No work bench here, how is this for a setup?

[Javi]

Changed my mind on the Lee handloader and am pretty confident I will be going with the Lee Challenger single stage press. I live with my parents and my mom hoards all of her junk in our spacious garage so I can't build my dad a work bench. These are my two options:
($60)
($90)


+ a 3/4" plywood from Lowes to mount on top which would be similar to this:



I was also looking at the Lee reloading stand + bench plate which would come out to $90 something before shipping. A google search for it brought up a great idea from someone as a cheaper alternative:


About $30 + 3/4" plywood on top

Apparently it's pretty sturdy, doesn't require a block hanging from the bottom to weigh it down. Never bought anything at Harbor Freight so don't know the quality of their products. Just looking for some opinions on which would be more durable, better bang for the buck, etc. The Workmate I could fold and put away and the Harbor would just have to sit there. Also don't know if the cheaper workmate is not suitable for reloading as I don't know the model used in the picture above.

[XDRoX]

I think any of those would work fine.

Do you need the bench to be portable or just small?

If it doesn't have to be portable then here's another idea. Home Depot sells these for $95.


You'd have to fasten it to a wall either in the garage or your bedroom but you'd only need 2ft of space to do so.

This is what I just remodeled my garage with. It's very sturdy and looks nice also. Lots of storage as well.

[NYY]

nice! hey its whatever works COMFORTABLY. dont work all rushed and grumpy and sitting uncomfortable. be calm and patient. all those look fine to me!!

[Bill Steele]

Of the options you pictured, I would go with the Workmate and ply box top. The more narrow stand you posted last seems too narrow for a stable platform. You don't want things moving around when you are operating the press.

Good luck, have fun.

[Pete1979]

Harbor Freight has wooden benches with four drawers that work good too, not too pricey.

[SoCal AJ]

You could also check Goodwill or Craigslist. I converted an old printer stand/rolling cabinet that we were going to throw out at work. It's just a simple little boxy cabinet but it's got a couple shelves under the table top and doors to keep my critters out. I cut a notch in the top corner of one of the doors to accommodate closing it with the press mounted. So far that's working great for me.

You might be able to get something like that for cheap! like free maybe on Craigslist if you pick it up. I read another thread earlier today and someone was using an old dresser as a bench.

[grant22]

The bottom one shown is like mine, but mine is wider than that. It's VERY stable. I've had it forever and it just recently became my reloading bench.

If you can find one, it's got my vote. I like XDRox's idea of a single base cabinet, also. Enclosed storage of your crap is a bonus!

[WRENCHHEAD]

i use 2 converted workmates. the 425 model gets the press, and other stuff like trimmer, bench primer, etc.

the smaller workmate 200 i just use to set my RCBS 1500 on. when set up i set them up in an "L" shape and sit in between the tables to work.

when not in use they are folded up and stored away

[Javi]

This is what I just remodeled my garage with. It's very sturdy and looks nice also. Lots of storage as well.

Ah, finally get to see your sig larger. Really like it!

This is what I'm dealing with, though:



The right side(your left) is where the 2 vehicles sit. The car closest to the other wall has enough room for the passenger to walk through but nothing else.

Absolutely no way I can get access along the wall. Sucks too because I couldn't get my safe up against it when I bought it 2 months ago.


[IMG]

Of the options you pictured, I would go with the Workmate and ply box top. The more narrow stand you posted last seems too narrow for a stable platform. You don't want things moving around when you are operating the press. Good luck, have fun.

That makes sense, I was worried about that too. I think this is the dimensions of the top: 7-7/8'' x 8-3/4''[/IMG]

[Javi]

i use 2 converted workmates. the 425 model gets the press, and other stuff like trimmer, bench primer, etc.

the smaller workmate 200 i just use to set my RCBS 1500 on. when set up i set them up in an "L" shape and sit in between the tables to work.

when not in use they are folded up and stored away

Is the '200' not strong enough for a press? I would just have to wait for the 400 to go on sale or just go with the Lee stand for around $90. More than I want to spend but =/


Edit: I felt like the picture I took didn't do it justice:

[WRENCHHEAD]

the 200 should work fine, but the top rails which you mount the ply on is farther apart on the 425 so that may lend to more stablity. i found both workmates on craigslist for pretty cheap.

[Bill Steele]

Edit: I felt like the picture I took didn't do it justice:

Lends new meaning to the phrase, "fighting your way to your rifle."

[Javi]

the 200 should work fine, but the top rails which you mount the ply on is farther apart on the 425 so that may lend to more stablity. i found both workmates on craigslist for pretty cheap.

Appreciate it, I'll think about that. I didn't find any around my area but a $30 '400' in Hacienda Heights which isn't too far. Now, do you mount the ply on top of those wood pieces that are already there or do you take those off and put it on top of the frame?

Lends new meaning to the phrase, "fighting your way to your rifle."

hahah! It's horrible, man. Believe it or not, it's a little better than how it was before. There was less room to the left of where my safe is now. It grows to the right like a weed. I do my best to keep it at bay. I was going to work on the left side where the 2nd garage door is today but I was overwhelmed and left it for another day. Can't wait to have my own, clean garage

[WRENCHHEAD]

i take off those particle board pieces, drill holes if needed in the steel rail to where i need them.

my top is made of 3 pieces of 3/4" ply glued and screwed together. the ply i used is the hard wood kind sold in smaller 2ft x 4ft sheets.

[Javi]

i take off those particle board pieces, drill holes if needed in the steel rail to where i need them.

my top is made of 3 pieces of 3/4" ply glued and screwed together. the ply i used is the hard wood kind sold in smaller 2ft x 4ft sheets.

Thank you. Yeah, I found some cheap 3/4" oak hardwood ply from Lowes that's $11 for a 2x2 piece.