New workbench/reloading bench :)

TheIndifferent1

TheIndifferent1

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Just finished building it today. Doesn't look pretty and I learned a lot in the process, but it's strong and stable! Took one sheet of 5/8" spruce plywood cut in half and doubled up for the top. The remainder was made out of seven 8' long 2x4's, and it's then nailed to the wall.

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It's not really -finished- yet. I will be topping it with some 16 or 18ga aluminum. That way it's rust proof, solvent proof, and won't get magnetized :) Now I need to make a stool!!

This was my first real big construction project I've done without any help at all, so I don't think it turned out too bad. Obviously, function over form ;) I only had to take it apart once - the wall on the right isn't quite square, and so when i assembled it I couldn't slide it into place. Had to take the top off, and move it into it's final resting place in pieces, then reassemble it. Only took an extra half hour to do that.
 
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It looks like you used wood screws to put it together judging from the box of screws on the bench top. Excellent! Nails are good for general construction but if you want to build something really tight, use screws. Looks really good and solid.
 
"...rust proof...get magnetized..." Um, wood does neither. The Al should deal with solvent spills though. The Metal Supermarket is the place to go for a sheet of the thickness you want, cut to size. They specialize in small quantity orders and they'll bend it if you want Al on the front edge(s). Nice people(in London anyway) with reasonable prices. (613) 747-7511 2900 Sheffield Road, Unit 1 Ottawa.
How much overhang do you have where you intend putting your press? It's likely fine the way it is though.
 
sunray said:
"...rust proof...get magnetized..." Um, wood does neither. The Al should deal with solvent spills though. The Metal Supermarket is the place to go for a sheet of the thickness you want, cut to size. They specialize in small quantity orders and they'll bend it if you want Al on the front edge(s). Nice people(in London anyway) with reasonable prices. (613) 747-7511 2900 Sheffield Road, Unit 1 Ottawa.
How much overhang do you have where you intend putting your press? It's likely fine the way it is though.
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Sorry, I should have been clearer - I was originally planning on using plain steel sheetmetal, until my friend's father suggested using aluminum for the above reasons. I hadn't heard of The Metal Supermarket before, I'll look them up. Thanks :) Not sure where I'll put the press yet, as I don't have it. That's this winter's project :redface:
 
Max Owner said:
My winter project is a gunroom. With one solid bench for reloading.

Looks decent. What kind of warranty, TheIndifferent1?
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I don't think I could go through building another one of these :runaway:

My one piece of advice is if you're going to build one like mine which is going to fit snugly between two walls, make sure both walls are the same width apart for the whole length :mad:


I used screws for the important bits. Nails were used to build the leg units, but everything else was fastened with 2 1/2" screws. Almost set the drill on fire snugging the last few down :eek:
 
Good Job!

For those considering a long table or bench like this I only have one recommendation. For the long 2x4s you have supporting the top, you want to turn then vertically, rather than laying them flat. Running them so that the 3 1/2" plane faces out will stiffen things up and prevent the table from saging in the middle when you put any big weight on it. I would even consider doubling them up, (make a 4x4 out of 2 2x4's) especially on the front of the bench will give you a wide surface to attach the top to, while preventing the sag in the middle.
 
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There is a MetalSupermarket on the east side of Ottawa.
I topped one of my benches with left over roll flooring. Seals the wood, spills wipe up. Price was right.
Depending on your press, you may or may not have enough overhang at the front edge. You've seem my loading bench, one of the four presses wouldn't clear, I just cut a notch. If there isn't enough clearance, rather than cutting away some wood, just mount the press to a slab, fasten the slab to the bench top. Use carriage bolts, round top up. Makes it easy to shift the press if you need to.
 
if you bend the front of the aluminum, put a double bend in it,so it's more like a pocket, to slide over the wood, even if it's just a little bit. otherwise I can guarantee you'll cut yourself on the edge at some point.
 
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