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Reloading benches/setups

Sig220_Ruger77Sig220_Ruger77 Member Posts: 12,754 ✭✭✭
If anyone would like to post pictures of their reloading setup I would much appreciate it. I had a little make-shift setup in the apartment, but now that I am moving I will have all the room I need to build a nice setup in the basment. Give me some ideas and/or suggestions fellas! [:D]

Jon

Comments

  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon0322,

    Just to get you started, use the search button to locate the previous threads on this topic. There should be a couple with both pictures and links to other lengthy threads about setting up rooms for reloading.

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=225062&SearchTerms=reloading,rooms

    Best.
  • shooteroneshooterone Member Posts: 139 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Think seriously of the height of your table. I got mine set up where I can stand or use a stool with a back and it swivels. Easy to get in and out of a stool type chair.
  • XXCrossXXCross Member Posts: 1,379 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Think "rigid and well anchored"
  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    bench2.jpg

    bench1.jpg

    I just finished setting the top on it last week. Before, I had the press bolted to one of the cabinets that the bench is sitting on.

    It's just a basic setup, for sure, but it works for me. I load everything SSSSLLLLLOOOOOWWWWW any way.

    I also have some shelves built to go on the back to get rid of the clutter.

    The benchtop is 2" hardwood laminate that was being thrown away at work.
  • Colonel PlinkColonel Plink Member Posts: 16,460
    edited November -1
    3828029019_17000b21b2.jpg

    The U-shaped bench-top was a birthday present from a friend of mine who owns a hardwood flooring business. It's white oak flooring on top of 1 full inch of plywood.

    3828026731_533c865fc2.jpg

    The 2X4's are doubled and there's a sheet of 5/8" OSB under the Hardi-backer
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • speedbuggy16vspeedbuggy16v Member Posts: 236 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think justc wins..............


    speed
  • Colonel PlinkColonel Plink Member Posts: 16,460
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by speedbuggy16v
    I think justc wins..............


    speed


    Hands down. That's a gorgeous work space.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If I already did not have something I would really look at maybe getting 2 of these.

    93454.GIF

    The look like they are strong. I'm not good at wood working so have to go with something prebuilt. Mine I have not if from Home Depot a pre built one. Not that strong of top but plenty of storage space.
  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    also, don't forget to set aside space for cleaning

    101_1217.jpg
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon0322,

    This is one of the better spaces from that 36 pages of reloading rooms:

    reloadingrooms1a.jpg

    reloadingrooms1c.jpg

    reloadingrooms1d.jpg

    reloadingrooms1j.jpg

    The track is available through MSC:

    http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/GSDRVSM?PACACHE=000000106100996

    However, bear in mind that you don't have to have the biggest custom-built space on the planet just to reload. I have put together several small assemblies for folks who live in apartments or don't have the space to donate to reloading permanently. You can start with something as simple as one of the larger folding 'Workmate' bench clamp tables or a Craftsman rolling tool box with a work surface attached. These are superb for a small amount of occasional reloading and small spaces.

    If you aren't 'carpenter handy', I have used old office desks, solid core doors or pre-cut plywood bolted to a shorter shelving unit. The next step up from there is buy a work bench from Sears or other supplier and put it together as a dedicated loading bench or work bench used for reloading occasionally. Some of these benches are reasonably priced and just need to be assembled with some common household tools. Then you can add rolling tool boxes and storage cupboards when you feel the need to expand or to control the mess.

    My favorite combination for folks who like a more finished look is to go to a home supply store and buy cabinet bases and counter tops with back splashes. This can be an excellent way to keep peace and make a nice looking, presentable space for working (i.e. man cave). If you're frugal, look for the slightly dented and chipped pieces that will work for a reloading room.

    My newest creation is a concrete room with a vault door, air conditioning and humidity control. At approximately 1200 sq. ft., it is ...comfortable. Don't be offended at the size, it's used for business and research, it's not a personal space. It has benches at standing work height around the walls since I can't sit to reload and then desk areas for computer work and records. The best part is the cleaning table I built at standing height right in the middle of the room. It's 6 feet long but narrow like the woodworking bench that 'dneldon457' used as an illustration. You can work all the way around a rifle while cleaning or mounting a scope. The drawers are narrow in height so that only a single layer of tools and accessories fits. There are bins for cleaning patches and tubes directly under the top to contain those long cleaning rods safely and out of the way. The handles are color coded by caliber.

    Take some time to go through that huge thread on reloading rooms and you'll have plenty of ideas to get you started. Lay out the room in masking tape on the floor before committing to anything. Many a mistake has been made by UNDER estimating the size of the room for the benches and tool boxes.

    Best.
  • nononsensenononsense Member Posts: 10,928 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is a great solution for the 2x4 crowd:

    http://www.2x4basics.com/WorkBench-Legs.asp

    Simple metal cabinets:

    reloadingroomsmetalcabi.jpg

    reloadingroomsmetalcabi.jpg

    Old Office Furniture:

    reloadingroomssteeldesk.jpg

    Woodworking Bench:

    reloadingroomswoodworki.jpg

    Similar to what I described above for a cleaning bench in the middle of the room:

    reloadingroomscentercle.jpg

    Best.
  • RICHP6RICHP6 Member Posts: 11
    edited November -1
    The last one pictured looks best. I wonder what is the best room diminsion size.
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