Reloading Location?

[Capybara]

Hi all:

Have received my new press, dies, etc. and I am in the process of deciding where to build my reloading bench. Unfortunately I am looking as if I will have to be in the garage, at least until I can sell a giant play set we had for the kids out in the yard so I could put a Tuff Shed in it's place. But then I would have to run power out to it, the moisture and cold protection would not be optimal to store powder and primers, etc. Plus it will take quite a few thousand dollars.

The best location in the garage, from a room and access standpoint, is right across the walkway into the garage, but this would put me within 12' of the gas water heater and within 15' of the gas dryer. If I totally re-arrange the entire garage, I can put the reloading bench in the complete opposite corner from the water heater and dryer, about 22' away.

What say you? Gunpowder and primers being anywhere near a gas water heater and dryer sounds like a bad recipe. How many of you have your reloading setup in the garage? How many of you are less than 15' away from a gas water heater or dryer? I would like to put the setup in the house but there is literally no room and I would have enough room in the garage.

[Solus]

I would keep that powder as far away from the heater as possible. You can always make a box to store the powder to keep moister out

[Full Clip]

It's fine. Not like the air is going to be so full of powder particles that it's going to ignite. If that concerns you, run an air filter to remove particulate matter.

[OldShooter32]

Unless you are REAL sloppy you have no safety issue with the water heater or dryer. Gasoline is MUCH more hazardous.

[s4alex]

Truthfully, it doesn't really matter where you build the bench. I mean, if you can build it in the living room great, but all that dust and stuff, you wife might get upset. You just want to make sure that where ever you decide to build it, you have the means of getting it to the place you are going to put it in. I built mine in my driveway.

I did end up putting my bench in the garage though. Best place for me. Close to my shop vac, lots of power, compressor for air was there. And I have a mini fridge there also.

[fastpowerstroker]

I have my press in the garage but keep powder and primers in the house where temp and humidity is more regulated

[Bill Steele]

My reloading bench is within a few feet of the water heaters and call it 8' of the gas heater. I store a small amount of each primer style (including shot shell primers, like 1000 of each) in a drawer under the bench. I have one pound containers of all my favorite powders in a cabinet right next to the bench.

I store all my bulk primers and powders in separate storage in a room off the garage. The humidity is quite high where I live (right on the ocean), so I want the lion's share of my powder and primers in a climate controlled space.

[Capybara]

I have a cabinet in my office that I could put a lock on to store all of my primers and powder and then I could just take whatever I am loading with to the garage to reload?

Since I have not reloaded yet, I have read different reloaders complaining about how their powder loader is "sloppy" and "leaks" and that is what got me paranoid. I know that powder in a container isn't going to be a problem and the flame from both the gas water and the gas dryer are enclosed within the appliance, but my spidey sense was tingling as I am looking on where to put the setup.

Thanks for all of the ideas and advice.

[Full Clip]

There's always a certain amount of powder "spillage." But it's minimal. I used white masonite-type hardboard for the top surface of my tiny garage bench to make it easy to see/clean up dirt/powder.

[alfred1222]

A few things: buy a good powder measure and you will cut down on virtually all of the spills and leaks. Also, find a way to keep your powder stored somewhere that's climate controled. You can buy or build something like this. Lastly, my bench is right next to my water heater. I just constantly sweep up after myself to cut down on possible problems

[Zedrek]

I think your best bet is to just keep it at my house. My garage does not have the water heater or dryer in it. If that isn't a viable option then I think your garage should be fine. I would keep your primers and gun powder in a container away from the appliances though. Probably overly cautious but you never know.

[Sosoomi]

I looked through the reloading bench picture thread and settled on the Rolltop desk option. I even got the all important GF Approval prior to installation in the livingroom. Did some fiddling to be able to mount and dismount the press but it makes a great station for reloading as well as cleaning. Nice thing is if you stop mid job.... Roll down the top and all is good. Lots of drawers and shelves for storage too!

[Capybara]

Froglube was the thing that got me back into the houses to clean guns at least but wifey doesn't want me and son reloading in the house. The only free area is her sewing area and that battle would be lost with heavy casualties.

[Whiterabbit]

you'll be fine. 12' may as well be 1200 feet. Unless you are sloppy. Since you are concerned about 12 feet even, I am assured you are NOT a sloppy person.

set up and enjoy.


put another way, primers and gunpowder are combustible materials. They light up like any matchstick or newspaper or wood cabinet. If being 12' away from a water heater and a dryer were sufficient to ignite combustible materials, ALOT of homeowners (myself included) would be really screwed.

[knucklehead0202]

unless you poured powder down the vent while the water heater was burning you wouldn't have a problem. even the fuel vapor thing is really a longshot. for the record, i'm a plumber .