Reloading Bench help?

[Google it Research]

Build your own.

[Mike27t]

I was in the same boat as OP until this past weekend where I built my bench. Used 2x4 for framing and pine for the top. Total cost was unde $60. Decapped some brass for the first time last night.

Build a rigid frame and you should be good. I probably will ditch the top shelf with a small cabinet in the future.

[Sgt Raven]

What would be ideal height for bench? 36"?

There is no 'ideal' height for everyone. I'm 6'3" with a long torso. My ideal height will be different than someone 5'3". Also I have very long arms for my height, too.

[Dark Mod]

What would be ideal height for bench? 36"?

My bench is 36" but the ideal height is much shorter (at least for me). Probably closer to 24" (office desk height).

Sitting on a stool or standing while loading isnt very comfortable for me. I prefer a padded folding chair or a dining room chair. Sooooooooo much better.

I built my workbench to 36"because i needed the storage underneath, but my press is still mounted to an old office table with a hutch.

[XDRoX]

What would be ideal height for bench? 36"?

Mine is like 36" or 37". I use strong mounts and load standing. If you bolt a press to a 36" bench, sitting on a stool is comfortable. I usually load drunk so standing helps me stay awake...

[artoaster]

What would be ideal height for bench? 36"?

[gemoose23]

I have limited room so everything is portable and I reload in the front room on a Black And Decker Workmate.


What it looks like when your 3 year old figures out how to use your press... (Some 230gr JHPs didn't feed reliably, so was giving them a new shorter COAL, to fix the feeding issue)

[JoefromPA]

I'm planning to build one. Right now I'm using a super cheap Walmart computer desk that has been following me around for a few years. I laid a piece of 1 inch aluminum on the top and under where the press mounts. It works
for now but it's not going to hold together for much longer.

[Tjfearl]

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.

First post in the thread below is an example of someone with reloading equipment bolted on.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/262015_Official_Reloading_Bench_Picture_Thread___Now_with_100__more_Pictures_.html&page=25

[G-Man WC]

Lot's of eye candy and good ideas here. -g

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=252444

[Javi]

I was planning on building a skinny reloading bench but this thing was on sale for $60 so I thought "why not?":

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203083493/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=work+bench&storeId=10051#.UQduWGc08sw

It's slightly not level and I could fix that easily but probably won't. I haven't loaded any ammo on it yet but just having the ram & shell holder go up & against a steel sizing die did not make my press nor the bench flex. I didn't line up my press completely parallel to the edge of the bench so it was a bit of a pain to get the nut on the left bolt to turn as it was touching a piece of wood but it's tight

[Faded]

I just used 1/2 of a heavy duty shelves from Sam's Club (Lowes, Home Depot, Coscto, etc) ... the other half I will use next to this to store more stuff. If you go this route replace the particle board shelves with wood or it will bow with weight.

[justjeff]

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:

Similar to mine I used 4x6 legs and locking casters.


If you build your own carry a tape measure and find a counter or bench that is a good height for you. I'm tall so mine is uncomfortable to my shorter friends

[Sgt Raven]

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/w...below20xl.html

I'd use 2 sheets of 18mm (3/4") Baltic Birch plywood glued together as the top, myself. Real Russian Baltic Birch comes in 5' x 5' sheets. Cut it in half and you have a 2.5' x 5' bench top. Or even better, have them cut it into (2) 2' x 5' pieces and the left over is good for making temporary mounts for tools you can clamp on the bench using 'C clamps'.

[Sgt Raven]

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

Well all the new slots have a push button instead of a handle to pull. Wish I had a foot pedal to cycle my press instead of pulling on a handle. One of the old shotgun reloading presses had an optional contraption with 2 foot pedals to operate it, a press setup like that would be sweet.

There's one for sale here, I'd love to have a updated version for reloading metallic cartridges.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=690293