Workbench for reloading?
- Thread starter Shep546
- Start date
I've got a cheapie CrappyTire workbench. Looks similar. You might want to double up on the counter top or it will eventually crack from regular use from your press. You will loose the use of one side of the drawers because of the press unless your mount it off the side instead.
shoot_to_kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Luskville quebec
I built a bench with 4x4 legs 2x4 frame and a small shelf underneath. Plywood top. Works great, very stable as the 4x4s add weight.
Armored Metal
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- The People's Republik of Kébekistan
I use the Black&Decker Workbench as a dedicated reloading bench. I added a larger, thicker wood plank on top and a small one at the bottom that serves as a shelf. It's not a big setup but it's sufficient space for my Hornady single stage press, my 2 powder throwers, my scale, tumbler and dies.
OP, i am using a very similar bench to the one on the link, mine is from CT.
If it can be any value added, i find that reinforcing bottom shelf and filling it with brass and projectiles greatly stabilized it, as screwing 3x 3'' screws thru the bench in a 2x4 stud in the wall.
If it can be any value added, i find that reinforcing bottom shelf and filling it with brass and projectiles greatly stabilized it, as screwing 3x 3'' screws thru the bench in a 2x4 stud in the wall.
Make sure like others have suggested, you make the top thicker/stronger. IMHO. I have a home made 2x2 steel bench with a lower shelf, and thick plywood top thats clear coated. Made the feet adjustable to level it out. Works very good and doesn't even wiggle.
I've got a set up like this only I bought a cheap used solid door from the habitat re-use store for the top and then threw a sheet of ply on it for finish. Also got a set of used kitchen cabinets to mount on top for storage of dies, cases, projectiles, tools Etc., bulk stores below. If you're handy you can find a lot of prefab items at the re-store you can then slap together on the cheap and since most of the stuff is old it comes from a time when things were actually made to last, the door I got was solid oak, not pretty but weighs a ton and cost me 30 bucks, the cabinets 10. The 4x4s,2x4s and finish ply cost me more, still all in for under $120 if I recall correctly.
carsmovies
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Mississauga, Ontario
That looks pretty flimsy. Remember you will be torqing on it pretty good, and usually from one far side or the other. I made my own from 2x4s and plywood and the first time I sized a case realised I needed to inforce the legs more because when it loaded up the bench twisted a bit. Now its rock solid.
If you have the means, I recommend doing it yourself. Much more gratifying.
CrappyTire has a workbench at 60% off. $124. that's similar to the one I bought. Buy a 2'x4' piece of ply from HomeDepot to double up the counter top and should be good to go. Not THE greatest workbench out there by any stretch. If you're handy, you can buy lumber and make a much more solid one for sure.
h ttp://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-heavy-duty-workbench-0570117p.html#.UpisAOLBN88
h ttp://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-heavy-duty-workbench-0570117p.html#.UpisAOLBN88
samsplacci71
Regular
- Location
- Toronto area
I made mine from scratch but the CT one you pick out and beef up on the work top will be fine. Mine is similar in looks. Though, something to be mindful of is workbench height. I am 6ft, so I built mine with a higher workbench height to make it easier to work at while standing. IE, working height while standing with elbows bent at 90degrees. My wife bought me a pneumatic adjustable height stool which is perfect for my reloading bench. If the CT bench seems low, just put it on a platform and bolt it down.
+1 on the strengthening the top. I'd also put something underneath it so the steel legs don't chew the ####e out of your BR floor. I built my own with 4X4s, 2X6 top rail and 2X4 shelf rail, plus double thick 3/4 plywood glued and screwed together. Made it about 72X32 to give lots of space for 2 presses and "stuff". It's really not that hard if you can use a saw and drill.
If not, get the strongest frame you can find, you're going to be beating on it pretty hard. If it flexes when you lean on it hard, move on. If you're going to double up the top, I'd see if you could make the top bigger too, need lots of space for "stuff".
If not, get the strongest frame you can find, you're going to be beating on it pretty hard. If it flexes when you lean on it hard, move on. If you're going to double up the top, I'd see if you could make the top bigger too, need lots of space for "stuff".
You can add my vote to the "strengthen the top" crowd...
My bench is 3 layers of 5/8 plywood glued together, and it still would flex a bit when the press was bolted directly to it. Now that I have the press bolted to a steel plate 1/2 by 8" square, the flex seems to be gone. The back edge of the plate is bolted to the bench top 7" in, inside of the top rail of the bench frame, instead of 1 1/2" in from the edge....
Stan
My bench is 3 layers of 5/8 plywood glued together, and it still would flex a bit when the press was bolted directly to it. Now that I have the press bolted to a steel plate 1/2 by 8" square, the flex seems to be gone. The back edge of the plate is bolted to the bench top 7" in, inside of the top rail of the bench frame, instead of 1 1/2" in from the edge....
Stan
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I like to mount reloading tools to individual bases then clamp them to the top of the bench. When you have 3 presses you tend to want to use space efficiently.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
I built mine form 2x4 and a sheet of plywood. Cost was $40 2x4's were free. Its very strong. To test it out after it was built i was jumping on it lol
Can buildem a lot cheaper then buying.
Can buildem a lot cheaper then buying.
I built an 8'x3' bench with a 2x4 frame, doubled 2x4 legs at the corners and at 4', 2x4 and 1/2" plywood shelf. All screwed with 3 1/2" decking screws. I bolted my press down right next to the center leg, and it flexes a little when full length resizing .308 and 7.62x54r. I got a case stuck in the die once and just about pulled the first board off of the top getting it out. In the future I think I would add a 1" plywood top.
