Downsizing Reloading Setup - Apartment

[vinny_land]

Hello y'all!!!

Been reloading now for a few years, precision 223 stuff and plinker .40 ammo. Had my setup at my parents house and now that my folks are retiring, they are downsizing to a smaller home. Below is a pic of what I have, just a simple grinder stand with old cabinet that I repurposed and added extra shelf and shop light. I kept the reloading stand and it is currently in my apartment closet. I had to toss the cabinet since it was too big of an item to get up into my apartment (I live on the 2nd floor).


Quick search online for "reloading in apartments", I've come up with these common methods:
1) press mounted to boards, C-clamps combination



2) press mounted to portable tabletop workstation



3) press mounted to B&D Workmate or grinder stand, etc



I'm sure there are other ways as well. Wanted to see some pics or hear what your reloading setup is for apartment living. Now that I have gotten rid of the cabinet, I'm looking for different ideas to keep and store reloading gear (dies, primers, components, gauges, etc). I already have the grinder stand that holds both my Hornady press and Littlestown vise. The added weight makes FL sizing 223 easy.

Thanks in advance!!!

[TKM]

I found a butcher block table/island with wheels. It's about 24x24 and I have a Pro 2000, vice, Ammomaster and Mec 12 Ga. loader mounted on each of the sides, respectively. With about 300 lbs of lead on the bottom shelf it's plenty stable but you can still roll it around. I can reload on the patio if I want.

[ThatFishGuy]

Your biggest concern will be weight/rigidity. I've set up a few workable solutions for apartment reloading, including an old tv stand with cabinets weighted down with brass, bullets,and concrete. Best to date was a custom made mini work bench (24x24") screwed into the wall studs. This last option is the most invasive, and most successful. The islands mentioned above would work well with enough weight on them, but in my experience had too big of a footprint depending on the apartment size.

[vinny_land]

Your biggest concern will be weight/rigidity. I've set up a few workable solutions for apartment reloading, including an old tv stand with cabinets weighted down with brass, bullets,and concrete. Best to date was a custom made mini work bench (24x24") screwed into the wall studs. This last option is the most invasive, and most successful. The islands mentioned above would work well with enough weight on them, but in my experience had too big of a footprint depending on the apartment size.

I have great success with my grinder stand for rigidity and weight. Mainly want a replacement for my cabinet that doubled as storage and work bench. Currently considering getting a tool cart from Harbor Freight (below) or a kitchen cart. Too bad most top tool chests are not tall enough to fit the RCBS Chargemaster without the tube.


kitchen/bar/microwave cart

[Calguns77]

That harbor freight tool chest looks like a great value. Personally id rather have the kitchen cart with the closing cabinet doors.

[vinny_land]

That harbor freight tool chest looks like a great value. Personally id rather have the kitchen cart with the closing cabinet doors.

Ugh first world problems lol

Will need to find kitchen cart that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of components and brass. Saw the HF cart up close and like drawers. Hell might just end up getting both.

[raffit78]

Speaking of toolboxes, I have a fairly large tool box, I've considered using as my reloading bench. Anyone have any idea on how to mount the press to the top of that? It's just metal now.


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[vinny_land]

Speaking of toolboxes, I have a fairly large tool box, I've considered using as my reloading bench. Anyone have any idea on how to mount the press to the top of that? It's just metal now.


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Butcher block or 3/4" ply (one or two layers) bolted to the top of your metal tool box. Weight of tools and extra stuff inside should allow plenty of rigidity when sizing bottleneck cases.

[NorCalFocus]

One of the best values in heavy thick wood I found is stair treads. $20 for a 3' or $30 for a 4' 1" think tread.

https://m.lowes.com/pd/11-5-in-x-48-in-Raw-Unfinished-Red-Oak-Stair-Tread/3118323

I used one to make my press stand.





It would also work great for a table top and or shelves. A few of those with 2x4s for legs would make a super strong shelf. Add some casters if you want to roll it around.

[Par5In2]

It's all about the mounting surface. It needs to be solid. I run a loadmaster off a 1X8 plank attached to my kitchen counter via two c clamps. No issues whatsoever ever.

[raffit78]

That looks great


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[Jason_2111]

I used to live in a condo with no garage, and no room in my shared home office.
I solved this by making a leaf for the dining room table that I'd mount my press to. When it was time to crank out some ammo, I'd pop in the leaf, put two piece of cardboard on either side so Mrs. 2111 wouldn't kill me in my sleep, and crank away.

Probably the biggest problem was tumbling. Back then, I did vibratory tumbling, and hated the dust and possible contamination... even using dryer sheets. You could go with wet tumbling in a bathroom... much less mess, and the dirty water can go right in the toilet.

[Fishslayer]

The Classic Turret (and lots of other presses) itself doesn't take up much room. Bullets, brass & powder... that's the stuff that seems to take up the room...

[Trriemferent]

http://www.thec4m3ron.com/mainstore

[wpod]

Here is my "compact" setup :

Everything stores in the drawers.
Here it is locked-up:


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