Metal Desk for Reloading Bench?

[yaktamer]

Anybody use a heavy metal desk (think grey gov't surplus) for a bench? I found one really cheap. Pros/cons?

 

[Big Cholla]

Years ago while living in Anchorage, I purchased a surplussed desk off of Elmendorf AFB salvage. I was using a RCBS Rock Chucker and loading a lot of big rifle rounds. The metal in the top started 'working' because of the heavy leverage. I then covered the top of the desk with glued and screwed down 3/4" exterior plywood. That solved that problem. I later found there were times that I would rather stand and reload, but the height of the desk didn't allow that. I left that desk in Anchorage and have never used another but rather built my loading benches at a height that I could stand as desired and sit on a re-sized bar stool when appropriate. ............ Big Cholla

 

[Bruce51]

I've had a SteelCase metal desk since 1982. It is easy to keep clean and has lots of drawers for storage. When I removed my press from the wood work bench I knew the height was not going to work on the desk. I went and bought a cast iron grinder stand and mounted two single stage presses and a Uniflow powder measure. Now the desk is a work surface for the scale and loading blocks. The stand allows me to move the press around as needed. Since I never stand up to reload this setup works for my needs.

Bruce

 

[acl864]

I use one with a heavy laminate top. It works great for me. I like sitting while I load so I've got an old office chair that is the perfect height.

 

[mtgianni]

I have a small wooden desk with a top bolted to it I use for a couple of presses and a powder measure. I have a larger secretary's desk in an "L" pattern off to the left that holds an electronic powder dispenser and a couple of lube-sizers. I have sized down with far more pressure to size bullets than I ever had to re-form cartridge brass. It should work for you.

 

[Rule3]

Anybody use a heavy metal desk (think grey gov't surplus) for a bench? I found one really cheap. Pros/cons?

Pros: Cheap

Cons: You got it cheap so you will spend more money on reloading stuff.

If it works for you , go for it. As others stated, if the metal flexes on the top just cover it with plywood. Should last forever.

 

[Trini]

I used one years back when assigned to a federal lake as a park ranger and it worked o.k. Changed it a bit by bolting on some angle iron to the legs to raise it up a bit. When I got transferred I left it in the garage in case the next park ranger was in to reloading.

 

[SMSgt]

The weight will be more than enough, and it is sturdy. I would, however, overlay the top with 5/8" plywood as it will "work" as mentioned above. The drawers will be a nice storage touch.

I once has an old GI work bench, steel frame & laminated top. Heavy, solid, worked great but was left behind on the last move. Wouldn't have had room for it here in FL.

 

[haggis]

I can think of a couple of possible problems with a metal benchtop.

• Static spark discharge could cause an ignition problem with powder.
• If you actually work on guns on the workbench, a wood top will cause less damage to the gun than a metal one.

I think if you put plywood/OSB/particle board on the metal top, you will avoid these problems.

Buck

 

[Skip Sackett]

Here is what I think will be on next year's Christmas list.

60" Hardwood Workbench with 4 Drawers

The current sale flier has them for $139! Drawers, vise that could be used as a gun vise, bottom shelf. Yeah, pretty cool!

p.s. If it was all I had, I'd use the metal desk with no qualms about it. Just me though!

 

[Rule3]

I can think of a couple of possible problems with a metal benchtop.

I think if you put plywood/OSB/particle board on the metal top, you will avoid these problems.

Buck

EWWWWW! Please do not use particle board in the same sentence as plywood.
I do agree in covering it though.

 

[David LaPell]

My first reloading bench was an old metal desk that came out of the office I used to work in. It was heavy enough to not move when I mounted an RCBS Rock Chucker Press to it. My second bench was a secondhand dresser that I removed the top drawer from and mounted a RCBS Jr. to. Now I have a proper bench in my basement but I would have no problem bolting a press and my other stuff to an old desk or dresser if need be again.

 

[ric426]

I use an old metal office table that weighs at least 100 lbs. I knew the top would flex so I bolded my Hornady progressive press to the front edge of the table through a block of two stacked pieces of 3/4" plywood (glued and screwed) that extends about 18" back from the press and is bolted down at that end too. It's nice and solid.
The table only has a single shallow drawer in the middle, but pulled part way out it works great as a base for a piece of 12" deep shelf with a 1/4" high edge on the front and sides that comes right up to the press mounted to the right of it.

 

[Acorn1754]

I use a metal work bench 6' long that I had to completely restore, sanded it down, stripped what paint was on it and painted the whole thing and it looks great now! Now yes it flexes a little while I am doing rifle rounds, but not much. Though I dip each case mouth into Frankford Arsenal Fine Powdered Mica (when I didn't, then the table flexing was much more of an problem). So for me, it really hasn't been an issue and I've done several .223 and a few 30-06 and about to do a ton of 308s coming up and don't see a reason to reinforce at this time.

 

[suckersrus]

I use a big old heavy metal government desk for my reloading bench.

When I drilled holes for the press I found the reason it is so heavy. A steel plate! The top layer, however, appears to be a tough vinyl.

I paid $5 for it at a GSA store. I gave a couple more dollars for a shelf unit for the back. It now weighs more than a bus.

I'm not sure what those guys are talking about with problems with the top. I have none. It is solid as a rock.

I learned many years ago my back suffered less if my work surface is low enough to allow me to sit in a desk chair while I work.

 

[silvercn]

I love the idea of a big ass steal desk.
I would put a piece of finished plywood or coverying on the steal.
Sturdy......... yes....
much better than my desk from my childhood that my father made for me.
dont get me wrong more than 20 years later and that desk kicks ass!!!
but its not a steel platform... lol

 

[Frank46]

Have used two three drawer heavy steel file cabinets with two 3/4" pieces glued together and bolted to the top of each file cabinet. Lived in a very small apartment at the time. Did all my cleaning, repairing, wood work and had a rockchucker set up on one. No shake rattle or roll. Think the brand name was "lyons" or something similar. Still have the cabinets and they mostly hole reloading stuff. My work bench was origionally a heavy steel table. Used scaffolding planks bolted to the top and planed the top smooth and sealed with varnish. Closed in the sides with plywood for storage. That one doesn't move either.
Frank