Reloading bench?

popgun

Hi,

I have just retired to Prescott Valley, AZ, and I am planning to begin reloading again (.308, 9mm and .44 Mag) for the first time in about 25 years.

But first things first: I need a good (preferably wooden) reloading bench that can be put into an apartment.

I am a terrible carpenter and have few tools, so building one is out. I am also on a fixed income, so can't afford something costing $500.

Ace hardware used to have a terrific "butcher block" style bench - but when I tried to buy one at Christmas, I was informed that they don't make them anymore. [:(!]

Have been to most of the "Home Depot"-type places, and they have nothing but the collapsable, woodworking-type benches.

Have checked online but had no luck finding what I have in mind.

So I was wondering if someone here could recommend a good bench for perhaps around $200 or so?

I will appreciate any suggestions you can provide - and thanks!

Maxx424

One of the guys I know has a Workmate. He has attached the press etc to a plank and then clamps the plank to the workmate. Seems to work well for him.

jonk

midwayusa.com carries a reloading bench- not wooden though and I can't speak to its quality. Harbor freight has a few under $200 that look solid enough, assuming you can mount the press yourself- that part requires a drill and some bolts/nuts only.

If I were in your neck of the woods I'd be happy to build you one for the cost of the materials. As it is, I wish you luck- let us know how it turns out.

Tailgunner1954

If you can find someone that is getting rid of a old "Steelcase" brand desk (the old gray rubber top industrial rated kind), you can get a real sturdy loading bench for free, and it even has built in storage.

dcs shooters

Get a solid core door, most places have seconds. Build some legs to the height you want, put some 1/2 round trim around the edges so stuff won't roll off. Put the press where you want, and go to it.

popgun

Thank you all for your suggestions.

I will look into your ideas and see what I can do - especially Harbor.

I can mount the press myself, just don't have the saws and such (and ability) to make the bench.

Thanks again.

[:)]

CapnMidnight

Pop,
I've used the metel desk for years, gives you storage to boot.
W.D.

bull300wsm

popgun years ago I found an old wooden ( with real wood ) desk with five drawers that I used. Picked it up at a garage sale for a couple of bucks. I drilled and mounted my reloader and had storage in the drawers...worked for me....Bull

nononsense

popgun,

Welcome to the Gunbroker forums!

I post this link occasionally when I think it's helpful. It started in 2003 and is still going strong today. Folks post their reloading room and reloading bench ideas to share.

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5485

This is the Black & Decker 425 bench I use at the range:



You should probably check out places like Home Depot for their slightly damaged counter tops and base cabinets. These can be picked up at decent prices sometimes and assembled without much effort.

Second hand stores are usually the best idea for older desks and doors that can be modified for reloading. Garage sales can turn up computer desks and such if you look around.

Check your e-mail

Good luck!

Best.

B17-P51

Please remember that you have to pull UP on the bench as well, so secure it to the floor if possible. Everyone that I have shown how to reload at their place with a new setup has tried to do it off of some kind of kitchen table or desk like structure and it just dosen't work.Secure it to the wall in back and the floor if possible. If not possible to secure to floor, consider putting a "tie board" between the front legs and stand on it.A 2x4 turned on edge and screwed to the back of the front legs works well if the bench is secured to the wall. I,too, would gladly build you one if I were closer. GOOD LUCK!!!

scrubberguy

Popgun:
Most of us have struggled with setting up our presses. A lot of it will depend on the type of press you have.

I'm very sorry I don't have a picture of my latest design, but I can describe it to you.

First I went to Harbor Freight and bought one of their "tool Stands" This is the type they sell for small table saws it has four legs and a particle board top sells for about $29.00. I took it home and put it together.

Then I forgot to put on the particle board and went to my local scrap yard and got a piece of 1/4 Steel Plate 24 inches by 24 inches and used that for a top! I think I paid another $20.00 or so for the top. Then a quick sand job and some white paint ( to reflect light) and there it was!

I was actually able to mount a press on all four sides and, with a shelf underneath, your not gonna have a problem with the setup moving around while your loading!

As a matter of fact I will suggest you find a home for it first and then build it in the spot you want it!

All that will be required is the abilty to drill a hole and tighten a bolt to make this work! And knock off any sharp edges when your done![8D]

sandwarrior

popgun,

Not near enough of our posts(besides that wonderful thread on "your reloading set-up") is dedicated to how to set it all up. As B-17 noted you have to pull up to so have a way to secure it down. the biggest thing you are going to need is a drill. A couple of specialty bits will keep you in business there. I had to pre-drill for the bolts that hold my press to the bench and a concrete bit to drill anchors into my garage floor. Other than that it took only a #30 drill bit and #2 philips to assemble the bench and hold it to the floor.

konamtbiker

This is what i use. Just buy the lumber, which is fairly inexpensive. Then put it all together with a hand saw and Screw driver, or cordless drill if you have on.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037482216109a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=reloading+bench&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=reloading+bench&noImage=0

OR

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0031351215763a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=reloading+bench&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=reloading+bench&noImage=0

popgun

I again want to thank everyone for your very helpful comments!

You've given me a lot of good material and ideas to consider.

I have an old RCBS (not the "Rock Chucker") press, and also have the drill and such to mount it.

So thanks again for all the help!

dcs shooters

One thing that might help. Home Depot or Lowes will cut the lumber to what you need.

11b6r

I found a place that sells recycled office furniture. Ugly stuff that you can't wear out. 5 drawer filing cabinets with ball bearing runners on the drawers- storage of ammo and bullets. Bulk bullets go in the bottom drawer for stability. A used typewriter table mounts my drill press. An ugly Steelcase desk with the linoleum top is my loading bench- drawers for storage a plus- and look for a chair- so you can work sitting down. Paid less than $100 for all. Be sure to have plenty of light- shop lights on sale- 3 of them. PS- do not keep powder in the heavy cabinets, or in a fire, you may have a bomb.

popgun

Hi again - and again my thanks to everyone who's responded.

While I still intend to first check out some other options that have been provided to me here, I did find - on Harbor Freight's website - the type of bench I originally had in mind.

Here is a link for it if anyone is interested: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93454

I do want a bench that I can use for reloading - but also other hobbies (R/C planes, etc.,) so I do think this one will be perfect for me (unless I can find a better one at some of the other locations suggested to me.)

If anyone can see any disadvantages this bench would entail for reloading purposes, I'd apprecite hearing from you. As a novice, I can't see any offhand.

It's 100 pounds, and does have a crossbar I could put my foot on for pulling up on the press - so I don't "think" that would be a problem with this bench.

Again, any comments or advice would be apprecited.

Thanks again.

jonk

That looks like it should do the job. I'd mount the press to one side so as you can still access the drawers, and so the line of thrust is over one leg. Unless you mount it so that you have a 360 walk around.

If it rides up on you on the upstroke of the press, a few 2X4s pre-cut at home depot and nailed in place by you with some sandbags on it at the floorline ought to take care of the issue.

drobs

Picked up this desk at a garage sale for $20. Drilled a couple more holes for my reloading press.

Also picked up a steel desk for the same price. Both desks were marked higher. I never pay sticker price at garage sales.

malbilly

I was looking through some old threads for another subject when I came across your thread for a reloading bench. A few months ago, I decided I needed a larger work area than my old converted desk. I picked up an old wooden banquet table at a rummage sale for $10. It is sturdy and gives me a lot of workspace, enough to mount my centerfire and shotshell equipment. If you want to make it even more rigid, you can mount it to the studs behind your wall with some 90-degree angle brackets.

wuchak

I do what Maxx424's friend does. My presses are mounted to 2' long 2x6's and I clamp them to the top of my Workmate and load where ever I want. In the summer I setup on the back deck to deprime in the sun. The workmate is also the handiest thing I never knew I needed when doing other projects around the house. Now that I've got one I would be without it.

fire for effect

Here is my reloading bench built from 4x4's, 2x4's and 3/4" MDF. It is strong as strong can be.
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reddnek

I have a friend thats a wizard with tools, he built my bench and some other stuff because I let him use my shop to work on his Harley and other products

JustC

an old peice of a sales counter and a shelving unit I built to to attach to the top. An old steel desk is a great idea as well.