Benches & presses

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paladin

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Rookie question #100. I just bought the rcbs Rock chucker supreme reloading kit. I'm about to build a new bench for it. A couple of questions come to mind. Being right handed, should the handle be on the right or left side of press?? What do you use as a reference for the height of your bench?? I mean what do you want to have accessible, comfortable, visible when using the press?? Any other ideas / insights would be greatly appreciated so I don't build the wrong bench.
Thanks
 
Put the handle on the right side so you can use your strong arm to work the press and your left to place cases in the shell-holder. Keep the press mounted towards the left side of the bench so you of plenty of room to the left for loading blocks and tools. Mine is actually located "around-the -corner" to both clear the drawers in front as well as getting the handle out of the way when the press is not in use.

I have several holes drilled in specific areas of the bench top to mount other tools like a case trimmer or shot shell press. There is 1/4" flat bar fastened to the underside with threaded 1/4" holes to take the mounting bolts from the various tools.

Bench height is dependant if you sit or stand at the reloading bench. I have my bench is 42" tall and is perfect for me to work standing up. (I am 6'-2" tall)
I have a telescopic drafting chair that is high enough to work seated if I so wish.

Build the bench twice as strong as you think necessary as the less vibration and wiggle the nicer it is to re-size cases.

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right side as well- most if not all progressives are right biased- the left hand is used to feed the bullets and you'll find this when you "graduate" - the shellplate turns counter clockwise- tyically you insert your bullet off station 3- good habit to get into
 
I think the NRA site has a set of plans you can download. However, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just DURABLE. I built mine from plywood and used a combo of 5/8" for the sides and 3/4 for the top. Legs were also laminated plywood I had kicking around.

Stronger the better and the extra weight will help it stay stable.

Jerry
 
I like my presses mounted up high. I like to stand up straight and I like to see what's going on, so I like it best when the bottom of the dies are right at eye level, so I look down slightly to the shell holder with the ram down. And the shotshell press I like mounted a couple inches lower, so that the charge bar is at-or-slightly-below eye level.
 
You took good advice and bought top notch equip., make the bench very solid as the rockchucker has lots of powder/leverage. Not sure about making provision for shell plates, progressive, etc. as rockchuckers dont use them, once you get comfortable reloading you will want to sit while doing it so build it to that height.
 
Build your bench as strong as you can make it. The heavier and more sturdy it is, the more pleasant it will be to use. For legs, double up on 2X4 or opt for 4X4, 5X5 or even 6X6!!! For the top, at a minimum double up on 3/4" plywood, you can even plank it over first using 2X6 or 2X8, 2X10 or 2X12 and then a double layer of 3/4" plywood over the top. I also built a hutch for mine out of 5/8th plywood for storage of dies, reloading manuals, etc...lead shot, brass and bullets go on the bottom shelf, located below the table top. The extra weight helps stabalize the whole thing. If you're going to be resizing any of the big magnum cartridges, you'll really appreciate a sturdy bench. Instead of drilling all kinds of holes though my now expensive table top, I instead opted to mount just the one press permanently on the bench, the rest of my presses and other tools I mounted on pieces of 2X6 or 2X10. When I need to use that particular tool, I can simply C-clamp it to the table top with a bunch of clamps and its rock solid. Keeps more of the bench top free as I can dismount said tool when not in use.
 
My bench is also at standing height, about 38".

The frame is welded square tubing, 2 1/2 square legs and 3x1 1/2 rails. 8' long and 30" deep. Top is 3 layers of 5/8" maple veneer MDF, solid maple end caps. A few coats of urethane on the top and it looks like a piece of furniture. (the top was a huge temporary door for a monster home and I got free).

We had to move it into place without the top and then bolt the top on. Needless to say, that with a few hundred extrea pounds of brass and bullets on the lower shelf, it doesn't move much.
 
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Any suggestions for us guys that are not handy with tools?
Yes, I am neither handy nor handsome :p

Would there be anyone out there that could build a reloading bench for me...:(
 
444shooter said:
Any suggestions for us guys that are not handy with tools?
Yes, I am neither handy nor handsome :p

Would there be anyone out there that could build a reloading bench for me...:(
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Ah well, if the ladies don't find you handy or handsome, there's always beer and they can regret it in the morning:runaway:
 
444shooter, if you're not handy with tools, find yourself an old steel office desk.I was given one, which saved me from making a bench, and as a bonus, most of them have storage drawers on either side.Mine even has slide out writing trays on both sides, which are perfect for setting out brass, etc. while working.
Scott
 
calgaryshooter said:
mouse, I built the same one a couple weeks ago. Haven't tried it out yet but it's sturdy as all get out. I used 3/4" plywood on top rather than the MDF.
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Ah well suit yourself! I like the fumes MDF constantly gives off, but on the flip side I use the bench alot for finiky things so its great for resurfacing. I double fenced and shoved her through even though its sitting on carpet, and no rock at all. Jigs and fixtures :runaway:
 
$$$, Keep an eye on the sale flyers, 'secially CanTire. A couple months ago I boght a steel workbench, with an upper shelf, 2 drawers and pegboard back for 69 bux. It's not great, but it's not terrible either. I reinforced it with a few 2x6's and it's strurdy enough.
 
Now on my 7th or 8th different bench .... (moved from house to house & place to place over the last 40 years - the benches were often left inplace) . Work with the Rock-Chucker on your right, handle on your right ... if you're right handed.

Ideally, the bench should be rock solid, and I've bolted my most recent to the wall & the floor. Having tried both, I prefer to sit at a stool that allows you to put your legs under the bench, with a foot support. I can (and do) stay at the bench for hours sometimes. Mine is built out of 2x4's & 4x4's with a 1" plywood top, sanded smooth, stained (pine) and finished in Urethane. Built-in type shelf at the back of the bench (within easy arms reach) for the powder scale and trickler at eye-level. "Working" bullets, powder and primers are out and on the shelf, otherwise, all non-working supplies ( i.e. for other loads, calibers, etc) are safely stored in nearby cupboards - elsewhere. My powder measure is pretty much dead-centre on the bench just in front of and below the scale shelf, and the rotary case trimmer is to the left side, also securely bolted to the bench. The powder measure is on a stand, and is high enough to get Hodgdon's 1 lb cans under the drop tube ( to empty the measure without taking it down... just cycle the handle )

I built the bench top much like a framed wall, with 2x4 crossers spaced so that the press bolts ran right through the crossers edgeways. Used, as I recall, 5" x 3/8" bolts to secure the press, and counter sunk all the screws holding the top down for a flush fit.

Fairly simple ... and works for me.

Not handy with carpentry ... find someone who is ... and pay/bribe them well to do the job properly.
 
I kept an eye on the local re-use furniture store. I ended up getting agood steel framed table for $10. a sheet of plywood for a top and I was done.

I have since added hanging cabinets overtop with a powder scale shelf.
 
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