How many of you reload inside? I am trying to move my reloading inside...so it will not be so exposed to this Elgin, South Carolina humidity. I am thinking about buying a bench to put in the house, Should I build or buy, Im not that great of a builder and once again have no one to show me how, but I do have a good bit of money (cutting grass) so does anyone know any indoor loading bench plans, or a bench/table I can buy that would be suitable for reloading? or should I just leave it outside in the heat and humidity?
thanks,
308sc
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Z-Michigan
June 15, 2008, 11:50 PM
Definitely move it inside!
There are lots of reloading bench plans on this forum, just do a search or some browsing. It doesn't need to be fancy.
Where I live the basement is the natural place for reloading, but I realize that in some parts of the country most houses don't have basements.
DEDON45
June 15, 2008, 11:55 PM
I reload inside, as my house does not have a garage... I have a spare bedroom that I put a new craftsman bench with upper unit in (it was on sale). When I move to a house that has a garage, it'll go out there.
45ACPUSER
June 15, 2008, 11:58 PM
Hit Lowes for Kobalt brand bench or go to Sears!
308sc
June 15, 2008, 11:59 PM
Good luck DEDON45...keep your equipment wiped down with WD-40 or some other type of rust preventative....or else your nice new hornady LNL progessive press might start getting light rust spots on it...I don't know about you but this Columbia/Elgin humidity is about to kill me..and my reloading equipment.
R.W.Dale
June 16, 2008, 12:02 AM
Just find yourself a good heavy office desk, with some slight modifications they make a PERFECT reloading platform.
i do it inside.... The only problem is gunpowder and other spills if on carpet. I rent so last time i put a rug down. It caught most stuff but this time i will either do a rubber-backed rug or i have thought of buying one of the big plastic office chair things as a protective. also think if you got a kid crawlin around in that stuff too...
308sc
June 16, 2008, 12:23 AM
Don't have a kid (im too young) but do have a dog...good point I would put down a rubber mat or something.
Okiecruffler
June 16, 2008, 01:22 AM
Two words for you, "thrift store". Bought my bench for $12, the shelf above it for $10 I think.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h234/okiecruffler/100_2026.jpg
BigJakeJ1s
June 16, 2008, 11:55 PM
I built my reloading bench using the Rockler router table steel leg set and heavy duty casters. I roll it out when I need it, and roll it back into the laundry room when done. I keep the bottom shelf loaded down with bullets and brass, and with the casters locked (both pivot and roll lock) it is very stable.
Andy
rrflyer
June 17, 2008, 12:05 AM
mines inside.....nice to have the AC.
I built a basic table for about 50 bucks and an hours worth of work. Lowes or home depot cut all the wood to size for me so all I had to do was screw everything together when i got home.
ranger335v
June 17, 2008, 11:12 AM
Harbor Freight Tools has a sale until Jun 23. They have a 5 Ft. long oak woodworking bench for $150, it would make a very nice loading bench.
moooose102
June 17, 2008, 11:21 AM
my stuff is all inside also. the only thing i wish i had that isnt here is compressed air. which will be the next thing when i can get my brother over to help with it. i have to dig and install it underground in conduit, along with electrical cable and a phone line (all going out to the garage from the house). in michigan, you either have your stuff inside, or forget about reloading in the winter!
BullsEye10x
June 17, 2008, 12:32 PM
My press/work area is currently in the garage, because the den is already full of computers and music equipment. I'll definitely move the reloading stuff inside once we get a bigger house, for the sake of comfort, but it's OK for now. I keep a fan on whenever I'm out there and lightly coat all metal surfaces with CLP after every session. Use an old T-shirt to cover the press as well when it's not being used. No rust yet...
seektruth
June 17, 2008, 01:32 PM
Mine is inside. Spare bedroom in my townhouse. Only problem is that my bench isn't as solid as I'd like. Bolting it to the wall would do the trick, but I rent so I've decided against it.
Mike 56
June 17, 2008, 03:18 PM
I too reload in the house it's warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I built a portable table that is easy to take a part to store or take with you. I have reloaded with it at the range as well in my travel trailer. Here is the link on how to build one. http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/portablereloading/index.asp
Mike
skywalkrNCSU
June 17, 2008, 03:34 PM
I am about to build my bench for inside...it is almost either too hot or too cold to be comfortable outside so if you have room why not?
copdills
June 17, 2008, 03:46 PM
I have always reloaded inside, need to get that stuff inside:o
DEDON45
June 17, 2008, 04:42 PM
308sc, my stuff is inside... when I was reloading before, it was done in July, in SC (Sandy Run if you know where that is), in a non-environmentally controlled garage...well, I don't think a fan counts. Never had a problem with rust (the press was aluminum, and I kept a light coat of oil on the ram)... the dies never rusted, and I never did anything for them other than screw 'em in and out of the press. I do know that some folks' body chemistry can cause rust faster than others (I seem to recall a lot of red headed folks have this problem), but I didn't have a problem...
That said, when I do get my man cave setup in whatever house I move to, there will be some form of AC going in that area (window unit or otherwise)... or if I'm real lucky and get a basement, that'd be awesome too.
mkl
June 17, 2008, 04:49 PM
I "built" a reloading stand about 40 years ago that I still use.
I went to a local welding shop that had a good "scrap yard" out back. We dug up a 1/4-inch thick circular steel plate that was 18-inches in diameter (the base), a 30-inch long, four-inch diameter piece of "drill stem" oil field drilling pipe with a 3/8-inch thick wall (the pedistal), and a 12x12 square piece of quarter-inch steel plate (the top). Weld the drill stem to the center of the base, weld the center of the 12x12 plate to the top of the drill stem and you are done. [The "built" above is in quotes because the owner of the welding shop actually did all the welding.]
Take a 22x17 inch pice of plywood and bolt on top of the 12x12 steel plate so that one side of the plywood is flush with one side of the steel plate.
Now when you mount your press you drill the mounting holes through the 3/4-inch plywood and through the steel plate.
Makes one heck of a sturdy stand; no "flex" whatsoever due to the steel plate under the plywood. Mine weighs about 50 pounds which gives good stability. Mount your other acessories (case trimmer, etc.) on the plywood table with wood screws.
Very compact. Can stand in a closet or corner until you need it.
justice1132
June 17, 2008, 05:00 PM
Just my two cents....
I went to Home Depot and got some Simpson Strong Tie bench building kits (approx. $22) each. One kit will make a 6' long table by however wide you want it (directions say that any longer than 6' you need more middle support).
Basically metal corners and screws, all you do is add the 2X4's for rails and legs, and some plywood for a top. You can get really fancy and add peg board across the back for tools and such, or shelves as well. Sturdy enough to hold my um....well...."husky" frame without even a wobble. A little more pricey than a thrift store find, but you can adjust the size as you see fit. Hope this helps!
I went to Lowes and procured 40 bucks worth of 2X8 and 2x6 short drops and some carriage bolts and nuts. 3 hours later I had a bench that Godzilla could not destroy. 2x8 makes a tough top that you can bolt anything to. It sits inside where I can be comfortable and does not take up too much room.
Dirtypacman
June 17, 2008, 05:31 PM
I am a basement reloader - keeps everything away from the living area and gives me my own personal place to relax.
SSN Vet
June 18, 2008, 10:52 AM
I use an old office desk and it has held up just fine....
(I'm not sizing .50 BMG)
basement set up here....
fortunately my lovely wife invited me to move into her finished basement office.....which is warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Life is good :)
mcflury
July 25, 2008, 07:49 PM
reloading inside is great just dont start watching tv and reloadingi bought a nice bench from sams club 200 nice stong maple top
VegasOPM
July 25, 2008, 08:01 PM
I bought one of those Gorilla racks that make either one tall shelf or two shop tables for $100 or so. I replaced the wood on top with 3/4" mdf and that is my reloading bench. It is 8' long, so I have my MEC shotgun gun press, my Lee single stage and my Dillon 550 all ready to go, all the time- with ample storage underneath. My gauge toolbox fits nicely on one end and my dies storage box fits on the other end.
aerod1
July 25, 2008, 09:10 PM
I live in the North Texas area and there is NO WAY I reloading in my garage when it is 100+ degrees outside. I purchased a "Work Mate" clone from Harbor Freight for $12.95 + tax. I "C clamped" a piece of 3/4" plywood on it and it is working great for me. It isn't working so good for my wife because she doesn't think it is nearly as attractive as I do. She is :cuss::fire:. She'll get over it:neener:
It's hot in Texas right now!
benzuncle
July 25, 2008, 09:51 PM
Man, I love looking at everyone's benches! It's akin to gun porn, ain't it? I set up my Man Cave in the Warden's sewing room. I have one corner and am content with that.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/benzuncle/ManCaveintheWardensSewingRoom.jpg
Man you are asking for problems if you are reloading outside meaning not in side of any shelter. The wind can mess with your scale causing you to under load or over load. Man Weather you put it in the house or in a shed or garage or in a hole. I would not reload out in the open air. To me that is dangerous in the extreme.
I went to Home Depot and bought a kit which came with brackets and all the measurment to make a 2'x4' bench. It has a peg board back which could be altered to make shelves.
Reloading inside is fine. The trick is to have a stable bench to put your press on.
My first bench was a 2x4 drilled into the wall studs with legs in the front supported with cross members. The deck was 2x6s and was suprisingly stable. It was 12" deep. If I did it again, I'd put lag bolts on the bottom of the legs to level easier.
Head down to goodwill and find a heavy desk. They work well.
DWARREN123
July 26, 2008, 05:33 AM
Right now I only reload 40 S&W and have all my stuff in a large pastic tool type box except for the press. I mount it up on a computer desk and dismount it when thru. Always inside because outside has too many variables for good reloading, in my opinion, and not as comfortable.:D
mrwilson
July 26, 2008, 10:58 AM
In this month's American Rifleman there is a picture of a tabletop reloading stand by woodchuckden.com. Looks very nice. Sadly they don't have a picture of it on their website.
no_problem
July 26, 2008, 11:14 AM
I bought one of those Gorilla racks that make either one tall shelf or two shop tables for $100 or so. I replaced the wood on top with 3/4" mdf and that is my reloading bench. It is 8' long, so I have my MEC shotgun gun press, my Lee single stage and my Dillon 550 all ready to go, all the time- with ample storage underneath. My gauge toolbox fits nicely on one end and my dies storage box fits on the other end.>>
Those Gorilla Racks look pretty nicely designed and well built. I am considering one for my next home.
I load down in my climate controlled basement/hobby room/washroom.
I modified an old steel desk (with drawers) by screwing an old industrial solid core door to the top. It all weighs a ton and it's as stable as heck. Cost: About $3 in hardware. It ain't pretty, but man, what a bench.
Bronson7
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