Armory Sponsor
Posted: 11/25/2014 7:38:10 PM EDT
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I've been reloading in my garage but I would like to move my operation inside. I'm also a hobby type woodworker and build occasional furniture, so I plan on building a bench to put in my spare bedroom/office.
Since I'm building this from scratch, I would like to get input. What one or two things would you change about your reloading set-up? If you were building one, what is important to incorporate? Ergonomics? I've been using a single stage Rock Chucker for years, I might get a progressive but I'm not sure. I prefer to sit on a stool with my knees a few inches inside of the bench overhang. I'm considering something about 4' +/- long. I'm also considering a bench with a wall cabinet directly overhead. I've looked at pics, and most seem to be either a straight-up tool workbench or a converted kitchen counter, so I can't really see what original ideas have been used. |
Built mine out of 2x4, bolted together with 2 pieces of 3/4x30"x 8' MDF. I had a piece of stainless cut and bent for the lip. It is a tank at about 250 pounds. The whole project was under $200.
Now t has a Rock Chucker in place of the Lee and a Dillon 550 to the left of it. |
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dIY workbench thread
There's also a 50-ish page thread on reloading benches somewhere. |
I built mine to accommodate my back! I cannot stoop over for very long so I built mine to allow me to stand up straight. No bending or stooping when I am loading allows me to load for hours. It's taller than most benches and some people would not like that. Stupid spinal cord tumors can really F up your world!!! 
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My bench from the bench thread. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/262015_Official_Reloading_Bench_Picture_Thread___Now_with_100__more_Pictures_.html&page=6#i2388810 Since you are a fellow wood worker, drawers, lots of drawers. Shelf's and storage cabinets. Mount your scale at eye level with powder measure and trickler close by. Also put a proper finish on the bench you can be proud of.  |
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Quoted:
What is everyones thoughts on some type of sheet steel as a top? I would be putting on top of the couple layers of plywood I have now. Pros/cons? The premise behind a reloading bench is that it is used for reloading, gun cleaning, gunsmithing, etc. A workbench is used to repack bearings, hand plane and glue wood joints. A metal-top bench is used for welding. From a practical standpoint, I don't see the need for a reloading bench to be metal, in fact, I see a drawback of gun scratches by metal on metal contact. I really like Dryflash' bench top, presumably laminate or phenolic in white. It's easy to clean, see what you've spilled, and there's no chance of scratches. I would still use a rubber mat if I'm doing any serious gun work. For my build, I believe I'm going with a white laminate top with a final thickness of 1.5 to 2". |
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My top is 2 layers of 3/4 inch melamine faced particle board glued and screwed together. The 2x4 braces below the top are 16 inch on center. The 2X4s hold the slides of my drawers.  I cheated and placed a 1/4 inch thick plate under my Rockchucker.  Peg boad is nice if you don't have much to store. Too much wasted space for me. Have lots of bullet boxes to store. A few reloading manuals in cabinet above bench. About a third of my collection.
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Quoted:
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I've looked at pics, and most seem to be either a straight-up tool workbench or a converted kitchen counter, so I can't really see what original ideas have been used. 
http://i62.tinypic.com/24oyjoy.jpg Perfection |
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