Looking for a really good reloading bench.

Rstjean

Rstjean

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Somewhere near Edmonton
I was curious if anyone knew where to buy a really good reloading bench? The area I have for the bench is 9 feet wide I would like to mount at progressive press and a single stage press to it and have some cabinets for storage. Most of the ones I have seen are to small and I don't really want to buy two.

Thanks Ryan
 
Build it yourself!

I'd say get some 8'x8"x3" boards for the main deck, then some 2"x4"xX' boards to hold the deck together. you could make the legs out of round or square piping or just some 4"x4" beams.
 
One option is using the 2x4 Basics kit and build it yourself using plywood and 2x4s. If you use full 4x8 sheets of plywood, you wont even have to cut those, just the 2x4s. Downside is that these won't have a lip for the top surface, so if your press requires a lip, these won't work very well.

https://www.amazon.ca/2x4-Basics-90164-Workbench-Shelving/dp/B0030T1BRE

But it is just as easy to build the entire thing from scratch just using plywood and 2x4s.
 
I use a rolling tool chest from canadian tire, store dies, powder, primers, bullets, loaded ammo cleaning supplies tools parts ect lots of room and easly locked. I just have a 3/4" plywood top on it, seems to be plenty strong for press(off the one end, not the front)
 
I would just build to suit your needs. Mine is 8' long and 3' deep. 4 large doors on the bottom to hide my stuff and i added 3 mastercraft cabinets above framed out with pegboard and recessed receptacles into the pegboard. Hard to buy something that can compete with a custom one you build to suit your space and needs
 
Build it! 2x4's, 3/4" ply, 4x4's, peg board is what I used. Just rip off some ideas from pictures of other peoples benches. (google reload benches) If you can use a drill,a measuring tape and a skill saw you can build it. If you don't own o skill saw the lumber place can cut it for a small fee. Just work out your dimensions ahead. If your reloading I'm sure a simple woodworking task will be no sweat! My set up has a large under table shelf, top of the table I built a cabinet/peg board shelf. Cabinet holds my powder and primers divided and lockable. Everything is in reach from my 2 presses. Best thing I could of done for reloading.
 
I use a large wood office desk, they are heavy, already have some storage space built in... and usually they are free or just a few bucks in the paper or on Kijiji! If you get one the best bet is the older ones made of real wood but the top of a newer desk could be built up quite cheaply as well.
Rodney
 
Agreed. Build it yourself if you want something good. Most ready-built stuff is built to a price point, and it shows. You won't find anything that is perfect. If you build your own, you can make it perfect to your desires.

That said, if you are carpentry challenged, you could always contact a local cabinetry shop, or carpenter, or furniture builder, and describe what you want, and they should be able to whip something up to your specs easily enough. I would err on the side of overkill when it comes to the lumber. You can't make it too sturdy, or heavy. 4x4 construction might seem crazy, but you'll appreciate a rock solid cabinet once you bolt the press down and use it.
 
I'm using the Canadian Tire Maximum Heavy Duty work bench. It has a wooden top that actually overhangs on the front and on the side. Perfect for mounting presses and whatnot. It's regular $399.99 but will come on sale. I think I bought mine 70% off last year. Bearing drawers, peg board, top shelf, etc... Great stand alone unit if you have limited space.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I am actually a red seal journeyman carpenter I honestly would rather not build stuff out of wood after work. I would also like something that could be disassembled and doesn't mark up the walls because I will probably be moving in the next couple of years and would rather avoid patching and painting. After reading a your responses I think the work bench with solid wood top that is 6 feet wide and a rolling tool chest from Canadian tire would probably work very well for my needs. I never thought of looking at Canadian tire.

Thanks Ryan
 
I never thought of Canadian tire either to be honest....I just built mine out of some old reclaimed barn timbers as a sanity project last year. Another place to check might be Costco, I know that they have the big rolling work benches/tool chests sometimes and could be cheaper than can tires ref price if you don't want to wait
 
I bought an old solid wood desk from the re-store. (Kinda like goodwill). It's actual thick wood, not plywood or particle board or mdf. Solid as can be, plus it has storage. All for $50. Cheaper than building.
 
I bought the Canadian tire work center bench for $300. Doesn't seem to show up on their website. Similar to the maximum heavy duty bench but $100 less.

Came with a 2" wooden bench top.

It is rock steady.

Has cutouts with rubber grommets for electrical cables and each leg is adjustable for height/ levelling.

It does not move or flex when loading on a hornady progressive with case feeder and bullet feeder.

The only downside is you can't use both drawers as the press blocks one of them depending on which side you mount the press.
 
Rstjean said:
Thanks for all the replies. I am actually a red seal journeyman carpenter I honestly would rather not build stuff out of wood after work. I would also like something that could be disassembled and doesn't mark up the walls because I will probably be moving in the next couple of years and would rather avoid patching and painting. After reading a your responses I think the work bench with solid wood top that is 6 feet wide and a rolling tool chest from Canadian tire would probably work very well for my needs. I never thought of looking at Canadian tire.

Thanks Ryan
Click to expand...

I have the same bench, Mastercraft if I recall. Works perfectly for my needs.
 
Go to a store like Rona or Windsor Plywood. Take a look at some of their laminated board offerings. Last fall I helped a fellow set up in a very similar location you describe.

Windsor Plywood had some relatively cheap laminated tops that were ten feet long X 30 inches wide X 2 inches thick for around $150. After mounting a couple of 2x4s around the wall at the height he found comfortable which is lower than most think for a reloading set up, we applied glue and slipped the table top into place. For more rigidity we installed a leg under each of the two loading press stations. One other thing we did that I believe is crucial is added some very cheap plastic molding around the inner edges. If there are any spaces there for bits to fall into, you can be it will happen and at the worst time. Makes it much easier to clean up as well.

I will stress, good rigidity of the table is the best thing you can do for yourself. Any flexing at all creates unneeded issues. Some people will accept it but it's tacky and unprofessional and makes a simple job difficult under some conditions.

Go to a local second hand building store and look for overhead shelving or cabinets. I don't like doors to cover my tools and components other than the powder cupboard. I also like a peg board to hang stuff on like hand priming tools, spare primer drift pins, different size neck expanders, tools like small wrenches/screwdrivers etc.

If you are going to utilize the area underneath the bench for storage, instead of drawers use cheap plastic bins with covers. Maybe even one of those stacked units that do have drawers but can be pulled out as a complete unit. Again, much easier to organize and keep clean. With that progressive press the area around it as well as the press need to be meticulously clean to operate properly. IMHO.

Install a good LED light strip overhead as well. You don't have to run special wires for it as hopefully there is a plug in receptacle in your corner. Just attach a bit of extension cord and plug it in when you need it. LED draw so little power that the effect is hardly noticed.

Nine feet of table top isn't nearly as much as it sounds like. Make sure your stuff is mounted with enough space between them for powder scales/tricklers/case trays/lubricant pads and whatever else you feel needs to be present. The smartest thing on my bench came from my grandson when I first taught him to reload. A dedicated cup/bottle holder. We have a two holer for obvious reasons. Spilled stuff makes such a mess that often requires hours to properly clean up.
 
Got mine on sale at Canadian Tire, I think I paid about $160 for it. It's free standing (not bolted to a wall), adjustable feet, 2 drawers that the press isn't blocking, compressed bamboo wood top, very stable. It doesn't move one bit when I use the press (probably because it weight over 200 pounds with the stuff on it). It's only about 4 feet wide, but I suppose I could still put a second press on the left side, single-stages aren't very large.

20160307_151020_zpspjagkv4b.jpg


I've added some shelves to the right of it since that pic was taken, about $50 at IKEA.
 
You don't say if you're single or married, but in the good ol' days I had one RCBS and two Lee presses bolted to my dining room table.
When company came over, I simple put pillow cases over them. But, alas, married life has changed my ways.
 
Shops like this never have enough storage. So my suggestion is to find a set of used kitchen lower cabinets and counter top that fits your space. Or perhaps some cabinets and a pantry cupboard for an even higher storage to bench area ratio.

To hold it all down to the floor some weight will substitute for securing it all to the wall. So be generous with filling the lower drawers with lots of "stuff". And put the heavier items to the rear of the drawers.

If you secure it all to each other with screws then it's easy to break down for moving later on.
 
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