Bench for reloading

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ted_dent

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Princess Auto has a bench on sale for two weeks that looks to be a good basis for a reloading setup.

1,500 lb capacity wood top Workbench with power & USB Outlets
SKU: 8963803

$239.99

ht tps://www.princessauto.com/en/1500-lb-wood-top-workbench-with-power-usb-outlets/product/PA0008963803
 
I saw those, too; not that I am looking for another reloading bench at the moment.
If I did spring for one, I'd be inclined to check the side to side (racking) stability of the bench, and add a diagonal cross brace across the back if needed.
 
Mastercraft
Mastercraft Wooden Top Work Bench / Work Table, Diamond Series, 72 x 24 x 38-in#068-6099-0

Is a great deal when you catch it on sale
 
OP - that might work okay - when installing a free-standing table, I found that any amount of torque on outside edge makes the thing want to tip over - so is common here to have 2x4 with two 3 1/2" deck screws into each wall stud - the table top screw nailed down to that cleat - for the length of the table. Does not tip over, but not easily portable. Most work benches here done that way - a 2x4 cleat to wall studs - then framework - then two post/legs on the room side of the work surface.

Even at today's stupid prices - I am sure you could buy a couple 16 foot 2x4 - make a ladder with "joists" about 12" or 16" apart - and then deck it with 2 layers of 5/8" construction plywood - so one sheet ripped in half the long way. I screw nail first layer of plywood to the 2x4's - then liberal amount of carpenter white glue and glue top layer to first layer - no screw or nail heads protruding from work deck surface. One work bench here has 4x4 for legs - another has doubled 2x4 as legs. I think you would be looking circa $150 for lumber, screws and glue.
 
I used an old office desk. Heavy wood structure, has drawers for storage, and I can sit and tinker away in the office chair. My press is screwed into the top about 6" from the edge and drops the primers under the desk.

No movement on that thing, yet somewhat portable when I have to move it. Eventually as the kids leave the house I will have a room, and can then put shelving around on the walls, and have a decent work area large enough for a rifle and scope mounting without much moving around. One day, soon!
 
Potashminer said:
OP - that might work okay - when installing a free-standing table, I found that any amount of torque on outside edge makes the thing want to tip over - so is common here to have 2x4 with two 3 1/2" deck screws into each wall stud - the table top screw nailed down to that cleat - for the length of the table. Does not tip over, but not easily portable. Most work benches here done that way - a 2x4 cleat to wall studs - then framework - then two post/legs on the room side of the work surface.

Even at today's stupid prices - I am sure you could buy a couple 16 foot 2x4 - make a ladder with "joists" about 12" or 16" apart - and then deck it with 2 layers of 5/8" construction plywood - so one sheet ripped in half the long way. I screw nail first layer of plywood to the 2x4's - then liberal amount of carpenter white glue and glue top layer to first layer - no screw or nail heads protruding from work deck surface. One work bench here has 4x4 for legs - another has doubled 2x4 as legs. I think you would be looking circa $150 for lumber, screws and glue.
Click to expand...

Yeah for sure, I built mine from 2x6 and 2x4’s I already had, top is a layer of 5/8 or 3/4” ply with a second layer of 5/8” mdf I painted. All I really had to buy was screws but I’m sure if I had to do it again I’d be less I to it than buying something pre fab from a store, can guarantee it would be sturdier as well.

It’s a heavy beast but it won’t tip over, can’t remember if I have screwed it into the wall studs yet or if it’s just up against the wall. Either way it’s not moving with all the weight I’ve got on the bottom shelf.
 
I made a sturdy tripod from some scrap wood to mount my press on. Then its separate from the table, and I can use any table I want to organize my other tools / equipment.
 
Potashminer said:
OP - that might work okay - when installing a free-standing table, I found that any amount of torque on outside edge makes the thing want to tip over - so is common here to have 2x4 with two 3 1/2" deck screws into each wall stud - the table top screw nailed down to that cleat - for the length of the table. Does not tip over, but not easily portable. Most work benches here done that way - a 2x4 cleat to wall studs - then framework - then two post/legs on the room side of the work surface.

Even at today's stupid prices - I am sure you could buy a couple 16 foot 2x4 - make a ladder with "joists" about 12" or 16" apart - and then deck it with 2 layers of 5/8" construction plywood - so one sheet ripped in half the long way. I screw nail first layer of plywood to the 2x4's - then liberal amount of carpenter white glue and glue top layer to first layer - no screw or nail heads protruding from work deck surface. One work bench here has 4x4 for legs - another has doubled 2x4 as legs. I think you would be looking circa $150 for lumber, screws and glue.
Click to expand...
It's always advisable to anchor any reloading bench to the wall if possible (both of mine are). And of course you can always build your own but for the extra $80-90 a lot people find it a lot easier to just get a prefab and this one seems pretty substantial. Plus it has built in electrical outlets which is a plus.

P.S. i don't work for Princess Auto so this post was just an FYI.
 
Tagged for interest, looking for a new bench myself, thanks OP

Is this a sale price for the princess auto bench ?

What is the regular price ?
 
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Just to add idea's for make your own. Look for a solid door that is being replaced from a business or residential. They are nice and thick and extremely heavy so bring a dolly. I made a 2x6 base with 2x4 cross members and screwed the door onto the top and then screwed it into each of the studs on the wall. It is not going anywhere and does not flex in the least and will last a life time.
 
my big bench is as potashminer discribes but with steel top glued on [ 24 ga from duct work company...my small bench in shooting shack is big old steel desk .raised legs for comfort loading...don
 
I have a reloading desk, not bench. I purchased an old roll-top desk which has many drawers and shelves for storage of reloading components and equipment. I have my press, case trimmer, powder dispenser and electronic scale solidly attached onto the desk top. The desk is anchored to the wall for stability, it has served me well over the past 15 years.
 
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I was once at an auction sale where there was 4 sheets of plywood

this stuff was 1.5" thick, 5'x16ft if I recall correctly

made for rebuilding the wooden grain box on an old 3ton

the farmer who had the sale said Carrot River plywood plant would make any plywood for you at crazy dimensions, up to 3" thick, 5 or 6ft wide, 16-18 ft long, he couldn't remember exactly

that would be crazy expensive too, I'd imagine

those sheets sold for only $25. I remember because I was trying to figure out how to get them home. back then, I didn't have a way, so didn't bid

Oh... the days of farm auctions! relic of the past!
 
I have a Husky bench that's very similar to that PA bench.
Height adjustable, easy to assemble, easy to level, absolutely solid.
The top is thick, I routered in T-tracks for case prep tools and added an Inline Fab quick change setup to swap around my presses, a 6" vise, and a grinder.
Being that it's height adjustable, I raised it just enough to roll my 5' Husky toolbox underneath. Fits great and is efficient.
The bench didn't even wiggle climbing up on top, but I tied it to the wall with a couple of cheap L-brackets anyway. Less than $2 and 2 minutes, seemed like no-brainer thing to do.

I have no idea if that PA bench is anywhere near as solid as my Husky, but if it's even close it would make an excellent reloading bench if it fits the space.
 
I've got the 1000 pound version in my shop. Don't have a press on but that's likely to happen. I've just used it for cutting meat at the moment. Its quite sturdy and you have to figure the 1500 pound version would be even more so. It would be easy to put a bottom shelf in, or even top and bottom. If you want to use it as a reloading bench I'd countersink a few carriage head bolts through the top and frame.

You can build a bench easy enough; but have you priced out 3/4" plywood lately? Or 4 x 4s?
 
I was lucky one day a school was throwing out a bunch of desks I’m talking about the old ones that were made of steel and stainless steel …I bolted two presses to it and a dillion 600 super swage and it’s rock solid but weights a ton
 
I made my bench to fit in the small area I had to work with. My wife worked as a production forklift operator at a sawmill for a few years. They used to make a tongue and groove 4x6 fir decking. I glued and screwed that decking together and made a 2x4 frame under it for pure overkill then made the legs from pressure treated 4x4 posts. Everything on the bench is glued and screwed and I'm confident you could probably park a car on the thing! No weeble-wobble at all. That said, now that I no longer have access to free decking, if we moved and I had more space to play, a larger bench would be really nice
 
I used the big shipping bench from Uline. You can choose what top you want. I chose the thick maple top. I added electrical outlets on both front legs.

FE4-E6-F57-3457-4995-9-A4-E-E7-E0-D5324816.jpg


The nice thing about this bench is that lower shelf. It really makes the whole thing sturdy. I did add a table leg from ikea just for a little bit more support for the middle of the large top. It doesn’t move even with a lot of down force put on the presses. The whole thing is quite heavy.
 
Id look on your local kijjii, varagesale or facebook market place for something. I bought a little desk for like 20 bucks way back in the day. Came with shelves and white board to write my loads and other info on.
 
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