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Posted: 3/9/2011 5:57:55 PM EDT
Having no construction, cabinetry, or woodworking skills...
I plan to make a reloading bench out of this pile of wood. Here's hoping I don't lose any blood, thumbnails, or wives. 
Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile UPDATE. BOTTOM PAGE 3 AND TOP PAGE 4. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:01:22 PM EDT
[#1]
This thread has disaster written all over it.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:01:38 PM EDT
[#2]
Shoot, if you don't bleed on it, the bench will fall down.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:02:29 PM EDT
[#3]
Best of luck, I enjoyed building mine. Here is a link to a long running thread if you need some ideas
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=262015&page=1 ETA: My build is about 1/3 of the page down 
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=262015&page=15 |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:05:36 PM EDT
[#4]
Make it twice as sturdy and twice as big as you are planning. Will take you a little longer to run out of space like I have
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:05:41 PM EDT
[#5]
I just finished the first stage of mine
The workbench portion is now complete, now I just have to put in the inserts so I can take on and off my press as well as an upper shelf.... |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:05:53 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Shoot, if you don't bleed on it, the bench will fall down. This is the truth. The Pain God must have his due or your project is doomed to failure.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:06:32 PM EDT
[#7]
Make a sketch before you start cutting wood. Figure out what kind of fasteners you will need to buy. Buy a decent circular saw.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:07:00 PM EDT
[#8]
I;d just hope I didn't lose any blood or thumbs.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:07:30 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Shoot, if you don't bleed on it, the bench will fall down. This. The power tool gods demand a blood sacrifice. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:07:42 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Shoot, if you don't bleed on it, the bench will fall down. This is the truth. The Pain God must have his due or your project is doomed to failure.
So true. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:11:17 PM EDT
[#11]
First snag.
Circular saw doesn't go deep enough for 4x4post (legs). Cutting 4 sides resulted in very rough cut Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:13:33 PM EDT
[#12]
Rent a chop saw?
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:20:02 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Rent a chop saw? I am already on my last cut for the 6 legs. I'll figure something out. Sand the uneven end or put a post cap on. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:24:15 PM EDT
[#14]
I did this same project a couple weeks ago and it came out surprisingly good for me having little/no carpentry expierience and scrap wood for materials
Good luck, make it sturdy enough to hold 2x as much stuff as you're planning on putting on it. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:24:32 PM EDT
[#15]
4x4 posts might be overkill. I think my bench legs are 2x4's. I don't have my dimensions handy.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:26:42 PM EDT
[#16]
Action shot. The dag doesn't see to mind. Fuck Norm Abram and his lasers and shop vacs and experience! Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:33:00 PM EDT
[#17]
Dibs on wives.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:33:57 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted: First snag. Circular saw doesn't go deep enough for 4x4post (legs). Cutting 4 sides resulted in very rough cut Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Hand saw. Everybody should have one. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:37:40 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Quoted:
First snag. Circular saw doesn't go deep enough for 4x4post (legs). Cutting 4 sides resulted in very rough cut Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Hand saw. Everybody should have one. Doh. I have one. Just wasn't thinking. 
Here's the ends. 35" high. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:40:52 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted: Shoot, if you don't bleed on it, the bench will fall down. The reloading gods must be appeased.  |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:42:18 PM EDT
[#21]
Are you building this in your living room...........?!?!?!?
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:47:47 PM EDT
[#22]
That little battery saw is cute.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:48:31 PM EDT
[#23]
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:51:19 PM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
That little battery saw is cute. I got one and it works great at my farm for cutting stuff where electricity isn't or it wouldn't be worth it to load up a generator.
If you get one I bet you use the hell out of it at your place. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:52:43 PM EDT
[#25]
Mine and I live in an apartment
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:52:44 PM EDT
[#26]
You could just go to Sears and buy one of these...
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:54:02 PM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
Quoted:
That little battery saw is cute. I got one and it works great at my farm for cutting stuff where electricity isn't or it wouldn't be worth it to load up a generator.
If you get one I bet you use the hell out of it at your place. No way––I have duplex outlets every three or four feet. Even on walls that wouldn't normally have them. I can do it myself, with premium outlets and boxes (not the crappy blue ones), for about $7 each. No reason not to have LOTS of them.
I've gradually started using my cordless drill less and less too. 
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:54:07 PM EDT
[#28]
All done.
Jk. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:57:39 PM EDT
[#29]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
That little battery saw is cute. I got one and it works great at my farm for cutting stuff where electricity isn't or it wouldn't be worth it to load up a generator.
If you get one I bet you use the hell out of it at your place. No way––I have duplex outlets every three or four feet. Even on walls that wouldn't normally have them. I can do it myself, with premium outlets and boxes (not the crappy blue ones), for about $7 each. No reason not to have LOTS of them.
I've gradually started using my cordless drill less and less too. I'm talking about when you are working somewhere like at a deer stand or out at the range where you don't have any electric power.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:58:08 PM EDT
[#30]
I know you're kidding, but the top needs to be at least three times thicker.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:58:46 PM EDT
[#31]
Well, that's it for tonight.
Now to sleep on it (not the bench) to think of a way to get the table top mounted level. I'm kinda wingin' it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 6:58:53 PM EDT
[#32]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
That little battery saw is cute. I got one and it works great at my farm for cutting stuff where electricity isn't or it wouldn't be worth it to load up a generator.
If you get one I bet you use the hell out of it at your place. No way––I have duplex outlets every three or four feet. Even on walls that wouldn't normally have them. I can do it myself, with premium outlets and boxes (not the crappy blue ones), for about $7 each. No reason not to have LOTS of them.
I've gradually started using my cordless drill less and less too. I'm talking about when you are working somewhere like at a deer stand or out at the range where you don't have any electric power.
I have a Honda ATV thingie that allows for trips back and forth. It's only 80 acres. 
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:01:18 PM EDT
[#33]
Quoted: Well, that's it for tonight. Now to sleep on it (not the bench) to think of a way to get the table top mounted level. I'm kinda wingin' it. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Might wanna think about how you're gonna keep it from falling over on you when you pull the handle on something bigger than a .380 ACP case. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:04:33 PM EDT
[#34]
Quoted:
I know you're kidding, but the top needs to be at least three times thicker. Seriously? I got 3/4" birch plywood. It seemed beefy. I am gonna brace the sides of the legs with 1x4's around the perimeters and maybe a diagonal brace under the top. Should I double up the plywood on top? Or triple it? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:06:49 PM EDT
[#35]
OP you will probably need a bigger top, and maybe brace the legs some more.
Oh yeah some pics- OHHHHHHH 
AHHHHHHHH 
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:06:50 PM EDT
[#36]
Quoted:
4x4 posts might be overkill. I think my bench legs are 2x4's. I don't have my dimensions handy. No, mine has 4x4 posts for legs and they are barely adequate. I used a solid door for the top, and that too is barely adequate. I guess I have too much stuff on mine!
LC |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:08:37 PM EDT
[#37]
Quoted:
I have a Honda ATV thingie that allows for trips back and forth. It's only 80 acres. 
One of my bow blinds. That is during a flood and the bottom of that is 8 feet off the ground and the water got about 6 inches inside it. That is a lot of back and forth putting that thing on those stilts. 
Of course I used a generator and circular saw
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:10:29 PM EDT
[#38]
Stairs??? Dang, yer old and feeble.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:11:40 PM EDT
[#39]
Quoted:
OP you will probably need a bigger top, and maybe brace the legs some more. Oh yeah some pics- OHHHHHHH http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy39/ESC12345/loading/1011001038.jpg AHHHHHHHH http://i775.photobucket.com/albums/yy39/ESC12345/loading/0102111803.jpg I built mine right in the closet to the walls so it's part of the house. Rock solid with a Dillon 650. I also have pegboard on all 3 sides, storage above and below. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:11:46 PM EDT
[#40]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I know you're kidding, but the top needs to be at least three times thicker. Seriously? I got 3/4" birch plywood. It seemed beefy. I am gonna brace the sides of the legs with 1x4's around the perimeters and maybe a diagonal brace under the top. Should I double up the plywood on top? Or triple it? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile The minimum is 1 1/2" for a reloading bench top. Many guys use two-by lumber for it, as it's stronger than plywood. If by chance you are using a Dillon Strong Mount you can get by with less.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:12:55 PM EDT
[#41]
Quoted:
Stairs??? Dang, yer old and feeble.
It's for kids......
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:17:04 PM EDT
[#42]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I know you're kidding, but the top needs to be at least three times thicker. Seriously? I got 3/4" birch plywood. It seemed beefy. I am gonna brace the sides of the legs with 1x4's around the perimeters and maybe a diagonal brace under the top. Should I double up the plywood on top? Or triple it? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile My top is 1 7/8" |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:19:01 PM EDT
[#43]
Double the top & you'll be fine. I found the right length screws & fastened it through the bottom, into the top. No screws showing on the top at all. I used a few deck screws to attach the lower layer of the top into the legs before addng the 2nd 3/4" top layer, plus a bunch of "L" brackets from underneath.
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:21:21 PM EDT
[#44]
Boy that thing is going to flop around, it needs some serious bracing and a thicker top!  |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:23:01 PM EDT
[#45]
Quoted:
Seriously? I got 3/4" birch plywood. It seemed beefy. I am gonna brace the sides of the legs with 1x4's around the perimeters and maybe a diagonal brace under the top. Should I double up the plywood on top? Or triple it? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Stop worrying about it you're fine. I used 1/2" on the top of mine, and 2x4's for legs and bracing. It works just fine with a little bit of extra bracing under area where the press is mounted. I ended up running 2x4 all the way around the outside of the top, and bolting the front of the press through the 2x4. Plenty sturdy for even 30-06. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:25:39 PM EDT
[#46]
Make sure to put a heavy duty bottom shelf on it as well, and put a bunch of weight on it. Either that or run some tapcons into the wall.
I put all of my lead shot as well as a lot of brass on my bottom shelf to keep the thing still. I probably have ~200lbs on it and it doesn't budge. This is just as important as having a thick top on it IMO, obviously you want both though. |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 7:59:42 PM EDT
[#47]
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Posted: 3/9/2011 8:13:40 PM EDT
[#48]
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Posted: 3/9/2011 8:19:52 PM EDT
[#49]
Quoted: Having no construction, cabinetry, or woodworking skills... I plan to make a reloading bench out of this pile of wood. Here's hoping I don't lose any blood, thumbnails, or wives. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I thought it was Utah where you could do that... m |
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Posted: 3/9/2011 8:25:40 PM EDT
[#50]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a Honda ATV thingie that allows for trips back and forth. It's only 80 acres. http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b201/krpind/hogstand.jpg One of my bow blinds. That is during a flood and the bottom of that is 8 feet off the ground and the water got about 6 inches inside it. That is a lot of back and forth putting that thing on those stilts.
Of course I used a generator and circular saw
Bow fishing blind? |
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