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Hi everyone.

I’m just setting up my reloading area / desk.

I have an Ikea desk which I’ll be using to mount an RCBS Rockchucker on. The desk frame and legs are plenty strong enough to stand on (tested!)

However the top is only 20mm thick chipboard and wondering if this will be strong enough to mount the press on.

Would you:
- use as is?
- add some spare 20mm Ikea thick chipboard and double it up?
- add some inherited leftover kitchen worktop?
- any other suggestions?

Many thanks.
Keith

Doubling up 20mm will stil leave it flexing - unless you fully glue and screw every 150mm.

KItchen worktop assuming 38/40mm will be ideal and no need to surface fix, just some plates along teh back and sides to stop it moving around.

As above.

Once you get going you will be surprised at how much play there is in benches as the press stresses in more than one direction.

If the frame is solid and preferably bolted to floor wall then a thick, solid homogenous top is necessary.

Personally I wouldn't use anything Ikea for handloading, they are just not made for that purpose.

I have my Rockchucker mounted on a 40mm kitchen worktop sat on a couple of four drawer chests from an old dressing table.. It seems to work OK.
Regards
Peter.

I used two 18mm sheets of ply; glued and screwed together and a couple of Clarke bench supports.
No flex but you may have to brace for side to side movement.

I made a bench with some reclaimed 3"X2" timber and wooden boards, topped with an 18mm sheet of MDF to make the work surface smooth and 45mm thick.
I then bolted it to the wall for rigidity.

Ikea do a 70cm steel leg (Adils) for £2.50, comes in white or black. if you can manage it put one under the bench where the press sits.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/adils-leg-black-70217973/

Or stick some 38mm Ikea worktop on it!
The cat is optional

Many thanks everyone.

Didn't realise it would flex in more than one direction.

Good tip about the extra support underneath.

Kitchen worksurface looks like the winner then