What makes a good reloading bench

[kermit315]

Hey guys,

wondering what your opinions are on what makes a good reloading bench. I have my press on a work table type thing in my garage, but its not very heavy and not very big. I would like to move it indoors (my reloading setup), but before I can do that, need something that looks decent and will be strong enough to support reloading operations. I search craigslist for cheap/free desks, but always find particleboard computer desks.

Anyway, let the ideas flow.

TIA,

Jamie

[bjl333]

Sturdy and heavy is good. A big table space is handy but it depends on the available space you have for the bench.

[bumpo628]

You can mount your presses to a thick piece of wood and c-clamp the wood to the bench/desk. You can easily put everything away if necessary.

[chesterthehero]

a solid platform is the most important thing..
ATM my press mounts to a 1'x2' piece of 3/4 ply that i clamp to a small table.. every move i make moves the table so the press is the only thing on the table.. everything else is on another small table next to that one.. a small space is fine but "wiggle" just makes more work..

[Whiterabbit]

IMO, with limited experience reloading, but plenty of experience performing all sorts of shop related builds and tasks:

The #1 #1 #1 #1 think you will want to maximize over all else is workflow. If you've got a good workflow that either minimizes hand/arm movements or maximizes the ergonomics of those movements during your production, while at the same time sacrificing nothing relating to the quality of your work, then that will trump all else, including the sturdyness of your configuration. I'd rather have to retighten some mounting bolts every couple hundred rounds than have a sore wrist because the press arm is awkward to pull. Or the like.

When people post pics of their benches with pride, the first thing I pay attention to is what they chose to put where. Chances are, their bench looked WAY different when they started, even if their equipment didn't change. I can learn a great deal from that.

[gunboat]

I built my bench onto the side of the garage, using the garage studs as one side. I used a 3/4" x 2'x8' plywood shet for the top. Legs and frame of 2x4's. It don't move.
I personally don't like a bench top deeper than 2', 30"max but others prefer 3'. I find a deep bench top tends to get to cluttered. my ha-penny

[CaliforniaLiberal]

Reloading Bench Plans

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

[mif_slim]

This is ONE of my bench. Made it out of 4 2x4x8 and one slab of wood.
Works great!

[mif_slim]

This is ONE of my bench. Made it out of 4 2x4x8 and one slab of wood.
Works great!

[TERRYGER]

was looking for a new reloading bench myslef here recently and saw a great solid oak desk with a little wear at the salvation army the other night. 2 side drawers with excellent slides and a tray drawer with excellent slides. (this one will be removed to bolt on loader

they had it marked down to $32.95 as it had a few scratches. i made a note to come back the next day with my truck to get it. imagine my surprise when i found out it was 50% off day and i got it for 16 bucks.

look around at thrift stores. you would be surprised what you can find there.

[Whiterabbit]

look at mif slim's bench. If you want to make it a smidge stronger, move the side 2x4's down 3.5 inches (so all the leg supports touch) then move them from the outside of the legs to the inside.

the internet considers this joinery one of the stronger methods, particularly for shelf strength.