1st thought - this thread needs to be a STICKY!!!!
Otherwiser.... Y'all have some really amazing work spaces! Whether large and spacious or small and efficient, it's very interesting to see how you all accomplish this.
I like the fully engineered/designed work labs (there are 4 in this category which really stood out to me) as well as seeing how those with less physical space make it work. There is some great creativity out there!
Since I'm re-building after 4 yrs of grad school and another 8-ish in ministry (aka reduced financial compensation), geography and career change I am in a place of planning (dreaming?).
When I 1st got into reloading and LR shooting (20+ yrs ago) I made a bench from 4x4's posts, 2x4's supports and a work surface from 2x 3/4" sheets of plywood (any pics I have were shot on film and I currently don't know where they are). It was very sturdy, but wasn't the best work surface nor did I have good storage for everything.
So as I'm looking at all these great spaces, some aspects that stand out:
1) install good lighting fixtures - more is better!!!! (I really liked the under-shelf lighting)
2) pre-built cabinets for storage are really nice (and can probably be obtained from "Re-Purposed" stores on the "cheap") - more is better!!!
3) build a rock solid work surface that is smooth - reinforced formica counter tops or 'butcher-block' hardwood with a heavy/durable finish (polyurethane?) which is easily cleaned
4) keeping things well organized is important to me
I hope this thread gets more posts/pics! It's really inspirational for those of us in the conceptual phase.
EDIT: Here is a link to a thread on another Forum similar to this (yep, Loading Bench Porn!!!!)
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/2...ad___Now_with_100__more_Pictures_.html&page=1
I hope it's OK to add this here......