Best Reloading bench on a budget?

B

brodymcg

New member
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
Location
New Brunswick
Hi guys,

Just starting to get into reloading and was wondering what is the best thing to use for a bench. Keep in mind i live in an apartment building.

Cheers,

Brody
 
If the missus don't mind the kitchen table works :)

Might want to try one of those folding work tables (google Black and Decker Workmate).

Crappy Tire sells a generic branded one for 20 or 30 bucks (on sale) a couple times a year.

Solid enough for a single stage press, powder measure and room to hold your loading tray, scale etc - and the whole thing can fold up and go under a bed or in a storage locker if you use some of the quick connect mounts for the press etc..
 
Build one yourself to fit your space and your specific needs. Very inexpensive and you get exactly what you want. If you move, dismantle it, have a bon fire, and rebuild in your new place.
 
If you live in a city it really isnt hard to go out in the morning and find a table/dresser being thrown out. If you can find one big enough they work great as a reloading bench.
 
hend238 said:
Build one yourself to fit your space and your specific needs. Very inexpensive and you get exactly what you want. If you move, dismantle it, have a bon fire, and rebuild in your new place.
Click to expand...

Yep....I built a tank of a table for under $30.
4'x18" with 4"x4" legs, top is doubled up 2x6...ain't breaking that thing lol
 
Hitzy said:
Yep....I built a tank of a table for under $30.
4'x18" with 4"x4" legs, top is doubled up 2x6...ain't breaking that thing lol
Click to expand...

I find it extremely satisfying building my own reloading bench. I've done it 3 times now over the past 10 years and each time it gets better and more efficient.
 
Last edited:
You can build a very inexpensive bench custom built to your size. Most hardware stores will do custom cuts on wood if you don't own the tools. The other option is glue and screw a couple of 18" x 24" or so pieces of 5/8" or 3/4" plywood together, countersink your screw/bolts and clamp it to the kitchen table or counter top. I did this in an apartment for years with a progressive press and it worked great.
 
I live in a condo too. I bought an ikea kitchen cart. Has 2 wheels and a solid wood top. Currently have my case trimmer, a turret and a progressive mounted to the top. The 2 shelves below give space to store my scale, powder, spare dies, etc. works fantastic and I can wheel it around when I want to load.
 
I bought an old teacher's wooden desk (yes wood! not the modern crap) on a local buy/sell site. Paid $50 but it's nice and solid.
 
I was looking at Lee's tripod stand but I bought a bar stool from a Salvation Army thrift store and modified it. The stool top was cut to bring the press leverage over the legs.

The plywood board rotates around the bolt.

The single stage press is for decapping and full length resizing and the multistage is used to reload the clean cartridge.

 
Last edited:
something strong. Been doing the reloading reading and the bench is highly over looked. But if that its mounted to can flex, you can break the press. Seen several threads of broken press of all brands where the bench is not up to the task. the flex allowed the bolt hole area of the press to snap off.

personally i have a u shaped computer desk that's got over a 1" thick top. I will be mounting to that but adding a piece of plywood just to be safe. overkill is a good thing in this case.
 
A table/dresser being thrown out that is not OSB/particle board. The B&D Workmate you can likely find in a pawn shop. Been in one bedrooms for eons and use a very old Beaver Lumber bought work bench. Top broke on the very first use of my press. Square foot of 1/4" steel fixed that about 40 years ago.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom