Is this an OK reloading bench?

[cgseanp1]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202017259/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I finally got my Dillon 650 and need to get a bench to set it up.. Thing is, I live in an apt and will have it set up inside in the dining room area.. I don't have a table in there now or anything to set it on.

Would this be too small? Thanks.. Oh, and since it's inside I'm hoping to find something that looks half way decent.

[Memnok]

Looks to be a solid enough base, but you may consider adding a 3/4" layer of ply wood to the top of that MDF. Too much torque on the MDF and it may snap off.



Edit:

But for just a fraction of the price you could build something like this:

[Lead Waster]

Yes that bench would be fine. I used a piece of plywood with my press mounted to it, then I'd clamp the wood to the kitchen counter to reload. When I was done, I could put the whole thing in the closet.

[RomanDad]

Wow... Wish I had seen this thread sooner.... It would have saved me from drilling holes through the wife's Louis the XIVth dining room table to mount the dillon.... She still hasnt forgiven me.

[Full Clip]

You'd also want to have plenty of weight on that bottom shelf, to prevent it from wobbling/toppling as you operate the press.

[LGB Loader]

If your going to spend $150.00 usd, i would save another $50.00 and buy this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00914644000P?mv=rr

It's a nice stable bench and the wood is very...purty. I'm gonna go and eat some red meat now...

LGB

PS: You can also design your own with this:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00914961000P?mv=rr

[yakmon]

imo, that bench looks fine if it's secured properly, ie. bolted to the wall with L brackets. where it flexes from is less important than it have 0 flex anywhere.

[Bill Steele]

One thing you might consider with any bench you get is what the overhang of the work surface needs to be to accomodate the press mount. If it is a Dillon with a Strong mount, then any overhang will work as the mount is bolted to the top surface.

If you get a Lee (and some others), some of the screws will be very close to the edge of the bench when mounting, so having some overhang to accomodate the underside fender washer and nut will be a good thing. Also, on a Lee and such, the work surface is best if like an inch thick as there is a flange on the press that sits against the vertical edge. Again, on the Dillon with the Strong mount, it just bolts to the flat surface, so all these considerations might be less impactful.

[mark2203]

You'll get some satisfaction and save money by building a nice bench. Home Depot will even cut all your wood for you if you have all your measurements.

[swerv512]

i just use an old bookshelf with the shelves pulled out and i stock the bottom with reloading supplies. on the top i mounted 2- 3/4" pine slabs glued together and wood screwed into the original cheap bookshelf top. takes no room and only cost the price of the pine board....

[SVRider]

Lee recently introduced a reloading stand that looks perfect for small space setup. Not sure how it would work for a progressive, but here it is:



Not too expensive either at $75...

https://factorysales.com/

.

[cali-man]

If you have the room Costco has a pretty good work bench that is 8' long and has a 2" wood top. Pretty sturdy and is around $200 I believe. Costco doe sno tlist it on their website but I found some pictures of it online. See link below.

From searching online, somepeople are even using it indoors.
workbench from costco

[coyotebait]

You can build one for around $20. Use the other $130.00 for powder and bullets. Just my opinion.

[LGB Loader]

You can build one for around $20.

True... but then again, I guess it depends if your just trying to build a little bench or create a nice man cave. I built my new bench back in 2007 and use the old 2 benches for powders and primers and bullets, etc. I still ended up spending upwards of $150.00 bucks. The new bench is 120" x 24" x 42" (l LxWxH ). about 2 years ago I added a 48" x 20" x 42" on one end to make an "L" shape to it. sturdy as heck and I hope I never have to move it.

I am now in the process of building a nice 10' x 12' shed in the back yard and will base the shed on the main new 10' long bench I made in 2007 with 2 10' benches on each side. Dreaming....

LGB

[Nessal]

One thing you might consider with any bench you get is what the overhang of the work surface needs to be to accomodate the press mount. If it is a Dillon with a Strong mount, then any overhang will work as the mount is bolted to the top surface.

If you get a Lee (and some others), some of the screws will be very close to the edge of the bench when mounting, so having some overhang to accomodate the underside fender washer and nut will be a good thing. Also, on a Lee and such, the work surface is best if like an inch thick as there is a flange on the press that sits against the vertical edge. Again, on the Dillon with the Strong mount, it just bolts to the flat surface, so all these considerations might be less impactful.

Words of wisdom right there. I built my bench only having to modify it when I finished to accommodate the Lee press. Waste of time!