Show us a picture of your reloading bench

[WestKentucky]

WK I can’t wait to see it!

Now that you mention it, I have been working some today. Not a lot of time, got a kid with a birthday so family is coming and this daddy has to go grill. Everything is laid out more or less how I want it. Nothing is bolted in hard yet, but I have it screwed down with deck screws for a trial run. The loading area is small but you don’t necessarily need a whole lot of space if you’re doing things right. Brass, bullets, primers, powder, etc is packed away into the cabinets and tool box.
Fly tying area is coming along nicely too. It also serves as a bookcase for reloading manuals, but that box hasn’t been unpacked just yet.
Still have to work on the more general use workbench area, as it has become a clutter catcher. A few more days and I’ll have this thing really turned into something.

Only 1 downside to what I have done so far. I didn’t run power to a window for an AC unit. It’s already rather warm. I have the circuit with room for more draw, I just have to go buy the wire. Wire has gotten so high that it hurts to even think about buying it, but so far everything I have used except for ceramic light bases has been salvaged materials, so I guess a roll of wire won’t break the bank.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Now that you mention it, I have been working some today. Not a lot of time, got a kid with a birthday so family is coming and this daddy has to go grill. Everything is laid out more or less how I want it. Nothing is bolted in hard yet, but I have it screwed down with deck screws for a trial run. The loading area is small but you don’t necessarily need a whole lot of space if you’re doing things right. Brass, bullets, primers, powder, etc is packed away into the cabinets and tool box. View attachment 1203568
Fly tying area is coming along nicely too. It also serves as a bookcase for reloading manuals, but that box hasn’t been unpacked just yet. View attachment 1203569
Still have to work on the more general use workbench area, as it has become a clutter catcher. A few more days and I’ll have this thing really turned into something.

Only 1 downside to what I have done so far. I didn’t run power to a window for an AC unit. It’s already rather warm. I have the circuit with room for more draw, I just have to go buy the wire. Wire has gotten so high that it hurts to even think about buying it, but so far everything I have used except for ceramic light bases has been salvaged materials, so I guess a roll of wire won’t break the bank.

I find it funny you can get a decent 12ga extension cord for a reasonable price but cant get just a spool of 12ga wire for a cheaper price... are they making the insulation out of gold or something?

 

[3sport]

@GeoDudeFlorida recommended I post my new bench RELOCATION PICS here. I recently moved my bench from my basement (where it has sat unused for over a decade) to my garage. My garage is semi-climate controlled. No insulation above the ceiling to the attic, or it would be really climate controlled. I am not insulating my garage ceiling for a while. I just insulated my sunroom ceiling (that shares the garage roof) and that was a horrific pain in the butt. So maybe in a year or two I will insulate the garage ceiling. I turned my basement into a home theater, so that took six months, then focussed on putting my bench back in operation. What a mess it was at one time, but now it's in-service and up and running.

The old bench in the basement last spring. Over 10 years of neglect. Yikes. I bought that Craftsman bench specifically for reloading in 1998 ish. I started reloading in 1993, but just used my garage workbench at the time. Then moved everything to the basement, until I put reloading on pause in the early 2ks.



The new digs. Now in my finished garage. Moving that large, heavy Craftsman bench from the basement to the garage was no picnic.
I also straightened the homebrew shelves with center supports. And added some vintage Tin Signs. The wooden shelves above my homebrew bench shelves were already there, installed by the builder for general garage storage. I also mounted some of my father's WWII ammo (he was a veteran) on the very top of the shelving under the signs. It's been fired, and had mock bullets put back in.


Left drawer is brass, right drawer is bullets. Bottom shelf is brass cleaning, heavy stock and overflow.



I mostly do single stage, but you can see the RCBS Piggyback Progressive attachment for the Rock Chucker on the far left back in a stand. I did some 9mm progressive loading the other day with it just to get it back in service. I much prefer single stage. I have a Philips FM/CD/Cassette player there. That's mandatory for me. I always listen to music while reloading. And I finally put a Chromebook on my bench to look up load data and post to this forum.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I’ve acquired a few things. Coming along nicely

 

[Frulk]

I have a Philips FM/CD/Cassette player there. That's mandatory for me. I always listen to music while reloading. And I finally put a Chromebook on my bench to look up load data and post to this forum.

Nicely done upgrade to your reloading digs all around. Glad you mentioned the stereo. I have a thing for vintage micro audio equipment and was going to ask about it.

Really like that organizer mat you have on the bench. Where did you get that from? I need one or two of those. Do you know if it’s anti static?

Frulk.

 

[Wildfan99]

All you guys with the nice, clean, tidy, organized benches are SICK IN THE HEAD!!

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Maybe.....................

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

All you guys with the nice, clean, tidy, organized benches are SICK IN THE HEAD!!

I just cleaned it.

 

[Bazoo]

View attachment 1207520

I just cleaned it.

Thanks for the laugh, good one!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Thanks for the laugh, good one!

You’re welcome.

That arrangement is more useful than people can grasp I think. I resize 7.62x54R, .303, .30-06 and .30-30 all on that little Partner press attached to the stool. The amount of leverage is amazing. The aluminum Partner has some stretch but proper lubrication and the application of steady force mitigate any negative influence.

 

[CQB45ACP]

You’re welcome.

That arrangement is more useful than people can grasp I think. I resize 7.62x54R, .303, .30-06 and .30-30 all on that little Partner press attached to the stool. The amount of leverage is amazing. The aluminum Partner has some stretch but proper lubrication and the application of steady force mitigate any negative influence.

I'm actually surprised it's stable given the stool's legs aren't splayed (or what ever the correct term is) and the press isn't mounted over a leg. Shows what I know.

 

[JmacD]

View attachment 1207520

I just cleaned it.

Most of us sit on a stool at the bench… do you sit on a bench at your stool?
Actually quite like the idea.

 

[3sport]

Nicely done upgrade to your reloading digs all around. Glad you mentioned the stereo. I have a thing for vintage micro audio equipment and was going to ask about it.

Really like that organizer mat you have on the bench. Where did you get that from? I need one or two of those. Do you know if it’s anti static?

Frulk.

I am a vintage stereo aficionado. I collect older vintage audio equipment. Mostly the larger receivers, tuners, speakers, and amplifiers and turntables from the 60s through the early 80s. The Philips dates to the very early 80s. I got it from an elderly neighbor before she went into assisted living. It sounds surprisingly good for the size. It's perfect for the reloading area. I do not use the cassette even though I have a large cassette collection. There is a CD player built into the top. I use that once in a while. Mostly, I use the FM and an Amazon Echo Dot II that you can barely see in the photo just to the left of the white funnel, hooked up to the Philips AUX input. So I can just ask Alexa to play something. That's the easiest and most convenient these days. The Echo Dot II was the last to have a mini plug output for direct hookup to an audio device. After that series, it was all Bluetooth output.

The mat is listed as a GUN/RIFLE CLEANING MAT at AMAZON HERE. Brown, Gray or Black. Mine is Brown. The Brown has a slight greenish cast. You will have to put it out in the sun for 1/2 an hour and roll it the opposite direction until cool to get the factory curl out of it, or it will continue to curl up on the ends.

It is rubber (most likely a rubber compound), so it is partially anti-stat, but not fully. But it's usually higher humidity in my garage, so static is never a problem.

 

[CQB45ACP]

I am a vintage stereo aficionado. I collect older vintage audio equipment. Mostly the larger receivers, tuners, speakers, and amplifiers and turntables from the 60s through the early 80s. The Philips dates to the very early 80s. I got it from an elderly neighbor before she went into assisted living. It sounds surprisingly good for the size. It's perfect for the reloading area. I do not use the cassette even though I have a large cassette collection. There is a CD player built into the top. I use that once in a while. Mostly, I use the FM and an Amazon Echo Dot II that you can barely see in the photo just to the left of the white funnel, hooked up to the Philips AUX input. So I can just ask Alexa to play something. That's the easiest and most convenient these days. The Echo Dot II was the last to have a mini plug output for direct hookup to an audio device. After that series, it was all Bluetooth output.

The mat is listed as a GUN/RIFLE CLEANING MAT at AMAZON HERE. Brown, Gray or Black. Mine is Brown. The Brown has a slight greenish cast. You will have to put it out in the sun for 1/2 an hour and roll it the opposite direction until cool to get the factory curl out of it, or it will continue to curl up on the ends.

It is rubber (most likely a rubber compound), so it is partially anti-stat, but not fully. But it's usually higher humidity in my garage, so static is never a problem.

The only old stuff of mine my 30+ y/o son was interested after they bought a house was my 70s stereo equipment and vinyl collection. Bang & Olufsen, Magnepan, and Yamaha. Not all top of line but way more than I should've paid back then. Used to be a dozen really amazing stereo shops in the DC area with multiple listening rooms. What a sales technique.

Now I just listen to the music already rattling around in my head.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Most of us sit on a stool at the bench… do you sit on a bench at your stool?
Actually quite like the idea.

Yup. You’re certainly never going to pick yourself up by your own back pocket. Most anything I reload just a foot on the bottom rung holds everything in place. As thick as that top is, and given those bolts are through 2” steel washers, applying enough force to break it would most likely break my arm first.

Slow even pressure is the key.

 

[.45Coltguy]

I am a vintage stereo aficionado. I collect older vintage audio equipment. Mostly the larger receivers, tuners, speakers, and amplifiers and turntables from the 60s through the early 80s. The Philips dates to the very early 80s. I got it from an elderly neighbor before she went into assisted living. It sounds surprisingly good for the size. It's perfect for the reloading area. I do not use the cassette even though I have a large cassette collection. There is a CD player built into the top. I use that once in a while. Mostly, I use the FM and an Amazon Echo Dot II that you can barely see in the photo just to the left of the white funnel, hooked up to the Philips AUX input. So I can just ask Alexa to play something. That's the easiest and most convenient these days. The Echo Dot II was the last to have a mini plug output for direct hookup to an audio device. After that series, it was all Bluetooth output.

The mat is listed as a GUN/RIFLE CLEANING MAT at AMAZON HERE. Brown, Gray or Black. Mine is Brown. The Brown has a slight greenish cast. You will have to put it out in the sun for 1/2 an hour and roll it the opposite direction until cool to get the factory curl out of it, or it will continue to curl up on the ends.

It is rubber (most likely a rubber compound), so it is partially anti-stat, but not fully. But it's usually higher humidity in my garage, so static is never a problem.

Dang. Too bad we live far away, as I have an Pioneer tube reciever and seperate pre-amp and a Onkyo solid state tuner/reciever just sitiing in a cabinet not being used.

 

[EMC45]

View attachment 1207520

I just cleaned it.

I'm a minimalist, but doggonit son you've skint it back!

 

[buddyd157]

 

[3sport]

Dang. Too bad we live far away, as I have an Pioneer tube reciever and seperate pre-amp and a Onkyo solid state tuner/reciever just sitiing in a cabinet not being used.

Hokey smokes Bullwinkle. Music to my ears. I would take that that system in a heartbeat and give you a nice stipend for the trouble of letting me take it off of your hands.

I'm a member of a vintage and high-end stereo forum. And like here were some guys have reloading equipment or guns that blow your mind, you should see some of the systems that some members in that stereo forum post. Like Very High End McIntosh systems worth probably 50 grand. I am no where near that level, but I do love vintage, especially TUBE, rigs. The sound is so much sweeter to my ears via vacuum tube amplification. But I also like early solid state. That discreet circuitry came close to vintage tube audio sound purity. Now, everything is large scale integrated circuit on one mother board. Nothing like the vintage rigs.

 

[3sport]

The only old stuff of mine my 30+ y/o son was interested after they bought a house was my 70s stereo equipment and vinyl collection. Bang & Olufsen, Magnepan, and Yamaha. Not all top of line but way more than I should've paid back then. Used to be a dozen really amazing stereo shops in the DC area with multiple listening rooms. What a sales technique.

Now I just listen to the music already rattling around in my head.

My favorite system is my college system I bought in 1980. A 1978 Yamaha Discreet circuitry CA-810 integrated amp, matching Yamaha Tuner, Yamaha YP-D4 Turntable, Optimus 10 floor speakers and Sanyo cassette deck. The very first microprossor controlled cassette deck back then.

I worked all summer long one year during college break like an animal building Cable Television mainline systems POLE TO POLE to afford that system, so I would never part with it. Literally, it cost me blood sweat and tears. It still sounds wonderful, but I have taken care of it. Sorry about the off-topic, but a picture is worth 1,000 words. Currintly sitting in my dining room because I am out of room to put it anywhere else.

 

[CQB45ACP]

My favorite system is my college system I bought in 1980. A 1978 Yamaha Discreet circuitry CA-810 integrated amp, matching Yamaha Tuner, Yamaha YP-D4 Turntable, Optimus 10 floor speakers and Sanyo cassette deck. The very first microprossor controlled cassette deck back then.

I worked all summer long one summer during college break like an animal building Cable Television systems POLE TO POLE to afford that system, so I would never part with it. Literally, it cost me blood sweat and tears. It still sounds wonderful, but I have taken care of it. Sorry about the off-topic, but a picture is work 1,000 words. Currintly sitting in my dining room because I am out of room to put it anywhere else.

View attachment 1207573

Nice

Cant remember the model numbers but in mid-late 70s I had a Marantz that I sold and bought a big new to market Yamaha receiver (even had auto AFC in the tuning knob) but then got rid of that and bought their newer amp & tuner. If I walked into Myer Emco I walked out with something.

Good thing I wasn't reloading at the time...but I did work two jobs

 

[3sport]

You’re welcome.

That arrangement is more useful than people can grasp I think. I resize 7.62x54R, .303, .30-06 and .30-30 all on that little Partner press attached to the stool. The amount of leverage is amazing. The aluminum Partner has some stretch but proper lubrication and the application of steady force mitigate any negative influence.

As my British friends would say..... "BRILLIANT!"

 

[Walkalong]

My bench goes from clean to dirty. I clean it up, do projects, it slowly gets dirty, I clean it up......it's a viscous cycle.

 

[Blue68f100]

I clean mine so I can get some workspace to get dirty again.

 

[Bazoo]

I haven't seen my reloading bench in a while. I have picture gear for BulletMatch set up and hate to move it as it's just right. That is a
RCBS 44-250-K that I use when I set up or check everything.

I'm actually thinking about going the stool route. I do have an outside table I could use... hmm, guess I could set up on the porth.