Homemade reloading benchtop material?

[SavageHunter11]

The time has come and the wife has green lit my reloading bench project for the new house. Was walking through Lowes today looking at material and got to wondering what you all are using as a bench top?

My only friend who reloads swears I need a thick butchers block top to handle the torque of my progressive presses while reloading and states that plywood will bend, warp, and compress while running the presses.

I've seen a lot of reloading benches posted here and I can't recall seeing a single one with butchers-block bench top. What reinforcement (if any) are you using for your presses on your reloading benches to prevent the top from flexing while running your presses?

 

[Dmagna]

3/4 inch oak plywood is what mine is made out of

 

[Hatrick]

Found and refinished a solid front door.

 

[MOOSE39465]

3/4 inch oak plywood is what mine is made out of

Mine also. When I mounted my press I used lag bolts and it's been working very well. I was in this same mind set 2 years ago while remodeling my hunting room. No need for butchers block counter tops. Just level your press with shims and bolt it down.

 

[cape cove]

2 1/4" lamalated plywood bench top with a 12"x 12"x 1/4" steel plate under the press. Works great. No flex what so ever

 

[SavageHunter11]

Mine also. When I mounted my press I used lag bolts and it's been working very well. I was in this same mind set 2 years ago while remodeling my hunting room. No need for butchers block counter tops. Just level your press with shims and bolt it down.

I've never heard of leveling a press. What benefit does that provide?

 

[okie man]

I'm a carpenter/cabinet builder and I bought this instead of building a benchhttps://www.samsclub.com/p/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086?xid=plp_product_1_5

 

[BW64]

Make an ell out of 2x4 for the top front edge then cover with 1/2" [ply. Strong like bull!!!

BW

 

[MOOSE39465]

I've never heard of leveling a press. What benefit does that provide?

When I mounted my press I put a level on the shell holder and the top of my press. I had to shim the front side to make it perfectly square. It could be over kill but I want my case to enter the die square as possible

 

[CVCOBRA1]

Tongue and groove 2 X 6's. Glue them together and screw them to a good solid base. You can make your bench any size you want that way. As solid as you can get just put thought into the base.

 

[nevada75]

Built mine out or 2x4s with recycled 3/4in ply and topped it with 1/4in white melamine plywood for a smooth top. My bench is 8 feet long so I added a center support leg which I positioned off center a bit so it was directly under my press. Everything is rock solid.

 

[KyCarl]

Mine is 3/4 plywood doubled with screws and glue Gorilla glue to be exact
It doesn't flex..

 

[milo-2]

I like 2- 3/4" sheets of MDF glued and screwed, with a 2x4 frame, then formica for the surface. Always mount a press near a leg brace. If not feasible, use aluminum or steel as a base plate. I like thick aluminum, screw to the bench, then drill and tap the holes for the press, makes for easy removal.

 

[26Reload]

Micro Laminate....
Can get smaller pieces from lumber yard...
There won't be any flexing...bolt straight into it...
Use solid wall mounts or brace from the floor...
If you want under cabinets...or open shelving...
Decide at what height of chair or stool you want to sit on....youll spend a lot of time there if you are comfortable...
Can also do a wrap around "c" shape loading area....just don't make it to confining.......works great with rolling chair and low benches.....