Reloading Bench help?

[TNP]

Thanks for your help boys. My woodwork isn't the best but I'm sure I can muster something up. If I cant find the tools around my house I might go for one of those harbor freight $98 desks. Cant wait to start loadin!!!!

[damndave]

I used this as a guideline. Used some 3/8" 5-ply and a bunch of 2x4" from HomeDepot. Get a big box of deck screws too.

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

[firemanjoe]

I'll bet the end product of pulling those handles is a lot better than those dirty Vegas ones

[Nirrad]

JEEBUS!! Look at all those handles to pull, it's like Vegas!

[XDRoX]

Pretty much anything will work.

[TacticalPlinker]

I plan on getting one of these. http://www.lowes.com/pd_2218-55738-L...t_avg_rating|1

Also check out the stickied thread in this forum where people post pics of their reloading benches.

Yup. That's exactly what I bought about 2 weeks ago. So far I like it. But I don't have my press and other equipment mounted yet. I'll post a picture and give more opinions once I do...

It went together in about 2 hours. It's very strong, sturdy and definitely accomplishes the task if you're limited on space like I am.

My only complaints are the drawers were a bit of a pain to put together, and one of them doesn't close properly. Not a deal killer though. Also the "shelf" at the bottom is just thin steel like the rest of the bench and only has support along the edges, so if you put something heavy, it will bow. That can be fixed by putting something under it or just a piece of wood on top to help distribute the weight from the center out.

As for the wood top, it's basically particle board (MDF?). It seems strong, but not sure how well it will hold up to mounting and long term abuse. Then again, it can always be changed out for plywood or butcher block type wood.

[Noah]

I found this bench at costco. It is just about the perfect out of the box bench. It has locking storage above, pegboard, and a nice thick butcher block top. It has nice large locking caster wheels and enough weight so it doesnt budge when yanking on the press. I really like it and doubt you will find a better setup for the money.

This is not my setup.... just an image I found on web but it shows some perspective on the size for reloading equipment.

[Sgt Raven]

Go to Inline Fabrication and get one of their UltraMounts. It spreads the forces over a wider area on your bench top.

http://www.inlinefabrication.com/

[AR-Realtor]

I'm going this route. http://http://www.lowes.com/pd_127079-32895-90158_0__?productId=3536338&Ntt=2x4basics&pl=1&cur rentURL=%3FNtt%3D2x4basics&facetInfo=

I just did the shelving unit and it was really easy.

[Dark Mod]

You dont need to bolt it to the ground or to the wall, a sturdy bench will do just fine. Ive had great success with office desks and a little reinforcement, they have great storage and are at a more comfortable height. It was great for most tasks, but eventually i needed to upgrade to something larger and sturdier.

If you have basic woodworking skill, $100, and a few hours of free time you could build your own. Only tools required are a power drill and some screws since home depot will cut the wood to length for you. I did mine in an afternoon and super glad i did, its super sturdy:

[XDRoX]

I'm on my phone and can't post a pic but home depot sells nice white cabinets for your garage. They cost about $95 for every 2' cabinet. Bolted to the wall they are rock solid.

[BLR81]

I use a woodworking bench I made. It's made out of 2x4's glued together to make 4x4 legs and has a 1 1/2" top made of 3/4" MDF glued and screwed together. I use a 1/4" sheet of masonite as a top so I and change it out when it gets too beat up. With a bottom shelf and 2x4 braces between the legs it's pretty heavy so it's not bolted down.

But I made it more for woodworking, so it wasn't a big deal project. It only took a weekend. I think the two tables already suggested would work if bolted to the wall. I would worry about the thickness of the top. I would reenforce anything under 1" with a metal plate above and below the top. Make the brace at least 1" bigger all around than you press base.

[Divernhunter]

I welded up my own. It is portable and very solid. I load 204Ruger to 50bmg with it I have 2 single stage presses on it. I welded up another and mounted 2 Dillon 650's and another single stage. I have built 11 of them for friends. Everyone is happy with them. It is a 3 legged design.

[Banana_hands]

http://www.harborfreight.com/multipurpose-workbench-with-lighting-and-outlet-99681.html

[kmca]

I'd guess half buy a bench. If your experience is anything like mine, you'll end up building your own bench when you really figure out what you want. Almost any bench from Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc will work as long as it's sturdy. It's best to bolt it to the floor and the wall. Rigidity is your friend. It also helps to put weight on the bottom shelf, if there is one. A lot depends on your budget and your woodworking skills. Good luck
Added: I was at HF the other day and they had these on sale:

http://www.harborfreight.com/multipurpose-workbench-with-lighting-and-outlet-99681.html

Didn't look too bad, but the top would have to be reinforced.