How is this for a reloading bench?

[GetBulletsandBrass]

Try a 2x4 basics kit, you can customize how you want your bench to be built and you'll be able to make it fit where you want it rather than trying to make the space fit around the bench. I've had mine for a number of years and its really stable and is rated for something ridiculous like 1,000 lbs.

2x4 basics

[SVRider]

I lucked out yesterday and scored a great deal on my new loading bench.

I was at Costco and found a bench I had been eyeing for a while. Metal powder coat frame with a 2" thick Maple top & 2 roller ball bearing drawers under (like a toolbox) and a bottom pan shelf.

From what I recall, they were selling it for $200~230. Only the demo remained and the boxes under had already been changed to the new bench that replaced it.

I asked someone who got a supervisor. He in turn got the store manager as there was no price or product number on the bench.

In the end, they finally found the item number and printed a tag. They had it marked down to $169.97. The guy said since it was the last one, he'd give it to me for $125. Cha-ching! Took it home last night and crammed it into the garage quickly before it got dark. Next weekend I will have to properly clean up and organize everything. Perhaps now I can finally take that XL650 out of the box and set it up (it's only been there for a year now )

One thing to note on those benches (Harbor Freight style). They are woodworking benches, so many have "dog" holes in the top.



These are used to clamp things to the table top to work on them. Reloading, you have a bunch of small parts on your bench....may not be the best idea to have holes in the top of your loading bench.

[Nessal]

Me and my brother just assembled a bench this past weekend. Don't buy those other things that people are posting yet until you take a look at this kit. This bench is STURDY. The legs are made out of some type of polymer; similar to pmags. It is assembled by 2X4 and 1/2" plywood. The kit comes with table clamps which comes in handy, hooks to hang tools, and legs to assemble the shelves. We have not installed the hooks/clamps/shelves yet but those things will take 25 minutes tops.

http://www.amazon.com/2x4basics-90164-Workbench-Shelving-Storage/dp/B0030T1BRE/ref=dp_ob_title_hi

The kit cost 63 bucks with free shipping. Then you just need to get the wood. Total project costs can vary. It depends on how big you want to build it. In our case, we went BIG. Our bench is 27"X96" and total cost of the bench was 63 for the kit and 105 for the wood. We went with good quality wood so it does costs more. It was 15 bucks for the 2X4's and $45 per sheet of 1/2" plywood. You can go as cheap as 50 bucks for wood if you want.

This thing is AMAZINGLY easy to install. After getting all the material, this literally took us less than 20 minutes to put together the bench itself. If you get home depot to cut the wood for you, it's as easy as using a power drill to drill nails into wood. You can't screw up. I highly recommend measuring out how big you want the table and then have home depot do the cutting. Saves you a lot of time and work. Here is a pic of the bench that we just built. I wouldn't hesitate to put a 500lb engine on this table. I will assemble the shelves later and install pegboard on the back. It should look a million times better. But it's a premature photo for your reference. Total project cost was about $170. If you make one about half the size(which is more than enough), you can get total cost to around $100. For a bench that will last, it's cheap.

[killshot44]

Me and my brother

My brother and I ................

[gnauenburg]

Do any of you have experience with the Simpson strong tie brackets? I was considering building my bench with them. It is similar to the whole 2x4 basics idea but you would use wood for the legs as well as any framing and shelves. The ties look to strengthen any of the joints without the need for any kind of fancy interlocking joints being cut into the wood. I don't mind a little work working but what I am most interested in achieving is a very solid bench for my two presses. Anybody with first hand knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[powaybob]

I have used Simpson Strong-Ties for a workbench and for making shelves using 2X2s and plywood. Both were stable but had a bit of flex in them.

My current bench is made of 4X4 legs with a 2X4 frame overlaid with 2X6. The frame is attached to the legs with 1/4 X 4.5 inch lag screws and the frame is fastened with 3.5 inch deck screws. The frame is bolted to the studs with lag screws. The only Strong-Ties I use are the two visible on the front to stabilize the overhanging 2X6 to support the press. I will probably add a braces to the middle legs using strong ties to the wall and lag screws into the side of the legs.
garageworkbench.jpg

[fsx]

Mine is a crappy little computer table. you guys got some nice tables.

[mif_slim]

I had a great reloading station, but I tore it down for a recoding studio... so now, Im left with nothing and Im using something that is half that size and just two shelfs and its holding up well!