Reloading bench setup question

D

dlau

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I'm building a small bench for reloading and was wondering what height it should be. I guess it comes down to operating the press, is it easier to operate when standing (for extra leverage) or is a regular desk height sufficient? I'm also assuming the press is best mounted to the far right (for righties).

Cheers,
 
Depends on your hight and press setup (where the trays and such are).
Mine is at hip joint level (table surface) and has ~6" of space to the right.
 
CeeZer said:
Mine is at hip joint level (table surface)...
Click to expand...

Mine is at about belly button level. I built it that way after mocking up my press and considering that I did not want to be bent over to do other work on the bench. I have a tricky back so I'm always thinking about confortable work heights.
 
I have an old, heavy wooden desk that I bought for reloading.

I have a Dillon SQB set about a foot from the right. This gives me room to have a container of empty brass to feed in . This way I have a fair bit of room on the left for bullets etc.
I am right handed & have a bad back so this works well for me as I sit when I reload.
 
Mine is the same hieght as toxic's; my plans were from the net. I really like the height; I even built another bench for my gun room the same height (don't like solevents and oils near my powders and primers).
 
I'd try to prop the press onto a temporary mounting board, with others to use as shims, try working the press repeatedly, using hand motions similar to actual reloading. I'd want to assess my body for discomfort or an overall good feeling after about 1/2 hour on the press. Adjust where necessary and repeat, until the best position is found. Measure the height from table top to the floor and that's your best height, I would think.
 
toxic said:
Mine is at about belly button level. I built it that way after mocking up my press and considering that I did not want to be bent over to do other work on the bench. I have a tricky back so I'm always thinking about confortable work heights.
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Ditto here.
First bench I made was typical desk hieght but it was a killer on my back.
Now after 12 years it is time for a new one.:) Going to go waist high this time so I can stand or sit on a stool depending on how my back feels that day.

How about this?

barrel_large.jpg
 
The top of my bench is 38" high, and was designed for standing, or sitting on a drafting chair/stool (they are a little bit higher). Single stage and progressive presses can be mounted right to the top of the bench.

Front of my bench overhangs by 5" so all the presses are mounted with bolts. It also allows sitting at the bench and your knees don't hit the selves or braces under the top. The overhang is not a problem strength wise because the top is a full 2" thick MDF, with the top sheet being maple veneer. Solid maple trims the ends of the top. The frame is square/rectangular steel tube, painted satin black.

BTW, the satin black, Flecto I think, leaves a fantastic finish on steel. The satin hides all little imperfections that would show if you used a gloss finish, but the finish isn't fully flat black. The black also sets off the wood top really nicely.
 
I tend to load a few thousand at a time, so I sit. I designed my bench around the position of the handle at it's lowest position. Unfortunately, on the 1050 that means your left arm winds up extended straight out more or less, resting on the bullet tray.

I solved that issue with a Mr. Bullet Feeder.
 
toxic said:
That looks cool. I think all I would reload is .45LC with that Cowboy Action Look. :D
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Table top is too big, shipping to get it here was going to be $600 and they wanted $1200 for the table! That of course is USD. :onCrack::runaway:

Got a barrel for $90 and am going to build one for my little room to fit in the decor.;):D 40-42" top though and the bottom filled with sandbags.

Got bored at work Friday and whipped this up during lunch. Guess I am commited to using a barrel table to make it match now.....

DSC02198.jpg
 
Thanks for all the great tips. I'll build it higher than I had originally planned so I have the option to stand. I only wish I had space to build a bigger table.

It should be fun figuring out where I should put things so that the layout helps me do things in a methodical manner.

Cheers,
 
Mine is built for standing or a stool. Makes it easy to apply leverage but somewhat uncomfortable to stand for long periods.
 
All of my presses are bolted to the office table about 28 inches in height. They are> Dillon 550, C-H Magnum "H", RCBS rockchucker, RCBS partner, & a Lyman Spartan. I always sit when reloading, seldom do i stand. I load a minum of a thousand rounds to a max of 5 thousand rounds. Dies & bullets are stored in the draws. The primers & powder are stored in seprate wooden boxes with pure brass fittings marked explosives on all 6 sides. They are kept in the basement where it's cool & dry. Never ever store the boxes near the furnace. You may just get a KABOOM. We certainly do not want that to happen. So enjoy the art of reloading, been at it for about 30 years now. Saved a some money by reloading & shoot alot of my reloads also. If i were to buy factory ammo, i'd be broke by now. LOL
So praise the LORD & load some AMMO.
 
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that table made out of a barrel..it looks great:)..
but i dont think it would good for reloading,unless it was filled with sand to weigh it down..
it is an amazing amount of pressure thats required at times to push a bigger cal rifle brass through the die
 
I built mine to the normal 30" desk height. I sit in a office chair that is adjustable in height. My bench is 10' long so I am set up to reload in the one corner and use the middle section for working on rifles or whenever I need a bench. When working on a rifle the height is perfect for standing.
 
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