What hard top for my bench?

SanduneCC · May 5, 2002, 04:00 AM

I just garage saled a nice metal table 34x60 inches. I will be mounting a Dillon using a strong mount on it. Problem is I don't want to drill through the nice metal table top for fear I may have to change the set up in the future. I was thinking of putting another top on it. Maybe plywood or fiber board? Would that work? What do you recommend? Thanks.

**Mike Irwin** · May 5, 2002, 04:45 AM

Laminate 2 sheets of 1/2 inch plywood. Use construction adhesive and 3/4" screws. Screw every 4 to 6 inches, alternating sides.

You'll have a VERY solid top.

To make things even more secure, mount your press by marking the holes for the screws, then drilling all the way through (mark your mounting holes before you screw the two sides together to make sure you don't have any interference).

Then, countersink the holes on the underside for accepting carriage or stove bolts. Use a good solid washer under the bolt head to spread force.

Do NOT use fiberboard if you expect it to last more than a few days. Fiberboard simply doesn't have the strength.

maxwayne · May 5, 2002, 07:32 AM

I also have a Dillon with a strong mount. Mine is mounted to a Formica cabinet top. I have a 12x12 piece of 3/4 plywood that is mounted to the bottom of the strong mount. This piece is then mounted on the bench very similar to the way Mike describes. I have my Hornady 366 mounted the same way and also some other equipment. This way I only had to put 4 holes thru my top.

Rottweiler · May 5, 2002, 08:02 AM

ABout a dozen or so years ago a friend bought an old bowling alley to convert the building into a carpet store. Most of the bowling equipment was shot. So it was all doomed to the dump. I managed to make off with enough of the lanes to cover all the bench tops in my shop and garage with the toughest bench tops I've ever seen. They're about 2 1/2"inches thick laminated maple with a finish that takes more punishment than I can give out without getting stupid. The only down side is they are HEAVY. I had to rebuild the bench before I set those tops on them.

45Badger · May 5, 2002, 08:05 PM

Go to Home Depot or other building supply store. Buy a solid interior door blank. Works great!

J.T.King · May 13, 2002, 02:59 PM

I didn't want to drill through my maple topped workbench for my 650, so I took a piece of 2x12 and drilled four holed for the strong mount, then countersunk holes big enough for washers and deep enough to hide the boltheads.

Then I just c-clamped the press to my bench: removable, moveable, cheep!

JT

May 5, 2002, 04:00 AM	#1
SanduneCC Member Join Date: September 11, 2001 Posts: 57	What hard top for my bench? I just garage saled a nice metal table 34x60 inches. I will be mounting a Dillon using a strong mount on it. Problem is I don't want to drill through the nice metal table top for fear I may have to change the set up in the future. I was thinking of putting another top on it. Maybe plywood or fiber board? Would that work? What do you recommend? Thanks.

May 5, 2002, 04:45 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	Laminate 2 sheets of 1/2 inch plywood. Use construction adhesive and 3/4" screws. Screw every 4 to 6 inches, alternating sides. You'll have a VERY solid top. To make things even more secure, mount your press by marking the holes for the screws, then drilling all the way through (mark your mounting holes before you screw the two sides together to make sure you don't have any interference). Then, countersink the holes on the underside for accepting carriage or stove bolts. Use a good solid washer under the bolt head to spread force. Do NOT use fiberboard if you expect it to last more than a few days. Fiberboard simply doesn't have the strength. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

May 5, 2002, 08:02 AM	#4
Rottweiler Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2001 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 391	ABout a dozen or so years ago a friend bought an old bowling alley to convert the building into a carpet store. Most of the bowling equipment was shot. So it was all doomed to the dump. I managed to make off with enough of the lanes to cover all the bench tops in my shop and garage with the toughest bench tops I've ever seen. They're about 2 1/2"inches thick laminated maple with a finish that takes more punishment than I can give out without getting stupid. The only down side is they are HEAVY. I had to rebuild the bench before I set those tops on them. __________________ Texas - envied by lesser states since 1845

May 13, 2002, 02:59 PM	#6
J.T.King Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 345	Ditto on the countersunk holes... I didn't want to drill through my maple topped workbench for my 650, so I took a piece of 2x12 and drilled four holed for the strong mount, then countersunk holes big enough for washers and deep enough to hide the boltheads. Then I just c-clamped the press to my bench: removable, moveable, cheep! JT

May 5, 2002, 07:32 AM	#3
maxwayne Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2001 Posts: 402	I also have a Dillon with a strong mount. Mine is mounted to a Formica cabinet top. I have a 12x12 piece of 3/4 plywood that is mounted to the bottom of the strong mount. This piece is then mounted on the bench very similar to the way Mike describes. I have my Hornady 366 mounted the same way and also some other equipment. This way I only had to put 4 holes thru my top.

May 5, 2002, 08:05 PM	#5
45Badger Member Join Date: January 18, 2002 Location: Minn-eh-soh-ta! Posts: 41	Go to Home Depot or other building supply store. Buy a solid interior door blank. Works great!