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Reloading Bench Porn

Ison

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 3, 2013
131
145
Okay...... I'm getting ready to build a reloading bench and want to get some ideas of how I should set it up. Curious if you guys had any tips or articles you could link that might help me get started setting up my bench. I have the necessities, press, powder drop, powder trickler, scales, case trimmer, ect.... I would like to keep a clean bench and not a lot of clutter so I'm curious how you guys keep everything organized and easily accessible. I think I would rather build a bench vs. buy one. Thanks in advance.
 
Only recommendation is to prominently deploy foundations and bases from Inline Fabrication ... it will give you maximum flexibility and allow the same space to leverage multiple tools.
Inline Fabrication makes some nice stuff! Thanks for bringing this company to my attention. I will definitely be ordering a press stand and wall mount system.
 
I don't know if you have a local Sam's club, but they have sold a 6' x 2' butcher block bench for probably 20 years for $200. They finally raised the price about $10. I have 2 as they are by far the best deal for benches I've seen. I wouldn't even consider building one unless you have a bunch of free quality materials laying around. Just a thought.
 
Build the bench more robust than you think you’ll need. There won’t be a situation where you’re upset you overbuilt it.

Next thing is to plan out the workspace, make sure you can move around from station to station without being too cramped. Knocking over a tray of powder filed cases is a bad feeling, same with a powder jug. Especially in this climate.

The layout should have your process in mind so you don’t screw up and load a projectile in a powderless case.

I move from left to right once I have my cases deprimed, resized and tumbled. I also keep my vibrating tumblers on the floor, not on the bench top with my scales.
 

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There is a reloading bench thread at 1911forum with over 2k posts. Great pictures and ideas thread.
 
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Build the bench more robust than you think you’ll need. There won’t be a situation where you’re upset you overbuilt it.

Next thing is to plan out the workspace, make sure you can move around from station to station without being too cramped. Knocking over a tray of powder filed cases is a bad feeling, same with a powder jug. Especially in this climate.

The layout should have your process in mind so you don’t screw up and load a projectile in a powderless case.

I move from left to right once I have my cases deprimed, resized and tumbled. I also keep my vibrating tumblers on the floor, not on the bench top with my scales.
Yeah I was planning on overbuilding it just like I do everything else. :cool: I definitely will use the press stand on the right side of the bench idea.
 
I don't know if you have a local Sam's club, but they have sold a 6' x 2' butcher block bench for probably 20 years for $200. They finally raised the price about $10. I have 2 as they are by far the best deal for benches I've seen. I wouldn't even consider building one unless you have a bunch of free quality materials laying around. Just a thought.
I figured the top would be the most expensive part. I thought about using 2x4s if I had a milling machine and gluing them together.
 
Just make sure everything is level and having powder spillage prevention in mind. My biggest headache is tipping over powder.
 
Just make sure everything is level and having powder spillage prevention in mind. My biggest headache is tipping over powder.
Yeah I definitely don’t want to spill any of that if I can help it. Not in the current situation especially.
 
Yeah I was planning on overbuilding it just like I do everything else. :cool: I definitely will use the press stand on the right side of the bench idea.
If you zoom in on my picture you can see four 1/4” holes in the top between the brass prep & powder thrower. I have captured T-nuts on the underside of the MDF and use them to bolt down various items that are easily removed. My two favorite are a single stage press I use to deprime and my Hornady trimmer. They store off to the side and don’t eat up a lot of space.
 

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If you zoom in on my picture you can see four 1/4” holes in the top between the brass prep & powder thrower. I have captured T-nuts on the underside of the MDF and use them to bolt down various items that are easily removed. My two favorite are a single stage press I use to deprime and my Hornady trimmer. They store off to the side and don’t eat up a lot of space.
I like the idea of being able to remove components from the table top. I would like to build it so that it can be disassembled and moved easily if I ever move.
 
I like the idea of being able to remove components from the table top. I would like to build it so that it can be disassembled and moved easily if I ever move.
I used to think that. Then I discovered I could evolve and amend my benches with each new version.
 
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There is a reloading bench thread at 1911forum with over 2k posts. Great pictures and ideas thread.
Thanks for that link. I have been going through the pictures and I have got a ton of ideas from this.
 
I bought this from Lowes years ago and made a bench out of it. Its a little bit small but serves the purpose. But I agree with the above post, the sams club bench does look nice as I've been eyeballing them myself.
 

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it still looks real nice even for a lows bench I am reusing an old book shelf to store all my stuff and a repurposed bar stool for the press till I can come up something more permanent .
 
it still looks real nice even for a lows bench I am reusing an old book shelf to store all my stuff and a repurposed bar stool for the press till I can come up something more permanent .
Nothing wrong with that, roll with what ya got till ya can get better suited! This is a temporary for me as well but will still use this bench some way or another once I've got my other setup complete. Gonna be a while though..
 
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Ive been thinking about this subject for a little bit also. Lowes has an 8 foot butcher block table top for 209 and home depot has them here for 169 on the 6 foot variety and the 4 foot was 109.

Edit: Apparently trees are now hard to come by also. The 209 deal is now closer to 340 at my local lowes.
 
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We have a great thread here called "Building the perfect reloading room."
I'm pretty sure it's pinned above.
Here's a link to a sticky of "reloading benches" in a thread about "reloading benches" that happens to exist in a forum that has to do with reloading.


Who'da thunk-it, eh?

Next thing you know, there's gonna be questions about 'setting the gap' between the ram and the sizing die.....

But that's another story. For another thread. Regaring 'equipment use' in the Gunsmithing forum, on a Mountain-biking site. Based in Europe.
 
Here's a link to a sticky of "reloading benches" in a thread about "reloading benches" that happens to exist in a forum that has to do with reloading.


Who'da thunk-it, eh?

Next thing you know, there's gonna be questions about 'setting the gap' between the ram and the sizing die.....

But that's another story. For another thread. Regaring 'equipment use' in the Gunsmithing forum, on a Mountain-biking site. Based in Europe.
For the life of me I don’t understand people like you.
 
I decided to make mine less than permanent, in case I decide to move out of this shit hole state. Not too big taking up space, not too small with no room to work. Weighs enough that with the casters locked it doesn't move.

I did decide for a solid countertop design. 3/4 MDF with 3/4 hardwood flooring glued and screwed from below. Press and vises bolted right to it. Solid. Built it on a Saturday.
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I converted my old desk into a reloading setup.
 

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Okay...... I'm getting ready to build a reloading bench and want to get some ideas of how I should set it up. Curious if you guys had any tips or articles you could link that might help me get started setting up my bench. I have the necessities, press, powder drop, powder trickler, scales, case trimmer, ect.... I would like to keep a clean bench and not a lot of clutter so I'm curious how you guys keep everything organized and easily accessible. I think I would rather build a bench vs. buy one. Thanks in advance.
 
you guys inspired my flush mount set up. although I ended up using coupling nut, threaded rod, red loctite and the origonal knobs. works great!
 
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What have you guys been doing for ventilation in your rooms. There isn't much airflow in my room and I'm pretty sure I'm loosing brain cells when I'm cleaning guns
 
What have you guys been doing for ventilation in your rooms. There isn't much airflow in my room and I'm pretty sure I'm loosing brain cells when I'm cleaning guns

If you have a window, set up a small fan that blows air out of the window.
 
I changed my space up slightly after adding some additional equipment. The empty cubbyhole is for my micrometer stand that’s on the way.

Under the wall cabinet sit two sets of calipers that I really need a better place for.

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I figured the top would be the most expensive part. I thought about using 2x4s if I had a milling machine and gluing them together.
Unless you can find true kiln dried 2x4's with low moisture content, stay away from this idea.
 
What have you guys been doing for ventilation in your rooms. There isn't much airflow in my room and I'm pretty sure I'm loosing brain cells when I'm cleaning guns
I just inhale deeply...Late Lament style.
 
I found a butcher block topped table for $30. Removed the legs and mounted it to a more stable bottom. Semi-permanent montes tools along it.