Building a few new reloading work tops

[hAkron]

Last summer I bought 3 sets of the 2x4 basics work bench legs (http://www.2x4basics.com/WorkBench-Legs.asp). If you are not familiar with them, it's a kit with 4 composite pre-drilled bench legs. You just add lumber for the top and a few under shelves.

I have a decent bench right now, but also have a few other cabinets and such that really aren't appropriate for my needs. I just added a 2nd MEC 9000 to my arsenal, so it's time to start this project.

My plan is to build 2 of my 3 kits for now. I'm going to do both of them as 2'x6'. I'm going to do a bottom shelf, but no middle shelf, though I bought enough 2x4's to frame 3 sides of where the middle shelf would be. I think this will add some additional stability. For the bench top and the shelf I am doing 2 sheets of 2'x6' 3/4" sanded pine on each, I'm going to screw them together and glue them as well. Might be overkill, but one sheet of 3/4" seemed thin.

I'll post some pictures of my progress. I bought the wood yesterday, but I'm waiting until next weekend to start.

 

[Urban_Redneck]

I prefer Baltic (Russian) birch ply, the 3/4" has 12 void free layers. I've only bought it in 5'x5' (64lb) sheets though.



2 1/4" x 20"x 60"

 

[stavman11]

I have built many many Benches in my days... But only 1 dedicated to Loading

In the Past i used 2x12 laid flat with 1/4" melamine on the top.... You could drive a Tank on It.... 2x6 laid flat would also work... either way get dry Lumber so now twisting takes place..

Then i used cheap 3/4" CDX with the same Melamine on top... this works Great as well... there are core voids in CDX but really didnt impact the bench Strength at all.. this you could drive a TRUCK on for sure....

Now My Loading bench is a bit Different... I wanted something pretty since it is in my office just off the kitchen and Great Room...
I went with 1" Butcher block Top... 4x4 solid Corners.. 1x4 Pine Trim and 2x4 bracing under the Top... doubled at each press Location.. I also placed casters on it, but since it is Now Anchored to the wall.. they are usless...
All is varnished and sanded 4x so looks Purty...

I also have a Shelf... More used as a foot rest.. its is 1/2" Butcher board and is just Fine....

I'd Suggest for yer shelf 1 layer of 3/4 ply, thats just fine.... Now for the Top... thats upto you... For my lee pro 1000 presses the top need to be canted over about 2"... so if you need similar... either go 1-1/8 ply or 2 layers of Ply like you planned...

have fun and Enjoy yer project

 

[oneounceload]

When I built a dedicated reloading bench, I used a stock kitchen counter top with marine-grade plywood glued and screwed underneath for strength (two layers of 3/4" each). That gave me an extended area from the bench base for my legs. That was screwed to the base (Gorilla rack system) and also to wall studs through the backsplash. That gave me a top that was 24" deep by 8' long

 

[bob4]

My new bench coming along is 2 pieces of 3/4 ply glued and screwed. Supported the way it is it's pretty darn sturdy.

 

[dickttx]

We recently had a carport built and the beams were material I had never seen. They are 12 ply 2x12's. I understand you can get them in about any length, and also other dimension lumber sizes. I salvaged the 24" piece shown below and am going to rip it into two 2x6's and use it to mount two presses I do not use very often. It is very flat and straight and would probably make a very good bench top. It is also very heavy.

 

[Urban_Redneck]

That engineered beam looks like a LVL = Laminated Veneer Lumber, the widest I have seen is 14 inches.

 

[homatok]

We call that stuff "paralam". I have seen it made and the process involves coating wood veneer with waterproof glue and pressing it into blocks that are then sawn to the required thickness. The product is extremely strong and is often used to make very long (vertically seamless) custom "engineered" beams. I have also seen some scrap blocks of this stuff carved into very attractive wooden ducks.