Where to set up the reloading bench??

N

Nichiren

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
Brampton ON
Hi,

so just got my press this week and trying to figure out the best location to set up. I have been going through the threads and it seems like a lot of people have either setup in a spare room or in the basement.

right now i have 3 options,

1- on the second floor in my office, not much space and all the free walls have windows making it hard to set up a bench at a decent work height. but its where i keep my firearms so its a plus.
2- basement, there is some space but i'm planning major renovations in the near future and would probably have to move it since it will become a guest room. also its carpet everywhere.
3- the garage, this is where i have all my tools and i am already setting up a work bench, will also be insulating the garage door and adding an electric heater for the winter. this is an in home garage so walls are connected to the inside of the house and insulated. in this case i would be storing my powder and primers in a cabinet in the basement to avoid freezing.

I am partial to the garage but i would like some opinions from others that have been doing this for much longer than i have :)

so anyone else set up their reloading bench in the garage? what should i be careful off? any tips?

thanks
 
Upstairs with the other toys. That way you can easily check that newly sized cases will chamber.
A reloading bench doesn't need to be big, but it does need to be solid. Attaching it to the wall makes it easier to make it solid.
If it is small, it is easier to keep clean, and it is less likely to become a catch-all crap collector.
If you use some kind of receiver mounting system, you could take your press out to the garage, once you build a workbench out there. Keep the workbench in the garage, and the reloading bench in the house.
I wouldn't want my press in the same spot my car is dripping road slop.
 
this....then you reload were you please.....

reloadingtripod.jpg
 
This question is dependent on whether or not you are married or have a significant other.

My wife has allowed me a mancave (basement) and all my toys are in there.
 
I'd avoid the garage, most reloading equipment wouldn't tolerate the temp changes very well.
Temp change = moisture problems = rust.
Mine is in my basement, have an antique workbench my neighbour gave me when he moved.
 
I used a fixed bench for many years then moving and renovations caused me to build a portable bench like the one below.

images


I don't think I will ever go back, I can take it to the range in the back of my truck for load development, use it on my work bench in the basement or on the kitchen table as SWMBO allows and it fits away on a shelf when not in use.
Believe it or not it works with my progressive press also - perfect for me anyway.

Dan
 
Dan B said:
I used a fixed bench for many years then moving and renovations caused me to build a portable bench like the one below.

images


I don't think I will ever go back, I can take it to the range in the back of my truck for load development, use it on my work bench in the basement or on the kitchen table as SWMBO allows and it fits away on a shelf when not in use.
Believe it or not it works with my progressive press also - perfect for me anyway.

Dan
Click to expand...

i really like that portable reloading bench idea, do you clamp it down or something to keep it from moving while reloading?

with this i can have it upstairs and in the summer move it to the garage if i need more space :)


as for the garage its pretty much only a work shop, i have too many tools no space for a car :)

wife would probably go bonkers if i started reloading in the kitchen :p
 
I "reload" wherever I want (benefit of SECOND marriage). I have a dedicated gun / reloading room, but if the wife wants company, I go into any other room in the house and set up a mini bench with a 3' folding table. I only prep or assemble rifle rounds in this manner, no de-priming allowed. I set up and trim, de-burr and uniform flash holes, and pre-prime cases mostly. I ALWAYS have plenty of once-fired cases (range pick-ups mostly) to do, it seems and I usually do about 150 cases during a 2hr movie ( .223 is done only in the reloading room since it is done on the turret press in a "progressive" manner). Then when it comes time to throw a few rounds together, it goes FAST.
 
Nichiren said:
i really like that portable reloading bench idea, do you clamp it down or something to keep it from moving while reloading?

with this i can have it upstairs and in the summer move it to the garage if i need more space :)


as for the garage its pretty much only a work shop, i have too many tools no space for a car :)

wife would probably go bonkers if i started reloading in the kitchen :p
Click to expand...

I initially clamped it but found for single stage reloading it wasn't necessary, I only load up to .338 WM so large calibers may need it.
For my progressive, which is a Piggyback, I use two bar clamps to keep it steady.

What I do different than in the picture is use a powder measure holder that holds the measure above the surface.

images


So when I throw powder I reverse the bench and have the scale at eye level and measure right there also.

Dan
 
Basement. Temp swing in garage is too wide. Garage's are not kept clean enough, they are humid inside and stuff just keeps accumulating. Generally not the best spot for reloading when you have other options. I bought one of these from Costco (Whalen Mobile Industrial Workbench). It is very heavy duty (360 lbs), the wheels have grease nipples on them! It's an ideal ready-made bench. Assemble it in your basement and move it around as you do your reno's.


241adbb0ed3566d413056404ad387193_w800.jpg


watermark.php
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom