Building a reloading bench

[thrasherfox]

Hi everyone!! beautiful day isnt it!!

to get everyone up to speed on me.

New member. the forum has been awesome, have already learned alot and I feel there is a wealth of knowledge here that I will continue to benafit from.

Now that the kissing but part is over.


My primary project is reloading.

I have never reloaded. ever. I did research, found a lot of good information here. and have followed allot of it.

I have my Brand new Dillon RL550B sitting in front of me still in the box. I have 8 pounds of one type of gun powder. 4 pounds of another.

I have purchased small and large caliber pistol and rifle primers and small and large rifle primers.

I have brass, I have lead.

And I almost have my room ready to convert part of it into a reloading area.



Here is the main topic. I want to build my own bench. am thinking using 4x4's for legs, could quality 1 inch piece of plywood for the bench top.
2x4's for the bench top to rest on.

I plan on making a back panel where I can hang tools.

I plan on making a shelf where I can sit all my reloading books for quick reference. and probably a flat panel monitor screen at the very top so I can have quick visual reference to online reloading data.


Does anyone have any advice? such as height? width? length?

Does anyone know if there are places on the internet that have blue prints of desks?


Bottom line is I am looking for any and all advice that will help me build a kick but reloading work bench.


Thanks in advance for any suggestions and ideas.



Ron

[bjl333]

First suggestion is don't make it too small. My reloading area is 4ft wide and I wish I had more.

I use a bar stool w/ a back rest and my table is higher off the ground, I enjoy the extra leg room to stretch when I want to. I also have more room under the table to put stuff.

Build a small border around the edge to keep primers & stuff from rolling off. Its a lot more helpful if you load shotgun shells later. Also helps in cleaning up spills.

Build a entertainment shelf within arms reach for your radio/sm tv. A small fridge under your higher table, and a dead clock !!

[uscbigdawg]

Ron - Drop me an e-mail. I built my ideal a couple of years ago for under $100 with most of that going to a solid core wood door (best top material there is...and cheap).

Rich

[pepsi2451]

I built a bench similar to this one http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com...ench_plans.pdf. I didn't build the cabinets since I use a separate cabinet to store my tools and supplies. Its kinda tall but I usually like to stand when I reload so it works good for me and I can always use a tall stool.

I like the idea of a TV mounted behind the bench, I ended up just setting my lcd TV at the back of the bench and it takes up space. People will tell you not to watch TV while you are loading and I agree with them, but I've watched a lot of TV while processing brass.

[AAShooter]

http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf

http://www.zjstech.net/gunstuff/reloadbench.html

[Adub]

I am interested on what you are going to come up with fox; I spent a bit of time last night throwing my design in google sketchup before I start building it very soon. Only catch for me is I live in an apartment so I am building it more along the lines of a desk

[jmzhwells]

google homemade benches. You will find a lot of do it yourself things come up. I used one of the ideas, put some extra thought in it. spent probably less than 40 bucks on wood, and a few hours building it.

[xrMike]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showpost.php?p=565249&postcount=2

[Nessal]

Google 2X4 basics. I built a 8'X3' bench and I have my Lee and Hornady presses on it. WORKS PERFECT. I think I only paid about $120 bucks for everything. The best part is that if you have Home Depot cut the wood for you, all you really need is a power drill. The quality of the bench is TOP NOTCH. It's extremely sturdy and will probably survive a nuclear attack. I have no reservations that I can pass it on to my kids and then their kids.

[ivanimal]

If you are in the Bay Area I have tops for modular furniture that would be better than plywood for many reasons. I have 2 extra tops right now a 30x60 and a 24x84

Looks similar to this (top only)



I use metal shelving angle iron to build the base.



Secure it to the floor for a really strong bench I have a vice mounted on mine and it gets abused.

[kmullins]

Thrasherfox,

I decided on the NRMA reloading bench as already advertised in this thread: here

It has been FANTASTIC for me. Spent a while building it, and opted for cabinet grade plywood to make it a little nicer, and did a MDF-type material for the backboard.

Also decided not to do the doors and for me that was a good choice. Went with some stain and a polyurethane coat and it came out really nice. It's hefty, couldn't move it if I tried. Hope this has helped some.

[sequoia_nomad]

^^^Nice setup

[sequoia_nomad]

My bench is a stand from an old lathe, found for me by my hunny when she worked at the county dump. I completely took it apart and refinished it and replaced all the hardware, it is now rock solid. The other small shelf is a yard sale find. There is plenty of used stuff out there for next to nothing that would make ideal reloading furniture, just takes a little imagination.

[Oceanbob]

Two good solutions....

One:

I'am building an Airplane in my workshop; I am waiting several months for kit parts and engine...etc..(RV-7)

I built several EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) benches.

The plans are here: These benches are ROCK SOLID...seriously

http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/worktabl/tablefig.htm

You can see them in this photo of my workshop.

Another idea is SEARS has a neat 8 foot lamintated bench with steel frame for about $160. Also sturdy as can be. (no photos of that)

Not seen is an EAA bench on wheels; I have a dillon 1050 and dillon 550 at each end. Works good.

[jwest]

Nice mancave.