Question for the reloader who uses a Dillon XL650.

[Duster_360]

I've had good experience using drafting table covers for the top of a reloading bench - provides a smooth, flexible surface to work on. Cleanup is easy as well. If it gets real dirty, say from spent primer residue that gets ground in, a wipe with Naptha and its like new again.

I use these for my workbench and lathe table in the garage as well.

 

[jlow]

Mine is made with furniture grade laminated plywood with an oak veneer. I coated it with 4 coats of polyurethane and it has held up well.

 

[amlevin]

Mine is made with furniture grade laminated plywood with an oak veneer. I coated it with 4 coats of polyurethane and it has held up well.

I had planned on using "Bowling Alley Lane" material for a new bench ---------- Until I saw what they wanted for an 8' Section : :

 

[jlow]

No “Bowling Alley Lane” material for me…. ;D

Here is a photo of the Lee single stage mounted on the high density particle board surfaced with the 16 gauge SS sheathing. The two is bonded together using contact cement and it is wide enough so that the C-clamps don’t affect its operation. They holds the press down firmly but due to the length of the handle, the press can still put enough pressure for the back of the board to lift up about 1/10 of an inch. So I plan on following up and put in a couple of T-nuts to hold the back end down. With that, I am sure it would be as solid if not more than it originally was.

 

[amlevin]

No “Bowling Alley Lane” material for me…. ;D

Here is a photo of the Lee single stage mounted on the high density particle board surfaced with the 16 gauge SS sheathing. The two is bonded together using contact cement and it is wide enough so that the C-clamps don’t affect its operation. They holds the press down firmly but due to the length of the handle, the press can still put enough pressure for the back of the board to lift up about 1/10 of an inch. So I plan on following up and put in a couple of T-nuts to hold the back end down. With that, I am sure it would be as solid if not more than it originally was.

If you can access the bottom of the counter just add a reinforcement from front to rear. I put a piece of 2x10 under the bench top where I installed my Rock Chucker. If you can't get under it, use a piece of steel plate as wide as the press and that extends from front to back of he bench. Put it on top of the bench and bolt the press through it. Then bolt down the back end. Should be 3/8"-1/2" to really stiffen things up. I've used the steel method to strengthen bench tops where I've installed large Vises and couldn't reinforce from below.

 

[jlow]

The top is a ¾” high density particle board with an oak veneer. However the front of the table where the plate/press is clamped onto is re-enforced with a 2x6 which is visible in the photo so it is very secured. All I need now is to add that T-nut at the back so that the steel plate re-enforced board the press is attached to cannot pull up.