help building a reloading bench

[roc_my_tims]

Hello,

Does anyone have any tips, websites, videos or instructions on how to build a simple inexpensive reloading bench?

Something about 6ft long, with a table top and a bottom shelf. Maybe a peg board on top.

Thanks for any help

[damndave]

Mine is very similar to this.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html

My tips would be to have everything planned and measured out before anything. Measure twice, cut once.

Cost total were around $60. 2x4's, 3/4 5ply wood and a bunch of deck screws.

[HKMadness]

Have you got the reloading books yet, roc?

[XDRoX]

Another option is to buy these very inexpensive cabinets from home depot.



Put three of them together and throw a laminate counter top on it and you're GTG.

Or better yet just buy 2 and have a desk area in between.

This is how I made mine. It works great.

[AAShooter]

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

[gemoose23]

If you aren't a woodworker, the big box stores sell quick DIY bench brackets.

http://www.lowes.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&cId=SEARCH&productId=3536338&cm_mmc=SCE_gps-_-gps-_-gps-_-2x4basics%20Black%20Polyresin%20Workbench%20Brackets&CAWELAID=1072248221

Another option is the wood bench sold at harbor freight around 130 after coupon http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch...nch-93454.html

Like someone else stated you can use cabinets, but I'd get some off craigslist or your local home improvement recycler. While you are there get countertop or a solid door and use plywood for your bench top.

[roc_my_tims]

Hkmadness - I have abcs of reloading now, and the lee book on order now along with my lee classic turret press. I promise not to use it until I've studied up big time. And also have to find some local bullets,primers and powder to avoid hasmat.

Xdrox- do you happen to have a picture of your bench? I could see this as a good option especially to have the cabinets for storage instead of just legs on the bench.

Excuse my ignorancece but when you use plywood for the top does it come smooth or do you have to sand or something?

Allied armory- thank you for hat link it was very well put together. Do you have any offhand idea what the wood cost?

[rbahri5206]

i got a really good workbench form craigslist $25.00 3'X4' with a shelf on the bottom

[XDRoX]

Xdrox- do you happen to have a picture of your bench? I could see this as a good option especially to have the cabinets for storage instead of just legs on the bench.

Here you go:






Here is the wall before I made my bench.






It took me exactly 1 week to make. I did it over Thanksgiving break last year. It cost about $550 total, for drywall and everything.

[Henry Shooter]

Are you in San Diego area? I have some Formica tops that would make good reloading bench tops. For Free. Just build a good base and attach. Pm me if interested

[a308garand]

I went with a Gladiator brand work/table from Sears. That left an open area underneath for some storage. Thought about adding drawers but went with the rolling tool caddies.

I have spilled powder, shot, small parts, etc....the moving tool caddies underneath the work bench allow me to get stuff out of the way for the armorer's crawl for parts. They also can be pulled out to get to stuff easier.

The Gladiator stuff is at Sears and OSH, and has been holding up very well for over six years. Very happy with the current set-up.

[lwlaml]

http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/18985/still-dont-have-a-workbench-this-one-is-easy

[roc_my_tims]

I'm thinking because my space is so limited in my garage. An open bench with maybe a peg board would be best. Then add storage cabinets above the bench if I can find them cheap. I honestly want to make this as simple as possible and spend $100 or less.

Harbor freight option isint bad it's about $140 total. Also the lowes kit is nice. I just doubt I'll be good at cutting even though its so simple.

[xoutxkastx]

I'm thinking because my space is so limited in my garage. An open bench with maybe a peg board would be best. Then add storage cabinets above the bench if I can find them cheap. I honestly want to make this as simple as possible and spend $100 or less.

Harbor freight option isint bad it's about $140 total. Also the lowes kit is nice. I just doubt I'll be good at cutting even though its so simple.

I forgot I did a review about my work bench. Hopefully this will help.

For my first equipment review:

2x4 Basics - Work Bench with Shelving System



Materials:
2x4 Work Bench Kit and Shelving $69.99 (included all hardware)
Wood $40.00
Paint $10
Misc $10 (adhesive/peg board scrap)

Tools:
Cordless Drill
Circular Saw
Measuring Tape
Speed Square
Phillip Screw Bit
Clamp (Highly recommended if you don't have anyone to help you put it together)

Review:
The kit is made out of very strong plastic material. It consists of 4 legs and 6 bases for the shelving. The kit can be configured in a number of ways. You imagination is the only limitation. For my reloading bench I did not need a 2nd shelf and have 2 extra bases to expand the bench. I was able to put the whole kit together in 4 hours by myself. I recommend having a buddy help you put it together and should go a lot easier.

I measured the area of where I wanted the bench to be. My bench measures 7' x 2' x 3'. Went to the local hardware store and bought all my materials. I had the store precut the oriented strand board. While at getting the OSB cut I found a scrap piece of peg bard and got the 3' x 6' piece for $2. With all the pieces precut, I started putting the kit together. Each shelf of the bench has 1/2" OSB and the top has 2 layers of OSB glued and screwed down. Once the bench was put together I started to put 2 layers of primer and 3 layer of flat exterior paint.

Next was to put the shelving together. The shelving measures 3' x 2'. All the pieces were precut and assembly was fairly straight forward. Once assembled it was secured to the bench with 8 screws. Measured twice, cut the peg board, and secured to the shelving.

This was my 1st workbench I built and pretty proud of the outcome. It's feels very solid and does not wobble one bit. This is by no means the cheapest route to build a workbench. There are great videos on you tube for similar work benches for as low as $80 in materials. For my personal purpose it was a great buy.

Here are the legs of the work bench and 2x4 pre cut


Bench all put together.

[gemoose23]

Excuse my ignorancece but when you use plywood for the top does it come smooth or do you have to sand or something?

You can purchase furniture/cabinet grade plywood from a lumber store, but plywood from Home Depot/Lowes you'll have to sand since it wont be cabinet grade.. just the cheapest wood from china.