Thoughts on reloading benches

My bench is a little too low... I re-used a previous owners bench. It was very well built so I didn't have the heart to burn it and replace it. Perhaps I'm just lazy. Anyways, lots of comments of 'build it solid' and I'd agree. One thing I've found is that even a massive bench, anchored into the earth doesn't quite do it for me. I have two benches. One to do rough work, ie run the presses. And another for fine work... scales, powder drops etc. I find that keeping your scales and drops completely separate makes a huge difference. Obviously they don't need to be thirty feet apart, just a few inches. I avoid flourescent lights, air movers, and anything magnetic around my scales too. You can't have too many shelves.
 
In my experiences, build it twice as large as you figure you'll ever need and build it three times as strong as you figure it should be. That will just do for the short term...
Things to keep in mind I learned;
-Use plywood or laminate for the top, nothing with a seam (as in planks).
-have a press in mind prior to making it, you'd be suprised that the bolt spacing mounting the damn things can be right over your support beams.
-upper shelves are indespensable.
-doors on the lower and having it sealed to the floor aren't a bad idea either, ever drop a spring or ball just to watch it go under the most solid immoveable bench you ever built sucks.
-A plug in close by is real handy.
-I can't stress how important good lighting is.
Just my 2 cents.
 
RUPZUK said:
In my experiences, build it twice as large as you figure you'll ever need and build it three times as strong as you figure it should be. That will just do for the short term...
Things to keep in mind I learned;
-Use plywood or laminate for the top, nothing with a seam (as in planks).
-have a press in mind prior to making it, you'd be suprised that the bolt spacing mounting the damn things can be right over your support beams.
-upper shelves are indespensable.
-doors on the lower and having it sealed to the floor aren't a bad idea either, ever drop a spring or ball just to watch it go under the most solid immoveable bench you ever built sucks.
-A plug in close by is real handy.
-I can't stress how important good lighting is.
Just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

You are right on the money, except I found I needed 3 duplex recepticles!
Extension cords and power bars suck!
 
I bolted my LEE Challenger press to my computer desk.

I s**t you not.


(Now keep in mind, my desk is an older Star-branded, 1" thick particle-board top. It has 1 shelf for a desktop PC, the tabletop itself, and weighs in at a hefty 180lbs. :eek:)
 
The bench by Rancheroman looks great. One thing I did with my bench is that there is a 5" overhang over the front. That is where presses are mounted and everything is through bolted.

The overhang also give knee room if you want to sit at the bench and still have a shelf below.

I could do a large overhang because the top is about 2" thick, 3 sheets of particleboard laminated with the top sheet maple veneer.

Also consider if you want to load standing or sitting. Mine is set up for standing, 38" above the floor, yet I can still use a drafting chair (bit higher) to sit.

Sturdy? Got that covered. 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 square steel tube legs, 1-1/2 x 3" horizontal steel tube for the top and shelf supports, all welded. :D

Doesn't move at all, total weight with a "few" supplies on lower shelf, 1,000+ lb.
 
As someone else mentioned, I went the route of the laminate countertop. I got a 36" piece at Home Depot, then cut a piece of 3/4 MDF to fit exactly under it. I glued and screwed it to the bottom of the counter and it comes flush to where the front lip comes down. Looks good and is nice and sturdy. Screwed a piece of 2x4 to the wall that the back edge sits on, and is screwed to. Measured the height according to Dillon's recommendations (use a 550 with SM), cut and threaded pipe to the correct length for legs, attached flanges top and bottom and it's good to go. The nice thing is, I can close the door and it's out of sight. Maybe not the best set up, but it works for me.
 
Here's mine, didn't have a lot of space to work with so I made bases for temporary set ups.
reloadbenchpics2003.jpg
 
Bearhunter quote--"Bruce, your bench looks like you cleaned it up for the pics."

Darn. Can't get away with a thing around here!
 
Here's my setup. Got some old cabinets that had been turned into a workbench and a spare desk. The reloading desk had the same ugly orange top on it as the work bench so I took it off and put on some 3/4" MDF, stained it and put a clear coat on it.

Has 3 drawers for dies, and other reloading tools as well as 3 cupboards for bullet and brass storage.

KB9W2297_resize_resize.jpg


KB9W2298_resize_resize.jpg
 
Thanks for insperation

Getting into reloading myself! Thanks for the thread M777

I loved the setup that Quigly had posted and was inspired to get a great bench in the man cave before I shot my first load. :adult: Yes that is wright! I have never loaded before. I bought a MEC loader 2 weeks ago and figured after being inspired by this thread I will start out on the right foot. My uncle has ALL the rifle reloading stuff cluttering up his crawl space. I was informed if I built a loading bench he would loan for life :D all his gear since he has enough rounds for his lifetime of hunting. ORGANIZED :runaway:
ReloadBench1.jpg

I added inserts for the loader to be quickly inserted with 4 brass bolts. I feel that this should help me keep it out of sight and keep the wife happy. ALL of YOU know that things BREED in dark places. My fishing rods have several offspring each year. I don't think that is going to change with this new venture.
ReloadBench2.jpg

Built in a weekend and stained 3 coats of clear. I love the look but once she is beat I will upgrade the top with arbrite for durability and wipe down hard surface.
If anyone wants a bench like this let me know I'm a builder of many things. ;)

Thanks again
Sincerely.
Stormin30
 
firemachine69 said:
I bolted my LEE Challenger press to my computer desk.

I s**t you not.


(Now keep in mind, my desk is an older Star-branded, 1" thick particle-board top. It has 1 shelf for a desktop PC, the tabletop itself, and weighs in at a hefty 180lbs. :eek:)
Click to expand...

x2. The older steel L shaped desks are best. Lots of drawers and very sturdy. They are well designed for working sitting down.

Plus mine was free.
 
You guys make me drool... I got my Hornady LnL AP over a week ago, and still cannot figure out where & how to mount it. Garage is out of the question, too damp & too cold - especially now. Basement is taken: my son has a music studio there. I think I'll have to use my foldable workbench and set it in the library/ guest bedroom. There's no room for storage, either - unless I dump a ton of books from the shelves there. My wife'll be thrilled... :)
 
Heres what I have done so far, it a bit of a mess , Just need to do a little more organizing

DSC03601.jpg

DSC03602.jpg


the trap door in the middle of the floor leads to :
DSC03498.jpg
 
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bearhunter said:
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I have a friend that has great bench. His is fastened to the floor with anchor bolts and the frame is steel, with a 4in. thick plywood top, glued and screwed together. Overkill, maybe. He has four different presses mounted to the top. All older RCBS models that are aligned perfectly to the die seat and piston. He can size anything without any noticable movement. The presses are through bolted, rather than screwed or lag bolted in place. Much more rigid again.

My new shop will have a very similar bench. It will be a pain to build and install but after working on such a bench, it's like getting into bench rest shooting, nothing but the best will cut it any more.
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Thats what my plans are. I have a corner in our shop that I am going to make an L shaped bench. Use 4 (or even 5 inch If I can get it) polished plywood. I'm going to make a quick detach system for my presses where I make metal mounts that are wider than the presses (or other mountable objects) that have 3/4" holes in them for bolts that are ran through the plywood top. Those presses aren't going to go anywhere.
 
aridan said:
You guys make me drool... I got my Hornady LnL AP over a week ago, and still cannot figure out where & how to mount it. Garage is out of the question, too damp & too cold - especially now. Basement is taken: my son has a music studio there. I think I'll have to use my foldable workbench and set it in the library/ guest bedroom. There's no room for storage, either - unless I dump a ton of books from the shelves there. My wife'll be thrilled... :)
Click to expand...

i still have one of these;)

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=397041
 
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