Please show me your reloading bench. About to make one. Need ideas.

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sgt.rock

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Hi. I recently entered the world of "newly single". (GunNutz may or may not have had anything to do with that.......) Anyhow,My reloading bench was left behind at my last place.
Now I need to build one in my new place. I will start out by saying I am not handy. Therefore I envision a relatively simple bench. As long as it is rock solid I will be fine. I dont want one more than 4' wide as I have limited space right now.
Can some of my handier Nutz friends share a picture of their bench and what materials I'd need to build it?
(# of pieces & lengths of wood and thicknesses of the wood.) Any top protective coating etc?
OR EVEN BETTER.......ANY HANDY YELLOWKNIFE NUTZ WANNA HELP ME BUILD ONE FOR CASH OR BEER????
 
I would still like to get a list of what wood to buy for "x" picture of bench. I am lost beyond seeing a picture on the sticky. Plus half the photos of benches are gone with photobucket crapping the bed
 
Here is an easy one to build because you build it upside down on a flat surface. While it isn't that apparent in the video, every joint should be glued to keep it solid. It will still go through doorways in one piece if you don't make it too wide.

In addition, screw and glue on a 1/2" plywood backboard inside the frame and it will indeed be rock solid.

Just 2x4s and 3/4" plywood for the top and shelf. Two pieces laminated with glue and screws for the top and one thickness for the shelf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KvzyP9OgJo
 
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I would say that I AM a handy guy...but I used this kit from "2X4 Basics" as it was just so simple and easy
ht tps://www.amazon.ca/2x4-Basics-90164-Workbench-Shelving/dp/B0030T1BRE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508718860&sr=8-2&keywords=2x4+basics

I wanted it taller so I could sit at a bar stool. So for the top rail I used a 2X10 instead of the 2x4. I then cut out the middle section to allow space for my knees. For the top, I had an old section of bowling lane that is 2inches thick. For the top you could use a double thickness of 3/4" plywood. That would get you to about 42" tall if you use the 2"x10" for the top rail.
You say you want it 4ft wide.
So, I would say for materials, stick with a simple dimension of 4ft wide by 2ft deep.


For the horizontal/vertical you could buy about 10 - 2"x4" X 8ft.
Plus 1 - 2"x10" x 8ft if you want to make it taller like mine.

For the top and lower shelves, just 1 sheet of 4ft X 8ft X 3/4" should do it. You can just get "good one side" plywood and save some money.
---double thickness 2ft X 4ft for the top
----one shelf (2 total) each 2ft x 4ft
If you have a Home Depot etc, they will cut the sheet of plywood for you. Remember the size will be slightly less because of the saw kerf.

I would love to take a drive up and help you build it...but that's long way from southern Ontario...:cool:

There are lots of videos on youtube; search "2x4 basics workbench"

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Here's mine. Bought it from CrappyTire on sale and doubled up the counter top. Does the job.

14814520823_048c6e53be_h.jpg
 
One other thought. An old single pedestal steel office desk can sometimes be obtained from Alberta Surplus Sales for next to nothing.

If you don't mind loading sitting down, or elevating one from 29" up to 36" with some small boxes made up from lumber, these are very solid.
 
http://myoutdoorplans.com/workshop/workbench-plans-free/

Or just do a image search for "Cheap Workbench" It ain't art. It can be as ugly or fancy as you see fit.

Adapt the design as you see fit, and as fits your space.

I have made this style bench a couple times, and each set got left in houses I sold at the request of the buyers. Sometimes I used 4x4 or fence posts with cuts in them to clear the 2x4s used for framing it up.

The lower level can be screwed and glued down, left loose as a place to rathole away a few things you want to stay hidden, or can, as my latest iteration, be raised up high enough that they can have a pallet dolly run under them to lift them up and move them, even when loaded up ( I actually considered closing in the sides, and it's darn near a crate on legs. Or any combo of those ideas, if you really wanted.

Lots of variations on the theme out there too. I have drilled holes in a surplus desk, too. Worked great, PITA to move when the time came as it needed to be knocked down into the two side pedestals and a very heavy composite material top that weighed a TON!

Cheers
Trev
 
This is my setup. The work bench comes on sale at Canadian Tire every now and then. I'm now using 2 of them. The presses can only be mounted on the ends to clear the drawers. The Forster fits perfectly in the middle, not the RCBS. The RCBS press is now mounted to the far right, it gives me more space in the middle.

IMG_20170226_130051332.jpg
 

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RangerPark said:
This is my setup. The work bench comes on sale at Canadian Tire every now and then. I'm now using 2 of them. The presses can only be mounted on the ends to clear the drawers. The Forster fits perfectly in the middle, not the RCBS. The RCBS press is now mounted to the far right, it gives me more space in the middle.

View attachment 125728
Click to expand...

Did the same thing, they were on the damaged rack for $99 a piece because the bamboo top had a few tiny splits, I re mounted one of the drawers underneath the other and put the presses on one side, bolted both benches together as well, very heavy duty and sturdy!

 
Craig0ry said:
Did the same thing, they were on the damaged rack for $99 a piece because the bamboo top had a few tiny splits, I re mounted one of the drawers underneath the other and put the presses on one side, bolted both benches together as well, very heavy duty and sturdy!

Click to expand...

Looking good! I wish I thought about the drawers like that, it's on the to do list now.
 
Henry Nierychlo said:
A Black & Decker Workmate makes a cheap & compact reloading bench.

Regards, Henry
Click to expand...

Why didn't I think of that. I hate working with wood so I made a top for the workmate so I could use it as a shooting bench.
Now when the dies and powder measure you sold me are delivered tomorrow. I will have a bench to work off now.
 
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