Thoughts on reloading benches

personal_aviator said:
I was thinking that also, about glueing two pieces together or at least putting a couple pieces of 2x4 under the plywood to strengthen it up. I would like to build something so that the press could be removed. Being a small bench I would like to be able to have an open table top when i'm not making ammunition. I would like to stay away from clamps to hold the press down also. Actually an idea just poped into my head. Something along the line of a hole cut into the table top, an insert made with the press attached to it and some pins on the bottom to hold the insert in when using the press, pins like trailer hitch pins or something. Any ideas/thoughts?
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If it were me this is what I would do. Extend the top piece of plywood over the front edge. Add an "L" section made out of 2 X 6 or 2 X 8's on the front. Look closely at the front of this bench

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Make sure the board does not restrict the door. I would drill holes through the plywood and board to suit the press and install T-nuts

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under the bolts.

One final thing would be to secure the rear of the plywood to the back of the bench. It may want to tip up as you put force on the press handle.

John
 
I get what your saying on having the table top extend out the side of the bench. I guess that would be a good way of making slightly more space and somewhere to attach the press. I will probably start on it next week or so. I'm in the middle of trying to put together my engine for the Camaro for the summer and i'm still waiting on some dies for the BA so once the engine project is done i'll get started on the bench.

Thanks!
 
It is not as pretty as some of the fancy work surfaces, but space is limited and being able to move it around is a big deal.

My variation of a cast iron grinder stand that I had sitting in the original box for the last 5 years that was never used. I have not quite decided where the feet should be positioned yet. It is quite stable the way it is, quite comfortable while sitting at as well. Both the top and bottom can be swiveled. The water tray is a great place for the spent primers to drop into. As this one has mounting holes in the feet, I can mount it to a 3/4" piece of plywood to make it more stable if needed.

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RancheroMan said:
I just got finished building my bench. It's a NRMA bench, and the plans are available online. I am very new to reloading, just did my first 20 at a buddy's house, and haven't yet used my bench. It seems so well planed out though that I'm sure it will work great!

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That is the sweetest bench I have never dreamed of. Man I would love something like that. Maybe I can pay someone to build it for me haha
 
I have an NRMA bench like Rancheroman's. Friend built it about 33 yrs ago, got divorced, gave it to me for 150.00. I have a swivelling/retractable arm lamp mounted to the top of the cupboard. Helps when checking powder height in cases. I have a MEC700 on the left side, a Rockchucker on the right. My scale sits on the shelf where it's at eye level. I took a Redding BR3 measure and a 24" Jorgensen clamp that I bent to suit, to mount the measure to, makes it portable that way, lets me take to the range to load powder for the Schuetzen rifle right at the shooting bench, and store it out of the way at home.
The main top is bolted to the support frame, making the whole thing a takedown setup. Have moved it twice over the years, very handy that way. The countertop on mine is 3 pcs of 3/4ply glued together, the whole frame is 4x4's. He decided to overbuild it a bit.
As it sits loaded up with gear, it is easily 1000 lbs, two of us couldn't move it, had to unload it to move it around the room.
 
Big time necro? Not quite five YEARS necro, that's not necromancy anymore, that's archeology!! :)

You're right, that's a gorgeous bench. I suspect someone's a cabinet-maker. :)
 
Grawfr said:
Big time necro? Not quite five YEARS necro, that's not necromancy anymore, that's archeology!! :)

You're right, that's a gorgeous bench. I suspect someone's a cabinet-maker. :)
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Lol too funny. My wife must be rubbing off on me, she's always digging up the past!

I would definitely agree...either that or a joiner. That boy has some talent, puts me to shame.
 
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