Have no garage or basement, and making a 2x6 constructed table screwed to the wall for stability is out of the question. I have a 3ft wide spot in my computer room and thought: Why not just buy a lower tool chest. Take off the casters and place right on the floor. They stand about 36" tall, will have drawers to label contents, should be sturdy enough for the reloading vise. And a bonus too is: They usually have the raised lip around the top (helps in case of spills). I`ll just wait for Canadian Tire to have a sale, thinking a guy could get one for around the $150 mark. Then if a guy ever got out of reloading, a guy could always use another tool chest! Has anyone here, done this??? Hey, why not post up some pics of your makeshift tables, might get some good ideas! Darcy
As a reloading table, what do you think?
- Thread starter darcy32171
- Start date
Raised lip around the top is going to give you grief mounting the press.
Not sure if it would tilt on you without having to put pressure down on the opposite side of the press. Any pics of what you are thinking of? Im pretty sure I know what you mean, but pics would be priceless
Not sure if it would tilt on you without having to put pressure down on the opposite side of the press. Any pics of what you are thinking of? Im pretty sure I know what you mean, but pics would be priceless
Pudelpointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lethbridge, Alberta
Unless you are going to store a couple hundred pounds of lead in the bottom drawer, I doubt it will be stable enough for sizing cases without being attached to the wall.
You may get away with it if you put your press on the end (and store everything at the opposite end of the drawers).
You would be surprised how much leverage a standard single stage press will create.
JMO, and known to be wrong.... occasionally.
You may get away with it if you put your press on the end (and store everything at the opposite end of the drawers).
You would be surprised how much leverage a standard single stage press will create.
JMO, and known to be wrong.... occasionally.
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
Most tool chests are pretty thin as well so you would want to put a piece of steel on the under side of where you bolt the press to prevent the whole top from warping when you start pulling on it.
Lee makes a press stand that's perfect for small spaces... Uses a cinder block for added weight and you can mount just about any press to it.
Lee makes a press stand that's perfect for small spaces... Uses a cinder block for added weight and you can mount just about any press to it.
Fill the top with HDFB to the level of the lip or above on the sides. Mount your press on the side or you won't be able to open the drawers. Place sizable re-inforce plates inside the top metal drilled for your bolts. Load the lower drawer with lead shot bags or sand bags and it should hold it down. You can also use your off side hand to counter some of the strain you place on the ram lever. My first bench 60 years ago was my mother's fold down in-wall ironing board and I had to counter the strain with my left hand pushing back on the top of the press.
OP, a Black & Decker Workmate works ok as a small, portable bench. It needs some weight added to the bottom for stability, but you can always put a foot on the step to hold it down and they are available for a song at garage sales.
Mark
Mark
This is what I use. Folds up nicely in the closet. I just put my other hand on the bench for counter balance while pulling the press lever.
telesquirt
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort Frances
what about one of these from Factory Sales along with a small table for supplies?
http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Lee-Reloading-Stand.html
http://leeprecision.com/xcart/Lee-Reloading-Stand.html
If I had 0 room to work with I'd pick my least used closet screw a couple pieces of 3/4 inch plywood together and hinge them to the back wall of the closet and hinge a couple legs off the bottom. I'd then have a couple 2x4 cut to length that go from the top of the bench to the bottom of the door jam so things wouldn't lift on the upstroke. Cheap to build and would take up little room.
NShunter1254
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia Canada
I just removed the mirror from a dresser and added a half round piece of 3/4 plywood to increase the size of the top and added locks to the two lower drawers for ammo storage and keep the upper drawer for small parts ,tools and paperwork.Please excuse the mess it's normally much worse.......
I also don't have a space I can designate as a reloading area so I made a little portable "bench". I just set it on the edge of the table when I use it.
Works pretty good. Need two hands when full length resizing bigger cases though to prevent it from tipping over.
I stash it on top of a one of those wardrobe closets you can get at any depot store and keep all my other gear inside of the closet.
I have always thought I could bring this right to the range when developing a new load but have not had the oppurtunity yet.
Sorry about the poor quality photos (just took them quick with my iphone). Should give you an idea.
Works pretty good. Need two hands when full length resizing bigger cases though to prevent it from tipping over.
I stash it on top of a one of those wardrobe closets you can get at any depot store and keep all my other gear inside of the closet.
I have always thought I could bring this right to the range when developing a new load but have not had the oppurtunity yet.
Sorry about the poor quality photos (just took them quick with my iphone). Should give you an idea.
If I was short on space this is what I'd be working on.
Can't roll it around or anything, but if it's solidly mounted to the wall, it's not going to go anywhere. You could even put a couple doors on it if you wanted to get fancy.
Add an removeable plate to mount the press like this one,
http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=393&CategoryID=87
and you're in business. All it costs you is a couple of 2x10s and 26 bucks for the mounting system. Much less than a toolbox from CT.
Can't roll it around or anything, but if it's solidly mounted to the wall, it's not going to go anywhere. You could even put a couple doors on it if you wanted to get fancy.
Add an removeable plate to mount the press like this one,
http://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/frame.cfm?ItemID=393&CategoryID=87
and you're in business. All it costs you is a couple of 2x10s and 26 bucks for the mounting system. Much less than a toolbox from CT.
I went to a used office place & bought a a big old wooden desk.
Works great, has 4 drawers, two on each side & slide out writing extensions that I use to hold shells as I reload & slide back in when I'm done.
They are very heavy & stable!
Reloading table
2 x. I use a foldable work bench that I bought from Rona for around $100 for two presses - Dillon Super 1050 and 550RB, mounted across from each other - works just fine. Yes, there's some finite movement of the bench while operating presses, but it does not affect the reloading process.
2 x. I use a foldable work bench that I bought from Rona for around $100 for two presses - Dillon Super 1050 and 550RB, mounted across from each other - works just fine. Yes, there's some finite movement of the bench while operating presses, but it does not affect the reloading process.
Griffin6869
CGN Regular
- Location
- Cloverdale, BC
Workmate folding bench is what i use $18 bucks from canadian tire - replaced the two pressboard top sheets with 2x6 cut to same length - mounted the press on the oppisite side of the crank handles and it works great - has my Square Deal B for my pistol loading and a Mec Versamec for 12ga. Still has room for my powder scale, box of lead and a beer.
