New Reloading Bench

[epoletna]

Hi Jud. Check out this Whalen tool bench my wife got me at Costco several years back. Maybe they still make something similar. I love it.View attachment 213871

I looked at that -- even sat at it in in the store, and the thing I didn't like about it was the shelf below that your feet keep hitting. Ideally, that would be cut back about 18".

 

[hvtrapper]

I'm moving and need to get a new reloading bench. We are renting the house so I unfortunately I can't permanently attach or anchor the bench to the walls or floor. Having said that, what over the counter work benches have you guys used for your reloading benches? I was thinking about just getting a Harbor freight wooden workbench, but not sure if you guys know of something better that's not overly expensive. Thanks!

I bought a "Kobalt" bench from Lowe's. Comes with a shelf (I keep dies on mine) 4 drawers and a light. I installed a press dock system and a MEC dock to allow switching out presses easily.

 

[Stgraves260]

I'm moving and need to get a new reloading bench. We are renting the house so I unfortunately I can't permanently attach or anchor the bench to the walls or floor. Having said that, what over the counter work benches have you guys used for your reloading benches? I was thinking about just getting a Harbor freight wooden workbench, but not sure if you guys know of something better that's not overly expensive. Thanks!

 

[epoletna]

That's the exact bench I was looking at! Do you use one as a reloading bench? I'm curios how stable it is when sizing brass. Thanks!

That's the one I use, and you are right to question the stability. I ended up screwing cross braces to the back. Otherwise it's too shaky when you resize.

 

[sconnierider]

grab a 6' chunk of PRE-made kitchen countertop in a lighter color. Grab a 5/8 or 3/4" pc of plywood as well and a tube of PL200. Cut down the plywood and glue/screw it to the bottom of the countertop from the bottom side so you don't have exposed fasteners from the top. Weight is your friend on a reloading bench. Use any of the ways mentioned to fab the legs.

 

[R2rr]

I looked at that -- even sat at it in in the store, and the thing I didn't like about it was the shelf below that your feet keep hitting. Ideally, that would be cut back about 18".

I use the Whalen, too. I love it. As to the lower shelf, two things:
1st; I use a "drafting" chair, which is just a higher office chair with a foot rest ring. The lower shelf of the bench also serves as a foot rest.
Second; the front rail of the lower shelf can be left off (no shelf used) leaving room beneath for your feet or a chair, or even a cabinet.
Biggest problem:
You cant find this bench any more.

 

[Stgraves260]

You can go to your local Build Surplus Stores. Buy a solid wood door for around $50. Split it down the middle if ya want. Or you can cut it in a Ell shape like I did. You can put 2-2x4s For each leg and that table will be under $100.

 

[JimFromTN]

I am a x3 or whatever it is up to on using a solid core door for a bench top. I am easily annoyed by stuff falling all over the place when resizing brass.

 

[milo-2]

Man I'd like to see it just to see some new ideas that might spring up in my small mind!!

Here, wifey has not pulled her car out of the garage since I posted, slightly cramped for good pics. I am wired on all 4 corners, 1 switched outlet. I can get 3 cradles to clean on this at a time, 2 works best. I have 2 benches mounted to the wall in garage, all for reloading, plus laptop, coffee maker. I use the table as much as I can, the AMP, Giraud trimmer, in wall mount cupboards, pull and use. You can see my die, and priming tool storage in the first pic, I size on one end, seat on the other.
42"W x 72''L

 

[epoletna]

Several considerations to keep in mind:

1. Stability is key, but not necessarily weight. Plan to put cross bracing on whatever bench you get.

2. Someone mentioned depth (front to back) as a plus. It is a minus for me, as I'm the kind of person who will put "stuff" on a horizontal surface if I have one. That becomes clutter. I went the other direction: a shallow bench with a lot of shelving nearby.

3. Shelves are your friend. Lots of them. You can put a lot of stuff on a shelf without obscuring stuff behind it.

4. After 5 years, I am still happy with my Harbor Freight bench. I actually found it at a yard sale for $20. Screwed cross braces on the back before pushing it against the wall. I will admit the drawers are not the best -- you can't see to the back of them when they are fully extended. But I make do with them.

 

[Stgraves260]

If you use the door it will be 1 1/2" thick. This will be good, because you want a free standing table that is not mounted to the wall.

 

[noluck]

The high school was having a surplus sale got 2 computer tables cheap took them off their metal bottoms and built a wood base. I have since added some kitchen cabinets that the neighbor was throwing away.

 

[Charles Keethler]

If you see an old tool shop close buy one of the old toolmaker bench's 2" thick maple top , 6 drawers lots of cubby holes.

 

[snakeeyes]

I used a solid commercial wood door on top of 4x4's. I put a shelf below using plywood. Door was 36" x 80" and heavy. Works great. You might be able to find one on Craigslist or an auction. This is the only pic I have that shows it. Excuse the mess.

That's my M1873 44-40 untouched, date of birth 1883.

The upper shelf is also a ripped down door that I had a buddy router for a gun rack.

View attachment 214177

View attachment 214178

Lane Precision 7 saum obscuring view....

I love that 1873!!!