What do you look for in a reloading bench?

[Dirtlaw]

I'm asking out of curiosity mostly. I care more about what goes on the bench than the bench itself though the idea of a bench that can rapidly be changed from one task to another is attractive to me.

[dave the boar]

Keep it clean and powders separate while loading. Only have one powder out that your using at a time. Keep it clean and only have out what you intend to use

[pennstater]

Sturdiness.

MLC

[Divernhunter]

I built mine out of steel. 3/16" or 1/4" top with 2" square tubing legs. A piece of 1/4" round bar around the edge to keep things from rolling off.

[bigbossman]

Sturdiness, storage, and space.

[bergmen]

My reloading bench is dedicated to reloading only (and other firearm related tasks like cleaning or disassembling handguns/rifles). Very sturdy, 3/4" plywood, 2x4s and 4x4 legs.

Dan

['ol shooter]

I have been using a big old steel desk for thirty years, it serves as a 'smithing and project bench as well. It's nice because I need to sit to work. I have an RCBS adapter plate so can swap out the press as needed and mount the case trimmer. I have a second adapter mounted to the powder measure so I can just clamp it to the desk when needed. I also made a clamp on base for the Dillon crimp remover.

[kcstott]

I'm asking out of curiosity mostly. I care more about what goes on the bench than the bench itself though the idea of a bench that can rapidly be changed from one task to another is attractive to me.

My bench is a flat surface that collects crap. I have to clean it off before I can use it. whats on it is two Dillon 550B's an Amp annealer and a double shelf at the back with all my dies and priming tool. Shelf mounted to wall above the bench is bullet and primer stowage, shelf above that is tool head stowage. Gun powder is in cabinet to the left..

[Dirtlaw]

For me versatility is the key.

[TAS]

Versatility is most important to me. Though set up to reload, I also use my bench for cleaning, repairing, and overall maintenance of my firearms, as well as other non- gun related projects. Besides versatility, the bench needs to be strong, sturdy, and easy to keep clean.

My bench starts out as an 8’ tech bench w/ a laminated top and heavy duty steel legs. I built a sturdy shelf across the bottom which hold probably about a ton worth of components and ammo - this anchors the bench well. My presses are mounted on both ends, keeping the middle section free & clear. All but one press can be removed easily by using adapter plates, giving me more room, if needed.

[Dirtlaw]

All of my bench tables (including those for bench size machines) need to be mobile. That allows me to conserve space.

['ol shooter]

I'm fortunate that I'm an empty nester so i have a bedroom that serves as my workroom and ammo bunker.

[beerman]

Ist thing I did when I bought my ( new construction) home 20 years ago was build a sturdy 12 ft bench on the back garage wall. 4x4 construction with 1” plywd top covered with hardwood planks (same wood for truck beds) underneath is a long shelf and mounted 2 melamine sliding doors. All the reloading gear and lots of ammo stored there. As said above, I only load one project at a time..’all on a single stage press which I mount on a floor mount pedestal vice . 4 bulb , 8 foot light fixture above the bench. Great workspace but it is a catch all for quick clutter.

[MJB]

Think of your workflow, set up the bench according to your left and right hand coordination and your work flow.

Multiple levels of shelves or drawers on the back of the bench towards the wall works great.

Countertop anti-static laminated tops a must along with a hole to clean powder and primers off the counter top.

[kcstott]

All of my bench tables (including those for bench size machines) need to be mobile. That allows me to conserve space.

Unless you spend a ton of money on a Vista or Vidmar butcher block top rolling cabinet, you may want to rethink your idea of mobility. This also depends on exactly what you mean by mobile too.

For years it was a search for a rigid heavy bench that would not move with the operation of the press. If I had my choice to do it all over again. I'd have my presses on pedestals bolted to the foundation, spaced about two feet from the back wall, and four feet between them, shelves on the wall behind the pedestals, then a 36' square mobile cabinet could be rolled up next to each work station. This would allow a left to right or right to left work flow with a mobile cabinet on each side of the pedestal.

Then when you are done for the day you can just roll the cabinets against the wall, sweep the floor and you only loose three feet of floor space from the wall. Think about it all that needs to be rigid is the press. the scale needs to be isolated from the press but doesn't need to be on some supper strong bench or table. you need a flat surface for brass prep, and machines that can be set on or clamped on a work surface. But the idea of a huge heavy work bench while nice, is just not needed for the reloader.

And now I want to dump everything out of my garage and start over.