05dodgedaytona
Ultimate Member
I am getting ready to build my reloading bench in the next couple weeks. What did you guys use for stain and clear coat for protective coating?
Reloading Bench
- Thread starter 05dodgedaytona
- Start date
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- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
I put a matte white laminate on my bench top. Easy to clean (smooth, non-porous) and the white allows me to see small parts and primers and powder granuales easily.
Reloader
Ultimate Member
Make it big or you'll be building two...you'll probably build two regardless eventually.
sgt23preston
USMC LLA. NRA Life Member
Go to Home Depot or Lowes & buy a ready made, Formica covered kitchen counter top.
Bolt it down = done.
It cleans up with soap & water.
It has a built in back splash to keep stuff from rolling off of the back...
Bolt it down = done.
It cleans up with soap & water.
It has a built in back splash to keep stuff from rolling off of the back...
Jmorrismetal
Active Member
- Sep 27, 2014
- 468
I used a brown hammertone paint that was as close to the wood stain color I could find.
Teflon
Member
I used a brown hammertone paint that was as close to the wood stain color I could find.
WOW those are a lot of presses....
I just recently built a new workbench. my old one was 22" x 48" and kind of wobbly - it was the first workbench I built roughly 20 years ago, and I threw it together out of scrap.
My current bench is 30" x 60" (that's all I had space for where I put it) and the extra real estate is nice - wish it was a bit bigger, but it is what it is.
I covered mine with tempered Masonite. Some people talk about replacing it when it wears down, but my other workbench is about 12 years old, and I'm nowhere near needing to replace the work top on that, so from my perspective, tempered Masonite is a good way to go.
This bench is sitting on 2 cabinets that I'd gotten from my brother-in-law who rescued them out of a dumpster. I did a couple of niceties to the bench - I built the work top out of 3/4" oak plywood, added back and side splashes to keep things from rolling off the back or sides. I also covered the plywood edges with 3/4" wide iron-on oak veneer, so I sanded and poly'd those, as well as some trim on the front of the cabinets. I also covered the leading edge with a 1/4" strip of oak, trimmed to spec on my table saw. The whole thing is locked together and is pretty damned solid.
I built this as a platform for my new Hornady Lock-n-Load AP press. The jury is still out on the press.
This is what my bench looked like before I put my shelf back on it and mounted the Hornady press.
My current bench is 30" x 60" (that's all I had space for where I put it) and the extra real estate is nice - wish it was a bit bigger, but it is what it is.
I covered mine with tempered Masonite. Some people talk about replacing it when it wears down, but my other workbench is about 12 years old, and I'm nowhere near needing to replace the work top on that, so from my perspective, tempered Masonite is a good way to go.
This bench is sitting on 2 cabinets that I'd gotten from my brother-in-law who rescued them out of a dumpster. I did a couple of niceties to the bench - I built the work top out of 3/4" oak plywood, added back and side splashes to keep things from rolling off the back or sides. I also covered the plywood edges with 3/4" wide iron-on oak veneer, so I sanded and poly'd those, as well as some trim on the front of the cabinets. I also covered the leading edge with a 1/4" strip of oak, trimmed to spec on my table saw. The whole thing is locked together and is pretty damned solid.
I built this as a platform for my new Hornady Lock-n-Load AP press. The jury is still out on the press.
This is what my bench looked like before I put my shelf back on it and mounted the Hornady press.
kstone803
Official Meat Getter
High Density fiberboard one inch thick. It's kinda heavy but takes abuse well and I can always unscrew it and replace it if need be.
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
BTW, my bench top it 3/4" birch ply doubled, using glue and screws.
Legs are doubled 2x4, with a 1/2" ply lower shelf that is bullet (HEAVY) storage. Back panel is 1/4" ply. All joints, glued and screwed.
Build your bench STRONG and HEAVY.
Legs are doubled 2x4, with a 1/2" ply lower shelf that is bullet (HEAVY) storage. Back panel is 1/4" ply. All joints, glued and screwed.
Build your bench STRONG and HEAVY.
DocAitch
Active Member
Bench finish
I didn't use anything. The benches are in the basement and not in the living room. I am a rough carpenter or no carpenter at all.
I was in such a hurry I screwed and glued them together and loaded stuff on top and on the shelves as soon as they were together(and the glue wasn't dry).
I did use a sheet of masonite on top, but that was mainly because my "plug" construction required that as part of the basic design.
I can't imagine that they will wear out.
HOWEVER, my hat is off to those who finish their benches nicely. I read somewhere that one of the marks of a good gunsmith was how he finished his homemade bench blocks. I suppose that carries over to the reloaders.
DocAitch
I didn't use anything. The benches are in the basement and not in the living room. I am a rough carpenter or no carpenter at all.
I was in such a hurry I screwed and glued them together and loaded stuff on top and on the shelves as soon as they were together(and the glue wasn't dry).
I did use a sheet of masonite on top, but that was mainly because my "plug" construction required that as part of the basic design.
I can't imagine that they will wear out.
HOWEVER, my hat is off to those who finish their benches nicely. I read somewhere that one of the marks of a good gunsmith was how he finished his homemade bench blocks. I suppose that carries over to the reloaders.
DocAitch
This is a pic of John Moses Browning's workbench. DocAitch, I don't think you have anything to worry about. 
DocAitch
Active Member
trickg,
I like the open drawers and the tools strewn hither and yon.
By the way, your bench looks great!
Thanks
DocAitch
I like the open drawers and the tools strewn hither and yon.
By the way, your bench looks great!
Thanks
DocAitch
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You have to figure that obviously we're not all going to be JMBs, but a super tidy workshop is not necessarily a recipe for great work.
I appreciate the compliment on the bench. I should post a newer pic with my Hornady Lock N Load mounted, along with the shelf I put on it. I almost didn't want to put the shelf on it because it took up some room, but I had to have a place to keep my stuff handy.
05dodgedaytona
Ultimate Member
Thanks for all the help.
05dodgedaytona
Ultimate Member
How do you like the Hornady Lock N Load press?
Too soon to tell, although in doing some .45 ACP right after I got it set up, I don't know if it's something to do with the setup or what, but if it doesn't smooth out and the quirks don't go away, I'm going to dump it for a Dillon. I think it has potential to be a good press, but it hasn't overly impressed me yet.
Ask Browninguy for some tips. He runs one and reloads A LOT!
