Would this make a good bench?

I

islandkent

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Just seen this on sale at crappy tire. Wonder if it would stand up to a Rock Chucker? Wondering if the beech top would hold up and not split?
It's called the Mastercraft Maximum Bench with Wood Top
 
I'd say it'd hold up. I used a cheap jysk table when I started I just bolted my press to a piece of steel a little under a square foot and clamped that to the table in case I wanted to move it quickly. I kept the same set up when I moved to a house with a workshop. Haven't had any problems and it doesn't wreck the table if you counter sink the bolts.
 
Thanks for the comebacks guys. Yeah Ikea and PEI just don't seem to mix. I'd like to check others out to. Seen one like that from Costco, but once again over the bridge. I have to drop the wife and I'll go check them out at CT. Read the reviews, seems some of the tops are warped. I'll open the box and check it out if I decide to go that route.
Now I'm in the basement and it's a hassle to lug the guns up and down when I want to clean/work on them. Not to mention sitting there reloading. I want to relocate to a spare bedroom.
I'll keep you updated.
 
I looked at one locally and was not very good looking. the top was significantly warped, as others have said and they are just poorly put together.
my .02
 
Well I picked one up but not after I made the sales clerk open the box to check the top out. He wasn't happy to do it but he eventually seen it my way. Anyway I read the reviews saying that the tops were warped so I wanted to see it before I took it home. Flat as a pancake and a nice smooth finish on it. And I was surprised to see that every item in the box was wrapped in plastic and separated with Styrofoam. Not a ding or scratch on anything. Pretty rare for CT. Must be because it carries the "Maximum" name. The frame alone is fairly flimsy but once you bolt the top down turns really sturdy. Now I never bolted the Rock Chucker on it yet but I think it's going to handle it Ok. If not I will sturdy it up if need be. Maybe run a brace to attach it to the wall. I plan on putting a 3/4" shelf or two on the lower portion under the press. Once I can scratch up some cash I think I will get a tool chest with drawers to put under the other side.
We'll see. That enough for tonight.
 
Ikea is junk anyway. As long as the top is solid wood vs OSB/particle board, you're fine. Particle board is complete garbage by itself.
 
This is my "junk" Ikea bench......

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Looks nice! Did you out some extra lumber-plywood on the top?
The one I got last night is only 1.25" and is laminated beech wood. So I will be instaling a mounting plate of sorts before I pull the handle. Top and bottom, I don't want to see this thing split at a seam. It is really a nice top. I could see me building a custom bench using this top. Seriously.
 
Yep, I removed a drawer, to fit the Dillon, and beefed up the top with some old wardrobe doors, The Dillon is also anchored to a butcher block.

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I bought a desk/shelf thingy off of usedregina for 20 bucks that Im happy with. Check out usedpei and see if you can find something there cheap.
 
islandkent said:
Good deal TT! I see you used the RCBS mounting plate. Any fears of splitting the top? Or maybe I'm over think it?
Click to expand...

If you mount it the way RCBS suggest I imagine it could happen. I believe it comes with just some wood screws to go into the bench. However I drilled holes through the bench so the mounting plate is nut and bolted, it's not going anywhere.
 
for the price tag, I won't buy it though. check my post a few days ago on the same topic. with some 2x4 and a MDF or plywood as table top, you get a way more solid bench for less than $40.

islandkent said:
Just seen this on sale at crappy tire. Wonder if it would stand up to a Rock Chucker? Wondering if the beech top would hold up and not split?
It's called the Mastercraft Maximum Bench with Wood Top
Click to expand...
 
Yeah I have one like that in my basement made out of 4x4 legs, 2x4 frame and two layers of 3/4 ply. Cost more than 40 bucks. But I just wanted to move up one floor. I was thinking on a couple of base cabinets and purchasing a nice counter top but was going to cost twice as much as the bench. Like I said earlier if I decide to go that route I already have the top. Have I mentioned how nice the top is? lol I was looking for something more mechanical-surgical looking.

Been searching a little on line for a mounting plate and everybody seems to think a plate of 3/16" steel on top and maybe 3/16 on the bottom for support. Sandwich the bench in between. 8x8 should do the trick.

Any thoughts?
 
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luckey said:
for the price tag, I won't buy it though. check my post a few days ago on the same topic. with some 2x4 and a MDF or plywood as table top, you get a way more solid bench for less than $40.
Click to expand...

I just read your entire thread. So what actual route did you go? The last post? I have no trouble for space so I went for some thing a little bigger and something I didn't have to leave the province to pick up. I really liked the one from Costco but for a additional $100 for fuel and bridge fair I figured I could make due with this.
 
Thats what i use...just a small lee press bolted to a piece of steel bolted to the bench.
But i have lots of room for cleaning guns.
Lockable toolbox keeps all ammo, powder, etc out of my gun cabinet. And the counter height bench allows a good height for me to stand or sit on the bar stool.
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