How Thick

T

Tmitch

New member
How thick should the top of the loading bench be? I was thinking that I would use two (2) pieces of one (1) inch plywood glued together. Anyone have any better thoughts?
 
One

U will need to use one 3/4 inch piece of plywood. Unless you have a way to plane them so they fit smoothly. I used the blue print from the,strongtie website. They have a reloading bench plan I did. I stained mine.
 
Thick doesn't matter as much as sturdy. You don't want to transfer any energy from the press to the bench.

What you are suggesting I think is plenty thick enough, just make the support structure is strong
 
Depends more on the distance between horizontal supports than on the thickness of the top. You can half a single half inch thick piece with less flex than a doubled up 3/4 if the horizontal supports are spaced close enough.
 
My bench is a home depot particle board pre made counter glued to 1" ply which is bolted to a 4x4 frame that's bolted to studs. It's absolutely rock solid and highly recommend it.
 
I have bench from Home Depot that I found for $70. Fold-Out Wood Workbench (Common: 72 in.; Actual: 20.0 in. x 72.0 in.)

This is it shortly after I set it up and it's very sturdy. I added some black shelf liner to the top so things don't roll around as much.

Reloading-Bench_zps5a059923.jpg
 
I just use a single layer of 3/4" plywood on a 2x4 frame for my benches and it works fine.
You dont have to be able to drive a car on it to be solid enough.
 
Mine's two pieces of 1-1/8" thick plywood screwed n glued together.

So yeah, I think you've got it about right ;)

1113131003_zps179afdd2.jpg


BTW, I built this thing (actually, my cousin helped me a great deal) back in August 1984. Works great. You want a good, solid surface for sure.
 
1" thick plywood? Where do guys get that thickness from? I been away from cabinet making for a while so perhaps there is something new in plywood thickness. Two layers of 3/4" (which isn't actually a full 3/4" last time I checked) will work fine if mounted on a solid base.
 
Thickest I've seen was 5" or 6" thick particle board 3' deep by 8' long atop a frame of 2x6's.

Close second was an 8' long section of bowling alley lane made from Northern hard rock maple. It also was on a wood frame of 2x6's. I've seen two or three of these in people's houses.

My first one was a square foot of 3/4: plywood on a 2x4 frame; a portable one I could move around. Sat two military cans of ammo on its bottom shelf to stabilize it. Held the RCBS Jr. press quite well for years.

Next was two layers of 3/4" plywood on a 30" deep, 2x3 frame with its top cross pieces spaced 2' apart around 20' of walls in my shop. Covered with eggshell colored laminate so I could easily find tiny parts.

Present one's made with two 3/4" subfloor particle boards glued together then screwed down atop a 2x4 frame with a middle cross piece in several 28"x30" square sections bolted together. Also covered with eggshell colored laminate. They line about 28' of wall in my shop but can be unbolted and moved out the door so the shop could be converted to another room type when someone else lives in our house.
 
My bench is plenty rigid for loading. It's 3/4" plywood. I can clamp tools to the top overhang because the 2x4 on edge in front is set back 2 inches. I have a lower shelf that adds to the weight of the bench and when stocked works well. No need to use 2 layers of 3/4" it would just waste money. I have been using mine since 1979.
 
Depends more on the distance between horizontal supports than on the thickness of the top.
Click to expand...
This^^^^^
I used marine 7-ply for the top & 2X4 for the framing. One vertical 2X4 behind & one just in front & its been rock solid for 12 years at this point.
 
Arrrrgggg!

You guys with your neat, clean reloading setups are killing me here. I've got serious bench envy coming on. Might have to get out the shop vac and clean and organize my own bench.

P.S. I went the two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood glued together with screws from the bottom too. Could be overkill but it's served me well for lots of years. Your plan, IMhO, to do it with two pieces of 1 inch plywood should be fine.
 
My top is 3/4 plywood, frame is 2X6 with 4X4 legs. Top attached with screws. Very sturdy, very heavy. Sizing doesn't jar the scale. Also, has 1/2" hardened aluminum plates for mounting presses. Shelving is 3/4" plywood too, adds weight and stiffness. Not pretty but works very well, built 30 plus years ago.
 
I am not a fan of ply-wood, too much flex. I like to use 3/4 inch solid shelving and use 3 shelves bolted together. It gives a very solid surface. As long as the material will NOT flex (If you use ply-wood it can be reinforced underneath with 2x4's) you should be good to go.

Jim
 
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