Reloading Bench Help

It's not about how you connect the top. It's where you mount the press and what material the top is made out of. Particle board without help, for example, breaks on the first use of the press.
Your 2 x 8's will be fine but you'll need to join 'em edge to edge well to eliminate grooves, etc. Remember that a bench is a bench. It's not rocket science to build one. Helps having the right tools though. A square, for instance.
 
My reloading bench is an 8' long x 30" deep piece of 3/4 plywood mounted on a 2x4 frame. I added an extra 2x4 vertical brace directly underneath where I mounted the press. Results in very little twist when using the press.
At workbench height. I can also either stand or use an adjustable height work stool.
 
I made legs yesterday. Turned out pretty good. Next, I finish the frame!

3/8” fasteners seem the right size...
 
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my bench

I finally finished my bench to reloading only. Made them out of 8/4 ash for the work bench. I welded 1.5"x1.5" angle brackets and bolted them to the ash tops then bolted the brackets to wall. Bench is rock solid.



bench.jpg
 
And then one day a local hospital decided to remodel part of their hospital. One of the first things to go were doors that were called solid core doors. I managed to load 8 of them; solid stuff, two saw horses with one solid door.

And then there is that one time during the month we are allowed to throw away big items; my wife ran into the house 'out of breath' telling me she did not know what it was but it looked like all the other junk I bring home so she showed me where it was. It was a cast Iron table saw with a little rust and running good. It was just my size because she said she was not going to help me load it.

Short time after that she found a 'kit' work bench with a wood lathe attached.
I could not believe the lathe did not include the electric motor. I got over it because the bench included a vise.

F. Guffey
 
When you push down on the arm, there is high force and a long lever arm creating a high moment about the mounting bolts. They are 2 points making them poor at reacting the moment. A solid base mounted to a strong tabletop is the best way to react these forces.

I bought a strong mount. It will mount to 2x10’s cut to 2x8 and joined. Still, the 2x8’s need a solid mount to the frame. I’ll use nut & bolt tightening....should work.

But if somebody knows an easier top mount that isn’t a handful of wood screws and hope, i’d Like to here.
 
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