Reloading bench questions

O

outoftowner

Regular
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Location
Medicine Hat, AB
Alright so I have gotten started on my reloading room/man cave. So far I have decided to get a 3" plywood top (I'm going to put a sealant on it) and create an angle Iron/square tubing frame.

First of all my bench will be 8' wide and 2' deep, will 2' be enough depth for all presses and accessories? Right now I am just going to stick with lee stuff but in the future I want to get a dillon and I need to know if there is a minimum depth for a larger press like those progressive dillons.

Second of all what should my overhang be? Like I said before I am using 3" plywood so I will have plenty of strength to the bench top so bench strength is not an issue.

Third, is what are your guys' storage ideas for all of your stuff? Right now I have a small shelf above where the bench will be, plus lots of space under the bench. What are your organization/storage ideas?

Just typing this up i'm getting excited :D
 
I built a modified version of the NRMA bench and it works great. You could adapt the overhang size to your plan, but I would give it an extra 1/4" of overhang so all press rams clear.
 
I have a bench of similar dimentions. I run a 1050 with the automation kit, and it fits fine with 2 feet.

I used a single piece of 3/4 inch good on one side plywood ripped in the center. I didn't require an overhang, so I framed a 2x8 box out of 2x8 inch lumber. I used tapcons to fix the back of the box to the concrete wall, and 4x4 posts for the corners. I ran a 2x8 board behind the corner posts. The first layer of plywood was glued and screwed to the exterior of the frame. The top of that sheet was rough side up. I ran a bead of glue over the sheet, using the whole tube. Then I layed the second sheet rough side down on top, and screwed it around the edges and through into the support behind the posts.

It ain't moving.

You're not going to go wrong with 3 inches, but I suspect a well laminated 2 1/4 would do just as well and leave you with a 2x8 foor shelf or backsplash.
 
I cheated. I got a used solid hardwood core door from a commercial reno. It is 7'x 30"x 2". I screwed a 2x4 to the wall and set one edge on it. Then I used 3- 40" long 3/4" galvanized pipe, with a flange on each end. I screwed one end to the underside of the door, screwed in the pipe with another flange screwed onto it against the floor. Then I used the threads to level the door right across the floor. Then, with Tapcon screws, I screwed each flange to the floor. I next took 2x4's and ran them from the floor, up past the floor joists above it (at each end of the "bench" against the wall). I then placed shorter 2x4's (from the top of the bench to the underside of the floor joists) next to the longer vertical ones (I had to add some spacers to get it just right). This bench is SOLID!! I would have to literally lift the house to get it to move when resizing or re-forming cases!! And it doesn't' lift when I am pulling bullets with my collet bullet-puller.
 
I'm pretty sure I have my frame part figured out. Going to create a frame out of angle Iron and square tubing, so solid it will make your head spin. I'm just worrying about benchtop dimensions.
 
outoftowner said:
I'm pretty sure I have my frame part figured out. Going to create a frame out of angle Iron and square tubing, so solid it will make your head spin. I'm just worrying about benchtop dimensions.
Click to expand...

Your depth should be more than OK. The width is more than enough.

My only suggestion is to leave the backboard empty for a while. Once you have your bench set up, and shiznit bolted where it works for you, then the position of shelving will be easy.
 
Mine's 4x8 feet - 3/4" maple plywood top over 2x6's...extra 2x6's around the outside. Hey...I
hate a bench that wobbles. :)

It more than a guys needs, but it doubles as my woodworking, and ham radio desk as well.
Here's a few pics.

IMGP3478.jpg

IMGP3475.jpg

IMGP3474.jpg
 
Canuck223 said:
Your depth should be more than OK. The width is more than enough.

My only suggestion is to leave the backboard empty for a while. Once you have your bench set up, and shiznit bolted where it works for you, then the position of shelving will be easy.
Click to expand...

Ya, right now I have a couple shelves above where the bench is going to be, theres just some paint cans sitting on them. After a while I might set up some rails for those little plastic bins or something.
 
Just remember your bolts to hold the press down need to go all the way through the bench top. Keep this in mind for measurements of where the steel frame beneath will be.
 
hk33ka1 said:
Just remember your bolts to hold the press down need to go all the way through the bench top. Keep this in mind for measurements of where the steel frame beneath will be.
Click to expand...

:redface:I'd actually goofed when I made mine. I forgot to account for room needed for the backing washer for the 4 bolts used to fasten the press to the bench. Fortunately I was only off by a bit. The back brace for the front legs was in the way. I wound up tapping the rear two washers in between the top and the brace.
 
As Canuck said, if you're mounting a Dillon XL650 or similar, you need about 7/8" of overhang to throughbolt the frame with some decent-sized washers. I'd say 3" of plywood is excessive; 2 x 3/4" should be more than enough.
 
I am moving my reloading bench out of my garage and into my office in the house. I am going to give this design a try with the inserts. As the article states, I am only going 18" deep to keep it from becoming a "pile on" with two inserts. I am running a dillon550B and feel I will have lots of room.

w ww.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/benchs_022607/

The dillon with strong mount needs 11"x13" of bench space, but don't forget about height. You need to be able to get the primer tube in. I am going to put it on an insert, as well as build a smaller insert to it's left.

I am going to make 10" wide shelves with a door underneath on the far left to hold my plastic shoe boxes of brass with a 50"x12" open shelf underneath approx 12" off the floor. My plan is to put bullets and brass underneath, keeping the heavy stuff low. The majority of supplies will stay in the garage. I am also going to build shelves above for dies and toolheads after I have the bench built.

Here's a picture of a mock up I did to make sure I have room in this small of space. The table pictured is 60"x22" and 29" high. I am still not sure on height yet but I think I am going to go 34" with the strong mount.

IMG_0823.jpg
 
Last edited:
blacksmithden said:
Mine's 4x8 feet - 3/4" maple plywood top over 2x6's...extra 2x6's around the outside. Hey...I
hate a bench that wobbles. :)

It more than a guys needs, but it doubles as my woodworking, and ham radio desk as well.
Here's a few pics.

IMGP3478.jpg

IMGP3475.jpg

IMGP3474.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice...I know where I'm going to hide under if the Ruskies start lobbing nukes our way.....that thing is built to last!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom