets in factory boxes to additionally weight the top down. I'll next post my "new' and under construction casting bench.
The oil stains on the floor are because this room used to be our generator room. lived off grid from 1975 to 1997.
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Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
(under construction also)
This is the casting bench in the same room as the reloading bench. I had a 42" mid box single drawer (black) left over from my tool box set on my vessel, (which I fortunately sold) and 2 of the 3 craftsman boxes I had left over from another project just needed to purchase one box to hold all my molds. But, the bench and uprights are made out of 1 1/8" underlayment plywood, stuff is tuff. I have not finished the above the bench shelving which includes a rangehood with light and vent fan for the pot. The bench is fasten to the left wall and the back wall so it's solid. Bench top measures 20" deep by 72" long. Next post I'll have pictures of what I use for press mounting.
This is the casting bench in the same room as the reloading bench. I had a 42" mid box single drawer (black) left over from my tool box set on my vessel, (which I fortunately sold) and 2 of the 3 craftsman boxes I had left over from another project just needed to purchase one box to hold all my molds. But, the bench and uprights are made out of 1 1/8" underlayment plywood, stuff is tuff. I have not finished the above the bench shelving which includes a rangehood with light and vent fan for the pot. The bench is fasten to the left wall and the back wall so it's solid. Bench top measures 20" deep by 72" long. Next post I'll have pictures of what I use for press mounting.
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Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
I use steel plate 1/2" X 6" X 10" long to mount presses on. You can see 6 holes counter sunk in the plate the Lee press is mounted on, those are for 3" by #14 wood screws to mount the plate on the bench top. I have drilled and tapped the plate for the mounting patterns of other presses. So just bolt down, no nuts to deal with. with the thinner bench top of the reloading bench, 3 & 1/2" compared to the old bench top of 6", I will have to space up the mounting plates with 2 layers of 1&1/8th ply to clear drawers opening.
Anyway construction has been halted on the new room for the honey dew list the boss has insisted I get on with. It's a remodel job I've actually been putting off for about 4 years. So I must pay attention as she is keeping me in a style I prefer.
I'll post pictures when completed.
John
Anyway construction has been halted on the new room for the honey dew list the boss has insisted I get on with. It's a remodel job I've actually been putting off for about 4 years. So I must pay attention as she is keeping me in a style I prefer.
I'll post pictures when completed.
John
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Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Thanks. Trust me, once it's done, I can make it messy. Although I tried to design it so everything has a place, but I'm sure I can over stuff it. It's a 10'X12' room that used to have 2 diesel generators mounted in it. It's not hugh, but It's the space available that can be secured. Ya I'm on the remodel big time so I can get back and finish up the reloading room. Once spring breaks I also have to finish up a 95 yard shooting range. Should be a good summer!!!
Rick, you get the prize for the most portable set up. I can't take it all with me like you can.
That's true, when I escaped CA I just backed a truck up to it and towed it to AR. Of course it took two days to box everything and get it ready to travel but hey, it was all pre-loaded. Here's a picture of it . . .
