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When I built this new bench in 2017 I decided to change the construction of the press base to use 1/2" plywood instead of 3/4".   I did this so I could use the plywood I already purchased (1/2") instead of having to buy a quarter sheet of 3/4".

The new base would be a 3 layer sandwich: 2 pieces of 1/2" plywood and one of 1/2" yellow pine which should be even stronger than the original.   Yellow pine being much harder and stronger than white pine or fir.

1/2" thick plywood cut into 10" squares, on the left, and 2x8 cut to 10" long.  



Resawed 2x8 into 1/2" thick slabs.   These will be ripped to 5", then edge joined and finally laminated between two of the 1/2" plywood pieces to form the press base.  



Stack of press base parts, the pine slabs on top are the core and the plywood on the bottom.  



Edge jointing the yellow pine core slabs.  



Edge of two 1/2" thick yellow pine core slabs being edge joined.  



Glue applied to plywood base.  



Glue spread using "Bondo Spreader" (on right) from Walmart.  



Pine core applied to first plywood layer now glue applied to pine core for top plywood layer.  



Now glue spread on pine core.  



Two bases laminating in clamps.   Thats about 2000 Lbs of force on these two bases.



Other side of the stack.  



Bases after laminating, ready to trim and sand.  



Base trimmed, edges rounded, and ready to paint.  



Painting begins.  



Closer look at the sandwich.  



Press bases being painted.   Note the press storage rack is also being painted.



Finished press bases with tee knobs and bools installed.   Ready to drill and mount presses.