Hi everyone. Just got my RCBS master reloading kit. I am just getting into this and was wondering if you guys have any advice on building a loading bench. I have a bunch of 2x4s and some good plywood. I'd like it to be about 30 inches deep and five or six feet wide. If you guys have plans or tips, or even suggestions about what you would have done different if you had to do it again. That would be great. Its killing me having all these shiny new tools sitting in the box with nothing to bolt them to. Thanks in advance.
First Reloading Bench
- Thread starter colonelklink
- Start date
I was in your shoes a few weeks ago. My concern was after watching a few reloading videos was how many people's benches seemed to flex like a wet noodle from the torque of the press. I decided to get a bench with a strong top, at least 1.5" thick. I priced a few and considered building one but in the end, I couldn't make something as good as and for all that much cheaper than this so that's what I went with:
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip?navAction=
Just reloaded my first 200 rounds, including 100 50AEs with improper lube of the cases, having to reef on the ram to get them out of the sizing die (with one getting stuck eventually) and the press never moved.
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/ultra-heavy-duty-workbench/prod1490086.ip?navAction=
Just reloaded my first 200 rounds, including 100 50AEs with improper lube of the cases, having to reef on the ram to get them out of the sizing die (with one getting stuck eventually) and the press never moved.
Busta Capp
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Town of the Blue Mountains (ON)
I used this:
http://www.bghi.us/index.php?x=bench and this http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html
to make my bench.
http://www.bghi.us/index.php?x=bench and this http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html
to make my bench.
Iron Glove
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Hope and Tulameen
I wanted something compact for use in a spare room so I went to Revy and bought a steel table used for power saws, etc. It's about 2 ft x 3 ft once I put a piece of 3/4" plywood and 1/4" white melamine board on top.
The table was @ $70 if I recall.
Works well for me and if I need to use the table for it's intended purpose with a saw or router, it takes a couple of minutes to unbolt the top.
The table was @ $70 if I recall.
Works well for me and if I need to use the table for it's intended purpose with a saw or router, it takes a couple of minutes to unbolt the top.
I'm using an old teacher's desk made from hardwood with a 2inch thick top.
I mounted my press's on 3/4 piece's of plywood which I clamp to the desk top with a couple C clamp's.
Same set up with a small 3 inch vice.
No perminent hole's and super sturdy.
I just ran 200 cast lead boolit's thru a LEE sizer and it didn't move
I mounted my press's on 3/4 piece's of plywood which I clamp to the desk top with a couple C clamp's.
Same set up with a small 3 inch vice.
No perminent hole's and super sturdy.
I just ran 200 cast lead boolit's thru a LEE sizer and it didn't move
I'm using a heavy duty steel desk from... the 70's? Either way it's built heavy.
The only "issue" i have is the top has a plastic rubber top. It flexes but provides a nice finish to handle things on. Warm, etc. I mounted the press believe it or not on the pull out drawer to the side. The downside is it doesn't flex, but it wiggles a bit. I'm testing it out now with my first 49 rounds made (pressure and ladder rounds) and appears to be working great. If I run into issues I'll mount it some other way.
I'll try to grab a picture sometime. I actually really like the desk. Bought it for cheap but the style, etc. is great.
The only "issue" i have is the top has a plastic rubber top. It flexes but provides a nice finish to handle things on. Warm, etc. I mounted the press believe it or not on the pull out drawer to the side. The downside is it doesn't flex, but it wiggles a bit. I'm testing it out now with my first 49 rounds made (pressure and ladder rounds) and appears to be working great. If I run into issues I'll mount it some other way.
I'll try to grab a picture sometime. I actually really like the desk. Bought it for cheap but the style, etc. is great.
(((Echo)))
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Old Man Land, AB
I scored a couple of old office doors years ago, and use one for my reloading bench. Damn thing's a solid 1¾" thick and heavy. After cutting it down to size, I trimmed up the edges and added a backsplash with wood. Presses are mounted on ⅞" plywood bases, bolted to the bench. Whole thing sits on 4x4 posts and 2x4 frame. For some strange reason, I added 1½" angle iron to the underside.
I'm
ed if I ever have to move the damn thing.
(E)
I'm
ed if I ever have to move the damn thing. (E)
I went to Home Depot and bought a 36" piece of laminate countertop. Cut a 3/4" plywood piece to fit and glued/screwed it to the bottom, making it a solid 1 1/2" thick, then mounted it to the wall with a 2x4. I used pipe with flanges top and bottom for front legs. Looks really nice, is really sturdy, and is easy to clean up or move when the time comes.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
2x4's and plywood is all you need if your a handyman at all. First of all I don't know what your shooting or reloading plans are...one ore two calibers and a couple hundred rnds a year or many calibers and many hundreds of rnds.
If the former and you plan on only ever needing one press then your on the right track with 4-6 ft bench. if you ever plan on adding progressive press's in the future you will need 6-8 feet minimum. I have two progressives and a turret press on my bench, it is 8 ft long and getting crowded. If you have the room, build what you need now for later, for the extra $ 10 it will cost.
Because of moves, I have had to build a couple of of bench's. The one I have now is 8ft long and has 3 sets of x-braced 2x4 legs. Build the table top very sturdy, mine is a full layer of 2x6's with 3/4 ply on top of that, it's all covered with arbourite for ease of clean-up and removes any chance of slivers from the ply when wiping down.
A "fee-standing/ separate from the main bench" platform is best for your balance powder measure, it is essential if you plan on useing a digital scale.
Another small suggestion is to use screws in all the construction, nails will loosen up over time and pull apart with the stress of the press movement.
Lastly, if you can, anchor your bench to a sturdy wall with lag bolts (not one that has your wifes China on a shelf on the other side).
If the former and you plan on only ever needing one press then your on the right track with 4-6 ft bench. if you ever plan on adding progressive press's in the future you will need 6-8 feet minimum. I have two progressives and a turret press on my bench, it is 8 ft long and getting crowded. If you have the room, build what you need now for later, for the extra $ 10 it will cost.
Because of moves, I have had to build a couple of of bench's. The one I have now is 8ft long and has 3 sets of x-braced 2x4 legs. Build the table top very sturdy, mine is a full layer of 2x6's with 3/4 ply on top of that, it's all covered with arbourite for ease of clean-up and removes any chance of slivers from the ply when wiping down.
A "fee-standing/ separate from the main bench" platform is best for your balance powder measure, it is essential if you plan on useing a digital scale.
Another small suggestion is to use screws in all the construction, nails will loosen up over time and pull apart with the stress of the press movement.
Lastly, if you can, anchor your bench to a sturdy wall with lag bolts (not one that has your wifes China on a shelf on the other side).
I used the National (something) Reloader's Assc. bench plan I got from someone here, then put a maple 1x6 top on it. I didn't build the shelving for on top as I was planning to move. I just used the wired 3 tier shelves from Cdn. Tire. But need to add a shelf for the scale.
Clint
Clint
This was mine last year. Have not been able to find time to finish the lower cabinets, but things work well enough. And ZERO FLEX.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...2-New-Reloading-Bench-(in-progress-pic-heavy)
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...2-New-Reloading-Bench-(in-progress-pic-heavy)
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
I built mine TALL, 105cm from the floor to the bench top. That way I can stand or sit on a bar stool with equal comfort. And I often alternate depending on how many rounds I am loading or how tired I am that day, it's a great virtue.
Now that's a good concept!
colonelklink - 'Ideal' is a bench bigger than a gangster's coffin and made of 3" steel for rigidity. Some guys spend a lot of time and money trying to get that. In reality, you can reload almost anywhere and a lot of guys turn out good ammo on tables as small as 18" x 24" (Workmate folding benches, for instance, are popular among apartment dwellers with little room). The key with a small table lies in storage space near at hand and organization.
It isn't the downstroke that rocks, but the upstroke - lifting any lightweight table.
If your basement is unfinished, a telepost is a cheap super-stiff place to mount the press. A base can be u-bolted to the post ( bonus - adjustable height) and a little table top screwed to the same sliding bracket holds a few little things - a separate bracket can be u-bolted further up for scales - and maybe even powder measure.
Any little table/buffet/locker/refrigerator holds the other junk. Get light - lots of light. Light coloured floors are nice too. Get a trash can with a lid - dropped primers fall into trash cans.
If your basement is unfinished, a telepost is a cheap super-stiff place to mount the press. A base can be u-bolted to the post ( bonus - adjustable height) and a little table top screwed to the same sliding bracket holds a few little things - a separate bracket can be u-bolted further up for scales - and maybe even powder measure.
Any little table/buffet/locker/refrigerator holds the other junk. Get light - lots of light. Light coloured floors are nice too. Get a trash can with a lid - dropped primers fall into trash cans.
