Reloading Bench?

kingdarb

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
41   0   0
Location
Ontario
What do you folks do for a reloading bench? It it just better to build your own out of 2x4's and plywood, or are there any decent pre-fab ones out there? Maybe any kits?
 
how much of a room is the wifey allowing you to have for your man cave?????
do you need a big kick azz bench or something that will fit in a closet??
 
I built mine using a workmate as the base...

reloading_bench.jpg
 
Well it's going to be in the basement lol. I can pretty much use what space I need - the only thing is the ceiling height is about 6' so its going to have to be a workspace where I can sit to do my work.
 
just be sure and put a de-humidifer down there- concrete has a "rising damp" quality to it- and that can effect your primers and powder
 
Any solid bench will do. Mine is a $30 Beaver Lumber work bench kit, I bought, long ago. The particle board top broke the very first time I used it. A square foot of 1/4" mild steel plate bolted on fixed it.
Your basement dry? Damp basements can ruin your powder.
 
No basement isn't dry. It is a bit damp. Nowhere else in the house I could really run this though. I do have a couple of dehumidifiers though so I can run those.
 
if your good with a saw and drill i suggest building your own you can make it as sturdy as you see fit (sturdier the better) there are a lot of decent plans out there but i would suggest taking a chair and sitting where you want it and start thinking out a plan then try to draw it out and make a wood list i prefer corners for reloading as you can have access to everything quite easily with lots of storage i also think its best to have it not to deep so you can reach everything from your reloading position as well as it should be secured to the wall if possible to prevent movement and remember build it so you can take it apart because you probably wont get it the way you like it completely till the third try. the damp basement shouldn't be a huge problem if your powder is stored properly sealed if it is extremely moist then there might be a problem but i'd say its usually fine most reloaders are in there garage or basement and don't usually have any problems

PM me if you have specific questions?
 
That's my / work / computer / dining / shiping / place
I attach 1/2 inch industrial metal plate to my desk and extend one part 4 inches to fix the 550 on it - lol

Chrismasparty010.jpg
 
if building your own only word of advice for you is make sure its super sturdy, ESPECIALLY where your press will be bolted down, it can't be too strong!

my bench is a piece of heavy coutnertop with cabinets underneath and the inital bench setup was just that with my press attacherd with some long screws, 2 case resizings later (yes 2 pices of brass) the press tore clean off the countertop, then we reinforced it with even bigger screws which lasted 2 minutes and 10 more rounds,:p, finally gave up and grabbed a piece of 5/8 thick steel flatbar from the garage drilled it and bolted the press to that with 1/4 inch bolts, then attached the bar to the countertop wih BIG lag bolts, then further reinforced the countertop with more big screws into the wall and such,

i guess my point is you gotta BOLT THAT SUcKER DOWN:D resizine some cases requires a far amount of pull on the handle and repeated flexing of your bench cuases stuf too loosen off and belive me having to stop and repair your bench 3 times per reloading session is annoying!:p


Heres some pics of my reloading room:

(And no i dont store my primers and power like that i just organized it up quick for the photoshoot:p

IMG_0280.jpg


IMG_0281.jpg


Bolted down good and some .303 british cases ready to be loaded:)

IMG_0282.jpg



And this tube i rigged up off my press to catch spent primers and funnel them through the cupboard to a collection box inside:)
IMG_0284.jpg
 
There are plans for a rather nice reloading bench, including lumber lists (plywood plus a few 2x4s and 2x6s, 4x4s for the legs) and cut maps in "ABC's of Reloading", chapter 18. A lot of it is assembled with carriage bolts, so it can be torn down for moving. I was thinking about building one of these this spring.
 
I just got my reloading setup put back together after my recent move,not where I want it yet but I have $15 in the office desk,$25 in the storage rack and another $10 in the 4 ft. overhead shop light.
ReloadingRoom003A.jpg
 
I built one quite strongly out of 2x4 and several layers of plywood - only mistake I made was to put it on wheels. Won't stop moving around when using the press - gonna have to remove them.
 
I am just getting into reloading. I have pretty much everything I need but now have the problem of where to set it all up.

Any one have a bench set up in the garage or basment but store everything inside where its warm??

Would this be way too much of a hastle? And what all could be left out in an unheated garage or in a damp basement?
 
Back
Top Bottom