Hello all,
Recently moved into a new place, and I have a dungeon-like area set aside for reloading. The wife got the plush room for her crafting, go figure! In anycase, I don't mind, as I kind of like this area. It's cool, dry, and free of distractions. Just needed a bench! I recently stumbled across this article: http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammo/gun-loading-bench-strength/ and decided to give it a try.
Custom cabinets is kind of a family business, and I roped my step-dad into helping me out. As my area of experience is Geotechnical Engineering, I was damn lucky someone could help me out, haha.
Photos here: http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/smittyeng/library/Reloading Bench
Instead of the 8' x 1.5' bench in the article, I decided to scale it down to 4' x 1.5' as I didn't need that big of a space. It also let me do everything with 1 sheet of plywood to keep costs cheap. I also went with three layers, instead of four. I'm glad I did. The bench is SOLID and heavy as heck with three. Since I'm not bolting in the sliders, which I assume is the original intent of having 4 layers, the reduction has worked perfectly for me.
Finished with Birch Plywood edging (was lying around, or I would have used solid oak) and Linseed Oil. The Oak Plywood on the top looks awesome.
Commercial hinges, 3/8" anchor bolts, and two 2x4 legs on hinges doesn't allow any movement, but I can still fold it down and out of the way when I need some space.
The slide-outs are interchangeable thanks to a little measuring, a quick jig and a router. They take just enough force to slide in and out after we sanded and waxed them, but don't allow any movement when I'm using the press. I've got my single stage Lee mounted, my powder measure, and my shotgun press. Still have two more to expand operations in the future. I'm not a high volume shooter, so there likely won't be 8 Dillon presses on there, although...there is room...hmmm...
Recently moved into a new place, and I have a dungeon-like area set aside for reloading. The wife got the plush room for her crafting, go figure! In anycase, I don't mind, as I kind of like this area. It's cool, dry, and free of distractions. Just needed a bench! I recently stumbled across this article: http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammo/gun-loading-bench-strength/ and decided to give it a try.
Custom cabinets is kind of a family business, and I roped my step-dad into helping me out. As my area of experience is Geotechnical Engineering, I was damn lucky someone could help me out, haha.
Photos here: http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/smittyeng/library/Reloading Bench
Instead of the 8' x 1.5' bench in the article, I decided to scale it down to 4' x 1.5' as I didn't need that big of a space. It also let me do everything with 1 sheet of plywood to keep costs cheap. I also went with three layers, instead of four. I'm glad I did. The bench is SOLID and heavy as heck with three. Since I'm not bolting in the sliders, which I assume is the original intent of having 4 layers, the reduction has worked perfectly for me.
Finished with Birch Plywood edging (was lying around, or I would have used solid oak) and Linseed Oil. The Oak Plywood on the top looks awesome.
Commercial hinges, 3/8" anchor bolts, and two 2x4 legs on hinges doesn't allow any movement, but I can still fold it down and out of the way when I need some space.
The slide-outs are interchangeable thanks to a little measuring, a quick jig and a router. They take just enough force to slide in and out after we sanded and waxed them, but don't allow any movement when I'm using the press. I've got my single stage Lee mounted, my powder measure, and my shotgun press. Still have two more to expand operations in the future. I'm not a high volume shooter, so there likely won't be 8 Dillon presses on there, although...there is room...hmmm...
