I built mine with the main 8' long bench at countertop height. Then added another 4' of bench at 48 inches high. Mounted the two presses on the high section. On the lower section I left a spot open underneath so I can sit at it like a desk. I also have the powder throw mounted with a bracket protruding from the upper level over the bottom level, right above the desk portion.
Work bench working height? higher or std?
- Thread starter johg2
- Start date
I like a bench that's high enough to stand while you're working. If you do need to sit occasionally you can always get a stool that's a little taller. About 44-46" is quite comfortable for me and will fit most people .
- Location
- Fort St John BC
Wow That's high!!! Are You 7 feet tall by chance?
Yeah I do, just seems more comfortable.
- Location
- Fort St John BC
I guess it also depends what You do for work I stand all day at work most days so I prefer sitting while reloading.
My dogs and back would certainly be barking at me if I did an hour or more on the progressive while standing. Doing the small batches at a time of rifle as I do would be a little better. But even then the only time I stand is to look over the cases to check for even amounts of powder and any possible missed ones before bulleting them.
However for anyone that prefers to stand at their press the idea of a 48" section, or a riser pedestal attached to the press, makes a lot of sense.
However for anyone that prefers to stand at their press the idea of a 48" section, or a riser pedestal attached to the press, makes a lot of sense.
- Location
- gormley ontario
thats what i did works great.thanks
turbo_bird
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
A lot will depend on how tall you are. I'm 6'2" and my press is mounted 42" high. It needs to come up another 2" or so for me not to have to bend slightly on the down stroke while standing. I usually sit on a bar stool when reloading, and it's a touch low for that too. The work bench itself is 40.5" high, and its a bit low for working on small items like guns, or when doing precise work with the 4" vise. My welding bench is 45.25" high, which for me is great for small stuff, but a bit high for big items and using a 6" vise. It will get trimmed down to about 43" when I move it to a new house, because it weighs about 1000lbs and I don't want to move it if I don't have to.
Kristian
Kristian
didn't want to start a new thread so here is my first and new reload bench i built from start to semi-end. Ill still add on to it such as more shelfs and what not...its not overly big but it serves its purpose and thats all that is need for now till i have more room to expand
My apartment work bench solution, ikea table/shelf off kijiji for $50, ikea LED $10, children's playmat squares from dollarama $2, Canadian tire iron vise $20
only you know what works for you and your living situation. I know you asked for height but thats up to your requirements too.
only you know what works for you and your living situation. I know you asked for height but thats up to your requirements too.
My bench is 37" high and I do most of my work off of a bar stool... the counter top is doubled 3/4" plywood... my press is mounted to the counter top and is the right height for me when sitting on the stool or standing... I wouldn't want the press lower.
Get an adjustable height chair. Voila! Done, no? horseman2 nailed that.
I used to have the exact same style desk as stevebc shows. Rock solid, and cheaper to buy than enough lumber to make a rickety handicrafts station. Heavy. But you can knock it down into it's major components in not too much time with a couple screwdrivers.
I regret giving it away, but we were pushing the weight limits pretty hard on my last move, and it went to a friend anyway. Needs a bit more room than many solutions, though.
My next 'desk' is going to be built around the two half-height Vidmar storage drawer units I bought. Before I do that though, I have to weld up some legs to be able to get a pallet dolly under them so they can be moved without unloading them.
Cheers
Trev
I used to have the exact same style desk as stevebc shows. Rock solid, and cheaper to buy than enough lumber to make a rickety handicrafts station. Heavy. But you can knock it down into it's major components in not too much time with a couple screwdrivers.
I regret giving it away, but we were pushing the weight limits pretty hard on my last move, and it went to a friend anyway. Needs a bit more room than many solutions, though.
My next 'desk' is going to be built around the two half-height Vidmar storage drawer units I bought. Before I do that though, I have to weld up some legs to be able to get a pallet dolly under them so they can be moved without unloading them.
Cheers
Trev
If your "handicrafts station" (loading bench) is "rickety" than you have no business making one. I defy you to even budge the one I pictured above... there are three plates screwed to the wall studs, and everything is built off of those plates... it is far more solid than any desk you can buy, and 2-3 sheets of plywood is far cheaper than any desk that is solid enough for reloading.
I load standing and I like to be able to look into a case after it comes out of the Dillon powder drop/flaring die. Prevents loading a bullet on an empty case.
At the bullet seating station, I get a 2nd chance to see powder. Works for me.
At the bullet seating station, I get a 2nd chance to see powder. Works for me.
In principle I agree with you. And certainly any reasonable sheet construction that is then joined to studs within the wall is going to be as solid as the Rock Of Gibraltar.
I'm not sure I go along with the price of an old large and heavy office desk vs the cost of three sheets of premium plywood though. Often heavy duty office desks can be obtained for well under $100 from folks that simply want them gone. On the other hand three sheets of good quality maple veneered or similar furniture grade plywood is going to run up around $140.
Having posted this I would also like to add that the picture of your home made setup is a great one. It would not be at all hard to duplicate that by anyone with a skill saw and a place where it can be used. More tools would be nicer obviously but a skill saw for cutting and a drill for doing the drilling and screwing together would be all the tools one really needs. The rest is gravy.
Oh, and a stud finder or magnet for finding the studs. With a table of this sort joining it to the wall to ensure total rigidity is really not optional. Well, either a wall or keeping it weighed down with never less than 150 lbs of bullet and powder stock..... a few screws into the wall is cheaper....
I'm looking at options for installing a small mirror and LED spot light that is aimed right by the mirror and down into the case for this same check. It won't be able to check it right AT the die. Instead I'm thinking of it being on the edge of the die plate so it can be used to check the cases mid way through indexing. I spend too long at the press at a time doing handgun ammo in batches of 400 or so at a time to stand for the whole thing. Plus when seated the reach to the lever on my 550b is a more natural one. If I was standing over it I'd have to either bend down too much at the bottom of the stroke or I'd need a new lever to make the pull a more natural one.
Different strokes for different folks ....
When I built my bench from a set of plans from the US Reloading Association (something like that) I made 6" higher than it is now, and I sat on a high stool. I did that to keep my inquisitive son from reaching the press. Later, when he got older, I lopped off the legs.
The whole thing is 3/4" plywood except for the desk top. That is a solid core door. I found one with a few flaws and got it for cheap.
When I built my bench from a set of plans from the US Reloading Association (something like that) I made 6" higher than it is now, and I sat on a high stool. I did that to keep my inquisitive son from reaching the press. Later, when he got older, I lopped off the legs.
The whole thing is 3/4" plywood except for the desk top. That is a solid core door. I found one with a few flaws and got it for cheap.
