Loading bench height

B

barry1974w

Regular
Rating - 100%
71   0   0
Location
Central B.C.
Well, the going to be gun room is coming along. The drywall and paint are done, now the flooring and t bar ceiling. I’ve a got a space a bit over eight feet long to build my loading bench. My question for you more experienced guys is, how tall should the bench be? And should i set it to reload while standing, or sitting?

Have a good one
 
Normal table height is 30", so 30-32 if you want to sit down while reloading. Normal counter height is 36". I prefer to sit because I am making notes and checking data tables and am usually at it for at least an hour. Some guys do both and prefer to stand when resizing and sit for the rest of it. Depends on your setup and how much room you have to work with.
 
Remember you will most likely be doing other stuff on it too. Make it for sitting height (use the chair you will be using) 32 inches seems to be about the norm, and if you want to stand and reload, mount the press on a pedestal. Look at ceiling height too. I just got a Dillon 650 recently, and with the case feeder on top ceiling height could be an issue if you go that route down the road
 
Last edited:
All the benches I have made are same height as my kitchen table. works very well as a gun work bench as well as re-loading bench...If you have any back problems or stiffness, sitting is the only way to fly.
 
I finally built myself a proper reloading bench of adequate size and height: 43" to the top of the bench. It's still below my belly button height but I can stand at it comfortably or sit on a comfortable, rotating bar chair... emphasis on that finally. It's great not being confined to an inadequate, cluttered space though previously I still had a comfortable height: Which was luxurious compared to the inadequate from every perspective, improvised bench I originally started on.

It's custom anyway, fit it to your preferences... otherwise it'll be a constant annoyance "I should have did this or that ..."
 
Mine doubles as an everyday workbench so I built it to stand at. 41 inches tall, 24 inches wide and 8 feet long with a short "L" on the end (that's where my presses live). Right about belly height so I don't have to bend much to work the press. I also have a stool if I feel like sitting
 
Last edited:
I just finished building my reloading bench for my XL650 with casefeeder. I was able to save a 30" x 6' desk top from some commercial grade furniture that was being toss out. Frame made from 2x4.

Specs as follows:

- top of reloading table 39 3/4" includes the 1" thick repurposed desk top
- I used a Dillon Strong Mount (550/650) which gives a 8 1/2" rise to the Dillon
- top of casefeeder 82 1/2"
- top of shellplate holder from bench top is 14"...good level for me to look at the cases without bending down
- Dillon rollerhandle centre is 56 1/4" from floor...just slightly higher than the top of my shoulders
- I'm 5'8" tall (and apparently shrinking as I get older), my eye level is 63", my belly button is just below the top of the bench
- my 650 is set up on the right side for reloading standing up. I can see down into the case and also use Inline Fab's LED Skylight kit
- my stool is approximately 30 1/2" and is comfortable for me to sit and work at the bench.
- this height also works for me to stand and work/reload. Stool swivels so it's not good for reloading while sitting.

PM me your email if you want a photo of my setup.
 
My bench top is 36 inches. My press is mounted on a 4x4 plus another inch board and sits at 41 inches. I'm 5' 8" and the press height is perfect for me.
 
Do not listen to any ones measurements.

Decide how you are going to work at your bench, well for the majority of your time.

Your bench goes at the height of your elbows , my shop work benches are at 40 or 42" I forget exactly, my reloading bench is lower than counter tops or kitchen tables due to the chair I use.

Why? Too low and it strains your back and neck muscles , too high it's unconformable and reaching.

Back injuries make you figure things out REAL quick! ;)
 
If you want to stand, Follow the rule of thumb. A work top for general work should be the same height as distance from the floor to your first thumb knuckle or roughly your shirt cuff. For smaller fine work add 6 ", for using power tools lower 6".
I'm 6" and our standard kitchen counter is 2" above, which seems right as it is too low for many small jobs......so I don't do dishes )

Mine is a sit-down bench, easy assembly by laying a solid-core door on top of a pair of 2-drawer file cabinets. Adjust chair height as required
 
boxhitch said:
If you want to stand, Follow the rule of thumb. A work top for general work should be the same height as distance from the floor to your first thumb knuckle or roughly your shirt cuff. For smaller fine work add 6 ", for using power tools lower 6".
I'm 6" and our standard kitchen counter is 2" above, which seems right as it is too low for many small jobs......so I don't do dishes )

Mine is a sit-down bench, easy assembly by laying a solid-core door on top of a pair of 2-drawer file cabinets. Adjust chair height as required
Click to expand...

You wife let you post that? :)
 
My bench is 37" and my press mounting plate is 39".
I worked on a bench for most of my carer and when I built my present bench I set the height that when my arms at 90 degrees at the elbow is the height that worked best for me.

David
 
I found that if I used a bar stool as a chair my ideal bench height while sitting was the same as it was standing. I happily switch back and forth depending on the task at hand and how I feel. I did have to make an elevated mount for the Hornady LNL progressive, all other presses mount directly to the benchtop.
 
Thank you guys for your input thus far. It’s good for me to hear different perspectives. I did smash a couple vertebrae into popcorn a couple years ago so back pain is definitely an issue. I was thinking straight bench, but I think I may have room for a short L off one end, I like that idea. And I’m also liking the bar stool or standing option. I realize that the ideal height would differ due to the height of the individual using the bench. I used to be just under five eleven, after my accident I’m five nine and a half. Thanks again, keep the ideas rolling
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom