Lets see your benches!

lax · Nov 30, 2012

Speed3 said:
I have an existing bench that is tall enough to work...but I need to find a suitable top to being reloading, right now its 2x6's and I don't want a gap. What is the cheapest top that you gives are using? I would rather not use plywood to aviod splinters.

Thoughts?

3/4 mdf should work, or you could get away skinning the 2x6s with a sheet of hardboard

SOMDSHOOT · Dec 1, 2012

Speed3 said:
I have an existing bench that is tall enough to work...but I need to find a suitable top to being reloading, right now its 2x6's and I don't want a gap. What is the cheapest top that you gives are using? I would rather not use plywood to aviod splinters.

Thoughts?

Go to Lowe's or HD and buy a discounted laminate counter top. They practically give them away and if they don't sell in a month they pitch them in the dumpster anyway. Ask for a manager and tell him to make you a deal they can't refuse.

No issues with plywood. Go buy some peel and stick floor tiles and cover the plywood bench top. No splinters and they even have tiles with pretty little flowers on them.

Don't like tiles then put a few coats of cheapo latex paint on the plywood and splinter-be-gone.

SOMDSHOOT · Dec 1, 2012

I meant I "don't know HOW the 40S&W is, but..." I know WHAT it is.

awptickes said:
Cheap walmart ammo.

byf43 · Dec 3, 2012

Speed3 said:
I have an existing bench that is tall enough to work...but I need to find a suitable top to being reloading, right now its 2x6's and I don't want a gap. What is the cheapest top that you gives are using? I would rather not use plywood to aviod splinters.

Thoughts?

Get either a 32" or 36" solid-core door (door blank, actually).
A couple of coats of satin polyurethane will make it look really nice.

Drill some holes through the 2x6s, and run screws from underneath, for a finished appearance.

Speed3 · Dec 3, 2012

byf43 said:
Get either a 32" or 36" solid-core door (door blank, actually).
A couple of coats of satin polyurethane will make it look really nice.

Drill some holes through the 2x6s, and run screws from underneath, for a finished appearance.

The existing bench is 8' X 34"...do they make doors in that size? I'm going to check out the local home depots/Lowes for counter tops.

DocAitch · Dec 3, 2012

bench top

I used hardboard ("Masonite") over plywood, but paint or clear lacquer sprayed on a plywood top will work also.

DocAitch

byf43 · Dec 3, 2012

Speed3 said:
The existing bench is 8' X 34"...do they make doors in that size? I'm going to check out the local home depots/Lowes for counter tops.

Close to that size.
Most solid core doors come as 32 x 80" or 36 x 80".

I don't suggest using MDF as a top for a workbench/reloading bench.

I have used two thicknesses of 3/4" plywood, also.
Bottom layer used was AC grade (CDX works just as good!), and Oak veneer plywood for the top layer. (As long as the top layer of plywood is good quality, use 'whatever'!)
Glue the plywood together. Clamp it up for a couple of hours, then band the edges with your choice of wood. (I've used maple. It's hard. Very hard. I've also used oak.)

Viper21773 · Dec 27, 2012

My reloading center...(the rest is too messy to show)

lx1x · Dec 27, 2012

Viper21773 said:
My reloading center...(the rest is too messy to show)

i like the stand.. :thumbsup:

store bought our you made it?

Viper21773 · Dec 27, 2012

lx1x said:
i like the stand.. store bought our you made it?

The stand was salvaged from a fried industrial grinder (its cast iron) and topped with a 3/8" steel plate.

kingstrider · Dec 28, 2012

Wow there are some nice setups here. I really need to get my bench cleaned off and take a photo or two!

Hi Beta · Dec 29, 2012

Some nice setups shown in this topic.

As a comment, some of the posters may be opening themselves up to future problems with state fire prevention laws by displaying more than five pounds of powder in the photos. We live in strange times now.

Speed3 · Dec 29, 2012

SOMDSHOOT said:
Go to Lowe's or HD and buy a discounted laminate counter top. They practically give them away and if they don't sell in a month they pitch them in the dumpster anyway. Ask for a manager and tell him to make you a deal they can't refuse.

No issues with plywood. Go buy some peel and stick floor tiles and cover the plywood bench top. No splinters and they even have tiles with pretty little flowers on them. Don't like tiles then put a few coats of cheapo latex paint on the plywood and splinter-be-gone.

Scored some free countertops...hoping to get it set up sooner than later...

mxrider · Dec 29, 2012

Step one complete! The bench is now built and ready to accessorize!

tdt91 · Dec 29, 2012

byf43 said:
Get either a 32" or 36" solid-core door (door slab)(door blank, actually).
A couple of coats of satin polyurethane will make it look really nice.

Drill some holes through the 2x6s, and run screws from underneath, for a finished appearance.

fixed it for ya

tdt91 · Dec 29, 2012

Hey Viper, is the allen wrench holder, right angle handle and bullet bin all hornady stuff with actual mounts made for places or did you engineer that?

I have a LnL without any feeders so I don't know if that parts that come with feeders.

Viper21773 · Dec 29, 2012

tdt91 said:
Hey Viper, is the allen wrench holder, right angle handle and bullet bin all hornady stuff with actual mounts made for places or did you engineer that?

I have a LnL without any feeders so I don't know if that parts that come with feeders.

I fabricated all the pieces except for the bins of course (Grainger), but the person selling the L.E.D lights on the other thread seems to have similiar products available.

IndispensableDestiny · Dec 29, 2012

mxrider said:
Step one complete! The bench is now built and ready to accessorize!

Just me, but I'd take two of the cabinet doors out for someplace to put my feet. Just me, you know.

MississippiJoe · Dec 30, 2012

Here is my little bench.

Speed3 · Jan 20, 2013

Speed3 said:
Scored some free countertops...hoping to get it set up sooner than later...

Ok so spent some time today on the bench. Instead or ripping what was there apart I just put stuff overtop. The bench was not solid at all when I bought the use but solid as a rock right now. Looks like crap but will work for sure.

Need to wire up some electrical outlets and some overhead lighting next.

Lets see your benches!

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