Author Topic: Built a reloading bench today (Read 2386 times)

Jal5 · « **on:** December 21, 2008, 10:06:56 AM »

Another step closer to starting this new hobby

I found a plan online for a basic workbench and tried to use all the scrap I had in the garage, but needed to pitch some of those 2x4s though with serious warping! Trip to Lowes for some 2x4s and decking screws was the only expense.
The table top I had already, good solid top 41x25 so I decided to use it and make the base accordingly. Now I just need to cut out the shelf below and its good to go. Very sturdy with 4x4 legs, my change to the original plans. I may decide to mount the press on a block of wood to put it a little taller when using it standing up, but I can do that later. Will post a pic when its all set up.

Here is the link to the plan I used.

http://hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2008, 11:17:05 AM »

Joe

That should work just fine

, however be warned that in no time flat you will be needing to expand the shelf space , been there / done that .

stimpy

GameHauler · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2008, 11:19:58 AM »

Man Cave law #32
"thow shale not post a loading bench being, or built without pictures.
This is to also include pictures of work in progress"
Stimply got reamed for the same thing a couple weeks ago
so get after it and post some pics or you must forfeit said bench to wife for scrap booking.
GameHauler- Moderator of rules violation for InternationalManCave.Org
Mike

CaptainJack · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2008, 11:29:02 AM »

Quote from: GameHauler on December 21, 2008, 11:19:58 AM

Man Cave law #32
"thow shale not post a loading bench being, or built without pictures.
This is to also include pictures of work in progress"
Stimply got reamed for the same thing a couple weeks ago
so get after it and post some pics or you must forfeit said bench to wife for scrap booking.
GameHauler- Moderator of rules violation for InternationalManCave.Org
Mike

Good post Mike.

Jal5 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2008, 11:31:08 AM »

Here's a pic, not finished yet though.

GameHauler · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2008, 01:36:20 PM »

Bench/press.
GREAT start

Mike

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2008, 06:22:37 PM »

I started with a simple bench not drastically unlike that one that was 48"x24" around 40 years or so ago. I actually still have it today but modified several times. It now is enclosed and has shelves. But I also have two others one 8' long and one 5' long. I am about out of space and really could use more bench space.

Jal5 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 22, 2008, 03:59:12 AM »

I was actually thinking about enclosing it too Bill. I know I will need more room eventually, but maybe this will be the base of the whole bench after a little while.
Thanks for GBO, I have really learned a lot here from some fine people.

Have a Merry Christmas,

Joe

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 22, 2008, 12:53:34 PM »

Very good job Joe , just keep the pic were you can find it , becase once you start loading you may never see the top of that bench again .

stimpy

GameHauler · « **Reply #9 on:** December 22, 2008, 01:23:31 PM »

Quote from: stimpylu32 on December 22, 2008, 12:53:34 PM

Very good job Joe , just keep the pic were you can find it , because once you start loading you may never see the top of that bench again .

stimpy

Ain't that the truth.
I cleaned mine up Sat. because a friend was going to stop by and pick up
a drill press I sold him.
He was a NO SHOW but at least my bench got cleaned

How about some new pictures of yours Stimply?
Maybe over on your thread.
Mike

Jal5 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2008, 05:20:41 PM »

Why is it that these hobbies turn into collecting more and more stuff? I haven't even bought the 357 mag. revolver yet, and already I am picking up brass from people for reloading and I still need to buy the dies! I think I have the disease bad already

Joe

Cheesehead · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2008, 05:26:30 PM »

I looks very heavy duty. Nice work.

Cheese

Old Fart · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2008, 02:46:09 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on December 21, 2008, 06:22:37 PM

I started with a simple bench not drastically unlike that one that was 48"x24" around 40 years or so ago. I actually still have it today but modified several times. It now is enclosed and has shelves. But I also have two others one 8' long and one 5' long. I am about out of space and really could use more bench space.

GB I feel your pain. I've got a similar problem. I built a man cave last year. 12' X 16" just for reloading. Sounds like it would be plenty big. Well you don't realize how much junk you collect as you go on in life. And like most of us I never get rid of anything either. I'm moving my old reloading bench out into the man cave this spring so I can have a little more space. It's another 8' bench. Part of my problem is my son & son-in-law are both getting interested and my oldest grandson wants to help. So the new bench will be primarily for him and extra space for all of us. Keep it in the family right?

Below are links to pics of my shed. Yes I need more shelves. OF

http://s479.photobucket.com/albums/rr155/OldFart_57/?action=view&current=PB260288.jpg

http://s479.photobucket.com/albums/rr155/OldFart_57/?action=view&current=PB260280.jpg

cwlongshot · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2008, 02:56:12 PM »

Quote from: Jal5 on December 21, 2008, 11:31:08 AM

Here's a pic, not finished yet though.

I see by the pic you already did the two things I was going to suggest... Dbl 2x6 or 4X4 legs and a thicker top!!

Like most of the long time re-loaders here I have built a number of loading benches. My current one is just ten years old and very similar to the plans you show. I also used a sheet of OSB, but it is beneath a sheet of 3/4" birch plywood. Double thick tops really "sturdy up" a bench!!

6" wide #2 pine makes dandy shelving for dies and bullets. Add a 1/4" backer screwed to the shelves and you will have everything handi. Another tip with those shelves, make a spl shelf at eye level, centered in your work space, for your scale. That makes it very easy to read and use.

Looks great so far!!

Good luck,
CW

Buckskin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2008, 03:46:45 AM »

Here is my bench. This one probably looks similar to a lot of guys benches, got the instructions off of the internet.
http://accurateshooter.net/Blog/benchnrma.pdf

A few modifications but pretty similar. It has worked very well for me although running out of space! But half of the crap on it could go.

Autorim · « **Reply #15 on:** December 27, 2008, 05:23:10 PM »

Testing to see if the photo posts. I personally prefer a bench with lots of knee room and securely anchored to the wall and knee braced to resist uplift.

Autorim · « **Reply #16 on:** December 27, 2008, 05:27:41 PM »

Looks like it worked. Here is another of my shop. I now have a heavy duty shelf above the reloading bench.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2008, 01:33:56 PM »

Good looking room!! LOTS of room I like it!!

When I built mine I had a room 12'x14'. BOY did I fill that fast!!!

CW

GameHauler · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2008, 02:28:51 PM »

Damn

What time does the store open
Could it be time to start another thread on your loading room(corner)

I am still waiting for Stimply to post an update on his new Man Cave
;)Mike

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2008, 02:37:38 PM »

Mike

Gona have to wait till tomorrow , Mama left the digital cam at work

.

I did get 2 new , 4 shelf units the other night and have them loaded down already. I also built another bench at the other end of the room to have some place to do gun cleaning , scope mounting , etc . its only 1/2 as long as the main bench and sits fine over my little fridge .

stimpy

45-70.gov · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2008, 03:42:09 PM »

Quote from: Jal5 on December 21, 2008, 10:06:56 AM

Another step closer to starting this new hobby
I found a plan online for a basic workbench and tried to use all the scrap I had in the garage, but needed to pitch some of those 2x4s though with serious warping! Trip to Lowes for some 2x4s and decking screws was the only expense.
The table top I had already, good solid top 41x25 so I decided to use it and make the base accordingly. Now I just need to cut out the shelf below and its good to go. Very sturdy with 4x4 legs, my change to the original plans. I may decide to mount the press on a block of wood to put it a little taller when using it standing up, but I can do that later. Will post a pic when its all set up.

Here is the link to the plan I used.

http://hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20xl.html

this table will wobble without diagonal supports or just
add a plywood back to it [any weight will do] and sides too

or lag bolt it to a wall and it will work

i am a carpenter and a reloader

Jal5 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2008, 04:03:48 PM »

It is heavy, 4x4 legs, and doesn't wobble the way it is. But I already decided to put back, sides, and front enclosure with a door I can lock on the front side to better store ammo, powder, and primers. My other thought is that top is too small! I may try to fit a longer top to the base supported on one side by either additional legs or a heavy metal file cabinet. the top I am going to try to fit to it is part of a kitchen counter top, heavy all by itself.

Joe

45-70.gov · « **Reply #22 on:** December 28, 2008, 05:49:16 PM »

it won't wobble until you start reloading
and those unsupported joints won't hold their angles at 90 dedrees they are at now
the ply wood will hold the angles

let the top [preferably 3/4 inch] overhang a few inches
mount loading press
lubrisizer vice and what ever else on a suitable size piece of 3/4 ply wood

now set what ever on the corner and use c-clamps on the overhangs and attached ply wood

cwlongshot · « **Reply #23 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:53:56 PM »

As mentioned before, a double thick top and full back support will do WORLDS to the overall stability of a reloading bench....

CW

Autorim · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2008, 05:20:54 PM »

I suggest two layers of 3/4 inch plywood for the top. Birch is nice. If the top overhangs the front about 2.5 inches most presses will thru bolt. Beware of some counter tops as most of the new ones are particle board and I would not expect it to stay together. I find that about 40 inches high is a good working height to stand or sit on a high stool.

Old Fart · « **Reply #25 on:** January 06, 2009, 04:11:04 AM »

After looking at some of the pic's here it's nice to know I'm not the only one who has dedicated a large area to this hobby. As stated my next project is to move my old reloading bench out of the garage into the Man Cave. After that I'm going to put a lean-to on the east side for melting lead and casting bullets in the great outdoors. Then more shelves inside. I still have crap stacked on top of each other and it's hard to find some of it. It would be nice to at least see the end on some of the boxes that are currently buried.

Jal5 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 10, 2009, 01:16:17 PM »

thought i would post an updated pic of my project. Almost done, need to build the back and sides on it. I made up in extra shelf room what I didn't have in the bench top

thanks for all the suggestions. Now I can get busy reloading, 243, 270, 357 mag, 38 spl. Hopefully this crappy weather will let up so I can get to the range!

Joe