Armory Sponsor
Posted: 6/2/2011 8:57:05 PM EDT
|
My wife isn't supporting me in starting reloading she is not trying to stop me though she's still mad about me getting the AR 7 months ago.
The less money the better ,the less space the better. Can you tell me if you think the table in the link can handle me reloading .223 ,.45 ,and .357 / .38. I need to be able to move anywhere in the house up&down stairs I have looked at the bench tread all 24 pages ,but I'm still lost on what's best for me a small table or desk. table Thanks |
|
Possibly, but ONLY if you reinforce that particle-board top with something more solid and at least 1" thick. Even then the footprint is small enough that it may fall over, or at least wobble annoyingly, due to the amount of force involved with a lever-operated press. A thicker, heavier & larger table/desk/bench all lead to more happiness when reloading. If you have even basic hand tools you can build your own out of 2x4"s and off-the-shelf brackets for not much money. |
Like Eric said, if you are pretty handy why not build one. I looked around for a cheap workbench, but couldn't find one sturdy enough for the money. I built my table just using 2x4's, and some large plywood and used this website as a reference. My total cost was more like 40$ because I made it slightly larger and I also added some hardboard to the top and bottom pieces of plywood so I had a nice smooth finish. Using some scraps already on hand and some leftover pieces from the build I was able to make a basic shelve at the top to hold some of my reloading components, tools, etc. Here is a picture I just took.
Been busy lately-normally it isn't so cluttered. And as far as durable-I am a pretty big guy (270lbs) and I can stand on the top of it and it doesn't flex or anything. I know this because I had to stand on it to mount the shelf. All you need is a drill, a circular saw (or a handsaw), the wood, some wood clue, and some wood screws. I built it all in one day. Good luck to you... Cheers, Mav |
|
That might work okay, but I would replace that crappy top, it's completely not usable for a reloading press.
A better option for you is probably a Workmate with a separate top that you clamp in place when you're ready to load. You can store everything else you need in a couple of toolboxes, plastic storage boxes, the plastic boxes with hinged lids made by MTM or Plano, a wood box you build, or a zillion other ways. Since you're likely to catch hell while loading, don't do the work in a carpeted room. There will be carbon residue from cases, spilled gunpowder, and loose spent primers to keep corraled and some wimmenz think that is a problem. Especially when she finds a primer stuck in a shoe sole. Hard to understand, but there it is. |
|
I see that thing failing for two reasons....
1... if you put too much leverage on the press it will probably flip the bench. 2... that partical board will more than likely crank as the press does put a lot of force into the table(assuming you are getting a progressive) Do you have a garage??? Can you build a small work bench in there in the corner or something? The biggest thing about reloading area is storage of equipment/supplies.. my two presses and lube/sizers take up 2 sq. ft. of real estate... but all the powder jugs, 1000s of bullets, die sets, BRASS, etc. fill up 1/2 the cabinets in my basement(other half is home brew equipment haha) Mike. |
|
Quoted:
That might work okay, but I would replace that crappy top, it's completely not usable for a reloading press. A better option for you is probably a Workmate with a separate top that you clamp in place when you're ready to load. You can store everything else you need in a couple of toolboxes, plastic storage boxes, the plastic boxes with hinged lids made by MTM or Plano, a wood box you build, or a zillion other ways. Since you're likely to catch hell while loading, don't do the work in a carpeted room. There will be carbon residue from cases, spilled gunpowder, and loose spent primers to keep corraled and some wimmenz think that is a problem. Especially when she finds a primer stuck in a shoe sole. Hard to understand, but there it is. Wow, thanks for the heads up I really didn't think about making a mess on the carpet. You have saved me from a fight. My wife just isn't the girl I dated.  I appreciate it.
|
|
Table in your link would work if you replaced the top.
You need at least a inch and a half of real wood, not particle board. 2 pieces or 3/4 plywood would also work. Then you will have the problem of the bench moving when you resize. Which is why most of us anchor our benches to the wall studs. Good luck |
|
I live in an appartment for now so space is limited. Heres what I did....
Get a heavy duty office computer table. Get 2" pieces of 2 x 10. Counter sink bolts and washers into the 2x10 and mount pressed to them. Use C-Clamps to hold to the table. They come off so you can use the table for other things and you can interchange the piece you are useing. 
|
|
Quoted:
I live in an appartment for now so space is limited. Heres what I did.... Get a heavy duty office computer table. Get 2" pieces of 2 x 10. Counter sink bolts and washers into the 2x10 and mount pressed to them. Use C-Clamps to hold to the table. They come off so you can use the table for other things and you can interchange the piece you are useing. http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb456/Doernuth/Reloading/40slnlwide2-2011.jpg Kool ,do you have a pic of the lower part of the table so I can see what kind it is? |
|
Quoted:
Depending on where you live, you might want to check out US Government auctions - I picked up a work bench (really heavy duty with thick wood top, nooks and crannys, drawers, etc.) from the Sandina Labs (New Mexico) for about $100.00; my pride and joy. I would like to see a pic of your bench. OP was looking for small and portable. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Depending on where you live, you might want to check out US Government auctions - I picked up a work bench (really heavy duty with thick wood top, nooks and crannys, drawers, etc.) from the Sandina Labs (New Mexico) for about $100.00; my pride and joy. I would like to see a pic of your bench. OP was looking for small and portable. If you're looking for a workbench and you're near the South Sound, the State of Washington has a surplus store in Tumwater. I pop over there every once in a while just looking for random stuff. |
You would be surprised what you can work with when you need to. This is my first reloading bench, I had a Lyman reloading press and a powder measure mounted on it, reloading pistol as well as rifle calibers, as I recall I was reloading 308 Win and 30-30 on this bench, mounted inside a closet! |
|
Lee makes a reloading stand for their presses. It might be more than you want to spend, however.
https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/Lee-Reloading-Stand.html OP, If you're handy you could take the table in your original post, replace the top and build a platform with casters out of the leftover plywood. Then you could set the table on it to move it and when you're using it take it off. Weight with a brick for stability. |
|
Quoted:
Lee makes a reloading stand for their presses. It might be more than you want to spend, however. https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/Lee-Reloading-Stand.html OP, If you're handy you could take the table in your original post, replace the top and build a platform with casters out of the leftover plywood. Then you could set the table on it to move it and when you're using it take it off. Weight with a brick for stability. That's the cheapest I've seen the lee reloading stand ,now I'm between that and the work mate 225. There both around the same price ,but I can get free shipping on the work mate and have alittle more room... |
|
Try this: a bench mate with a plank of 2 x 12 bolted on. Easy to move and for tool storage, I either drilled holes in the plank or used screws to hang things.
The main advantage is it's mobile fairl easily. I am in a room that needs to be re-done 100% and this will move to the basement. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Lee makes a reloading stand for their presses. It might be more than you want to spend, however. https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/Lee-Reloading-Stand.html OP, If you're handy you could take the table in your original post, replace the top and build a platform with casters out of the leftover plywood. Then you could set the table on it to move it and when you're using it take it off. Weight with a brick for stability. That's the cheapest I've seen the lee reloading stand ,now I'm between that and the work mate 225. There both around the same price ,but I can get free shipping on the work mate and have alittle more room... If I were in your position, I'd probably go with the work mate. It would be more versatile in the long run. It has a purpose beyond just reloading as it can also be used with home improvement projects. Gives you a selling point with the wife. Maybe you could even convince her it's a household purchase and not just for your use. 
|
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Lee makes a reloading stand for their presses. It might be more than you want to spend, however. https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/Lee-Reloading-Stand.html OP, If you're handy you could take the table in your original post, replace the top and build a platform with casters out of the leftover plywood. Then you could set the table on it to move it and when you're using it take it off. Weight with a brick for stability. That's the cheapest I've seen the lee reloading stand ,now I'm between that and the work mate 225. There both around the same price ,but I can get free shipping on the work mate and have alittle more room... If I were in your position, I'd probably go with the work mate. It would be more versatile in the long run. It has a purpose beyond just reloading as it can also be used with home improvement projects. Gives you a selling point with the wife. Maybe you could even convince her it's a household purchase and not just for your use. Lol I like The way you think, just got to find something to do around the house. But I'm going with the bench mate. Thanks for the help ya'll |
Armory Sponsor