Help me pick a reloading bench plan

[Citadel99]

I've been looking over a few options. What do you guys recommend?

http://www.handymanusa.com/articles/workbench.html

http://www.2xtreme.net/~jcouts/wood/workbch1.html

http://www.grampasworkshop.net/workbench.html

http://popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/furniture/2003/8/build_workbench/print.phtml

There's also a kit over at Home Depot that is only $49.95. It sits on 2X6s and has 2X6s as the table top. Is it better to have a plywood top? Let me know what yall think.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[g56]

That first one's pretty good with the 2x6 top, a plywood top by itself is too light for a loading bench, a loading bench needs to be heavy and sturdy.

You might look at the length, if you have the space available you might want to make it longer, they are using 48" length for economy. They are nailing it together, I nailed mine a long time ago and it is holding up, but you might consider bolting it together.

 

[Citadel99]

I've got about 55" to work with (from wall to window) so I plan to build it that wide.

Mark

 

[Murphster]

To answer one of your questions, my bench began life made out of 2"x6" lumber. I had one of the Home Depot benches already as a workbench. I used it more or less as a template, made things bigger, developed a lumber list, then went to Home Depot and had them cut the lumber for me. Instant reloader bench kit. Hauled it home and screwed it together. The thing is big and rock solid but I quickly tired of digging/brushing powder particles and whatever out of the cracks between the boards that served as the bench top. Covered them with plywood and have lived with it happily ever after. (I also recommend a board that sticks up a few inches from the back of your bench (a backsplash type of arrangement) to stop goodies from disappearing off the back of your bench. I used a strip of quarter round between that board and the bench top to get rid of that crack. Mine doesn't look too different from the one you have from grandpasworkshop. The bottom bracing can be used to create a storage area beneath the bench. Also, his has (as does mine) an end that overlaps the legs - makes it easy to mount your press. Whatever you choose, have fun.

 

[308win]

Sams Club sells a product called gorrila shelf that can be configured into a bench. Bolt a plywood top on it and you are good to go in less than an hour.

 

[Jeeper]

I would really reccomend using a countertop for the top. Just brace where the press will go for the support. This way the top already has a built in backsplash and it is resistant to chemicals so you can clean on it. I used it on my newest bench and this is the 5th time I have moved and built benches. I will never use anything else. I just mounted it right into the wall this time which elimates the legs and is much sturdier.

Here is a pic

 

[Citadel99]

I'll have to swing by Sams and check out the Gorilla shelf. Here's the kicker--I'm in a rental house right now so I don't think bolting into the wall will be kosher (even though my landlord is a big shooter/hunter). I'll be in this house for a year, then Iraq or Afghanistan for a year, and then I'll have plently o' money for a down payment on a house where I can do whatever I want. So, until then...

Jeeper--That's a great room--I'll have one like it. Oh yes, I will. Do you think mounting a countertop on 4X4s would be sturdy enough if I built some underneath support/shelving?

Mark

 

[g56]

In a rental house...that's one of the reasons why I recommended bolting it together, you can take it apart to move it! I own the house, but I would have a heck of a time getting the bench out of the room it's in, it's a lot bigger than any door!

Covering the top was mentioned, when I built my bench I covered the top of it with self adhesive shelf paper, works great!

 

[Poul D'eau]

Murphster has a great point about a top layer on your workbench. I would recomend MDF over plywood. Its cheaper and has a nice smooth surface.

Also if possible use a router to make a trough near the edge of the work surface. Think of it as a shallow trench to keep things from rolling off the table top. I used a 5/8" straight bit set to about 1/8" deep and 1/2" away from the edge.

 

[kernal_panic]

MDF is garbage. it swells up like a footballers knee when hit by water. if you want a smooth surface use finishing plywood and hit it with a sander.

 

[Poul D'eau]

That can be true kernal_panic if you let a puddle sit there..... or use it in a bathroom. But I keep my table clear of items that don't belong.

In my former life we used them as tops for welding tables. They took a LOT of abuse. They were outside under an overhang while they did not get hit by direct rain they did absorb a lot of moisture and held up.

Plus the price of plywood has gone up a bit (I guess its going to Iraq?) and MDF is about a 1/3 cheaper than CDX if not a 1/4 that of inexpensive birch.

 

[vertigo7]

2x4 Basics Workbench

 

[Gary H]

I have an inexpensive solution that works great and is solid, holds anything and everything and little work is involved in assembly.

I purchased two heavy duty racks at the local hardware store and arranged them back to back. The table top is your choice. I believe that the whole thing is under $300 and holds four, or more presses, two safes and a jillion other items. Less room, just use one rack.

 

[Jeeper]

Mark,

one of my first benches was 4x4's connected with 2/6's. I ran 2x6's horizontally to mount the press to through the top. It was really strong. Having a lower shelf with some weight on it definately helps. One or two screws into the studs wont be noticable. I did that at my rental about 6 years ago. You dont really need it but it is a big help. I would only consider using melamine or some other laminate on the top because it wont stain and will repel everything. of course if you are only going to use it for a year then trash it I wouldnt be concenred with anything but cost. Dont use MDF because it will swell if you spill on it. Plywood would be better and chaper than melamine.

Here is a pic of a bench at my last house. You can see the frame is rather simple. On the left you can sort of see that I had 2 2x6's running flat front to back for the press to mount to. The top on this one was melamine which was nice(Just not as nice as a pre-done countertop)

 

[Citadel99]

Thanks for all the replies. I decided to go with a workbench on sale at Sears since this place is just a rental. I've got a strong mount on the way for my 550B and will post a picture of the setup when it's setup.

Thanks again,

Mark

 

[Valkman]

Hmmm, does it look like THIS? This bench has worked great for me for over 2k rounds now.

 

[Citadel99]

Same but different--it's got the drawers on the right and a door on the left. I didn't pick up the back board though--do you recommend it? It doesn't look like you got too much on it.

Mark

 

[Valkman]

The back is pretty small, and the only reason I got it was for the light. I do need all the light I can get. There was a guy either here or on 1911 forums that bought the same bench that I did but without the back and then put a huge pegboard on the wall behind it. That was a neat set-up, if you have enough light already. The only other handy thing is the multi-outlet, but you can add that yourself.