Bench Top?

J

JeepHammer

Moderator
Don't want to hijack someone else's post,

So my question is,

Is there such a thing as a TOUGH, chemical resistant, anti-static laminate you can use on a plywood bench top...

What is it called?

And what is the price of that product?

How hard is it to install?
 
The only thing I can think of is quartz. It is not a laminate but meets your other requirements. We have it as our counter tops (inch and 3/16's) for both the kitchen and our baths.

It is priced about the same as granite but much more durable and does not require a sealant applied like granite to prevent stains. We chose it over granite when building our house.

I think it would be great on a work bench/reloading bench if you could find it in thinner sheets even if not as thin as a laminate or veneer type topping.

I have a large slab of it left over but will use it down on the dock for a fish cleaning table top. Unfortunately it is not nearly large enough for my reloading bench which is twenty feet long.

It would be easy to install except you would need diamond tipped tools for cutting, drilling and polishing since it is extremely hard.
 
I've got a piece of half soft copper I'm wanting to use, but it's reactive to a BUNCH of chemicals.

Any type of stone is out,
The rocking of the press, occasional hammering, dropped dies/tools, ect. would be MURDER on stone.
 
Silestone & Corian both meet your requirements. Both are composites that are very durable and chemical resistant, as well as being non static. Can be made to your custom dimensions.

Not sure on cost though, but Home Depot or Lowes would be a good place to get some pretty good numbers.
 
Not exactly what you're looking for since it's not a laminate..... Epoxy resin tops like you find in a school science lab would be great although expensive unless you happened upon a school refurbishing it's labs.
 
Melamine surfaced counter top material is available at home depot. I put some on top of a workbench (not a reloading bench). It makes a nice surface, but it is particle board underneath. So to mount a press, you would need lumber or metal buildup.
 
I used regular white latex paint for a couple of coats, then used epoxy resin thinned down for 4 coats. Very durable.
 
Has anyone ever bothered to look into Decoupage, and how resistant to chemicals it is? I know it's durable as heck, and I always thought it would be fun to make a loading bench top by laying photos, ballistics tables, primers, empty cases... even unused gun parts, and layering them into the surface of the bench. My friends have made bar tops this way, and it is tough as nails in regards to scratching, chipping, so on.

I think it would be a fun, creative conversation piece.
 
Benchtop

JEEP: Listen to POLYPHEMUS. It's the cheapest and the best. Look at LOWE's. Have had it on mine for 18 yrs.
WILL
 
I would go with Formica. Inexpensive, easy to apply. a laminate trimmer (small router with a flush trim bit) makes installation easier. Or buy a pre-fab'd counter top and install over a sheet of 3/4 ply.
 
I used Floor and Stair paint from the local home improvement store on my reloading bench, 3 or 4 coats on the entire bench, $21/gallon. Stuff dried like iron. No complaints after 5 years.

 
Formica is my choice. There is a big difference in hardness & durability between cheap and expensive brands so buy the good stuff.

My formica top reloading bench still looks great after 25 yrs. Another formica top work bench is beat up, gouged and dinged from engine work but still very intact after 25+ yrs. My 2x6 wood plank bench has a top layer of masonite which is pretty beat up but still useful after 45+ yrs. It gets the heavy metal work that gets beat with hammers and such. All are fairly chemical resistant.

bc
 
IKEA has some table tops that are clad in Formica. I've used them for making work stations, and they have been pretty durable. I haven't used them for a loading bench, but they come in various sizes, which is handy. Something to consider.

Also, I will agree with those who mentioned the pre-made Formica counter tops available at Home Depot. They are reasonably priced and very durable.

Also, regarding anti-static... there are sprays on the market (similar to Pledge) that are simply anti-static sprays. You squirt a little on a rag and wipe things down. Lasts a week or so (certainly last the duration between cleanings if you're a tidy person) and is quite effective.
 
I forgot mention grounding in my previous post. I don't know how formica is for static but two of my formica work benches have a grounding socket to plug in a lead for a wrist strap...this bleeds your body static. I never use them for reloading and never had a problem...but I'm in Florida with humidity that hovers around 90-95%. I use the wrist straps to bleed static when working on sensitive electrical parts...chips, curcuut boards, etc.

bc
 
May not be what your asking, but I went to a countertop manufacturing and installation company and bought a remnant counter top that fit perfect in my reloading room. Already laminated w/backsplash so nothing goes behind the top to search for. Put 4"x4" x36" legs(with frame) on it and good to go. Since they have them left over from big jobs they have all lengths and finishes for sale cheap. 5'6" laminated for $35.00. Works great!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top