bench top?

[stork]

I am in the process of building a reloading bench, but I don't know what to use for the top of my bench.  What should I use and what should I do to make it look decent?

[Thomas Krupinski]

A lot of that answer will depend upon what the rest of the bench will be, what the material will make up the base of the top, plywood, metal, particle board, etc.  

Also the size of the top will be a factor as well as what you intend to mount to it, especially when you consider the overall thickness of the top.

I usually use plywood over some other type of material.  I have one with sheetmetal over plywood, one with plywood over planks and another with plywood over sheetmetal.  Each one behaves differently.  

One thing I would recommend is to make it a smooth surface and light colored to help in cleaning.

[Jack Crevalle]

I think the best suggestion I've seen here so far is a counter top. It's heavy ( the main requiste ) and the surface is smooth so you can sweep up loose powder and debris.

[stork]

Is a counter top strong enough by its self or would it have to be reinforced?  That sound like I good idea because my mom said my bench had to look good because its going in my room.

[hogship]

The bench top itself doesn't necessarily have to be heavy, or unusually strong......But, strength is necessary where the press is mounted.  My bench top is made from 1/2" plywood, but directly under the press, it is reinforced....very strong and rigid!

Weight, as mentioned, is a good idea. My bench is made from steel angle iron and square tubing. Besides that, there are shelves underneath that add to the weight.

I'm not suggesting that anyone should build their reloading bench just like mine.....but, if they did, it'd be suitable to the application. There are many ways to get the job done right!

The two main concerns are rigidity of the design, and stability. (Stability can be accomplished by either mounting the bench to the walls and/or floor......or, by weight.)

hogship

[New Hampshire]

Mine is plywood with a piece of Lexan on top of it all.  The Lexan makes for an easier to clean top.
Brian M

[Ross]

Stork,
God bless your Mom.
I've used loading benches of a number of materials and have found that plywood tends to compress and fail on the edge under the press.  What I do now is to lay a plate of steel about 8"x10" or larger on the top of the bench and bolt through it.  I sometimes tap this plate so that I can screw directly into it if is over ¼" thick.  Some scrap yard steels are hard to tap.
Big washers or another plate sandwiched under the top is needed.
Remember to allow enough overhang so the press can operate, and if you have drawers or doors under that they can open.
The best top I ever saw was made from a piece of bowling alley hardwood lane.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

[Jack Crevalle]

A counter top should be strong enough by itself.

Yes, people load on all kinds of things that are neither heavy nor particularly sturdy. I've even seen people put presses on folding card tables. Is this a good way to go? I don't think so. A stable platform is going to mean you are less likely to have spills and other mistakes it also makes it infinitely easier to weigh powder charges without vibrations. You can also operate your press without having to keep one hand on the table.

[VSSF]

And I love this bench,was $169.Made by Stack-on.                                  

[dangerranger]

Ill second the stackon bench. it has a factory made look [to please Mom] and plenty of storage. Mine is made from a solid core door.Its heavy enough to stay put when I lock something down in the vise thats on the far side.Probably not good for a bedroom.[too big.]In my travel trailer I have a reloader that clamps to the table. It works but its not that stable.Midway sells a reloading stand that could be put in your closet when not in use. the other thing you might use is the bottom half of a rollaway toolbox. good luck.