Setting up a reloading bench?

na1lb0hm

na1lb0hm

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So on Sunday, a good friend dropped by with a box of goodies for me.

a lee breech lock challenger kit. He recently upgraded to a multi-stage, knew I wanted to start reloading, so he boxed everything up gave it to me.

Now, having never done this before, I have a few questions:
How much room should I clear on my bench to set this up comfortably?
I have roughly 10 feet of bench and about 2 feet of depth.

Any tips or tricks for a first timer setting this up?
I don't really want to get it set then have to change everything around.
I've read around on the Internet, but I'd rather hear from you guys.
 
I'm a righty.

Thinking press at about 6 feet from the left edge.
Do you guys put a spacer under your powder measure or just move it to the edge? I've got mine on the bench (midway back and to the left of the press), and it really looks awkward/too low to use.

as for the bench, the main frame is 4x4's with 2x4's for support and 1x4s on the top. There will be no problem mounting the press securely.
 
Hi. A width of 4 feet is enough. Gives you enough space for all the bits and pieces to be within easy reach. Putting the powder thrower up a bit isn't a bad idea. How much 'up' will depend on what you're loading. You want enough room for your longest case to have enough room for you to get it and your hand under the thrower.
 
I can't say I have any exact formula for you, but definately think ergonomics. Put things at a height where you aren't stooping or leaning. Decide if you plan to reload sitting or standing.

Getting the ergonomics right can make reloading a lot more enjoyable, causing you to load more so you can shoot more.
 
Putting your scale, powder measure and trickler up on a shelf that is eye level not only keeps more of your bench clear for other junk to collect, it also saves your neck and back too. The bench I made is not quite as deep as yours but I store all the components away from the bench.

If you aren't sure where to put the press mount it to a piece of wood that is long enough you can clamp it to your table and try different positions.
 
Depends on how much your going to put on the bench, how much you reload etc. I use 5ft X 2ft and its enough for me, single stage press, reloading trays, and a few shelfs above for bits.

Enjoy.
 
Eight or ten feet of bench if fine. Lots of guys load in batches for the year once they find the honey load, then put away the presses until next year. I have friends who come over once or twice a year to load.
 
Lotsa good advice above. I particularly agree with the comments on ergonomics and the idea of mounting the press on a clamped board to try out various positions (wish I'd thought of that years ago).

After years of bending over to read the balance scale, I finally got around to building a platform that puts it up at eye level, with room for the trickler as well. Wish I'd done that before, too.

I had originally mounted my powder measure over the edge of my bench. Recently treated myself to one of the many stands out there and am glad I did as it makes things much more convenient.

As to size, my bench is very small compared to most, but that's because I've moved around a lot and could not be sure of what the next place would be like. 2' x 3' and I've managed to make it all work - had I a progressive or multiple presses, of course, it would've been far too small.

The ABCs of Reloading has plans for a good bench.

Last point WRT where to mount things. Think of each stage like a process. Typically, you need to pick up a casing, put it into the shell holder, crank the lever, lower the lever, remove the casing and finally put the casing in a shell block. Before you nail things down, do a mental dry run. Which hand will you use to initially pick up the brass and from where? Will you have to shift hands to put it into the press? Which hand will you need to throw a charge of propellant? And so on. Think it through like a production line and the logical placement of press, powder measure and open spaces for shell blocks will become clearer, allowing you to avoid too many adjustments (with all those holes in your bench top).

Remember good lighting is really important - that final check on the amount of powder in each case depends on light.

Good luck.
 
As ATOM mentioned, good lighting and think out the processes.

My bench is five feet long, there are two presses each clamped 12" in from each end.
Left end of the bench has the press used for sizing. You can get used to being ambidextrous if you want to or leave it set up for right.
Middle of the bench is for trimming and final prep, then the right end has the press with the seater die. Above that and slightly left is the measure, scale and trickler. This allows you to load the cases without having to move up and down the bench.

By putting the trickler and scale behind the measure, your right hand can go right from the measure knob to the trickler while your left hand fumbles with the powder pan.:p Little things like this can save lots of shelf space. This bench was designed specific for standing, much easier on the back.
DSC04706.jpg


Sometimes the bigger the bench will collect more junk. All depends on how many toys you want to use and if they need to be permanent on the bench.
 
i also agree with atom, & standing i find is the best way to go, i use a rcbs & lee classic cast singles & a pair of dillon 550b, along with a size lube press, shell trimer, primer press. the upper shelf is really needed & keeps bench size down to something reasonable. happy crunching!
 
you guys are thinking WAY too large- my bench is only 14x20x30( some of you have seen it) and and there's a loadmaster bolted to it- and it's on WHEELS- my other bench is rougly 18x24 and there's 3 lee 1000s, a lee turret , and a DILLON 550 on that-it's an old microwave stand- the space in between the presses holds the scale, and there's storage down below for bullets, powder, and extra heads dies, etc- you just rotate the bench( wheels again) to the other side when you want to do 9mm, 45, or use the turret- the 223 and the dillon are on one side- plus, either one or both can "hide" in a standard clothes closet if some anti friends come over-
 
I like the trickler, scale and measure up at eye level, I set things up last night.
I quite like the press to the right of everything, feels most natural. I think I am going to build everything around where that is set.

This would be a lot better I had done a little reloading before. I've watched a few people with much nicer set ups than mine.

I don't intend on standing while I reload, but the anti-fatigue mats are a great idea.

My bench will collect junk, it's a fact of life,which is why I want to set this thing up right the first time. I'm going to do everything I can to keep it clean, for safeties sake mostly, but other projects happen.

I punched a primer last night, just to try everything out. The amount of strain and stress inflicted by these presses is unbelievable. I'm finding I need to do some reinforcing for my current mounting position.
 
t-star said:
you guys are thinking WAY too large- my bench is only 14x20x30( some of you have seen it) and and there's a loadmaster bolted to it- and it's on WHEELS- my other bench is rougly 18x24 and there's 3 lee 1000s, a lee turret , and a DILLON 550 on that-it's an old microwave stand- the space in between the presses holds the scale, and there's storage down below for bullets, powder, and extra heads dies, etc- you just rotate the bench( wheels again) to the other side when you want to do 9mm, 45, or use the turret- the 223 and the dillon are on one side- plus, either one or both can "hide" in a standard clothes closet if some anti friends come over-
Click to expand...

Nice idea.
 
i've found a lot of the presses EXPECT you to stand to exert the force necessary to deprime, prime, and resize- you can't reach the bottom of the stroke while seated
 
t-star said:
you guys are thinking WAY too large- my bench is only 14x20x30( some of you have seen it) and and there's a loadmaster bolted to it- and it's on WHEELS- my other bench is rougly 18x24 and there's 3 lee 1000s, a lee turret , and a DILLON 550 on that-it's an old microwave stand- the space in between the presses holds the scale, and there's storage down below for bullets, powder, and extra heads dies, etc- you just rotate the bench( wheels again) to the other side when you want to do 9mm, 45, or use the turret- the 223 and the dillon are on one side- plus, either one or both can "hide" in a standard clothes closet if some anti friends come over-
Click to expand...

Its a great idea! I would love to build a solid, rotating lazy Susan for reloading that sat on my bench. As for hiding the set up while friends who are antis come over? no thanks....they can deal with my hobby the same way I deal with their BS.

t-star said:
i've found a lot of the presses EXPECT you to stand to exert the force necessary to deprime, prime, and resize- you can't reach the bottom of the stroke while seated
Click to expand...

hmmm, anybody extended their press arm to get better leverage?
 
t-star said:
you guys are thinking WAY too large- my bench is only 14x20x30( some of you have seen it) and and there's a loadmaster bolted to it- and it's on WHEELS- my other bench is rougly 18x24 and there's 3 lee 1000s, a lee turret , and a DILLON 550 on that-it's an old microwave stand- the space in between the presses holds the scale, and there's storage down below for bullets, powder, and extra heads dies, etc- you just rotate the bench( wheels again) to the other side when you want to do 9mm, 45, or use the turret- the 223 and the dillon are on one side- plus, either one or both can "hide" in a standard clothes closet if some anti friends come over-
Click to expand...

If they are anti's they are not invited over.......
 
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