Sturdy workbench to take reloading press

[Dombo63]

As the title suggests, I intend building a workbench in the garage to do my reloading on. For the worktop would I be better with a length of kitchen-type material, i.e. the 1.5 inch or so thick formica-topped stuff B&Q sell, or thick wooden planks? Press is a Lee Challenger that takes a single die.
Also, would a granite kitchen top, that I have in the kitchen, be strong enough to take press forces e.g press is mounted on a plank of wood, another plank underneath the worktop and held in place with G-clamps clamping against the wood?
Currently the press is clamped to an old ikea computer desk that is a little bendy - although the ammo comes out ok.
Thanks for any advice.

[saddler]

Granite. Isn't that the flexible spongelike stuff that florists use in vases for flower arranging?

Just off to do a Google search on how to bend solid rock

[Dombo63]

I was concerned more about it snapping and having awkward conversation with Mrs D63. She's only just forgiven me for mixing up the vanilla extract with Hoppes No 9, easily done as both in a small brown bottle.

[ovenpaa]

The granite well protected should in theory be fine with some protection however it could be a costly exercise if things went pear shaped. I used two layers of 19mm MDF on the top of my bench and have the press screwed to a large off-cut of beech work surface which is in turn screwed through the MDF to the frame below. If at all possible attach it to the wall and floor to stop things moving around.

[FredB]

i have been usig a piece of standard chipboard worktop for the 34 years with no problems.
Fred

[Blackstuff]

I built my own bench out of a kitchen workbench cut in two for a bench top and lower shelf/stabliser, 2 lengths of 2 by 4 cut for the legs and some angle iron. Total cost was about £70. Pretty basic but it does the job

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... work+bench

[SevenSixTwo]

Approx £80 in half-decent timber. Built in a day. Job done.

(Top is 2x 19mm MDF).