Anyone use a Gorilla Rack Workbench for Reloading?

[Darryl Licht]

I have my brothers Dillon 550B (on indefinite loan) and am still trying to figure out what I'm going to do about a reloading bench.

I have an old Gorilla Rack Workbench with a 24" x 60" work surface that I think would make a good bench if I replace the 1/2" particle board with 1" plywood (maybe doubled up to 2").

Gorilla Rack Workbench.jpg

Do any of you use this bench? If so, what modifications did you do? Or what modifications would you suggest?

PLEASE ONLY POST COMMENTS IF YOU HAVE FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE WITH THIS WORKBENCH!!!

[Rock6.3]

It looks very light duty. In addition to installing heavy plywood on the work surface and shelf I would consider bolting it to the wall and storing lead/ammo on the foot shelf.

[Darryl Licht]

Plenty of weight on my bottom shelf, it won't be moving around!

[Germz]

this is the same thing HF sells except no drawers or outlet. Its a POS and the joints will start to loosen despite how much weight you have on the bottom shelf (which is only rated for 250lbs).

If I recall correctly that bench is $100, just go to home depot and build a proper bench for that or less.

my 8'x2'x39" bench cost me $102 in supplies.

[Pablo5959]

I used 2 1/4" thick X 10' tall commercial solid-wood doors from a construction site. 2 rips for the sides for legs and 16" rip along the back.
Varnished light wood finish complements of the old tenets
Those darn things weigh about 300 lbs. but makes a great bench and looks good to.

[Darryl Licht]

Thanks for the suggestions, BUT...

I already own this bench and am looking for advice from anyone using it!

[sofbak]

Thanks for the suggestions, BUT...

I already own this bench and am looking for advice from anyone using it!

If the work surface is ok and tolerable to you, you don't have to replace the whole surface in order to strengthen it for your press mount. You can add a "doubler panel underneath the work surface where you are going to bolt the press, and bolt through that. considering how small the actual foot print of the press is, a doubler piece that is two to three inches larger than the foot print of the press should be good enough.

But particle board is admittedly unattractive. If there is a home depot near you, I would suggest this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-1-8-in-x-23-1-4-in-x-6-ft-Edge-Glued-Board-493643/202017007

I have used these glued board planks as bases/beds for a number of machines and they work very well. Very rigid, dimensionally true and straight, and if sanded, stained, and coated with polyurethane, they even can be made to look like decent quality furniture grade wood.

[rsrocket1]

I have the old Gorilla rack system throughout my garage. I bought it from Costco close to 19 years ago (?). I use two sets for my loading bench (used to be my RC building bench, then ham radio repair bench, now reloading bench. I have a 30"x48"x3/8" sheet of plywood on top which gives me a bit more surface area to work with. My shelves are 1 level of a set that can be doubled up to make a 6' shelf system, no drawers or back wall. I made my own back wall by mounting a pegboard with standoffs into the wall studs of my garage.

The Gorilla shelf unit that I got is extremely sturdy and strong. I could easily stand on it with the plywood sheet on top. I wouldn't stand directly on the included shelf wood however.

For good reloading, you want a strong, stiff mount for your press. I've seen some people mount presses on what looks like an apple crate and it's wiggle city (not good).

My LnL AP is mounted to a piece of 2"x6" wood running the depth of the plywood sheet. Then I anchored the plank to the wall studs in the garage with bookshelf brackets through 1/4" wood screws. There is zero flex and zero vibration when I'm cranking through rounds. I did the same thing but with a 2"x4" for my Lee Breechlock Challenger press which really helps when resizing rifle cases. I also have a vise mounted on the workbench for sawing, drilling and other work.

For the particular bench you already have, definitely get at least an additional plywood sheet if not a replacement wood top. You would not be able to mount the 550B on the edge because you'd lose the drawer.

If it were me, I'd spring $50 and buy the strong mount and mount the press on the table top where the force of the press is centered inside the legs rather than on the edge where the torque will want to tip the bench over.

[Darryl Licht]

I have the old Gorilla rack system throughout my garage. I bought it from Costco close to 19 years ago (?). I use two sets for my loading bench (used to be my RC building bench, then ham radio repair bench, now reloading bench. I have a 30"x48"x3/8" sheet of plywood on top which gives me a bit more surface area to work with. My shelves are 1 level of a set that can be doubled up to make a 6' shelf system, no drawers or back wall. I made my own back wall by mounting a pegboard with standoffs into the wall studs of my garage.

The Gorilla shelf unit that I got is extremely sturdy and strong. I could easily stand on it with the plywood sheet on top. I wouldn't stand directly on the included shelf wood however.

For good reloading, you want a strong, stiff mount for your press. I've seen some people mount presses on what looks like an apple crate and it's wiggle city (not good).

My LnL AP is mounted to a piece of 2"x6" wood running the depth of the plywood sheet. Then I anchored the plank to the wall studs in the garage with bookshelf brackets through 1/4" wood screws. There is zero flex and zero vibration when I'm cranking through rounds. I did the same thing but with a 2"x4" for my Lee Breechlock Challenger press which really helps when resizing rifle cases. I also have a vise mounted on the workbench for sawing, drilling and other work.

For the particular bench you already have, definitely get at least an additional plywood sheet if not a replacement wood top. You would not be able to mount the 550B on the edge because you'd lose the drawer.

If it were me, I'd spring $50 and buy the strong mount and mount the press on the table top where the force of the press is centered inside the legs rather than on the edge where the torque will want to tip the bench over.

Already beat you to that; I bought the strong mount so I could still use the drawer!

Got a pic of your setup?

[Germz]

I was speaking from my experience. that bench sucked. I am currently cannibalizing it and using the metal to over reinforce parts of my bench. waste not, want not.

[damndave]

Does it wobble around at the joints when you shake it around? If so, it may be too unstable. Bolting it to the wall may help and I would also change the top wood to something more sturdy like 3/4" ply or similar. Generally those type of benches come with MDF or particle board which isn't very good. Definitely keep lots of heavy things on the bottom shelf.

[M1NM]

Thanks for the suggestions, BUT...

I already own this bench and am looking for advice from anyone using it!

Nobody is using it. It's too weak to stand up to the rigors of reloading. Build a small bench the same height and width of the one you have and just use that you've got as bench space. If you decide to use it as is you'll need to get the Dillon base so you can use the drawer.

[Darryl Licht]

I was speaking from my experience. that bench sucked. I am currently cannibalizing it and using the metal to over reinforce parts of my bench. waste not, want not.

Are you sure yours is a Gorilla Rack?

I've had mine for 19 years and its been stable as hell! ...but I've always had the lower shelf packed with heavy items!

Maybe yours is newer and cheaply made, mine is pretty stout!

Nobody is using it. It's too weak to stand up to the rigors of reloading. Build a small bench the same height and width of the one you have and just use that you've got as bench space. If you decide to use it as is you'll need to get the Dillon base so you can use the drawer.

NOBODY is a pretty bold/strong statement! Out of the entire CG reloading community I know some are using this! Like rsrocket1 who posted above!

...And if you read all posts you will see that I do have the Dillon strong mount!

[stevec223]

I used that same bench for years... I screwed down a 1inch thick hardwood piece with overhang (2inches at least) and rcbs mounting plate to clear my rockchucker press... First i sealed the particle board bench top,,, cant remember with what... Put all my extra brass (alot) on bottom shelf and everything was sturdy.. Also used the rcbs mount for my pro-2000 press and uniflo...just switched rock out.. Mounted my trimmer and dillon swager to it also... I probably would get the strong mount the next time though.. The ram will block access to your top drawer... Mines apart now though-- as I am moving and its in storage... I think the 1in. thick mount under the press plate did wonders.. Also top rack is useful... Add light under top rack and another moveable bench light and your gtg... Cheers..

[Josh3239]

I've used it. Particle board snapped. Decent bench I suppose. Definitely change the particle board and it'll work decently.